Fixed wireless solutions for VoIP & UC success

Written by Daniel Noworatzky | Nov 20, 2024 3:20:00 PM

Despite the continued proliferation of wired telecom infrastructure in urban and suburban areas throughout the country, fixed wireless solutions are still a critical and essential “last-mile” technology. In this article, we look closely at fixed wireless solutions, exploring what they are, the various approaches used to implement them, and how they support current VoIP and UC implementations.

What is fixed wireless?

Fixed wireless is a local-loop technology that allows a fixed location (like a building or a residence) to connect to the internet. You can typically install appropriate wireless equipment on the roof or the outer wall of the building.

From that device, network connectivity can be further distributed within the building via appropriate structured cabling and network devices, allowing users and services within the building to enjoy network connectivity without having their own individual wireless networking adapters.

Fixed wireless technology is available through a wide array of solutions, ranging from connecting a single residence to the internet all the way up to providing enterprise-grade interconnectivity.

Fixed wireless deployment scenarios

There are two general scenarios involved with fixed wireless solutions.

The first is the deployment of a wireless point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection that is used to share an existing wired internet service with other nearby buildings.

This arrangement, called wireless bridging, is deployed as part of a broader enterprise network architecture. In this scenario, the deployed wireless infrastructure belongs wholly to the enterprise in question.

The second scenario involves a direct connection to the network service provider via a wireless link, where the fixed wireless technology delivers the last mile or access technology for internet connectivity, typically delivered by a wireless ISP (WISP).

Underlying fixed wireless technologies

You can use various networking technologies to deploy fixed wireless solutions, and the choice of technology can affect bandwidth, reliability, the method of deployment, and the service delivered. The following are some of the most commonly used technologies for fixed wireless:

Wi-Fi: This should not be mistaken for the typical Wi-Fi service that connects user devices to the internet; this option is typically deployed as part of the enterprise network itself. It is most often used when one building already has high-speed wired internet connectivity, and one or more nearby buildings do not. One building can share its network connectivity with others via a set of point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless links. WISPs can also use Wi-Fi to connect customers directly to the internet.
WiMAX: This technology, once popular for broadband wireless access, has somewhat declined in use due to competition from LTE and 5G, which offer better performance and mobile compatibility. However, it is still a viable option today for fixed wireless, especially in niche markets and rural areas.
Microwave: Microwave technology uses licensed frequency ranges to deliver faster and more reliable wireless links over longer distances. ISPs typically deploy these to connect the customer premises directly to the internet.
Fixed mobile: This option uses existing 4G or 5G mobile networks to connect the customer premises to the internet. By utilizing a specialized mobile gateway to connect as a subscriber to the mobile network, this gateway can distribute network connectivity throughout the building using the existing internal network infrastructure.
Satellite: Over the past few years, satellite connectivity has become more widespread, especially with the deployment of dense low-earth-orbit satellite constellations. Fixed wireless installations using satellite links can leverage these networks to achieve connectivity virtually anywhere on the planet!

Considerations for deploying VoIP and UC over fixed wireless

Deploying VoIP and UC services over fixed wireless infrastructure can sometimes be tricky, depending on the underlying technology being deployed. Remember that VoIP and UC are time-sensitive and require steady and consistent network data flow to avoid problems like packet loss and jitter.

Fixed wireless can contribute to these phenomena if not handled correctly. To ensure high-quality voice and UC services, you should take the following factors into account:

Bandwidth and latency: Check that there is enough bandwidth available for UC and VoIP. Technologies like microwave and 5G fixed wireless connections offer lower latency, higher bandwidth, and better reliability, making them better suited for VoIP and UC than satellite or older Wi-Fi standards.
Quality of service (QoS): QoS policies should be implemented appropriately on all networks, whether using fixed wireless or not, but they become even more important when fixed wireless is employed. Links that support QoS can help maintain a stable, predictable flow for time-sensitive data. This is especially critical for enterprise-grade UC deployments where video conferencing, file sharing, and voice communication occur simultaneously.
Redundancy and failover: Since wireless links can sometimes be affected by environmental factors such as weather, it’s always a best practice to have redundancy mechanisms in place. For mission-critical VoIP and UC services, enterprises may choose to deploy dual fixed wireless links using different technologies (e.g., combining a microwave link with a fixed mobile link) to ensure fallback capability should one link fail.
Network security: VoIP and UC services require a high level of security, especially over wireless connections. Fixed wireless solutions should incorporate robust encryption standards to protect data in transit. This is particularly important for industries that handle sensitive information, like healthcare and finance.

Conclusion

Fixed wireless solutions provide a flexible and effective way to extend internet connectivity and support VoIP and UC services, particularly in areas where wired infrastructure is limited or challenging to deploy.

With the range of fixed wireless technologies available, organizations can tailor their connectivity solutions based on their specific needs and locations.

With careful planning and consideration, VoIP and UC services can perform optimally over these wireless connections by addressing bandwidth, latency, QoS, redundancy, and security, resulting in businesses that create a stable, high-performance network that meets modern communication demands and fosters seamless collaboration across locations.