The receiver has a network connection that plugs into a router or a single computer. Unlike large metropolitan areas, connectivity alternatives to a dial up connection, such as DSL or cable are not planned to become available in this area until between the years 2004 and 2006, and are questionable even then. In order for businesses in rural areas, such as ours, to remain competitive and individual Internet users to keep pace with the rest of the world, an economically feasible alternative had to be found. That alternative is wireless local loop or fixed-point wireless.
Speed is the primary advantage of wireless.
Businesses can't afford to spend time waiting on information and keep up with the competition. The alternative would be to lease a dedicated T1 line from the phone company. This can be very expensive, with high installation fees, equipment costs, and monthly fees to both the phone company and your Internet provider. A normal dial up connection with a 56 K modem, working properly, on a noise free phone line will download at a rate of approximately 5 kbps, with a 384 k wireless connection the rate would be approximately 40 kbps. The advantage of wireless over the modem connection is the modem is limited to a maximum of 56k, where the wireless radio can be turned from 128 k up to 3 mbs.