Broadband Wireless

About Broadband Wireless

The Best Solutions for Wireless Broadband in South Africa

Over the last two decades, Fixed Wireless Broadband (FWB) technology has seen tremendous improvements in both speed and reliability, especially in the unlicensed frequency bands. From its humble beginnings to being one of the fastest and most preferred methods of deploying internet connectivity to service urban and suburban communities, fixed wireless connectivity has become synonymous with fast, uncapped internet in Southern Africa.

This page is intended to clarify the most frequently asked questions and guide you towards the Fixed Wireless Broadband solutions that you need. We offer an extensive range of Wireless products, including Access Points, CPE (Client Premises Equipment), antennas and the accessories required to complete a broadband wireless installation.

What is Fixed Broadband Wireless?

Fixed Wireless Broadband (FWB) is a distribution method for data from one point to another connected point, or multiple connected points using electromagnetic waves. Broadband means that the amount of data that can be transmitted is high, with services ranging from 5Mbps all the way up to Gigabit per second throughput. Fixed means that these devices are installed in fixed locations to create a wireless link, for example on the roof of a house or business, or on a freestanding pole.

Miro offers a wide range of competitively priced wireless broadband solutions in South Africa.

The rapid development of wireless technology has led to the exponential growth of the Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP) market in South Africa. No longer are end-users bound to a handful of telecommunication service providers with uninspiring customer service. WISPs have changed the internet connectivity landscape with their small business agility and customer-centric service. With a large number of WISPs in Southern Africa, the choice is in the hands of the consumer, keeping the industry competitive and customer service focussed. With WISPs utilising fixed wireless broadband technologies from MiRO, consumers and businesses can apply for internet connectivity today, and have it installed as soon as the following day. Consumers are now spoiled for choice without the commitment that comes with fixed-line rentals – just Google WISP near me to see the choices appearing on your search results.

Wireless internet service providers add a lot of choice for internet users in Southern Africa, especially with the wide range of packages offering various different speeds at different price points, and what’s really great about these WISPs are their ability to connect rural and underserved areas quickly and cost-effectively. Connecting these communities affords them access to better job opportunities, education and training as well as access to an abundance of information and news.

The versatility of fixed broadband wireless technology goes beyond the WISP industry in Southern Africa and into the technology integrator and security industry. FWB is a great solution for video surveillance, especially large perimeter surveillance, surveillance inside lifts, in large warehouses, on mines, as well as home surveillance where a camera at the gate needs to communicate back to the house. Fixed wireless can be used to connect any device with a local area network (LAN) port, from door phones to internet of thing (IoT) sensors.

Fixed Broadband Wireless has seen great adoption across the rest of Africa and other SADC regions with MiRO leading the industry in providing the best-of-breed products, technical advice, training, support, finance and regulatory groundwork.

Broadband Wireless FAQ's

What is the difference between PtP and PtMP?

A PtP or Point-to-Point link is as the name suggests, a link between two wireless radios to transmit and receive data from one point to another. Applications for PtP links can range from connecting a single IP camera at the gate of a farm to the farmhouse, wirelessly, to interlinking wireless high sites for WISP – this is known as wireless backhaul links. These are typically high capacity links that should be able to carry the load of all internet traffic on the network.

A PtMP or Point-to-Multipoint network is also as the name suggests, a network with one access point to service multiple clients. In the WISP network, this is the last mile connection between the WISP high site and the residential or business customer receiving internet connectivity over the wireless network. This requires a wireless device to be installed to the end user's roof, pointing to the WISP high site for connectivity.

Both PtP and PtMP form part of the larger-scale networks that service providers use to serve or connect customers. Bear in mind that broadband wireless is not predominantly only used by wireless internet service providers. Access control and security that has evolved to IP or internet protocol technology can now also be transmitted over wireless links. From security estates to game reserves are deploying wireless networks to transmit surveillance and security data back to one central location.

How does Fixed Broadband Wireless work?

Fixed broadband wireless, depending on the product and application, works on either a licensed or unlicensed operating frequency. The most common frequencies are the unlicensed, 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. In typical applications and products, it works on a TDMA protocol which stands for Time Division Multiple Access, where the access point assigns a dedicated time slot for each station or stations on when they can transmit data and when they will received data.

The 2.4GHz frequency can provide great coverage due to its longer wavelength, however, it does offer less data capacity than 5GHz. Wireless networks operating in this frequency is generally used in highly congested areas (where there is a lot of use on the 5GHz spectrum) or where distance is required with a lower bandwidth requirement.

The 5GHz frequency is used in relatively shorter range applications due to the wavelength of the frequency being shorter when compared to the 2.4GHz frequency, however, 5GHz does offer higher data rates when compared to 2.4GHz. Typically, the 5GHz frequency is used in the last mile point-to-multipoint applications to service multiple connected customers to a single access point.

Is wireless broadband the same as WiFi?

No, broadband wireless technology is used to transport data from one point to the next, typically over long distances. Wireless internet service providers utilize the technology to provide internet to their clients. From here Wi-Fi is used to provide connectivity to devices such as laptops, phones and other devices in a home or office.

What are the advantages of wireless broadband?

Wireless broadband is a cost-effective and faster way to connect the unconnected and can be deployed almost anywhere, reaching anyone from rural communities to crowded urban areas and without the risk of cable theft.

MiRO’s product range on Broadband Wireless

MiRO offers only the best-of-breed broadband wireless products and as we have been partnered with our vendors for years, we have the technical skills and knowledge on the products, their functionality and the applications.

Our top brands include:

Cambium’s range of ePMP devices for fixed broadband wireless
Ubiquiti’s airMAX and LTU series of products
RADWIN's range of NEO fixed broadband solutions
MikroTik’s LHG range of outdoor wireless products
Acconet’s range of NetLink series devices
Mimosa’s A5 and C5 range of Access point and station devices
Siklu’s range of EtherHaul E-band solutions for high capacity PtP applications

What additional services does MiRO offer on broadband wireless?

Our aim is to empower our WISP, ISP, installer and reseller customers to connect communities, and we do this in the following ways:

Easy online shopping
Large stock holding on top wireless networking brands
Pre-sales solutions planning so that you always purchase the correct product/s for the application
Wireless pre-configuration services to save you time in the configuration process
In-class or online training on applications, configuration and troubleshooting on our range of wireless products including Zero-to-Hero Wireless and RF Installer courses
Technical support – our technical support team can assist you with any queries or questions you may have about your PtP or PtMP links
A dedicated RMA team to ensure we get your faulty products fixed or swapped out in no time

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Broadband Wireless

About Broadband Wireless

The Best Solutions for Wireless Broadband in South Africa

What is Fixed Broadband Wireless?

Miro offers a wide range of competitively priced wireless broadband solutions in South Africa.

Broadband Wireless FAQ's

What is the difference between PtP and PtMP?

How does Fixed Broadband Wireless work?

Is wireless broadband the same as WiFi?

What are the advantages of wireless broadband?

MiRO’s product range on Broadband Wireless

What additional services does MiRO offer on broadband wireless?

All Products

Broadband Wireless

About Broadband Wireless

The Best Solutions for Wireless Broadband in South Africa

What is Fixed Broadband Wireless?

Miro offers a wide range of competitively priced wireless broadband solutions in South Africa.

Broadband Wireless FAQ's

What is the difference between PtP and PtMP?

How does Fixed Broadband Wireless work?

Is wireless broadband the same as WiFi?

What are the advantages of wireless broadband?

MiRO’s product range on Broadband Wireless

What additional services does MiRO offer on broadband wireless?

All Products