LTE fixed wireless and satellite Internet—what’s the difference?

Name: Xplore
Price range: $

The Internet is a big part of our lives today. It’s how we connect to loved ones, to work, to education, and beyond. We believe it should be accessible everywhere. That’s why at Xplore we use different technologies to overcome the challenges of Canada’s vast geography and its various climates; it’s the combination of our 100% pure fibre, powerful LTE fixed wireless network, and our constellation of next-generation satellites that allows us to bring Internet to more rural Canadians.

You can use the Check Availability tool to see your options OR get in touch with an Xplore customer service representative—at 1-866-316-6089 —and we’ll help you determine what’s best for you based on your needs and location.

Let’s take a look at how LTE and satellite platforms work:

LTE Fixed Wireless Internet

Xplore’s LTE fixed wireless network consists of thousands of wireless towers built across the country, and that number keeps growing! Fixed wireless technology allows us to place a tower in an area nearby and, with the Xplore antenna on the side of your house, link your home up with the nearest tower to access the Internet. Through that connection, the tower then distributes fixed wireless Internet to your home with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. By installing an Internet router inside your house, you’ll even be able to access the Internet via Wi-Fi and through multiple devices at the same time to enjoy movie streaming, video chatting, online gaming, surfing, and downloading from anywhere in your home.

Next-Generation Satellite Internet

While LTE Fixed Wireless connects you through Internet sources on the ground, next-generation satellite service uses our constellation of satellites orbiting Earth. The main difference is that instead of communicating with a nearby tower, the dish on your roof communicates with a satellite floating in space. Satellite technologies allow us to connect almost everyone to our network, even in the most remote areas. Just like any other technology, satellite Internet has evolved. Our next-generation satellites are light-years ahead of their predecessors, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps*. More rural Canadians can now get Xplore Internet service to stream their favourite shows, endlessly surf the web, or download music.

While both platforms can deliver the speed you need to do what you want online, there’s one key difference between the two platforms: while a fixed wireless tower is on the ground and can connect houses within a certain radius, satellite technology provides broad coverage in remote areas using equipment in orbit—very, very far away. It’s so far away that the speed of light starts to matter. We call this satellite latency. To understand how latency affects your Internet activities, give this Xplore Support article a read.

Which Type of Internet is Best For You?

Deciding whether satellite or LTE is best for your household’s needs depends on a variety of factors. From your main online activities to your geographical location. You can use the Check Availability tool to see your options OR get in touch with an Xplore customer service representative—at 1-866-316-6089 from anywhere in Canada—and we’ll help you determine what’s best for you based on your needs and location. We’ll then connect you to a local dealer who will professionally install your Internet—no new equipment purchase required—and provide you with ongoing support. It’s that easy!

*In select areas.