TL;DR
If your business operates in a rural or underserved area, you may be choosing between satellite and fixed wireless (microwave) internet. While both offer alternatives to fibre, only one provides the performance, reliability, and business-readiness needed for VoIP, cloud apps, and uptime guarantees.
What’s the Difference?
Satellite Internet transmits data between your location and a satellite orbiting the earth (often 35,000 km away).
Fixed Wireless (Microwave) uses line-of-sight radio signals from a nearby ground-based tower to your building’s antenna.
| Feature | Fixed Wireless (Microwave) | Satellite Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | Low (sub-10ms) | High (500ms–700ms typical) |
| Speed | 50–500 Mbps | 25–250 Mbps |
| Reliability | Very high with line-of-sight | Prone to weather & latency |
| Install Time | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Application Fit | VoIP, VPNs, cloud apps | Email, browsing only |
| Data Limits | Unlimited or capped options | Often throttled or metered |
Why Latency Matters for Businesses
Satellite may offer decent speeds, but latency is the killer.
- Microwave: VoIP calls feel natural, video doesn’t lag, cloud apps remain responsive.
- Satellite: Long delays disrupt conversations, log you out of apps, and create frustrating user experiences.
“Fast downloads don’t matter if your team can’t stay connected to your tools.”
Application Reliability
If your business relies on:
- Hosted VoIP (like 3CX or Microsoft Teams)
- Remote desktop or VPN access
- POS systems or EMRs
- Cloud accounting or CRMs
Then satellite may cause session drops or full disconnects. Fixed wireless preserves continuity even under load.
Weather Resilience
- Satellite: Vulnerable to “rain fade” — signals weaken or disappear during storms.
- Microwave: Designed for Canadian conditions. Adaptive signal technology reduces interference from snow, fog, and rain.
Compliance & Security
Fixed wireless internet solutions from providers like Fidalia include:
- Encrypted connections
- Static IP support
- Business-grade SLAs
- Compatibility with HIPAA, PIPEDA, and SOC 2 workloads
Satellite services, often shared and consumer-targeted, can’t offer the same guarantees.
When to Choose Microwave Over Satellite
Choose Fixed Wireless When:
- You need VoIP, VPN, or video conferencing to work without dropouts
- You want business-grade uptime and SLAs
- You plan to stay in the location for more than a few months
- You can see a nearby microwave tower or have rooftop access
Avoid Satellite If:
- You can’t tolerate delays during calls or secure sessions
- You rely on cloud-based tools (Teams, CRMs, EMRs, VoIP)
- You operate in an industry with compliance regulations
- You are a data-heavy operation. Satellite connections come with a data allowance and throttle your speeds if you go over that allowance. Starlink does this, for example.
What About Installation?
Fidalia microwave deployments include:
- Line-of-sight survey
- Antenna installation
- Secure provisioning + static IP
- Integration with failover or existing firewalls
- Canadian-based NOC support
Get Better Internet for Remote Business
Microwave internet from Fidalia delivers what satellite can’t:
- Low latency
- Real business integration
- Compliance-ready deployment
- Static IP Addressing
Available in underserved areas across Ontario and beyond. Read more about what makes Microwave internet the faster alternative option for hard-to-reach locations.
Talk to us today about site availability
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is fixed wireless internet faster than satellite?
A: In most business use-cases, yes—especially for interactive applications that rely on low latency.
Q: Does microwave internet work in winter?
A: Yes. Fidalia deploys microwave links that perform year-round, even in snow and fog.
Q: What’s needed for microwave installation?
A: A line-of-sight path to a Fidalia hub. We provide full site surveys and can use multi-hop links if necessary.
Q: Can I use microwave as a backup to fibre or DSL?
A: Absolutely. Many businesses pair microwave with LTE or wired primary for hybrid failover.