A cabin in the woods, a remote home outside the village or a settlement where neither fiber nor a phone line was ever run. Even there you can connect to the internet today, you just have to reach for wireless solutions. Let us go through the options of LTE, Starlink and fixed wireless, and how to choose between them.

When there is no cable

If neither fiber nor a metallic line reaches the place, the signal has to get there through the air. In practice you have three main routes: the mobile network, satellite and a local wireless provider. They differ in price, speed and where they work.

LTE and 5G: mobile internet

The most common and cheapest solution is internet over the mobile network. You put a SIM card into an LTE or 5G router and you have a connection. Signal strength is key, and it is greatly improved by an outdoor directional antenna aimed at the nearest transmitter.

  • Advantages: cheap, quick to deploy, decent speed with a good signal.
  • Disadvantages: depends on coverage and signal strength, may have data limits and fluctuates at peak times.

This is the first thing to try, because often just a better antenna is enough.

When even with an antenna there is not enough mobile signal, Starlink comes into play, that is internet via satellites in low Earth orbit. On the roof or in the garden there is a dish with a clear view of the sky.

  • Advantages: works almost everywhere, decent speed and latency, far better than old satellite internet.
  • Disadvantages: higher cost for the hardware and the service, the need for a clear view of the sky, weather can temporarily worsen the link.

Starlink is ideal exactly where there is no other connection.

Fixed wireless (a local provider)

In many villages a local wireless provider (WISP) operates, bringing internet via directional antennas from its transmitter. The principle is similar to a wireless link between buildings. If it is available in your area and has line of sight to the transmitter, it tends to be a good and reasonably priced choice.

How to choose

  1. First try LTE or 5G, ideally with an outdoor antenna. It is the cheapest and often enough.
  2. If the signal is weak or absent, consider Starlink.
  3. Find out whether a WISP operates nearby, it can be advantageous.

What to watch out for

  • The outdoor antenna must be aimed correctly at the transmitter, otherwise the speed is halved.
  • Surge protection and grounding, since the antenna is outside and lightning is a risk. This is related to surge protection.
  • Latency matters for video calls and gaming.
  • Data limits on mobile plans.

Dealing with internet in a hard-to-reach place? Get in touch, we will measure the signal, choose a solution and install it, also as part of IT support for companies.