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What is a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)?

4 min read
You probably already know what an internet service provider (ISP) is—after all—most of us have used one at some time or another. It's simply a company (in a lot of cases, your cable TV company) that offers you internet service at home for a price.
So, what exactly is a wireless internet service provider (WISP) and how is it different from providers of the past?
A person with headphones on watching their laptop using WIFI

We'll take a closer look at the advances that have made wireless home internet all the rage, and we'll show you how it differs from DSL, fiber, satellite, and cable internet connections so you can make an informed decision and find a plan that works for you. Let's start with a quick breakdown of each type of provider:

  • DSL internet providers. If you live in the city, you may be surprised to find that this type of internet connection is still offered by some companies, as it uses a digital subscriber line (DSL) connected through old-fashioned phone lines to keep people connected. But in rural areas, DSL is sometimes the only option, since it utilizes phone lines that are widely available. And while today's DSL speeds are not the same as the slow, cumbersome dial-up internet connections of yesteryear—they tend to lag behind other technologies. In fact, nearly 60% of rural Americans say access to high-speed internet is a problem in their area. Basics like checking email and browsing the web may be okay. While DSL tends to be pretty affordable, keep in mind that internet speeds are always affected by the number of connected devices in the home. So, using laptops, gaming consoles, and connected TVs all at the same time may slow things down even more, which may not be worth it. (You can get Wi-Fi with DSL, but you’ll need to set up a Wi-Fi network by connecting to a wireless router. These are often built into the DSL offered by your ISP when you sign up.)
  • Satellite internet providers: Satellite internet is provided by communication satellites that orbit around the Earth. They send and receive signals to your ISP, which eventually make it to your home’s internet modem. This may be a good option in some of the ultra-rural areas where even DSL isn’t available.
  • Cable internet providers. Cable companies are probably the most familiar type of ISP. They provide a wired internet connection via the cable that delivers your TV service, with Wi-Fi available through a wireless router. Cable is faster than DSL generally speaking. In addition, you may have to commit to a contract and deal with ongoing price increases, as well as equipment and service costs. Then, there are the clumsy, prohibitive wired connections to worry about.
  • Fiber internet providers. Fiber broadband, or fiber internet, uses fiber-optic technology to transmit information to your home. Since it doesn’t rely on old or outdated infrastructure, it can be a fast, reliable, wired option if you have a lot of gamers, virtual reality enthusiasts, streamers, or have a lot of smart appliances, like doorbell cameras and connected lightbulbs, along with the usual array of laptops, televisions, and gaming consoles. Wi-Fi is also available with fiber broadband. The drawbacks? It can be pricey, and there are installation costs to consider. In addition, fiber internet is still rolling out and is not available everywhere just yet.
  • Wireless internet providers. By now, you've likely heard all the buzz around 5G, the next-generation wireless network. You may also have heard a little bit about Wi-Fi 6, which is the next generation of wireless technology. Advances in these two technologies have now made it possible to power homes with reliable wireless internet, which is why a company that was once just your cell phone provider is now able to provide you with wireless home internet, as well.

Not to be confused with the sketchy Wi-Fi connections of the past, wireless home internet is much more powerful. For example, T-Mobile Home Internet utilizes a 5G Gateway that works in tandem with Wi-Fi 6 and is compatible with T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network to keep you connected at home. You can control the device via a convenient app, and you can set it up yourself in minutes hassle free—with no installation crew, no annual contracts, and no tangled wires.

With 50-million homes, one-third of those in rural America, now eligible for T-Mobile Home Internet, we're America's fastest growing Home Internet provider. Check here to see if it's available in your area and then take a test drive for 15 days to see if it works for you.

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