Frequently asked questions.

 FAQs

  • Fixed wireless internet is a high-speed, reliable internet service for rural and underserved areas. Internet is sent from the main access point (supplied with high-speed fiber-optic lines) to individual receivers installed at businesses, and homes.

  • Your internet connection is delivered via a small dish installed on your roof that connects wirelessly to an access point nearby. The signal requires a direct, uninterrupted line of sight.

    Fixed wireless can be delivered over multiple frequencies. As a rule of thumb, the higher the frequency, the faster the speeds, but the shorter the distance that signal can travel.

    Inside the premises, the dish connects to an installed data point using a CAT-6 ethernet cable with a PoE (Power over Ethernet) injector providing power and signal for your router. The router is responsible for distributing the connection throughout your home or business using Wi-Fi or a direct cabled connection.

  • Fixed wireless and satellite subscriptions both provide internet services to their subscribers by transmitting from an access point to a dish on your roof.

    The main differences are the distance from the access point and the frequency they operate at.

    Satellite internet’s access point is a satellite that’s orbiting the Earth about 22,000 miles away. Fixed wireless’s access point is more local—typically a tower within five miles or less from your home or business.

    That distance creates many differences in the type of service you’ll get with satellite internet vs. fixed wireless internet. In general satellite internet has much higher latency or ping and is affected by adverse weather while fixed wireless has low latency and is not affected by weather other than in extreme weather events.

    Both Fixed wireless and Satellite require line of site to the access point.

  • Fixed wireless speeds vary depending on local conditions and choice of plan, with top-tier residential and commercial plans offering up 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up.

    If more speed is desired custom business plans are available.

  • High Desert WiFi is excited to soon bring Next Generation Wireless to the Morongo Basin. With speeds up to 1 Gbps to be available. This is possible due to advancements in technology and the IEEE 802.11ay standard.

  • No. The power levels and antenna placement of our network ensure that there is absolutely no risk to anyone from its microwave signals. We operate equipment tested and approved by the FCC within the required power levels.

    For comparision phone networks broadcast at around 40 watts while our access points transmit around 14.

  • The short answer is yes.

    Before signing up for our Fixed Wireless, it's always a good idea to check with your landlord or real estate agent as the installation requires installation of our dish to your roof and a router installed inside.

  • A Fixed Wireless installation typically takes anywhere between 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the layout of the home or business.

  • Yes

    We don’t have the authority to close any of your accounts with other providers.

  • Proof of occupancy is required for us to install services this proof can be in a variety of forms you will need a photo ID and one of the following.

    Current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust. Voter or vehicle registration card. Home or vehicle insurance policy.

  • No, a phone line is not required.

    Since our installation uses a newly installed cable, use of any existing cables or phone lines is not required (and are often not suitable for our installations as we use cat 6 carrier-grade cable).

    If you need to keep or have a landline number, please speak to our sales team who can recommend VOIP options for you.

  • Yes!

    We can work with your current provider to transfer the number to our VOIP service. However, you will need to purchase a new phone system or an analog to digital converter alongside a power backup system.

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program will provide eligible households with a credit toward broadband service of up to $30 per month, or $75 per month for households on Tribal lands.

    The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service credit per household.

    For additional details, visit the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program.

  • To be eligible, a member of the household must qualify for one of the following:

    • Medicaid

    • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits

    • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

    • Section 8 Federal Public Housing Authority (FPHA) support

    • Veterans and Survivor's Pension benefit

    • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year

    • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year

    • If your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines

    • Federal Lifeline customers