Short answer
Yes. LTE/5G can usually be deployed within days so a new site opens on time, while the fibre primary is built over the following weeks or months. Temporary wireless has a minimum six-month term, carries no SLA and is subject to coverage and landlord approval.
In detail
How the temporary wireless first pattern works:
- FirstNet checks coverage and picks the strongest mobile network at your address.
- You supply RICA documentation, and FirstNet activates the SIM in a pre-configured, managed router.
- The site goes live on LTE/5G, often within a few working days.
- In parallel, FirstNet places the fibre order and coordinates landlord, wayleave and municipal approvals.
- When the fibre is live, it becomes the primary link.
After cutover you can retain the wireless service as a backup, giving the site a diverse failover path that is not affected by fibre cuts. Fibre lead times are typically several weeks to months, and the clock starts once approvals are in place, so running both in parallel avoids delaying an opening.
For remote or temporary sites where mobile coverage is weak, LEO satellite is another option that can generally be deployed faster than a new fibre build.
Source: FirstNet Wireless Connectivity service page →
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