Short answer
FirstNet checks fibre first for every fixed site. Where fibre is not feasible, it works through licensed alternatives in a set order: licensed microwave, then fixed wireless (FWA / Fixed 5G), then LTE/5G, with LEO satellite as the last resort.
In detail
FirstNet is carrier- and medium-agnostic, so the choice is driven by coverage, performance and resilience at your exact address rather than by one network's footprint. The options, in order:
- Fibre: the default primary for fixed sites, symmetric or asymmetric and uncapped, with dedicated uncontended options for critical sites.
- Licensed microwave: point-to-point or point-to-multipoint radio for sites without fibre, or an air-path backup that does not share fibre's trench.
- Fixed wireless (FWA / Fixed 5G): packaged fixed wireless access over fixed 5G or approved partner platforms.
- LTE/5G: carrier-agnostic mobile broadband, often live within a few working days.
- LEO satellite: licensed low-Earth-orbit service via Eutelsat OneWeb for remote sites where no terrestrial option fits.
Temporary and mobile sites are the exception. There FirstNet leads with LTE/5G because it deploys fastest, and a fibre primary can be built in parallel for sites that will stay. How critical the site is then decides whether a second, diverse link is added. A FirstNet specialist can run feasibility on your site addresses.
Source: FirstNet Connectivity service page →
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