Short answer
For a fixed site, FirstNet checks licensed microwave first, then fixed wireless; if you need to be live in days, FirstNet deploys LTE/5G immediately and builds the fibre primary in parallel. Temporary wireless runs on a minimum six-month term without an SLA.
In detail
Fibre lead times are typically several weeks to months, depending on construction, wayleaves and landlord approvals, and the clock starts once approvals are in place. The alternatives move faster:
- LTE/5G: often live within a few working days, using a RICA-registered SIM in a pre-configured, FirstNet-managed router.
- Licensed microwave: subject to a line-of-sight survey; installation can follow within weeks once line of sight is confirmed.
- Fixed wireless: timing depends on coverage and capacity at your address.
- LEO satellite: generally faster to deploy than a new fibre build, for remote or hard-to-reach sites.
FirstNet calls this pattern temporary wireless first: the site opens on time on LTE/5G, and when the fibre goes live it becomes the primary link. Temporary wireless is subject to coverage and landlord approval. Once the fibre is in, the wireless service can be retained as a backup if you choose, giving the site a diverse failover path.
Source: FirstNet Nationwide Last-Mile Connectivity service page →
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