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220-1201 Practice Question: A customer wants to switch from cable internet to…
A customer wants to switch from cable internet to a fixed wireless ISP (WISP) to reduce costs. What is a critical requirement for the WISP installation?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between fixed wireless and satellite internet, where candidates mistakenly think a satellite dish is required for any wireless connection, but fixed wireless uses a directional antenna aimed at a local tower, not a satellite in orbit.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A clear line-of-sight to the provider's tower.
Fixed wireless internet (WISP) relies on radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted between an antenna at the customer's location and a tower operated by the provider. Unlike cable or fiber, RF signals are highly susceptible to physical obstructions such as buildings, trees, or terrain; therefore, a clear line-of-sight (LOS) is a critical requirement for establishing a reliable connection. Without LOS, signal attenuation or multipath interference will likely prevent the link from achieving usable throughput or even establishing a connection at all.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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A direct fiber connection from the provider's office.
Why it's wrong here
A direct fiber connection from the provider's office describes Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) or Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) internet service, which delivers data via optical fiber cables directly to the customer's location. Fixed wireless internet, however, relies on radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted wirelessly from a ground-based tower to a receiving antenna at the customer premises, making a physical fiber connection to the office irrelevant for this technology.
- ✓
A clear line-of-sight to the provider's tower.
Why this is correct
A clear line-of-sight to the provider's tower is absolutely critical for reliable fixed wireless internet service. This technology uses microwave or millimeter-wave radio frequencies that travel in a straight path. Any physical obstructions, such as buildings, dense foliage, or terrain, can attenuate, reflect, or completely block these signals, leading to significant degradation in connection speed, intermittent service, or total loss of connectivity. An unobstructed path ensures optimal signal strength and data throughput.
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A dedicated phone line for the modem.
Why it's wrong here
Fixed wireless internet service transmits data over the air using radio waves between a local base station and a customer's antenna, not through traditional wired infrastructure. A dedicated phone line for the modem is characteristic of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet, which leverages existing copper telephone lines to deliver broadband connectivity. Fixed wireless bypasses the need for any wired telephone infrastructure at the customer's premises entirely.
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A satellite dish with a 2-foot diameter.
Why it's wrong here
While both satellite internet and fixed wireless utilize external equipment, a satellite dish is specifically designed to send and receive signals to and from satellites orbiting Earth. Fixed wireless internet, in contrast, uses a directional antenna to communicate with a terrestrial transmission tower within a local service area. The technology and infrastructure for communicating with a ground-based tower are fundamentally different from those required for satellite communication.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Internet Connection Types
Key term
Throughput
Throughput is the rate at which data is successfully transferred from one point to another over a network, typically measured in bits per second.
Key term
Wireless Internet Service Provider
A Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) delivers internet access to customers using radio signals instead of physical cables like fiber or DSL.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.