- A
A direct fiber connection from the provider's office.
Why wrong: Fixed wireless uses radio waves, not fiber, between the tower and customer premises.
- B
A clear line-of-sight to the provider's tower.
Line-of-sight is essential for reliable fixed wireless; obstructions cause signal loss or intermittent connectivity.
- C
A dedicated phone line for the modem.
Why wrong: Fixed wireless does not use phone lines; it uses an antenna and radio equipment.
- D
A satellite dish with a 2-foot diameter.
Why wrong: Satellite internet uses a dish, but fixed wireless uses a directional antenna, not a satellite dish.
Question 904 of 1,020
Critical Requirement for Fixed Wireless Internet: Line of Sight
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of internet connection types. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Quick Answer
The answer is a clear line of sight to the provider’s tower. Fixed wireless internet, or WISP, relies on high-frequency radio waves that travel in a straight line and cannot effectively penetrate solid obstacles like dense foliage, buildings, or hills. This line of sight requirement is the single most critical factor because any obstruction between the customer’s antenna and the tower will severely degrade the signal or cause a complete dropout, making the connection unreliable or unusable. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of wireless networking limitations and physical installation prerequisites; a common trap is confusing fixed wireless with cellular or satellite, which have different obstruction tolerances. Remember the memory tip: “If you can’t see the tower, you lose the power.”
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A direct fiber connection from the provider's office.
Why it's wrong here
Fixed wireless uses radio waves, not fiber, between the tower and customer premises.
- ✓
A clear line-of-sight to the provider's tower.
Why this is correct
Line-of-sight is essential for reliable fixed wireless; obstructions cause signal loss or intermittent connectivity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A dedicated phone line for the modem.
Why it's wrong here
Fixed wireless does not use phone lines; it uses an antenna and radio equipment.
- ✗
A satellite dish with a 2-foot diameter.
Why it's wrong here
Satellite internet uses a dish, but fixed wireless uses a directional antenna, not a satellite dish.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Fixed wireless operates in frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or millimeter-wave (e.g., 24 GHz, 60 GHz), where higher frequencies are more susceptible to attenuation from foliage, rain, and building materials. The Fresnel zone clearance—an elliptical area around the direct LOS path—must be at least 60% free of obstructions to avoid significant signal degradation; a clear LOS alone does not guarantee this if the Fresnel zone is blocked. In real-world deployments, installers use tools like a compass, GPS, and signal strength meters to verify LOS and may require a tower climb or pole mount to achieve the necessary elevation.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Internet Connection Types — This question tests Internet Connection Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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