220-1101 Question 159
Single answerWireless internet service provider (WISP)A technician is setting up internet service for a small office in a rural area where cable and DSL are unavailable. The provider installs a directional antenna on the roof that must be aimed at a nearby tower with clear line of sight. During troubleshooting, the technician notices the internet becomes unreliable after a new storage shed was built directly between the office and the tower. Which of the following best explains the issue?
- A
The WISP connection requires an unobstructed line of sight, and the new shed is blocking the signal path
- B
The WISP connection depends on buried coaxial cable, and the shed construction likely damaged the cable run
- C
The office must switch from 2.4 GHz to Bluetooth tethering because WISP cannot operate outdoors
- D
The ISP authentication server is rejecting the connection because rooftop antennas need WPA3 reconfiguration
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical understanding of WISP service characteristics in a real deployment. In A+ Core 1, candidates should recognize that a WISP commonly uses fixed wireless communication between customer-premises equipment and a provider access point or tower. A directional antenna aimed at a tower strongly indicates a line-of-sight-dependent connection. Physical obstructions such as buildings, sheds, trees, or terrain can degrade or block the signal. Best practice when installing or troubleshooting fixed wireless is to verify antenna alignment, mounting integrity, and whether any new obstacle has been introduced into the path. This aligns with standard vendor guidance for fixed wireless broadband installations, which emphasizes site surveys and clear signal paths.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A wireless internet service provider (WISP) commonly delivers internet access using fixed wireless equipment, often including an outdoor directional antenna or receiver pointed at a provider tower. These links typically require a clear line of sight or at least minimal obstruction. A newly built shed directly in the signal path can attenuate or block the wireless link, causing intermittent or failed connectivity.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. This describes a wired broadband issue, not a typical WISP deployment. WISP service is generally delivered over a wireless last-mile link rather than relying on buried coaxial cabling to the provider. While the customer network inside the building may use Ethernet, the scenario specifically mentions a rooftop directional antenna aimed at a tower, which is characteristic of fixed wireless service.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Bluetooth tethering is unrelated to how a WISP connection operates and would not be an appropriate replacement for fixed wireless internet service. In addition, WISP equipment is specifically designed for outdoor installation in many cases, so the claim that WISP cannot operate outdoors is false.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. WPA3 is a wireless LAN security standard used primarily for Wi-Fi networks, not a typical explanation for a WISP outage caused by a physical obstruction. Although some customer-premises equipment may have security settings, the scenario points to a line-of-sight problem introduced by new construction, not an authentication issue with an ISP server.