FIS-B uses ground-based transceivers to establish a data link with universal airborne transceivers, UATs.
Currently 529 ground stations provide FIS-B (and traffic information, TIS-B).
Receiving FIS-B on the ground is unlikely without a nearby ground station.
Now, the addition of FIS-B products further enhances our airborne weather decision making capabilities and choices.
Clearly, FIS-B is cheaper by up to $1200 per year, depending on your data needs.
To better use FIS-B bandwidth, ground stations are organized as cells and configured to serve high-, medium-or low-altitude "tiers" of users.
Service for high-altitude users runs from the surface to 24,000 MSL, the nominal upper limit of FIS-B. This tier serves turbocharged or turbine GA aircraft, and airliners in climb/descent and lower cruise altitudes.