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What is Broadband?
Broadband Internet access is typically defined as having connection speeds
of 200 Kbps or faster to the Internet. Examples of broadband technologies
include Fixed-Wireless, DSL, Cable Modems & Satellite. Most
except Fixed-Wireless provide lower up stream rates than down stream which
can limit high bandwidth applications such as VoIP if they support it at
all.
WiSite fixed wireless broadband packages start at an up and down stream
speed of 1 Mbps and go up. The WiSite network is tuned to provide
superior VoIP application support.
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What is Fixed-Wireless?
This method of Internet connectivity is accomplished using low power
Microwave radios to transfer the data over the airwaves, instead of
current wired technologies. Not to be
confused with the highly used WiFi services, "fixed" means "fixed
location".
WiFi usually operates in a frequency range around 2.4 GHz. Users are
typically mobile and on a single PC or handheld device. Most WiFi
applications are used to replace the need for Ethernet wiring of a local
area network within a home or business. Some "Public Hot Spot" WiFi
providers use a wireless access point that extends coverage to include
outdoor users. Some offer WiFi as a feature of cellular phone service.
Both bandwidth and security are minimal and coverage is unpredictable.
WiSite service operates in the 5.8 GHz frequency range and is for
"fixed locations" that need a robust broadband access. WiSite does not
replace the client's local area network, it connects to it to provide a
secure, high speed broadband Internet service.
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Is Fixed-Wireless the same as
"satellite" Internet?
No, fixed wireless broadband uses ground-based (terrestrial) radio and antenna systems to transmit data to
and from the subscriber's business, while satellite systems use space
orbiting equipment transmitting data to a terrestrial mounted antenna dish
located at the subscribers location. Some satellite Internet data
services require you to use a
phone line and modem to send data. Often weather and sun position
can completely interrupt the service. Also, satellite systems have a high
"latency" (the time it takes data to travel between 2 points) since the
data has to travel from your location up to the satellite 23,500 miles
away and back down again twice, making VoIP, VPN and gaming services unreliable
at best.
The WiSite system
doesn't suffer from distance delay, weather and sun concerns as a
satellite service can. Also WiSite provides much greater up and
downstream data rates. Many satellite Internet service providers
will not support the use of latency sensitive applications, and won't
allow the subscribers to host Internet servers.
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Is WiSite providing service in my
community?
WiSite is currently providing service within the metro area of Knoxville,
Tennessee.
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How do I qualify for WiSite service?- To be eligible for our service, your location needs to receive
adequate signal strength from one of our Access Points. A few things can
affect the strength of your signal such as the distance from your
business to the WiSite Access Point. Additionally, objects like trees,
buildings and hills can affect your signal strength. Our support team
will determine if you are eligible when they come on-site to install the
service.
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- How do I know for sure if I can get WiSite
service?
One of the best ways to find out if you can get WiSite service is simply
to order it. If our installer comes out to your property and cannot get
service at your location, there is no charge to you for anything. If you
absolutely must have a site survey without an order, WiSite charges $75.00
for a site survey.
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How much does WiSite’s service cost?
WiSite offers a variety of packages to suit your needs and budget. Pricing
varies depending on the package you choose. Click on the links below to
see our available packages.
http://www.wisite.net/internetaccess/index.htm
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When can I get WiSite service
installed?
Our installation team will schedule a time that is convenient for you. The
installation generally takes a few hours and is completed within
days of your order.
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What kind of equipment is needed for
WiSite's service?
We provide in a standard commercial installation a wireless subscriber
unit, surge protectors and an indoor power unit. In some cases, a
high gain antenna will be necessary.
A data cable is required to run between the outdoor equipment and the
indoor power unit.
All you'll need to
provide is an AC power outlet, an Ethernet port into your local area
network and roof or eave access for the installation of our outdoor
equipment.
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How fast will my connection be?
The equipment we use is manufactured to a standard that permits very high
data speeds and high reliability. We have many service options to choose from, with speeds
ranging from 1 Mbps to 9 Mbps for most offices and greater for those with
unique needs.
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Is it secure?
The technologies we have chosen to use in our network have built in
proprietary protocols and are highly secure. WiSite's network management
system only allows communications between radios from WiSite's vendors,
which have been authenticated and approved. In addition, software
encryption is employed on all data transfers. Off the shelf equipment is
not capable of receiving our signals and therefore cannot be casually
broken.
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Is the signal affected by the weather?
Theoretically no. However, a slight degradation in transmission rates may
occur during periods of heavy snowfall, heavy rain and very high winds that
could pose the possibility of de-aligning antennas. Also, antennas buried
in deep snow are a problem. Our system is designed to withstand most
weather situations. Considering our area's weather, it would be rare
that weather conditions alone would affect service.
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Do I need any special software?
No user software is required to access
WiSite fixed wireless broadband. WiSite only requires an Ethernet
connection to your local area network.
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As a WiSite customer, will I need a separate Internet Service Provider
(ISP)?
WiSite is an ISP and can provide you with added services in addition to
high-speed Internet access. Such as e-mail server hosting with or
without you own domain name, web hosting, static IP addresses and a
variety of applications and services. You can even get services that
most other ISPs can't provide, such as site networking, VPN and
business grade VoIP services just to name a few.
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Your service is Mac-compatible, isn't it?
Completely! If your computer is connected and working today on your local
area network, it will continue to do so.
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Do you provide firewall protection?
Yes, for most typical applications using WiSite provided private IP
addresses, firewall protection is provided from within the WiSite
equipment.
However, if you have an Internet application or service you host from
your business and require a static Public IP address from us, you need to
have your Network Administrator plan, manage or provide firewall security
within your network.
Regardless of your network application, it's still a great idea to have
a software firewall in use on all of your computers within your business.
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Do you provide any sort of SPAM filtering?
Yes. WiSite uses Postini to filter spam and check for viruses for
customers that use our e-mail hosting services. Postini is a world leader
in providing an effective spam and virus filtering service. The
services intercepts attacks send via your e-mail before it reaches your
e-mail inbox.
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Does WiSite use a modem? - No, our communication electronics are contained within the WiSite
subscriber radio unit mounted outdoors on your building. WiSite
does not require any connective to phone lines or any other wired
communications service. The radio is connected to its power and data
module which is placed within your business. The module is where your
local area network equipment interfaces with the WiSite network.
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- I use a VPN connection to work from home, is WiSite compatible?
Yes, because of the high speed and low latency WiSite will work
with most any VPN. You may or may not require a static public IP address
and subscription to our VPN service.
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- Will I get a new web browser and home page?
Unlike many Internet service providers, WiSite is not an
entertainment and content provider. We put all of our resources into
developing the highest quality network to get you to the Internet fast.
You can use any web browser you wish (Firefox, Internet Explorer,
Netscape, Mozilla, etc.), and everything those entertainment providers
offer is already available for you. Just use a search engine like
www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, etc.
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- Can I keep my existing email address?
Sure, Clients who have their email hosted by another service can
continue to do so, but if you are paying for it now or it is associated with a
service you are currently paying for you will probably have to continue
paying for it.
You can easily access and use your existing account from
the WiSite network.
As an additional service WiSite provides for those using a domain
name that they own. You can transfer the hosting of your e-mail
accounts to our services and realize the benefits of the Postini spam
and virus filtering.
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- I requested service but was told the signal was
to weak or not reachable.
Can I sign up for a slower speed anyway? I really need high speed
internet!
If WiSite fixed wireless broadband cannot serve your location,
Ideacom Technologies may have other broadband services to connect you to
the Internet.
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Is sales tax charged on my purchase?
State, Local and Federal sales taxes that apply are collected for the
services to which you subscribe, however, some services may not be taxed.
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Why don’t you offer speeds less than 1 Mbps?
WiSite was designed to provide premium broadband service to businesses
needing throughput and reliability to support their mission critical
communications and faster Internet access for multiple users.
However, Ideacom technologies also offers traditional wired broadband
services for slimmer budgets and less Internet demand.
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Can I change my bandwidth at any time?
In many circumstances, the bandwidth can be quickly upgraded to your business
without requiring any additional equipment.
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What is the difference between a secure, private IP address and a
static public IP address?
In most cases, you connect to WiSite through a secure, private IP address.
This is to ensure we provide the most protection possible for you on our
network.
With a secure, private IP address you can surf the web, send and
receive email, download files, and chat with users around the world, just
as you have been used to with your previous Internet connection. With a
secure, private IP address, computers on the Internet are not able to
initiate connections to your computer. The benefit to you is another layer
of protection from ever-increasing viruses, worms, and hacker attacks.
A static, public IP address would allow the advanced user the ability
to conduct;
- Server hosting
- Virtual private networking (VPN) outside of the WiSite network
- Voice Over IP (VOIP) and UDP-based applications
- Anything
that requires remote access over the Internet to LAN devices such as
computers or print servers (telnet, ssh, etc.),
- Anything that requires
your firewall to listen on a specific port (some options in chat programs
like netmeeting or ICQ, etc.),
- Anything that requires end-to-end protocols
("Direct Client-to-Client" or DCC connections for IRC file transfers and
some DCC chatting, etc.)
The static, public IP address is visible to the Internet, and therefore
it is more in danger of attacks than the secure, private IP address.
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From our site to yours: A brief explanation of our wireless Internet
service
WiSite utilizes point to multi-point radio systems to deliver
high-speed wireless Internet service to subscribers.
Two Radios at Work
For the client, there are two radios involved with your Internet
service. The access point radio (AP) at our location which broadcasts a
signal to the subscriber unit (SU) at your location. The service is
dependent upon the subscriber unit's ability to acquire a suitable signal
from the access point to achieve Internet access.
In order to achieve a suitable signal three immediate concerns must be
addressed:
1. line-of-sight
The radio system currently uses a radio that require line-of-sight in
order to communicate. Line-of-sight is easily achieved from high points on
businesses or nearby stable structures to the business. If trees,
buildings, or other structures impeded line-of-sight, it may be unlikely
service is available.
2. Arc of Coverage
The AP radio has an arc of coverage. In order to receive the
signal from the AP, the subscriber must first be able to see the radio and
second be in the coverage area of that radio. From the Richland
Tower atop Sharp's Ridge, WiSite has three fully redundant radios using
120 degree sector antennas providing a 360 degree arc of coverage.
3. Distance from Subscriber to Access Point
Range to the AP from the SU is very important in determining the equipment
used in the service. We currently use two models of antennas to connect
our customers, an integrated and dish antenna. The integrated models are
deployed when the customer site is close to one of our Access Points. For
long distances the satellite like dish antenna maybe used.
The Installation
Normal installations takes just a few hours. Installers will confer
with customers to confirm placement of radio and location of cabling
destination. Additional cabling requested by customer can be run at an
additional cost of time and equipment used. Keep in mind that the location
you may want the equipment mounted may not be the most suitable for
achieving maximized service.
A normal installation involves the following:
line-of-sight and maximized signal strength achieved (radio
installed)
Ethernet cable installation from exterior of location to the
interior network or computer connection
Additional cable runs if requested by the customer (additional
charges would apply)
Customers will be provided additional network equipment upon request or
configuration settings accordingly to complete the connectivity of their
computer or LAN.
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