|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does wireless broadband work?
MYWISPER.NET transmits and receives
data via radio frequency on bands set aside by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) for wireless broadband communication. The system
works much like the television and radio signals you currently receive but in
this case you are also transmitting data back to a centralized antenna. By
placing a small transmitting and receiving antenna on the exterior of your
home or business, we are able to set up a line-of-sight link between your
location and the remote antenna.
Those interested in the technical specifications of the MYWISPER.NET system
should contact our Customer Service Department.
Is broadband wireless available for my location?
If you received one of our flyers, you
are within our area of coverage. Call our office to schedule a free survey.
Is it secure?
Yes. We use WPA (Wifi
Protected Access) encryption protocols. Your over the air communications will
be protected to NSA standards.
May I hook up more than one computer to my
broadband connection?
Yes, your house,
your decision. You will need to purchase a router to connect your computers.
You might notice a slight slow down in access speeds if you have simultaneous
computers surfing the web. Remember, you are sharing your connection with the
users in your home.
What are the
differences between dial-up connection and wireless broadband access?
There are big differences. When connecting with a dial-up service,
the computer's modem uses a telephone line to first dial-up
and then connect to an Internet service. Unfortunately, the speed and
stability of such connections can vary greatly. Sometimes, dial-up users are
even "bumped" off their connection or may find a busy signal
waiting for them as they try to get connected in the first place. And while
many modems are designed to connect at "56k", users find the actual
connect speeds can be significantly slower. This reduced speed can be due to
a number of factors - but they all lead to a less satisfying Internet
experience as the user finds they are constantly waiting for new content to
load.
On the other hand, a broadband connection is always on - no need to dial up -
and no chance to get a busy signal or an unexpected disconnect. In addition,
the broadband speed is significantly faster and offers a very dependable
connection. And that means faster connections to web sites, quicker uploads
and downloads of e-mails and other data files. Those working on the Internet
with a broadband connection will find it much more enjoyable to do such
things as send and receive large files, play online games, listen to
web-based music and view web-based streaming video presentations. In short, a
broadband connection makes it much easier to work with and enjoy the most
important and exciting parts of the Internet.
How is MyWisper.net’s wireless service different from the
wireless service provided by other service providers?
Other
wireless providers install a radio (modem) at your house or business, then wire your computer to this box. We provide a radio
and hard hookup, yes, but you can also
log in through your wireless card anywhere you get our signal. In your yard,
down the street, wherever you get our signal, you can be online!!!!
How is MyWisper.net’s wireless
service different from the high-speed DSL service others offer?
While both offer a high-speed- connection, there are significant
differences to be considered.
A DSL (digital subscriber line) connection is brought from the local
telephone company's central office through a telephone line to the
customer’s location. And while DSL offers many of the same advantages
provided by a wireless broadband connection, after being available to some
local residents for a few years, several limitations have been identified.
Because it is delivered by phone line, the quality (or lack of) these lines
may play an important part in determining if a customer can get DSL service
and at what speed. In addition, some customers find their location is simply
"out of range" of the DSL service area or that they can only get a
slower and relatively more costly version of DSL.
Many customers are using cell phones as their only telephone line. A DSL line
is only cost effective if is purchased as part of a package of local / long
distance / DSL plan. We do not force you to purchase additional services to
get on the web.
How is MyWisper.net’s wireless service different from
the cable modem service.
Again, while both offer a high-speed connection, there are
significant differences to be considered.
An obvious difference is that while MyWisper.net’s
service is transmitted to the customer through the airwaves, customers using
the cable modem will have this service brought into their location via a
cable line. Customers currently without cable service will have to check with
the local cable company to learn if they may have the Internet service
without signing up for the cable television service. Customers outside the
current cable service area will need to ask the local cable company if there
are plans to extend the service area to include their location.
To be honest, this is the main reason why we launched MyWisper.net. To
provide rural residents with the same high quality access that city dwellers
enjoy. Why should you be punished for living out in the country?
Fact: Cable has a very distinct speed advantage over our
service. But, you will almost never notice the difference.
Cable offers speeds up to 4mbs, 3 times faster than us. If you can
get it and need extreme speeds, by all means go with a cable modem. Of
course, the speed that you surf the web is dependent on the sites you visit,
the hardware on their side (and their internet connection), and how busy they
are. For most day to day surfing, there is almost no noticeable difference.
For video streaming, downloading, and massive file transfers, their system
does better.
When you say "high-speed" - how fast is fast?
MyWisper.net
offers 4 levels of service. The basic package provides fast e-mail and
web-surfing speed needed by occasional users and basic but fast internet
access. At $19.95 for 512kbs it is very competitive with DSL.
The power user level provides you with 1.5mbs perfect for fast
web surfing, on-line viewing of streaming videos and at $24.95 is very
affordable.
We are sure you will be impressed with our speed.
Does the MYWISPER.NET service use a telephone line connection?
NO. MYWISPER.NET service is sent and received via radio signals.
Using a series of reserved frequencies, the signal is sent and received by an
antenna (typically placed on a rooftop) and is then sent directly to your
computer by an Ethernet cable running between your computer and antenna,
which can be as long as 300 feet. There are no phone lines involved.
This means you need not miss an important call to use the Internet - you can
use both at the same time. And if you currently have a second phone line used
specifically for Internet access you may now cancel that line.
Broadband users often find that the combined savings from dropping the cost
of their second phone line and dropping the monthly fee they pay to their
dial-up ISP (Internet Service Provider) can largely offset the cost of adding
a high-speed broadband service. They wind up with a much faster, more
dependable, multi-user system for very little additional cost. Even better, by taking advantage of Voice
over IP phones like Vonage and Skype
you might spend less on your phone broadband than with two lines and dial-up.
Do I get e-mail service with my
MYWISPER.NET account?
YES. Along with your
high-speed connection to the Internet, you will receive an e-mail account
(i.e. yourname@mywisper.net).
This is a full-featured e-mail service that even allows you to check your
mail when away from our network and connected to the Internet from another
remote location.
Your MyWisper.net e-mail account is an important part of your broadband
account as it is how we communicate with you regarding important topics such
as service upgrades and monthly billing.
Additional e-mail accounts are available, as needed, for an additional
monthly fee.
What are my service plan options, and what
do they cost?
|
Note: Speeds quoted represent
maximum speeds. Actual speed may vary depending on service location
computer performance/configuration network/Internet congestion and other
factors.
|
Download/Upload Speed Options - with speeds up to:
- Basic
User – Perfect for e-mail and fast web surfing. 512kbs @ $19.94 a
month
- Power
User – Lighting fast speeds for video streaming and graphic rich
web pages. 1.5mbs @ $24.95 a month
Packages Include: Unlimited monthly
access and 1 e-mail address.
Are there any other costs involved in
setting up my high-speed broadband wireless service?
My Wisper.Net provides professional installation
for $40.00. This includes the antenna, radio, basic mounting hardware and up
to 50 feet of cable. In the event the customer requests additional services, or
additional equipment is needed to provide this service, additional charges
may apply. For example:
- If
the customer requests a connection between his computer and
roof-mounted antenna which requires more than 50 feet of weatherproof
Cat 5e cable, additional charges of 16 cents per additional foot will
apply.
- If a
nonstandard set up of the antenna - incorporating additional hardware
(beyond the standard mounting brackets) such as an extension pole - is
required to provide the customer a broadband connection, additional
charges will apply.
- If
the customer requests MYWISPER.NET provide and/or install additional
equipment such as a router or NIC, additional charges will apply.
Note: Any additional charges and their amount will be identified
and approved by the customer prior to system installation.
How do I pay?
We have several options. First, you pick your billing date. We
will prorate the second months bill to adjust the
billing date to whenever you choose.
We will send you an e-mail 5 days before your due date. In this
e-mail you will find a link that you can use to pay via credit card.
If you wish, we can automatically bill your credit / debit card
on the due date. Your e-mail will serve as a reminder.
Or, you can send a check, via snail mail to the address on the
e-mail
Or, you can wait until your subscription expires (after 30 days)
and next time you use the internet you will be taken to a billing page where
you can pay.
Anyway you choose the billing is done in a 100% encrypted
environment.
What kind of service contract do I
have to agree to?
We
do not make you sign a long term service contract. We feel that if you like
our service you will stay.
MYWISPER.NET is committed to providing outstanding service and friendly,
timely customer support. We feel the best way to keep our customers is to
keep them satisfied - with quality service, prompt attention to their needs.
We
understand our best new customers often come as referrals from our current
customers. We work hard every day to keep those referrals coming.
What is involved in setting up my wireless broadband
service?
The process is very simple. Once you contact
MyWisper.net and it is determined you would like our high-speed service, a site
survey is scheduled for your location to determine what service options are
available. If sufficient signal levels are available, the installation can be
scheduled.
A service agreement - outlining the service to be provided, and
responsibilities of each party - is completed and an installation date and
time is established.
On the installation date, the MyWisper.net installer will come to your
location, set up your antenna, run the necessary cable to your computer (or
router), confirm your system is functioning properly, set up your e-mail
account and answer any initial questions you may have.
(note: The first month fee and a $40.00 install
are due upon installation.)
Once this installation is complete, your broadband service is activated and
you will be able to begin enjoying your always on, high-speed connection.
How is the installation process completed?
Do I have to do any of it myself?
The installation process is ALWAYS completed by one of MyWisper.Net’s professional installers. They have the
experience and equipment to ensure your system is set up correctly. They will
test for signal strength and ensure your computer is properly configured to
send and receive information via your Internet connection.
To ensure the process goes smoothly, it is important that the customer be on
location during the installation process to provide access to exterior and
interior portions of the customer's location as needed. The customer should
also ensure that the computer(s) to be hooked up to the broadband connection
have been confirmed to be in good working order.
If there are service issues or last minute changes to be made, the installer
will work with the customer to make the necessary adjustments as requested.
What hardware will
MYWISPER.NET provide?
MYWISPER.NET will provide:
- The Antenna, Radio and associated
mounting brackets
- The DC Power
Injector and Power Supply (plugs into a existing electric outlet)
- Up
to 50 feet of weatherproof Category 5 (Cat 5e) cable to connect your
antenna and computer
What equipment must the customer provide?
The customer will provide:
- A compatible
personal computer that is set up and functional and has at least these
minimum requirements:
- a Pentium 200
MHz or higher
- 64 MB RAM or
more
- An
Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC Card )
What is a NIC card
and how do I get one?
An Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) is an expansion card (like a sound card
or internal modem) that gives your computer an RJ45 jack to connect your
computer to a network. It can be easily installed in one of your spare
expansion slots. Most people use a NIC that goes in a PCI slot of your
computer.
While most new computers come with this network card already installed, if
your computer is not "NIC ready," you will find NIC cards available
at several of the local computer stores (or they can be purchased online.)
They are usually relatively inexpensive (less than $30.00) and are quite easy
to install.
In the event your computer does not have a NIC card, arrangements can be made
with MYWISPER.NET to get a NIC card for your computer and install it as part
of the wireless broadband installation process. There will be additional
charges for adding and installing this equipment.
Can I use a Macintosh computer with the wireless
broadband system?
YES. The MYWISPER.NET system will accommodate both
PC and Macintosh systems.
Can I use a Linux-based operating system with the
wireless broadband system?
YES. If the customer's Linux-based computer has the appropriate NIC,
it can be attached to the broadband wireless system.
Can I connect a network of computers to my
wireless broadband connection?
YES. If you have an existing network of computers
at your home or business location, you can have your wireless service
connected to an existing network server or router which will then allow all
the computers on the network to share the single broadband connection.
note: we recommend the Linksys
router, which sets up easily and works with all operating systems.
While
MyWisper.Net will ensure your system has a good connection, the set up and
maintenance of any computer networking is the customer's responsibility and
we would be happy to recommend people to perform this service for you.
MyWisper.Net
has set up its system to allow you to connect as many computers as you would
like to get the full use of your wireless broadband service. But keep in mind
that if you are purchasing a connection that will be shared by multiple
computers, you may experience slower speeds as the number of users increase.
Is MyWisper.Net's service affected by adverse weather such
as heavy rains or snow?
NO. The frequencies utilized by MyWisper.Net are
not affected by fog, rain, smoke, hail or snow. RF equipment is affected,
such as the Direct Wave satellite receivers because of the frequencies
utilized for that technology.
May I use my wireless service with a laptop
computer?
YES. MyWisper.Net offers two ways to access the wireless broadband
signal with your laptop computer.
If you are simply using your laptop at your main location as the main
computer or secondary computer, then like any other computer, use the
laptop's network/LAN connection port and plug into the wireless broadband
connection.
If you want to be able to be able to move throughout your location with the
laptop not directly plugged into the system, then you will need some
additional equipment - a wireless router (which is connected by cable to main
system) and a wireless PCMCIA card (installed in the laptop). Once these two
additional pieces of equipment are installed, they should allow you to create
a "hotspot" and you will be able to move the laptop around while
maintaining your high-speed connection. While these systems do suffer from
distance and/or interference limitations, they are often remarkably usable in
a home or small office environment.
Or, if you can get our signal, just
log-in. You will see a pop up window on the lower right corner of your
computer announcing that the network is available. Just connect to the
network and open your browser. You will be taken to out log in page where you
can log in and surf the web.
Am I getting the rate of speed I requested?
MyWisper.Net sets up each customer's account to receive the
bandwidth/speed requested. But due to the nature of the wireless
connection the actual service provided is always based on a best-effort
basis.
We constantly monitor our system usage levels and will continue to expand our
system capabilities as our customer base and associated bandwidth needs
continues to grow.
We are confident that for the vast majority of the time all our customers
will receive connection speeds better to their agreed service level. You will
certainly be pleased with the dramatic difference between your wireless
broadband and your old dial-up connection.
Yet, the wireless connection to the Internet is only one link in what may be
a long chain of connections leading to any particular Web site. The longer
the chain, the more chances congestion and outages along the chain may cause
delays. Therefore, the speed of your connection may be affected by the
overall health and level of traffic on the World Wide Web in general or the
traffic levels to a single site in particular. (Busy web sites with heavy
traffic will be noticeably slower.) Other factors affecting your speed may include
your own computer's raw processing speed and the amount of available memory.
We have found also that a good quality Ethernet card in the computer makes a
difference in how a computer functions on the Internet. Ensuring you have
adequate memory resources or closing unnecessary programs can free up
additional memory resources and improve your overall Internet access rates.
For those unfamiliar with such factors or how to improve them, MYWISPER.NET
recommends you consider hiring the services of a professional computer
consultant - and would be glad to make a recommendation.
Can I use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
with my MYWISPER.NET service?
Yes. A VPN can be used with your wireless broadband connection as
long as a static IP address is compatible with the type of VPN you are using.
Can I use a Broadband phone service like Vonage
or Skype?
Yes. One of the advantages of having a broadband connection is
the amazing things you can do. We must warn you that during peak times and
extreme high traffic hours, your VOIP (Voice Over IP) service might become
garbled or choppy. If you are experiencing problems, please call us. We might
be able to upgrade you to a multi media account and solve the issue.
|
