1.      What is wireless internet and how does it work? (Without getting to complicated)

a.       It is a relatively new broadband computer communication technology allowing you to connect to the World Wide Web.

b.       It is based on a third generation cell phone technology.

c.       It doesn’t need a phone line and therefore gives you the freedom of mobility to use the internet any where any time, as long as you are within the coverage area.

d.       It is many times faster (depending on which subscription contract you take) and much more stable than a dialup connection.

e.       It is an always on 24/7 connection to the internet at one fixed rate per month.

f.        To get connected you would need the following:

                                                   i.      PC or Laptop

                                                 ii.      Wireless modem

                                                iii.      Internet subscription either iBurst or Sentech.

                                                iv.      And maybe an antenna depending on signal strength in your area.

2.      Why should I consider wireless Internet?

a.       You don’t have to wait forever for ADSL to be installed.

b.       Maybe you are unable to get ADSL.

c.       We can get you connected and up and running in one day.

d.       It also give you the freedom of mobility.

e.       The only condition is that you must be within the coverage area.

f.        We can offer you either iBurst or Sentech’s MyWireless depending on your internet needs vs. you pocket.

g.       You don’t have to sign up with any other ISP except iBurst or Sentech.

3.      Why is it important to have a Site Survey done?

a.       A site survey consist of an on site signal test and a needs analysis.

b.       During a signal test we measure the signal strength and quality in order to advice you on an appropriate antenna so that you can get the most out of your internet connection.

c.       During the needs analysis we assess your internet and networking needs. With this information we can work out the most cost effective solution to meet you specific needs or even enhance your current system.

d.       After the site survey we will be able to give you an accurate quote before doing any installation. 

e.       A site survey can also save you from making a costly mistake in the event that you might not have a workable signal for either iBurst or Sentech.

4.      What can an antenna do for me?

a.       The speed of your wireless internet connection is directly proportional to the signal strength and quality receives by the modem.

b.       Note: This only applies to a specific point. See the following question.

c.       The antenna can help you to get a strong and stable connection so that you can get the best value for your money. Why pay for speeds that you are not getting?

d.       Even on the outer limit of the coverage area an antenna can help you to get the maximum available speed.

e.       Wireless internet makes use of very high frequencies and therefore the signal penetration level is relatively low. If your premise is surrounded by buildings and dense trees then an appropriate antenna will definitely rescue your signal.

5.      What factors determine the speed of my wireless internet connection?

a.       Signal strength and signal quality: Information is transported in packets between the base station and your modem. After the each received packet an error check is done. If the packet got corrupted the information needs to be re-send which will obviously decrease your speed. Information packet corruption is caused by poor signal and or signal distortion.    

b.       High surrounding buildings and very dense trees:  Due to the high frequencies used by wireless internet systems the penetration level is relatively low. This becomes more and more apparent the feather you move away from the base station as the energy of the signal fades away. Therefore surrounding buildings and dense trees have a huge effect on the signal. Fortunately this problem can easily be solved with an antenna.   

c.       Line of sight: These high frequencies are also very directional and do not follow the curves of earth. This problem can be solved by mounting the antenna as high as possible but this obviously has its limitations. If you are located behind a hill with respect to the base station and you fall in the shadow of the signal, we will not be able to help you. This is why a site survey is so important, because your might be with in range of the base station, but unable to pickup a signal and so save yourself from a costly mistake.

d.       Outdated firmware on the modem: The firmware is the software that resides on the modem and determines the way it communicates with the base station. A firmware upgrade forms normally part of an antenna installation.

e.       Your subscription contract limitations.

f.        The congestion internet backbone.

g.       And many more.

6.      What can I do to increase the speed of my connection?

a.       Get an appropriate antenna installed.

b.       Upgrade the firmware on your modem.

c.       Install a download manager program that will allow you to make multiple connections to the same server. It is ideal for downloading big file like music from the internet.

d.       Upgrade your subscription contract.

7.      Can this internet connection be sheared to other computers? Yes

a.       The best and easiest way to do it is to connect the modem to a wireless broadband router to create a wireless network (Hotspot). This will allow you to do internet, file and printer sharing. To complete the network each PC will have to be fitted with a wireless network adaptor except for laptops with a build in wireless adaptor.

b.       Wired broadband routers is also available if you already have a wired network in place.

c.       The wireless modem can also be connected to your network server which will do the internet shearing.

8.      What is the difference between Wireless Internet and a Wireless Network?

a.       Wireless Internet is a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) and covering a metropolitan area. It is in turn connected to the World Wide Web through a complex network of satellites and fibre optic cables connecting the continents to each other.

b.       A Wireless Network also called a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) covers only a small area around your home or office to create what is also known as a wireless hotspot.  

9.      How safe is a wireless network (WLAN)?

a.       An unsecured wireless network is an obvious security risk.

b.       Great levels of wireless security are available like MAC Address filtering, WEP Encryption, WPA Personal and WPA Enterprise more than enough to keep any hacker out.

c.       This security setup forms part of our installation.

10.  Can a wireless network be extended? Yes

a.       A Wireless Access Point (WAP) can be used in conjunction with a Wireless Router (WRT) as a range extender.

b.       The wireless network can be extended to cover a larger area or to cover a office with multiple stories.

c.       A wireless link can also be setup between two or more buildings across a busy street, or to create a mesh network between a group of houses in a security complex.

d.       A range of equipment and antennas is also available for this kind of applications.

11.  How will I be able to send and receive faxes if I don’t have a phone line?

a.       We can sign you up with a FAXtoEMAIL and EMAILtoFAX service.

b.       You will be able to send and receive faxes like emails.

c.       Receiving faxes is free but to send faxes you will have to buy credits from the service provider.