Cyber Broadcasting Wireless Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Wireless Internet? The speed of the your connection
to Cyber Broadcasting's wireless network will depend on several factors such as speed of service for which you subscribe, number of other users also using the system, weather, and quality of the connection between your location and our broadcast tower. As a rule of thumb, speeds usually range between 200kb/sec and 600kb/sec or to put it another way, 10 to 20 times faster than a modem connection. However the system is capable of connections up to 3MB/sec!
What is the difference between Cyber Broadcasting Wireless and Satellite Internet? Cyber Broadcasting's system uses microwave radios and towers on the Earth to pass signal. The result is very low lag time between the time you click and the time that you see results come back from the internet onto your screen. Satellite internet requires signal to travel from your computer up through the atmosphere to a satellite and then back down from that satellite to the Earth. The result is a long wait between the time you click and the time that information starts appearing on your computer screen.
Will I need a phone line to use the Wireless Internet? Cyber Broadcasting's wireless network is bi-directional, so your computer will send requests to and from the internet all with no wires. So, no... you will not need a modem to use the wireless internet. We do however, suggest that customers keep a modem as an emergency back-up just in case anything ever happens to interrupt your wireless service.
What is Wireless Internet? Cyber Broadcasting is bypassing the utilities to provide access. We provide the access from high points in town through the air using radiowaves to deliver internet content to our customers.
Where does this work? This is working right now in most of Minooka, IL, parts of Channahon, and downtown Morris. We can also cover surrounding open and/or high areas in nearby towns.. If you are interested, we will provide a site-survey to see if this will work for you.
How quickly can I get setup? Since we are the only company you need to deal with to get this working, in most cases we can set you up in 5-10 working days. Bypassing the monopolies allows us to participate in the fast rate of change needed to provide new and special services, such as this.
24-hour access? This connection works around the clock. You don't have to dial, redial, or connect or shut off or hang up or anything. This is an excellent time saving convenience. There are no 'time' limits on how much you can use this in a month. You can stay on 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for one low price.
What computer hardware do I need? You will need a computer with one of the following operating systems: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000/XP, or Linux. Macs computer support is available for network accounts..
What hardware do you install? This will depend on what equipment is needed at your location to get acceptable signal. Those subscribers that are really close to our broadcast points, will only need a little radio unit that sits inside or beside their computer. However, those subscribers that are further away from our broadcast points will need a radio unit, an antenna, antenna cable, and lightning protection. For more information about equipment and equipment pricing click here.
How reliable is this? This equipment is very reliable. Your connection won't be affected by broken poles, car crashes, floods, or utility workers. This wireless networking equipment was developed and used as low power, high security, high frequency, military communications, and has been commercialized and tested further by Silicon Valley companies.
Is it secure? Things have come a long ways since the days of CB Radio. Our systems use Spread Spectrum in the 2.4 gigahertz radio-range. It changes channels dozens of times a second in order to avoid interference and to avoid easy easedropping. But, as with any internet related system, we recommend that you consider firewall software and/or hardware to protect your vital systems from outside attack or invasion. We can inexpensively build a firewall computer for your business computers to increase your security from the rest of the internet. We can also build office internet servers for mail and other communications into the firewall computer as well.
Does wireless work well for on-line games?
Due to the low latency of microwave radio, the wireless internet offers ping-times better than dial-up, ISDN, cable-modem, or satellite..
Where can I try it? We have been using our wireless system at our Cyber Broadcasting offices located at 408 Mondamin St. in Minooka since March 2000. We will gladly demonstrate it for you at our office. Give us a call at 815-467-2504 or write to tech@cbcast.com expressing your interest to try this out.
Do you ever limit bandwidth? Yes, In order to keep the wireless network running well for all of our subscribers, we occassionally have to institute temporary restrictions on one or more subscribers. Click here to learn about our Controlled Usage Plan.