Casair | Internet Services: Pricing

Wireless Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) comes in many forms. Although wireless does not use special phone lines as other forms of DSL do, it is often referred to as WDSL or Wireless DSL.

2. How does this compare to Standard DSL?
Like DSL over the phone line, your connection is always on and does not tie up your voice or fax phone line. Our wireless connections are capable of much greater speeds than DSL, up to T1 speeds, or 1.5 MB per second in both directions. DSL often has maximum speeds of 384k, and may even be slower for outbound data traffic.

3. How does wireless compare to the new two way satellite services?
Wireless connections are capable of much greater speeds at a lower cost. Satellite connections are usually limited to 128k or 256k speeds up (outbound) and as low as 384k down (inbound). Wireless Internet connections are up to 5 times faster. Also, there are problems with latency in satellite connection which make video, teleconferencing and gaming over the Internet a problem, the data will often stop briefly because it has to travel thousands of miles to the satellite.

4. What equipment is needed at my location?
The typical installation consists of an external antenna mounted to the eaves of your building or television antenna and radio device connected to your PC. For connection to a network, or situations where the antenna is far away from your PC there may be other equipment choices involved. If there are obstructions such as trees or building at your site you may need a higher mast or a more powerful antenna. Our network engineers can discuss those options at the time of the site survey.

5. How does the radio interface to my PC?
The computer needs an Ethernet card and a cat 5 Ethernet cable to connect to the radio. Your system is configured as if it were using a direct network connection to a LAN (local area network) with Internet access.

6. Can I connect through a network hub?
Yes. Networks with more than 3 PCs may require additional equipment such as a DSL firewall/router.

7. How fast will it go?
Our basic rate is 1.0Mb. This is up to ten times faster than dial-up depending on the quality of your phone lines. Speed is dependant on signal strength so for very long distances needing business class connections of 1.5Mb and greater a higher gain antenna or amplifier may be required.

8. How can I tell if wireless will work for me?
A site survey will need to be performed to evaluate the ability to use wireless where you are. And also to determine your location specific needs.

9. How much does the hardware cost?
Basic installations may be as low as at $149.00. Click here for availability in your area. A basic installation consists of a wireless radio device, 50 feet antenna cable with connectors installed, one antenna with 10 ft mast, and up to two hours labor for installation and configuration of the wireless equipment. Networking of PC's and locations with obstacles or at greater distances may require additional equipment and or labor. Additional equipment, cable lengths, higher gain antenna, and higher antenna masts may increase the costs of your installation.

10. Is wireless as reliable as telco service?
We have found that it is more reliable than the Telco systems currently available. Storms and fog does not seem to affect performance as can happen with satellite systems.

11. What about Lightning protection?
For any installation that extends above the roofline a lightning arrestor is required. Further measures are also recommended. A surge protector is required for your installation to be protected by our install warranty. We recommend that you send in the warranty card for any surge protector, many manufactures will replace equipment damaged by lightning or power surges if their unit has a valid registration.

12. Will it interfere with pacemakers?
It is suggested that people with pace makers not be in the immediate path of the signal. This would mean closer than just a few feet from the antenna. These units are less likely to cause a problem than a microwave oven.

13. Will I still need to keep my second phone line?
No. But you should have a dialup connection available as a backup in the event the wireless service goes down. This backup can be your normal house line.

14. Is there a limit to the amount of traffic I can send or receive?
At this time there is no limit on data transfer. Typical Internet users transfer less than 500MB per month. As our network grows we may be placing a 1GB per month limit on residential accounts. Additional data transfer will then be billed at $10 per extra 1GB. Business accounts are allowed unlimited data transfer.

15. Can I run servers on this connection?
Yes. Clients wishing to resell services over a wireless link will need to pay for that ability. The running of servers of any kind is prohibited in our basic wireless access plans.

16. How big are the antenna units?
A typical client antenna is very small; approximately 7” high and 4” wide, and provides nomadic/mobile, anytime, anywhere Internet access. With its small size, blazingly fast data speeds, and a zero-install, plug-and-play proposition. We also carry other antenna units for various installations; from a small grid dish is about 10" high and 15" wide. Our largest antenna is 24" high and 36" wide.

17. Can I put an antenna in my attic?
With our radio antenna, there is no need to send technicians to climb the roof, no holes to drill, no computers to be opened up and no installation required. The unit connects to the computer via USB or Ethernet port. The radio antenna is the ideal mechanism to deliver broadband access to your residential, small/medium enterprises.

Radio key features include:
Zero-install, plug-and-play ease of use

Nomadic/mobile, battery-powered operation for Internet access anytime, anywhere

Broadband data rates, which deliver voice, real-time video and audio streaming - all at the speed of thought

Multi-service queuing to deliver differentiated service

USB and Ethernet versions

Over-the-air upgrades and features

Subsidy locks for prevention of cloning

Sleek, sexy, retail-friendly design