Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Wireless Internet Access"?

Wireless Internet access is exactly what it says: "wireless" . Applegate Broadband is providing high speed cost effective solutions for Internet access via wireless, no phone lines needed! There is no need to worry about slow downloads, busy signals, or disconnections anymore, with Wireless Internet your computer is always on the Internet. Using a new and continually advancing technology, Applegate Broadband is supplying cost effective, reliable, high speed Internet access to the Applegate.

What equipment is needed?

A typical setup for a wireless Internet connection is:

* A computer with either a network card or a ethernet connector. Any operating system that can network will do. (Examples: MacOS, OSX, Windows (all), Linux.)

* And if you want to support multiple computers, a router (either wired, wireless, Phoneline or Powerline networking). We highly recommend only Linksys routers…life is too short to get a junk router!

Your setup charge pays for a radio modem, power supply, wiring, a directional antenna that will point at one of our Internet access points, and final alignment/setup.

How fast is Wireless Internet?

A wireless internet connection's speed depends on the plan and equipment you purchase. At an absolute maximum, depending on weather conditions and radio interference in your area, your connection can receive information at about 20 Mbps.

How secure is the signal?

Very, in that virtually all of our equipment uses proprietary over the air modulations and polling algorithms.

Will I need a "firewall" since my computer is always on the Internet?

Yes, it's a good idea. Since your computer is always connected to the internet, there is a chance (just like all the servers out on the 'Net) that there will be attempts to hack into it. Just like most people now run virus checkers on their machines, you will probably want to run a "firewall", which is available from the same companies that do virus checkers, usually as a package. One good one is available from Symantec, or if you have Windows XP/OSX you can be already protected as there is a firewall built-in. The Linksys WRT54G router that we require has one built in, and with one on your router, and one on your computer, you should be quite safe.

How dependable is it?

Wireless has proven itself to be good enough for businesses to use in their most critical tasks, such as local area networks and even T1 systems that bypass the local telephone system. However, like almost all Internet technologies, wireless is not quite (but almost!) as reliable as the telephone system. But as the tragedy of 9-11 showed, the Internet has strengths that the phone system doesn't: i.e, it doesn't break down and quit working when everyone tries to use it at once. Since this particular system runs off alternative energy, Applegate Broadband's system should still work even if power to the region is off.

Will I have to learn anything new to use this system?

If you already know how to use a Web browser you will find our system totally transparent. You are always online. You click on your browser icon, and you are online with no delay- no waiting for a free line or a connection.

What does the equipment look like?

Like below, dishes that looks much like the units used for DirectTV or Dish, to our very small 900 MHz unit. Pictured below are Motorola 2.4GHz, Trango 5.8GHz and 900Mzh, high performance CPEs (Customer Premises Equipment) They are all very lightweight and are no more difficult to install than a DishTV or DirectTV dish.

Do I need a phone line?

No, a phone is not needed. As a matter of fact, phone service can run over this connection using third party service providers such as Vonage or Lingo.

Is this like Cable modems, ISDN, or ADSL?

To start off with - Most of these services are not available in our service areas. Cable Modems, ISDN, ADSL are all dependent on physical wires. With Wireless Internet access you are dealing with no wires, just your equipment and ours give you a fast, always on, connection directly to the Internet.

Is Internet access unlimited ?

With Wireless Internet access your computer is always connected. There are no time limits or restrictions of how long you can use it. Your computer is connected 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. You are, however, required to recognize that the connection is shared with the other users of Applegate Broadband and need to be respectful that your bandwidth usage does not impinge on other’s use of the service.

Is this the same as "satellite" Internet?

No. For one thing, it's cheaper than bi-directional satellite Internet service. It's also much better, as it eliminates the crippling effects on real time applications such as phone calls, video conferencing, and gaming caused by "time-of-flight" (the tech term is "latency") delays associated with a satellite orbiting at 35,785 km above the earth. The other major issue with the residential satellite providers is the miserable upload speeds. But don't take our word for it, go look at the satellite forum on Broadband Reports, and see what current owners of broadband satellite say. (What they say is that satellite broadband is better than dial-up, but if you have any other alternatives, go with them).

What is latency? And why is it bad?

Latency is hard on applications like games, telephone call, video conferencing, or anything that requires “real-time” interactivity. For instance, it can determine the outcome of any game. For example, in a First Person Shooter, if the connection is "laggy", and both players shoot each other at the exact same time, person A's bullets may hit person B before person B's bullets hit person A. In a telephone call, high ping times would be experienced by a lag between callers, creating a situation that may require people to say “over” after they finish a sentence. Same is true of video conferencing. Satellite connections are especially prone to this problem, (see above), with ping times often in excess of 3000mS, making gaming, VPNs, conferencing, phone calls, and many other applications impossible to use. Wireless connections like Applegate Broadband’s, are very good for gaming, or any other real-time application.,with ping times in the low double digits to where our network joins the fiber optics.

Will game machines like Xbox work well with this connection?

And how! With our low latency, and high speed connection, Applegate Broadband’s network was designed to put you in the top tier of gamers.

Can I run servers on this connection?

Yes. With our Business Accounts you are free to run your own web, mail, or ftp server*, etc. The running of servers of any kind is prohibited with residential wireless access plans.

*Without exceeding the limitations of the Acceptable Use Agreement.

Will I still need my modem?

No, Wireless Internet connections do not require a modem. You will, however, need a router. This inexpensive device allows you to be connected to the 'Net and your internal network (printers, other machines, etc) wirelessly or wired from anywhere in your home or place of business. It allows you to connect multiple devices (computers, VOIP phones, 'Net tuners, etc.) to the Internet and to your other devices. It also generally provides a firewall for security.

How long will it take to install?

Once your location has been approved for wireless, a date will be set for installing your unit. Typically it takes about four hours on the date of the install. Each location and application differs in the degree of difficulty.

Can I get a Busy Signal?

No, you always have a Internet connection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year. A wireless connection requires no phone line making it impossible to get a busy signal.

Is it available in my area?

A phone interview will need to be performed for potential customers to evaluate the ability to use wireless where you are. If you know where our access points are, and you can see one, then you should be able to get a working signal. But even if you can't see our main sites, be aware that repeaters and NLOS equipment are being added all the time, so you should call us and see!

What if I can’t see Tallowbox mountain or any other of the repeaters (Missouri Flat, Watergap, upper and lower Thompson Creek, and many more) from my house, but I can from an outbuilding or somewhere on my property? Can I still get service?

Absolutely. We can set up our CPE and antenna as much as 300’ from your network and it will work fine. Further out and a switch may be required to repeat the Ethernet signal. We also do lots of tree installs, which work great. Other equipment, such as our 900MHz equipment can make situations work that are otherwise impossible. The bottom line is even if you have a hard-to-serve situation, if you are focused on getting a connection, we can generally do it for you.

What other devices might conflict with this technology?

Because this equipment uses the 900MHz/2.4/5.8GHz band, it needs to share it with some other devices you might have in your home or office. The most common conflict would be with an existing 802.11b WiFi wireless computer network, and is simple to fix. Just call us, and we’ll help you change the channel that your WiFi network uses. The other most common conflict is with 900MHz/2.4/5.8GHz spread spectrum portable phones, which also makes problems for 802.11a,b,g computer networks. Often the problem can be eliminated by pressing the channel button on the phone until the interference goes away. (Call us, we can help you determine when the phone is no longer interfering).

How does this access method compare to Cable and/or DSL?

Wireless internet is most like cable, in that it is a shared medium. Speeds, however are more comparable to DSL. Cable and DSL are not available in most parts of the Applegate, and probably won't be available for years.

How much does it cost?

Equipment cost is $299-$499 for the vast majority of situations, depending on equipment that can be used for a particular situation. If a tree climb is required, that will be $75. Other costs involve cable, and possibly conduit, and mounts.