Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Wireless Broadband technology?
Wireless Broadband brings high-speed Internet into your home or business using radio waves instead of a phone line or cable TV line. No phone lines or cable TV lines needed!
How fast is it?
Our service has a maximum upload and download speed equal to a full T-1 (1.544Mbps) but subject to distance from our antenna, your location within our coverage area, latency on the Internet, etc.
What is your current coverage area?
Check out the Coverage Area List.
What equipment is needed?
For residential installations, all you need is a USB port on your computer. For businesses, we connect our equipment to your existing Local Area Network (LAN) using a firewall we provide. In both scenarios we include all equipment with the installation.
How secure is Wireless Broadband Technology?
Wireless is as secure as the Internet itself. Because important data like credit card numbers are usually encrypted when you order something on the Internet, that same data will travel our network encrypted. And just as it is possible to view data traveling through the Internet, it is possible to view data traveling through the air over our radio links. However, wireless Internet is no more likely to be hacked than any other type of Internet connection.
Do I have to change my Internet Service Provider (ISP) and e-mail address?
Yes. Qnect.net provides you with your own free e-mail addresses (yourname@qnect.net). If you want to keep your old e-mail address, you can either configure your e-mail client to continue to use your old address, or you can have your current ISP forward all your mail from your old address to your new one.
Can I have more than one email address with my Qnect.net account?
Yes. You can have up to 10 different e-mail address’ once your account is activated.
Do I need a phone line?
No phone lines are needed. You will be able to send and receive data through our wireless link.
If I have Wireless Internet, can I still use my dial-up 28.8 kbps or 56 kbps modem?
Sure! Although we have no idea why you’d want to. Once you’ve experienced the speed of our Wireless Internet access, you’ll never again want to wait for traditional dial-up services.
Is Internet access unlimited?
Wireless Internet is a full-time connection; your computer is connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
I have more than one computer. Do I need more than one Wireless Internet installation?
Our Residential Service package connects one computer to the Internet, but if your computers are connected via a network, you can install Internet sharing software to share the single connection with your other computers. However, if you choose our Business Service package, we plug our firewall and bridging equipment right into your network and all computers are able to access the Internet immediately.
How long will it take to install?
The installation is usually completed within 3 to 5 working days. The actual on-site installation time can vary from 1 to 4 hours.
What is the downside to wireless Internet?
Wireless Internet requires direct line of sight from your site to one of our antennas, if you don’t have line of sight (which is rare) you may not be able to use our service. Another downside is that while our radio signals will travel through a wall, they most times will not travel through live plants.
Can weather affect the Wireless Internet signal?
Short answer, No. However, your speed may decrease by up to 50% during torrential downpours of 6″ per hour or more. Luckily, this type of rain is very rare in our coverage areas. Wireless links are not affected by fog, smog, snow or non-torrential rain.
What can affect the Wireless Internet signal?
Our signal will penetrate the walls of most buildings. It will not pass through live trees, but is unaffected by plastic trees. The general rule of thumb is that the radio signal will pass through anything that doesn’t contain water or metal.
Is Wireless the same as “satellite” Internet?
NO! Wireless uses ground-based antennas to transmit data to your location. And while satellite systems usually require you to use a regular phone line and modem to send data, wireless systems are 2-way transmissions. Also, satellite systems have higher “latency” (the time it takes data to travel between 2 points) since the data has to travel from your location up to the satellite22,400 miles up and back down to the Internet, see www.speedguide.net/editorials/satellite.shtml for more information.
How does this Wireless compare to Cable and/or DSL?
Cable is frequently oversubscribed, meaning that the cable company doesn’t use enough high-speed connections to the Internet backbone for the number of users on their system which causes Internet access to slow down. DSL is limited by distance. DSL speeds decrease the farther away from the telephone company’s central office (CO) you are, and doesn’t work at all if you are more than 18,000 feet away (About 3 to 4 miles).
Why should I choose Qnect.net Wireless Internet access over other high-speed (broadband) options such as Cable, DSL, ISDN, or another wireless provider?
There are a couple of reasons. First, Wireless Internet access is one of the fastest options available today. Typically, users experience speeds of 1,000 – 1,500 kbps or more. ISDN runs at a constant speed of 128 kbps. DSL speeds vary depending on how much you pay, but top out at about 1,500 kbps. Cable modems typically run at speeds of 400 kbps but depending on your cable company, can go as high as 1,500 kbps or more. Second, Wireless Internet access is more affordable than most broadband options. Third, when you are talking about customer service and support nobody can touch Qnect.net’s customer service and support. When you consider that no additional phone lines are necessary, wireless pays for itself. You can have high speed wireless internet for as much as the cost of your phone line and your ISP.
How much does it cost?
Click here for full Residential and Business Pricing.
What does the equipment look like?
Many customers will only need our USB network card, however an optional antenna may be necessary based on distance from our transmitter antenna. Our antennas are 11″ wide x 8″ tall x 1″ thick and can be painted to match the color of your home or business.
What frequency does your wireless equipment use?
Our equipment is based on 2.4GHZ Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS). It is 802.11b or “Wi-Fi” compliant.
Where can I learn more about broadband wireless technology?
Additional information about broadband wireless technology can be accessed at the following web site: The Wireless LAN Association – http://www.wlana.com
I am ready what is the next step?
Sign up online today!