FREQUENLTY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

• What is wireless broadband?

  Wireless Internet is exactly what it says, "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.
  
  Wireless Broadband is one of several leading edge technologies used to provide lightening fast Internet access. In it's original guise WLAN (Wireless LAN) technology allowed computers to connect to a LAN (local Area Network) via radio frequencies - without wire or fibre.
  
  While originally developed for in-building use, the potential of WLAN technology for bridging LANs of different buildings in a cost efficient manner was quickly identified - with WLAN technology the need to dig or pay leased-line charges is circumvented
  
  Fixed Wireless is a proven technology building on decades of radio evolution. The popularity of this technology has lead to a dramatic fall in prices and the emergence of highly competitive purpose built proprietary second generation wireless broadband solutions.
  
  Wireless Broadband technology is based on similar principles to television and radio communications. An AHC network base station provides Internet connections to customers using the airwaves. To connect it is necessary for a customer to have a subscriber unit installed on their premises. The subscriber unit is discreet in size and needs to be located so that it is within Line of Sight of an AHC network base station. An Ethernet cable is run from the subscriber unit delivering the Network termination Point to the PC/Router located in the customers building. AHC networks provides a Network Termination Point and 1 network IP address to each customer.
  
  A spare socket is required beside the PC or router, which powers the subscriber unit using a Power over Ethernet adapter. AHC networks has selected and constructed purpose built proprietary technologies that deliver a scalable solution that will ensure secure, reliable, uninterrupted service as our network grows.

• What are some of the benefits of fast internet access?

  Many times you might find yourself sitting on your computer waiting up to 5 minutes just for one home page to load. Most of the time is because it is "Content Rich". Meaning it has many pictures and active moving things, sometimes even sound. Making it very hard for a slow modem connection to process so much information. As the Internet evolves so will "Content". People are finding new ways to express them selves through "Content rich pages" Leaving modem users frustrated because they have to wait for the pages to load. With fast Wireless Internet access there is no need to wait, you can play real time videos, make Internet phone calls, with out breaking up, play your favorite MP3 in real time, watch live video streams,send and receive files at blazing speeds, and best of all general browsing is enjoyable.

• 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. You will continue to use your existing email client as before, no matter who hosts your email account.

• Do I need a phone line for broadband?

  NO! a phone line is not needed for AHC networks broadband. The Wireless Internet connection is bi-directional. Meaning your unit will send and receive information. Making it a complete solution for Internet connectivity.

• What is included in the standard installation?

  A wireless radio modem will be fitted by one of our service engineers at a suitable location on your premises. A Cat5 cable will be run, via the most direct route to the primary computer or router. It will be terminated in an RJ45 network connector. Two hours of installation time is allocated, and additional time will be billed at the current hourly rate. The installation does not include any configuration of the customers computer or router. Service is not supplied until the connection is initialized at our Network Operations Center, which can typically take 1 working day.

• Are there technical advantages to Wireless?

  Standard DSL is more correctly called Rate Adaptive DSL, in other words, the data rate or speed of the connection adapts to suit the condition of your phone line, so the bandwidth of your connection cannot be guaranteed. This can be significant if you are more than 2km from your local exchange or if the qualify of the copper lines is not very good. With a wireless connection, you are guaranteed the bandwidth you are paying for. Most other broadband packages only provide a slow uplink speed. Wireless provides a balanced connection where the downlink and uplink bandwidth is the same. This is important when sending large emails or files. The Internet is a two-way street.

• Is this like 3G/Mobile broadband?

  No. An outdoor unit is located in the optimum position for the best signal. This way, the inconsistencies that are found using a USB dongle (3G/mobile) do not arise. The service is generally much more consistent and of a higher quality.