Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does high speed Wireless Internet compare to dialup, satellite, DSL, or cable Internet service?
2. Are satellite Internet Services and Wireless Internet the same thing?
3. How reliable is Wireless Internet?
4. Is a phone line required?
5. Can I make and receive phone calls while connected to the Internet?
6. Wireless Internet means no wires, right?
7. How does rain, snow, or fog affect the connection?
8. How long can I stay connected to the Internet?
9. How many e-mail accounts are included with the service?
10. How is communication secured?
11. What type of protection from viruses and other malicious programs does Springville Wireless provide?
12. Can I connect to my network at my business with my home’s wireless connection?
13. What are the bandwidth limits each month?
14. How long does a typical installation take?
15. I am building a new house in the Springville area…. Can you pre-wire my home?
16. What if the equipment stops working?
17. Does the service work with Mac computers?

1) How does high speed Wireless Internet compare to dialup, satellite, DSL, or cable Internet service?

Springville Wireless offers speeds up to 30 times faster than those available with standard dialup. Headaches common to dialup Internet such as unbearably slow downloads or disconnected connections are a thing of the past.

While also providing a signal through the air, satellite Internet service offers speeds far slower than those available with Springville Wireless. See the question below for more details.

DSL and cable Internet companies typically require the purchase of additional services to obtain discounted pricing. Promotional rates that only last for a limited time as well as additional fees and taxes on top of the monthly service are also typical. Springville Wireless is committed to providing high speed Internet without restrictive contracts, unwanted services, and surprise fees. Additionally, the wireless technology used by Springville Wireless also offers room to expand, meaning upgrades in speed are possible without replacing existing equipment.

2) Are satellite Internet Services and Wireless Internet the same thing?

No. Although both services deliver their signal through the air, satellite Internet suffers from high latency which is the delay caused while signals travel to an orbiting satellite thousands of miles away and then down to a terrestrial base station and back again.

Springville Wireless transmits its signals from a neighborhood hilltop with a delay that is practically indistinguishable from a wired Internet connection.

3) How reliable is Wireless Internet?

When compared to access provided by the telephone system, Wireless Internet is far more reliable. Problems associated with wiring, in a remote area such as Springville that is often decades old, are virtually eliminated. Rain or the area’s intense heat are no longer a source of frustration responsible for broken downloads and disconnected calls.

4) Is a phone line required?

No. If you’re currently paying for an extra line for Internet access, you can safely cancel it and save the money when you sign up for the service. Dedicated FAX lines are also a thing of the past with many online services available that allow faxes to be delivered directly to your e-mail.

5) Can I make and receive phone calls while connected to the Internet?

Yes. The Wireless Internet Connection does not interfere with or use your phone line in any way.

6) Wireless Internet means no wires, right?

Yes and No. Your residence or business is connected to our high speed network wirelessly. However, a cable of some type is required to bring the signal from the external antenna into your home. Once the signal is inside, a wireless access point may be installed that allows for wireless connections inside the home to the service.

7) How does rain, snow, or fog affect the connection?

Unlike satellite television or Internet, Springville Wireless operates at frequencies which are not noticeably affected by these weather conditions.

8) How long can I stay connected to the Internet?

Stay connected as long as you like. As long as your computer is powered on, you are connected, with e-mail, your favorite sports' scores, or the latest weather report a click away.

9) How many e-mail accounts are included with the service?

One e-mail account is included with every residential wireless subscription while up to five accounts are included with the business package; each offers complimentary Anti-Virus/Anti-Spam protection.

10) How is communication secured?

Our system uses a combination of open industry standards, including 128 bit WEP Transmit and Receive encryption and 802.1x EAP authentication in addition to proprietary wireless equipment vendor security enhancements.

Additionally, sensitive Internet communications are generally secured independently using encryption between a site's server(s) and a user's computer. For example, a logon to an online banking site is secured by the bank's servers in addition to the encryption used by our wireless equipment (You can tell by looking for the yellow padlock or key on your web browser's status bar).

11) What type of protection from viruses and other malicious programs does Springville Wireless provide?

In addition to the previously mentioned e-mail protection, Springville Wireless also protects each subscriber with a centralized firewall which shields computers from Internet worms and other network attacks. We can also recommend and assist in the installation of free programs designed to protect your computer from the growing number of Spyware and other applications that infringe on your privacy and negatively affect your computer’s performance. See the Links section of our website for a number of free options.

12) Can I connect to my network at my business with my home’s wireless connection?

Yes. Using a technology called Virtual Private Networking (VPN), a secure connection known as a tunnel can be created, instantly linking you to your work computer(s).

13) What are the bandwidth limits each month?

At this time we have not found the need to impose a hard limit on the amount of information a subscriber transfers each month. To assure a fast connection to all, we employ advanced technology that continuously monitors usage and fairly distributes available bandwidth. Applications such as web browsing, where any delay is readily noticed, are given priority and allowed to burst to maximum speed. Large file transfers throttle back temporarily and then continue at maximum speed. All of this is done transparently, providing all users with the best possible experience.

14) How long does a typical installation take?

Depending on the computer placement inside the residence or business and the location’s distance and position from one of our towers, a typical installation can take from 1 to 3 hours.

15) I am building a new house in the Springville area…. Can you pre-wire my home?

Yes. We’re happy to pre-wire your home as it allows a simple final installation customized to your specifications. Simply contact us with at least a week’s notice before any interior drywall or other similar work is scheduled, to arrange for installation.

16) What if the equipment stops working?

We use equipment from the number one network equipment manufacturer for all of our customer connections and don’t anticipate many failures, but will replace any defective equipment at no charge for the life of your service.

Subscriber-owned equipment used to share the Internet connection, such as an Ethernet Switch or Wireless Router, is not warrantied by Springville Wireless though may be covered by the associated manufacturer's warranty.

17) Does the service work with Mac Computers?

Yes, our service is Mac compatible. It simply requires an Ethernet port, which is built-in to all Macs sold in the last five years. Additionally, the service may be used with an Airport or other Wireless Router to share the connection between multiple computers.