Our land-based, wireless broadband system works much like its wired counterpart, only the data transmission occurs over the airwaves using low-power, license-exempt and "licensed-light" radio spectrum. Signals come into the CvWireless network operations center via ultra-high-speed, glass fiber-optic cables. We then broadcast and receive signals through a series of repeating stations placed throughout the region.
This type of network does not require the use of huge towers, hundreds of feet high. These stations (with antennas typically mounted on a utility pole, barn, silo, or smaller tower) pass the signal to other stations or broadcast directly to subscribers in the coverage area. As a subscriber, you receive the signal with a small radio/antenna unit, which is mounted on or near your home or business. The signal is passed from there to a single computer or to a router to serve multiple computers.
If you already know how to use a web browser, you will find our system totally transparent. You are always online. You simply start your web browser software (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc.), and you are online with no delay—no waiting for a free line or a connection. To receive and send your e-mail, you may access your account via the Web (through the browser), or use a mail client (Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.).
With slow internet connections, you might find yourself sitting at your computer, waiting up to 5 minutes just for one home page to load. Most web pages contain a lot more information in the form of text, pictures, video, sound, or other files (such as software) than in the dial-up era. It can take an excruciatingly long time for a slow modem connection to handle so much information. With CvWireless wireless broadband, there is no need to wait! You can stream videos in real-time, make Internet phone calls, play your favorite music in real time, send instant messages, send and receive all types of files at respectable speeds. Best of all, general browsing and use of the internet is finally enjoyable. You can do research on anything imaginable. You can pay your bills or trade stocks online. And, of course, shopping online is what it was meant to be: easy and fun! It’s easier for you to start your own business, working from home or a rural office. You could sell things on eBay, for example, or hire yourself out freelance.
CvWireless - wireless data transmission rates are comparable to those of cable modem or DSL. These services are typically not available in much of our service area. Cable modem service and DSL are dependent on physical wires and out-of-state corporations. With CvWireless there are no wires, and you deal directly with a local company.
No. CvWireless - wireless broadband doesn’t use satellite signals. The major disadvantages of satellite Internet are slow upload speeds and the high latency (delay time) due to use of satellites in geosynchronous orbit 22,240 miles away. Satellite Internet latency times preclude the use of Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service. See our satellite Internet comparison pages for more.
With our wireless Internet access, your computer is always connected. There are no time limits or restrictions of how long you can use it. You will not get disconnected because of any “idle time” or “timeout” restrictions. You pay a flat monthly rate.
Normally, no, you may not run servers through an access connection. If you need to run servers, contact us to inquire about pricing and setup.
No, CvWireless - wireless broadband doesn’t require a dial-up modem. You may choose to keep your modem in your computer, to you use it for electronic fax services, or dialing in from locations away from home, and in case of outages. We provide a back-up dial-up account for outages and for travel.
No, a phone isn’t needed, but we offer free dial-up capability as a back-up in case of outages and for traveling.
Once your location has been surveyed and signal has been obtained, we’ll supply you will a configured antenna and instructions on mounting. It is quite easy and there is even a signal strength guide on the antenna that will allow you to direct your antenna in the best line of sight. We can also come out and assist with installation, but each homeowner ultimately needs to provide the mechanism to mount the antenna either on a pole or on their home or barn or silo.
No. You have an Internet connection 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our wireless connections require no phone lines, making it impossible to get a busy signal.
CvWireless is currently transmitting from Shelburne, Vermont, on top of Rattlesnake Mountain in Willsboro, out in Reber thanks to Reber Rock Farm and from the old “Lincoln’s Hardware” at the corner of RT 22 and Middle Road in Essex. We are also interested in finding new silos that we can rebroadcast in hopes of providing service into the greater Reber area soon. If you are registered, as soon as we determine that your location can receive service, we will arrange a site inspection to confirm a wireless connection. If you know where our access points (base station and repeating stations) are—and you can see one—then you should be able to get a working signal. Even if you cannot see an access point, wireless links are possible over several miles. A site survey must be done prior to installing any wireless hardware.
Wireless generally delivers a stronger signal to than mobile-wireless. It can be positively amazing how fixed-wireless broadband connections can be made from deep in the woods. CvWireless does require direct radio line-of-sight, uninterrupted by rocks and dirt. Generally, if you can’t get a direct radio line-of-sight from your location to one of our stations, CvWireless will be unable to provide you with service until a line-of-sight connection is established with a new repeating station. Though most standard installations suffice, installation costs can vary (depending on location). Getting the service may be a challenge; enjoying it is assured!
It depends on what kind of experience you want to have online, and what kind of work you plan to do with your computer. Newer, more powerful computers are able to really take advantage of high-speed Internet connections for areas such as music, video, photography, shopping, stock trading, and online games. For personal computers running Microsoft Windows, CvWireless recommends at least a Pentium II processor, 128 MB of RAM, 20 GB hard drive, and monitor resolution of 800 x 600. For computers running Mac OS, you’re going to want a G3 processor, or greater. Of course, newer, more powerful computers will yield greater productivity and enjoyment.
You don’t need to update Windows specifically for CvWireless - wireless broadband, but it is always a good idea to keep your software fully patched and up to date. You need to make sure that Windows remains safe when you are on the wireless network (or any internet connected networks). Microsoft recommends that you install all the “service packs.” To find out more, visit www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Make sure that you have anti-virus software and that personal firewall software is running on your machine.
No, CvWireless is your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and replaces your ISP such as AOL, MSN, Earthlink, or SoverNet. If you keep any of these other services, you will be paying for services you don’t use and which might create technical problems with your system. AOL customers can retain their email accounts, free of charge, if they change to “bring my own access.”
No, unlike satellite signals or wireless “hotspot” signals, CvWireless - wireless broadband is not typically affected by weather.