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 Do you need to know more about CommSpeed?
Here's a listing of the most common questions.
Click on the questions below for answers.
How does CommSpeed wireless work?
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A telephone line is not needed. CommSpeed uses a digital microwave transmission technology known as MMDS (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System). These MMDS frequencies are licensed exclusively to CommSpeed by the Federal Communications Commission. CommSpeed's transmitter
hubs send and receive signals to small, a roof-mounted digital transceiver (antenna) at each customer site. The signals from our
numerous transmitter hubs can reach up to 35 miles.Our technician installs your transceiver and an external high-speed cable modem. The CommSpeed modem is coupled to an Ethernet NIC (Network Interface Card) in your computer. The modem and transceiver are supplied at no additional charge. Should either fail to operate, an CommSpeed will install a replacement unit free of charge. Your computer must have an NIC card installed. CommSpeed can install a NIC card for a small additional charge. You can install a NIC card yourself, or local computer stores can provide and install a NIC card for you.Connection to CommSpeed is as automatic as starting up your Web browser. There's no waiting to connect, as there is with a dialup modem. Your requests for Web pages and other data are instantly transmitted through the airwaves to our antenna on Mingus Mountain. From there, the signal is routed through our servers to the Internet's backbone. The Web page or file you requested is then beamed directly to your transceiver and relayed to your computer (or to multiple users in a Local Area Network) at speeds 12 to 25 times faster than a 28Kb dial-up connection. |
How do I know if CommSpeed is available in my area? |
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Check the
service area listing for service coverage. If you are unsure if CommSpeed is available in your area, call
1-928-772-1111 or email us at info@commspeed.net.
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How is CommSpeed service installation accomplished? |
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The following equipment is used to provide CommSpeed service. Some substitution of equipment may be required based upon individual location needs.
 Broadband Modem
The broadband modem generally sits next to your computer and is used to convert the data from your computer to radio frequency signals for the digital transceiver. The modem also converts the radio frequency signals coming from the digital transceiver to data packets that your computer can understand. Cabling connects the broadband modem to the digital transceiver. Dimensions:
9.5" high x 7.88" deep x 2.2" wide
Weight:
1.5 lbs. 
Digital Transceiver
The digital transceiver is mounted outside your location and is used to send and receive signals to the CommSpeed transmitter or repeater. This
digital transceiver provides the wireless connection which is used to access the Internet.Dimensions:
13.5" wide x 13.5" high x 2.6" deep
Weight: 6 lbs. (with mount) Installation
Your service will be installed by CommSpeed's
professional installation technicians who will ensure you receive the best service possible. In some areas, prior to installation, a primary visit may be scheduled to ensure your location has proper line of site to CommSpeed's transmission towers. This visit does not require your presence as the technician will be evaluating your location externally. However, accommodations must be made to allow the technician access to the roof of your location. Once proper line of site is determined, one of
CommSpeed will set
an appointed time for our technician to install the service. This appointment generally takes between 90 minutes to three hours.
 The installer will place a digital transceiver on the outside of your location (usually on the facia
board) using a standard satellite dish mounting post. A coaxial cable is connected to the transceiver and routed to an entry point near the location of your computer. The installer will also set up a broadband modem which connects to an Ethernet NIC card in your computer
or to your home network. If you do not have a NIC card and and want CommSpeed to install one, please include this on your Service Order. The installer will need to open your PC to install the NIC card. CommSpeed's
standard
installation does not include running
wiring in attics or crawl spaces, nor
fishing wires through walls. We're
happy work with you to meet your specific
requirements, including supplying wire for
you to "do it yourself" or
providing complete internal wiring
services for a reasonable fee. If you do not own the building, a "landlord permission form" needs to be completed indicating you have obtained permission from the owner prior to installation. |
Is the technology mature? What is the future of MMDS? |
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MMDS has been used for over 15 years to transmit both television and data services. Numerous equipment manufacturers supply field proven components to the industry. Sprint and
Nextel have acquired nearly 65% of the domestic MMDS licenses and are delivering high-speed wireless service in numerous large urban areas nationwide. On the international front, MMDS wireless Internet services are now operating or being deployed in dozens of countries.
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What are the minimum computer requirements to get CommSpeed service? |
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The minimum hardware requirements for CommSpeed service are listed below. If you need help in determining whether your computer meets the minimum requirements, please call us.
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Windows Machines |
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Pentium class 133Mhz CPU (or greater) |
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32 MB of RAM |
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One available ISA or PCI slot or Ethernet connection |
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Windows 95,
98, NT, 2000, or ME Operating system |
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Original Operating System Software disk or CD-Rom |
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Macintosh Machines |
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PowerMac or higher |
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32 MB of RAM |
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10BaseT Ethernet connection |
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Mac OS 7.6.1 or greater |
How fast is CommSpeed?
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CommSpeed users can select from
two levels of service; 1,024Kb
download and 128Kb upload,
or 512Kb download / 128Kb upload. No matter how fast your connection, speeds on the Internet itself can affect upload and download performance. Factors that govern Internet speed include the server loading of the Website requested, Internet traffic patterns, router efficiency, and backbone usage. At certain times of the day, some Websites will have higher Internet traffic than others. FTP file transfers are received at higher speeds than HTML web pages, due to the need for fewer packet acknowledgements with file transfer protocol.
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How can I tell the download speed I am getting from CommSpeed? |
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There are many methods for checking Internet speed connection. You can go to a download site, such as www.download.com and see how long it takes to receive a large file. Another method for speed measurement is to run the test at www.speed411.com. Normally, the first test shows a slower speed because it adds in "latency" (the time it takes to initially seek out the data source before beginning the download). A more accurate measurement can be obtained by downloading a file using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program. Or, you can test by downloading files directly from our servers at http://download.commspeed.net.
Remember that all download speed measurements depend on how busy the source server and Internet backbone are at a given time, and thus are not an accurate reflection of the CommSpeed wireless connection speed. When checking speed, remember that one byte equals eight bits. Therefore, a speed of 100 KBps (kilobytes per second), equates to 800kbps (kilobits per second). |
Is CommSpeed a commercial or residential service? |
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You can benefit whether you are a work-at-home professional, business owner, or just plain tired of the "World Wide Wait." CommSpeed is ideal for anyone who wants a fast, reliable connection to the Internet. CommSpeed is now installed in hundreds of locations, including homes, schools, office buildings, hospitals, apartments, hotels, car dealerships, law offices, real estate offices, government offices and many others.
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Is this service available from other ISPs or the telephone company? |
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No. Our wireless network uses frequencies licensed exclusively to CommSpeed by the FCC.
We are a full service Internet Service
Provider, providing email and newsgroup
services, Website hosting, server
co-location home and office networks, and other services.
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How does CommSpeed compare to other broadband technologies? |
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Broadband providers today include: CommSpeed wireless, DSL, cable modem, and unlicensed wireless. Broadband has exploded due to the tremendous demand for high-bandwidth applications and entertainment delivered over the Internet. Many may question their best option.
CommSpeed wireless, DSL, cable modem, and unlicensed wireless services differ in many ways. CommSpeed is a wireless service unlike DSL and cable products.
This means that users within 35 miles of our
many transmission hubs should be able to access this product.
Your location may not need to have direct
line-of-site to the transmission hub. Comparatively, if DSL or cable modem service is offered in your area, their product availability and speed is often contingent upon build out of their local networks and equipment location. CommSpeed, since it is a wireless service, can make adjustments to available bandwidth quickly, as demand surges. Due to the additive nature of cable modems, there can be performance problems related to the physical limits of the copper wire. Additionally, as more users log on, they directly affect performance for all other users upstream and downstream. CommSpeed
is not affected by these limitations.
In comparison to unlicensed wireless
services, CommSpeed,
provides a much more
reliable connection because we operate on
frequencies allocated by the FCC for our
EXCLUSIVE use. CommSpeed's
service cannot be subject to interference.
Unlicensed wireless services operate on the
same 2.4GHz frequency range as portable
phones, garage door openers, home wireless
networks, security systems, and even some
microwave ovens! As a result,
unlicensed wireless systems systems can be
subject to interference -- resulting in
service disruptions. |
Can multiple computers be connected to CommSpeed? |
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Yes. Many of our customers are enjoying the benefits of simultaneous access to the Internet with two or more computers. Following is a summary of how this is accomplished. For more information on networking CommSpeed service, please give us a call.
Residential networking:
Networking multiple computers can be
accomplished using a 'Broadband Router" and hub. There are numerous other ways to go about establishing a network, including home wireless systems. You can install a network yourself, get help from a local computer store, or CommSpeed can install NIC cards and home networking systems for you. Contact us regarding your networking needs -- we've installed HUNDREDS of networks. For current home network installation pricing, click here. An excellent overview on home networking can be found at www.practicallynetworked.com. Business and school networks: Area businesses and schools are connecting thousands of computers to the Internet through CommSpeed modems. CommSpeed can provide a multi-user modem which routes our service for up to 80 computers on your Local Area Network. Alternatively, we can provide a broadband router which allows shared Internet access for up to 253 users. |
Can I host a Website on my CommSpeed connection? |
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CommSpeed's terms and condition of use specifically prohibit end users from running programs or servers that provide network services to others through the wireless connection ("web hosting"). These services include, but are not limited to operating a web/mail/ftp server to serve external connections.
CommSpeed provides 40MB of personal Web space (www.commspeed.net/yourname) upon request. Customers needing domain hosting and email services can do so for as little as $15 per month. Hosting is provided on our fast servers, with direct DS3 connection to the Internet backbone. |
How reliable is CommSpeed service? |
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CommSpeed uses radio transmitters that operate on unique, FCC licensed channels assigned for our exclusive use. The radio circuit is engineered to provide generous margins against signal disturbances or stray interference. The CommSpeed network equipment is backed up by uninterruptible power supplies and generators. Our radio transmitters are agile, meaning should an interference problem arise, the radio frequency in use automatically switches to a clear channel without a service interruption. Should a transmitter at a base station fail, a backup transmitter automatically takes over to maintain uninterrupted service.
Some people may be concerned about the effect of weather on their CommSpeed service. In actuality, the "weather effect" is inconsequential, as CommSpeed
operates on frequencies that are virtually unaffected by the weather. We have continue to operate without
the slightest of interruption through the heaviest snows, rains
and fog. |
How secure is CommSpeed service? |
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The Internet is a shared resource and therefore, not a completely secure medium. As a consequence, even dialup users are susceptible to outside attacks by hackers. CommSpeed has taken several steps to increase the transmission security surrounding our wireless customers' use and enjoyment of the Internet.
First, CommSpeed can only be received on an exclusive microwave frequency band which is under CommSpeed's sole control. The band is not shared with any other service. Additionally, our modems change frequencies on a per transmission basis, making reception of a specific traffic stream very difficult.Second, an CommSpeed customer must have our unique digital transceiver equipment (not available to the general public) in order to receive information from our wireless signals.The third and complementing factor is that CommSpeed uses a broadband modem that employs a "routed architecture", meaning that the modem will only deliver data packets that are specifically addressed to it. Many other cable-type modems employ a "bridged architecture", and will pass and accept all packets. Our high quality modem products have a security advantage as a result of having routers built into them. As with any "always on" technology, there are inherent security factors that may concern users. If you have such concerns, CommSpeed recommends considering firewall protection. A free firewall software program, ZoneAlarm, can be downloaded from www.zonelabs.com. Another more extensive software firewall program is BlackICE Defender. It can be purchased for $39.95 at www.networkice.com or you can download a free 30-day trial from www.download.com. For networked computers, most broadband routers provide built-in firewall protection. |
What should I do during a lightning storm? |
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Computers, televisions, telephones and other electronic components are susceptible to damage if lightning strikes nearby. We recommend unplugging your CommSpeed modem, transceiver, your computer and any other electrical device during severe thunderstorms.
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Can I purchase the modem and transceiver? |
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Several larger businesses with numerous
systems connected to CommSpeed have purchased the
modems and transceivers to gain a commensurate reduction in their monthly service fee. For most residential and small business customers it makes more sense for CommSpeed to retain ownership.
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Does CommSpeed offer any guarantee? |
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YES. All CommSpeed services carry a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee. We're so certain you'll be happy with CommSpeed service, we will cheerfully provide a complete refund if you are not
100% satisfied.
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How much does CommSpeed cost? |
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CommSpeed gives you the best Internet access available in North Central Arizona, five e-mail accounts, 40 MB of server space for your personal web site and files, unlimited monthly use, and access to your favorite newsgroups.
NO LONG TERM CONTRACT is required.
All of our services are offered on a
month-to-month basis.
CommSpeed provides a digital transceiver and high speed modem to each subscriber at no additional cost. We offer
two levels of wireless service;
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256Kb download / 128Kb upload is $29.95
per month
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512Kb download / 128Kb
upload is $39.95 per
month
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1,024Kb download / 128Kb upload is $59.95 per
month
CommSpeed
provides FREE professional installation for $59.95 service.
Installation for $29.95/mo is $99.00.and installation for $39.95/mo service
is $49.00. There is no "hidden extra"
cost for a modem (as is often the case with cable or DSL service).
CommSpeed retains ownership of the modem and transceiver. (That's a "good thing" -- if the equipment should fail to operate at any time, we send a technician to your location to replace it FREE OF CHARGE).
Reasonably priced options are available
for businesses with multiple computers
that need to be connected. Call us
to discuss your configuration. CommSpeed provides installation of home and office networks. To find out more about enhanced services from CommSpeed, call
1-928-772-1111 or e-mail us at info@commspeed.net. |
How do I get CommSpeed service? |
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Call 772-1111 (toll free
888-772-1137), or email us at info@commspeed.net,
or click
here to order on-line. If you live within
range of one of our numerous transmission
hubs, you should be able to receive our
signal. To ensure proper signal
strength at your location, we may send a
technician to conduct a free, no obligation
signal test.
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How long do I wait from the time I order CommSpeed until it is installed? |
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CommSpeed installs
service on a "first come, first served"
basis. Call today and we'll get your
installation scheduled as quickly as
possible! Typical installations range from 90 minutes to three hours, and no installation is complete until you are satisfied with the service and have given us your approval.
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