FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Consult our library of Frequently Asked Questions for quick access to our customers' common inquiries.
CAN I GET HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS WHERE I LIVE?
- Our service covers most of the rural areas in the Niagara region. However, there are instances where we are not able to get a connection. For a detailed profile of your home or business, please call one of our sales reps at 905-680-8255.
IS THIS A SATELLITE CONNECTION?
- No. Our service is called "line of sight", which means that we align the equipment that we would install on your home/business to one of our towers. Our connection is much more reliable than a satellite connection since our signal does not have to travel through the atmosphere as a satellite connection does.
DO I HAVE TO SIGN A TERM CONTRACT TO GET THE SERVICE?
- Due to high equipment costs, we offer a rental program which requires our customers to stay on our network for at least 24 months. The rental charge also includes an extension of the manufactures warranty for as long as you are a subscriber on our network.
IS IT SECURE?
- Yes, this service is as secure as any other type of Internet access. However, just like any other High Speed service, if a wireless router is used, we recommend the encryption be enabled. Out of the box many routers do not have the encryption turned on. That results in a High Speed connection being open to any person with a laptop.
DOES IT USE MY PHONE LINE?
- No, this service uses the antenna for both sending and receiving.
HOW FAST IS IT?
- Our basic residential service, at present has a sustained speed of 1.5Mbps download and 500 Kbps upload. That compares to only 56 Kbps in both directions on a dialup connection. The canopy technology also allows you to “burst” up to 7Mbps for brief periods of time when the network has capacity.
CAN I USE IT FOR MORE THAN ONE COMPUTER WITHIN MY HOME/BUSINESS?
- Yes, if you have a switch or router.
ARE THERE LIMITS TO THROUGHPUT (SENDING AND RECEIVING INFO)?
- Yes, our various rate plans each have unique throughput limits. We monitor the throughput levels in order to protect the network from being overloaded. However, there is no time limit for being connected so you can be connected 24 hours a day if you need to.
WHO DOES THE INSTALLATION?
- All of the installations are completed by Talk Wireless staff. They will install the equipment and test the service to assure it works according to our specifications.
WHAT TYPE OF CONNECTION WILL COME INTO MY HOUSE FROM THE ANTENNA?
- The cable coming from the antenna is a standard Ethernet cable. This is the same as any network or computer "plug". All equipment is made to work with this type of connection, whether it is plugged directly into the computer or into a router.
CAN THE CONNECTION SLOW DOWN DUE TO TOO MANY PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK?
- Any broadband network can become oversubscribed, including cable, DSL and wireless. We have a 100Mbps connection feeding our network and we're very careful to monitor the traffic on the network to ensure we don't disappoint anyone.
CAN WEATHER SUCH AS RAIN SNOW OR WIND AFFECT OR LOSE THE CONNECTION?
- Motorola tells us that only really dense fog can cause packet losses with Canopy. We have yet to get fog thick enough to cause that to happen here in Niagara.
 For More Information...
about how our technology works or how you can purchase this technology, please call one of our friendly customer service reps and they will be glad to answer any additional questions you may have.
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