Delivery and other related Questions
What are your Delivery Estimates?- How is Broadband different from dial-up service?
How fast is the connection?
- How reliable is the service?
- Is Your service the same as Satellite?
- What are the different types of Broadband Technologies?
- Is there a limit on Internet usage?
- Can I connect more than one computer or SOHO?
- Can I use your service when I am traveling?
- Do you monitor your service?
- How do I find out what the Network Status is?
- Is there any issues with the radio frequency using your service?
- Can I connect using VPN?
- What is my IP Address?
- Can I do Gaming Online?
- Can I watch YouTube?
- Can I watch Netflix Movies?
- What about Voip? Does it work with the system?
- Do you know where I can recycle my old computers, monitors, printers etc.
What about Peer to Peer File Sharing?
- What are your Delivery Estimates?
- Typically delivery takes 2 to 10 working days. The installation and setup fee includes a site survey, configuration, installation of equipment and testing to ensure the best end-to-end connection
- How is Broadband different from dial-up service?
- Broadband service provides higher speeds of data transmissions. It allows more content to be carried through the transmission pipeline. Broadband provides access to the highest quality internet services - streaming media, VoIP, gaming, and interactive services. Many of these current and newly developing services require the transfer of large amounts of data which may not be technically feasible with dial-up service. Therefore, broadband service may be increasingly necessary to access the full range of services and opportunities that the Internet can offer.
Broadband is always on - it does not need a phone line and there is no need to reconnect to the network after logging off.
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- How fast is the connection?
- Central Valley Broadband has several connection speeds and service plans available depending on your need. Basic speeds start at 512Kbps Downstream and 256Kbps Upstream
- Any stated bandwidth capability for a Service and the expected throughput speed for any service at any given time will vary based on network congestion, usage and other factors, and are not guaranteed.
- Customer needs to understand that the bandwidth and connection speed represents that maximum “burstable” bandwidth available and that its actual connect speed is likely to vary. CVB provides no guarantee that the bandwidth and connection speed selected by the customer will be achieved during normal operation.
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- How reliable is the service?
- CVB will take all reasonable steps to keep its service in full, working order. However, nothing shall be construed as a guarantee of continuous, uninterrupted service. CVB makes no guarantee against loss of business or loss of data due to downtime.
- The service provided by CVB is “Fixed Wireless Internet Access” operating in the “Unregulated Frequency” spectrum. The service shall be available to the customer when within the effective working range of CVB’s wireless network. Service may be temporarily unavailable or limited because of capacity limitations, and is also subject to transmission limitations caused by atmospheric and other natural or artificial conditions adversely affectin CVB’s transmissions. Services may also be temporarily interrupted due to equipment modifications, software upgrades, equipment relocation, repairs, and similar activities by CVB, necessary for the proper or improved operation of the service.
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- Is your service the same as Satellite?
- There is still a lot of confusion around Fixed Wireless Broadband and some of our prospects tend to associate it with satellite and one-way dishes. The CVB service has a very low latency or delay, compared to satellite systems where the signals have to travel thousands of miles up to the satellite and back down. This is why satellite is not suitable for VPN or online gaming. The signal is also affected by adverse conditions.
Although both technologies use a roof-mounted antenna to connect you to the Internet, the delivery of the signal is very different and more stable than satellite Internet
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- What are the different types of Broadband Technologies?
- Broadband includes several high-speed transmission technologies, such as:
- • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL is a wireline transmission technology that transmits data faster over traditional copper
telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses. DSL-based broadband provides
transmission speeds ranging from several hundred Kbps to millions of bits per second (Mbps).
The availability and speed of your DSL service may depend on the distance from your home or
business to the closest telephone company facility.
- A large number of areas throughout the world currently are not able to access broadband connectivity. DSL can only reach about three miles from the central office switch, and this limitation means that many urban and suburban locations may not be served by DSL connectivity.
- • Cable Modem
Cable modem service enables cable operators to provide broadband using the same coaxial cables that deliver pictures and sound to your TV set.
Most cable modems are external devices that have two connections, one to the cable wall outlet and the other to a computer. They provide transmission speeds of 1.5 Mbps or more.
Subscribers can access their cable modem service simply by turning on their computers without dialing-up an ISP. You can still watch cable TV while using it. Transmission speeds vary depending on the type of cable modem, cable network, and traffic load. Speeds are comparable to DSL.
• Fiber
Fiber, or fiber optic, is a newer technology available for providing broadband. Fiber optic technology converts electrical signals carrying data to light and sends the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds far exceeding current DSL or cable modem speeds, typically by tens or even hundreds of Mbps.
• Wireless
- Wireless broadband connects a home or business to the Internet using a radio link between the customer’s location and the service provider’s facility. Wireless broadband can be mobile or fixed.
- • Satellite
- Just as satellites orbiting the earth provide necessary links for telephone and television service, they can also provide links for broadband. Satellite broadband is another form of wireless broadband, also useful for serving remote or sparsely populated areas.
- • Broadband over Powerlines
- (BPL) BPL is the delivery of broadband over the existing low and medium voltage electric power distribution network BPL speeds are comparable to DSL and cable modem speeds. BPL can be provided to homes using existing electrical connections and outlets.
- The broadband technology you choose will depend on a number of factors. These factors may include whether you are located in an urban or rural area, how broadband Internet access is packaged with other services (like voice telephone and home entertainment), price, and availability.
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- Is there a limit on Internet usage?
- No, at CVB we do not have limits on internet or e-mail usage
- Can I connect more than one computer or SOHO?
- Yes, you can connect up to 4 computers. If you need more please upgrade your account.
- Can I use your service when I am traveling?
- No, the service is a fixed wireless service, you have to be within range of your router to receive the service. You can access your e-mail by going through CVB’s Web-Mail service.
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- Is there any issues with the radio frequency using your service?
- No. The technology used by CVB operates at very low power levels, similar to a cell phone. Also, radio frequency power drops dramatically as you move away from the power source.
- You can always go online and read about it - Go to FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) website, - http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#56 - Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field.
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- How do I find out what the Network Status is?
- Central Valley Broadband customers can go here to get updates on current status of the network, known issues, planned outages and recent history of issues. The web page is used to post information about system or area-wide internet related issues. If you have a problem that you don’t see listed here please contact us, you might have a problem related only to you.
We also may experience downtime if our fiber provider experiences problems or if there is a PG&E power outage. Most of our access points have battery backup power, solar panels and generator setup.
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- Do you monitor your service?
- Yes, CVB is monitoring the Network 24/7 and has alarms set on every computer or to every i-phone.
- Can I connect using VPN
- Yes, depending on how your company's VPN is setup, you may need a VPN router and/or some port setting changes made to your router. If you use CITRIX to VPN to your company’s server, you will need to setup port forwarding on your router.
- If you need help regarding Port Forwarding please visit:
http://www.portforward.com/english/applications/port_forwarding/VNC/VNCindex.htm
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- What is my IP Address?
- To find out please look at: http://www.whatismyip.com/
- Can I do Gaming Online?
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- Yes, unless you sign up for a higher account (at least 1.5 Mbps) we do not recommend online gaming.
- Can I watch YouTube
- Yes, but remember streaming videos are a "sustained" download just like a file download and bandwidth shaping (traffic shaping) rules may apply. You just have to adapt, don’t start the video until it's 100% loaded that way there are no frame rate issues. Just have something else open in another window to keep yourself occupied while you wait for the video to load.
For best results, you may want to start the video player and then click on the PAUSE button immediately. Then, wait until the red progress bar has reached the end of the video before playing it. Allowing the entire video buffer lets you watch it without interruption.
What is Traffic Shaping?
Traffic shaping provides a means to control the volume of traffic being sent into a network in a specified period (bandwidth throttling), or the maximum rate at which the traffic is sent
What is Bandwidth throttling
This is a method of ensuring a bandwidth intensive device, such as a server, will limit ("throttle") the quantity of data it transmits and/or accepts within a specified period of time. For ISP’s bandwidth throttling can be used to limit users' speeds across certain applications (such as BitTorrent), or limit upload speeds.
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- Can I watch Netflix Movies?
- Yes, but might not work in realtime, you can download but we recommend you sign up for the higher speeds, at least 1.0 Mbps continuous speed without interruptions. Or download it over night and watch it the next day.
Streaming high-quality video with little buffering requires a fast connection. Netflix says that its new technology throttles the streaming speed based on available bandwidth. Users will need a minimum of 1Mbps to watch films, but these will be far below DVD quality. 3Mbps connections are required to watch movies in their native resolution.
- What about VoIP? Does it work with the system?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is also referred to as IP Telephony or Internet Telephony. It is another way of making phone calls, with the difference of making the calls cheaper. Communication is a heavy weight on budgets and these days more than ever, with the economic slowdown, everyone is looking for ways to cut down the cost of communication, especially that of fixed and mobile phone calls. The cost of such a service on average ranges from $10 to $25 a month, depending on the plan you choose
One of the main factors that grant PSTN a small advantage over VoIP is voice quality, and one of the main factors that affect voice quality in VoIP is bandwidth. This kind of service requires first an Internet connection, preferrably a DSL line, with sufficient Secondly, a special device called an ATA (also called a phone adapter) has to sit between your phone set and the DSL Internet Router. The phone adapter device is shipped to you with any new subscription
Here is a list of VoIP’s that are working with the CVB bandwidth
Vonage - http://www.vonage.com/
Vonage tops my list because it delivers the goods. The price is not the lowest, but not the highest as well. Call quality is great, as well as the service and all it entails, including the features and customer service. The adapter is provided for around $40, refundable on returning it. 14-day trial.
Vonage routes your phone calls over the Internet using Voice over Internet Protocol, rather than telephone lines. But even though your phone uses the Internet, it has nothing to do with your computer. In fact, your computer doesn't have to be on to use Vonage. The people you call don't need to have Vonage or the Internet to get your call - just a phone. And when someone calls you, your phone rings as usual.
A high-speed Internet connection - broadband, like cable or DSL A touchtone phone - any touchtone phone will do. A Vonage phone adapter - the device that connects your high-speed Internet to your phone
Skype - http://about.skype.com/
Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
With Skype’s free software – by the way, it works seamlessly with your internet connection – you can chat away with free Skype to Skype calls and never worry about cost, time or distance. Share the love and get your friends todownload Skype so you can talk, instant message (IM) or make video calls for nothing. You can also make calls to phones and mobiles at home and abroad at great rates too.
Unlimited calls to a country or region
Any time of the day, any day of the week
No long term contract needed
magicJack - http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp
magicJack requires one of the following Internet connections:
- · Broadband
- · High-Speed Internet
- · Cable Internet
- · DSL
- · WiFi
- · Wireless
- · WiMax
A minimum bandwidth UPLOAD speed of 128 kb/s is required.
magicJack works with wireless broadband such as EVDO and HSDPA. If using one of these, please select the "Air Card (3G)" option on the top left corner of your magicJack softPhone.
EVDO, also known as EV-DO, 1xEvDO and 1xEV-DO, is a standard for high speed wireless broadband The acronym is short for "Evolution, Data Only" or "Evolution, Data Optimized".
HSDPA, short for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, is a new protocol for mobile telephone data transmission It is known as a 3.5G (G stands for generation) technology.
- What about Peer to Peer File Sharing?
Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing utilities automatically turn your computer into a server, sharing everything you download with the outside world. Unless you are very careful, many file-sharing programs will share your files including copyrighted music, without your knowledge. You are breaking the law!
As an Internet user, please be aware that the music and movie industries believe that if you upload or download music or movies from the Internet without paying for it, you are violating their copyright. Federal copyright statutes provide monetary penalties for the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted sound or video recordings.
The copyright holders of these movies and music can use computer programs to help to identify your IP addresses and they can see who is exchanging movies or music. The copyright owner can then subpoena CVB identify the customer who was using the IP. Then the copyright owner can than take legal action against the customer. The copyright owner is pursuing Internet users under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA).
U.S. Copyright Office summary of the law : http://www.loc.gov/copyright/legislation/dmca.pdf.
