Wireless Frequently Asked Questions 

How does wireless work?

BLTG wireless customers will be provided with a high-speed wireless antenna that links their PC to the Internet, rather than using a modem hooked up to a local phone line. The link is made by a 'line-of-sight' connection to a broadcasting antenna. Users can access local news, weather, sports and entertainment information and other local content from various computer servers throughout their local area, as well as all world wide web content..

Does wireless require a phone line?

BLTG wireless customers will be provided with a high-speed service adapter that links their computers to the Internet rather than using a modem hooked up to a local phone line.   Phone lines are not used at all.

How fast is wireless?

BLTG wireless can deliver up to 5.5 megabits per second (Mbps) to a computer through the 10BaseT Ethernet interface (that's as fast as a big corporation uses). A number of factors determine the speed of the data as it goes from the Internet to the customer's computer. The wireless adapter delivers up to 5.5 Mbps over the network, but the device with the slowest throughput along this path determines the effective speed. Typically, this is the PC bus and/or video display at the user's computer station.   This is a full-duplex connection which means the upstream (from the PC to the Internet) and downstream (from the Internet to the PC) bandwidth is the same.

What will wireless cost and what does this include?

BLTG residential wireless service will cost as low as just $42.50 per month! The monthly fee includes unlimited, access to the Internet (without hourly fees). An installation involves trained staff installing the hardware and software necessary to use the wireless service. You purchase your antenna and mounting equipment which typically costs about $200 for a simple installation and up  depending on what it takes to get the signal at your home or business.
 

When will wireless be available in my area?

BLTG continues to expand it's wireless infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas.  Check our site coverage map on www.bltg.us or call us today( 888-351-7772) to see if you are able to receive a broadband wireless signal in your home or  office.

I have a network; can all of my users be online at the same time?

With our network installation all your users will be able to share the available bandwidth.   There may need to be some minor changes made to your network depending on your configuration, these will be addressed during the site survey and installation.

Can I have more than one computer connected?

BLTG's residential wireless service is for one computer system, however if you have Windows 2000 or later you may use the Internet Connection Sharing component to share the one connection.   A small router (available at BLTG and most electronic stores) is best for sharing the connection.

What is the installation procedure?

When you choose to have BLTG wireless installed in your home, a BLTG technician will be dispatched to your home.   The technician will evaluate the best location to install the service adapter and install a category 5 network cable from the service adapter to your computer.   In order to connect the service adapter to your personal computer, your computer must have a 10BaseT Ethernet connector. BLTG can provide a 10BaseT Ethernet card as part of the installation if necessary. The BLTG technician will install the Ethernet card, if necessary, as well as the software needed to access the Internet. To safeguard against possible data loss during this installation, we strongly recommend that you back up your system prior to the arrival of the BLTG technician.

How does the service adapter connect to my computer?

Serial ports and parallel ports are both too slow for wireless, so we use a Ethernet connection between the service adapter and your computer. If you don't have a Ethernet port on your computer, we'll install one for you as part of the installation.

How long does the installation process take?

The time required for installation varies depending on the type of equipment and operating system that you have. Generally we allow one hour for each installation, but additional time may be necessary depending on your location in relation to our antenna.

What other advantages does wireless have over other services?

When your computer is on your connection to the wireless network it is active - you never have to wait while your modem dials the number for your Internet Service Provider or endure the screech as the two modems jockey to establish their communication rate. With BLTG's wireless, you just press a button and in a split second, you have access to the Internet and all of its content.

No matter how many subscribers are using the service, you never have to wait for a busy signal because you won't be using a phone line. Better still, you never have to worry about line noise or other connection issues.

What about security on the system? How do I know that my credit card cannot be stolen?

Security is a concern for every user on the Internet. Any transaction conducted over wireless service is equally secure to those done over your existing connection, just a lot faster. We advise customers to use common sense precautions when using their credit cards for electronic commerce -- just as they would in any other form of credit card purchasing.

What about viruses?

Unfortunately, viruses are a fact of life in today's computing environment. The wireless service is not more susceptible to viruses or their transmission than any other service. There are a number of free samples of anti-virus software available on the Internet to protect against the possibility of a virus. We recommend AVAST

Do I need to protect my computer system with a firewall?

It is always a good idea to protect yourself from potential intrusions from the Internet.  Zone Alarm is a shareware firewall that will run on any windows platform. A hardware router firewall works best. 

What is the difference between wireless and DSL or cable modems?

BLTG’s wireless is comparable to DSL or cable modems without the need for cable installations to your home