Fixed Wireless Broadband (FWB) FAQ

USEFUL DEFINITIONS

  • Broadband is a general term for high-speed, always-on internet.

  • Mbps stands for Megabits per second, a unit used to measure data transfer speeds in digital networks. It indicates how many millions of bits of data are transmitted every second. Higher Mbps values potentially mean faster internet speeds and a better user experience,  but only if lesser ones are insufficient to meet the load needs.
    100 Mbps or more provide little benefit if 25 or 50 Mbps suffice.

  • Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over your network in a given time. It’s usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and is often used interchangeably with speed (below).
    Think of it as the width of a motorway. The wider the road, the more cars can travel side by side without slowing down. Similarly, the higher your bandwidth, the more data can flow at once.

  • Broadband providers typically use “speed” to mean bandwidth.

  • Latency refers to the combined response delay added by a network and the Internet application to a user's action. It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and plays a crucial role in determining the quality of real-time applications such as video calls, online gaming, and streaming. Lower latency means faster response times and a smoother online experience, while higher latency can cause lag, buffering, and interruptions.
    NEW ALLIANCE Internet uses LTE technology to regulate the latency contributed by its network.
    Latency values are variable to some degree, however Speedtest.net - the gold standard for measuring Internet performance - has rated our Latency “Excellent.”

  • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a specific type of broadband that uses existing copper phone lines to provide Internet access. Given the aging infrastructure in the NEK, many current customers experienced poor performance from their prior DSL Internet service.

MANY ADVANTAGES, FEW LIMITATIONS

  • Our Fixed Wireless Broadband offers several key advantages that make it an excellent choice for many users. It provides fast and reliable internet access without the need for traditional cable or fiber infrastructure, making it ideal for rural or underserved areas. Installation is quick and less invasive since there is no need to dig trenches or lay cables.
    Our plans are very affordable-$44-$89 a month -(the latter will support a large family) with flexible pricing and contracts, and no usage caps giving customers more control over their expenses.
    Our Installation fees come with a money back guarantee, and unlike other providers we offer in-home networking support for quality Internet signal where you need it.
    Weather conditions do not affect signal quality, unlike satellite Internet, and of course, we have
    the best customer service in the business.,

  • We are often asked if our Fixed Wireless service is “5G”. 5G actually refers to a set of standards used by cell phone companies specifically, which differ from those that we use.

    To make use of excess capacity on their networks, cellular companies now offer 5G Home Internet in many areas.
    On 5G networks, 5G Home Internet traffic is de-prioritized to the lowest level based on QCI (Quality Class Indicators). 5G networks prioritize Cellular Voice and Data traffic over everything else, leaving 5G Home Internet users with whatever bandwidth is left over. If you look at the Terms of Service for these 5G Home Internet solutions, they explain that bandwidth and latency will vary significantly during peak traffic hours for this reason.
    That can lead to streaming services buffering or game sessions disconnecting, right when the internet is most used. Unlike 5G, our Fixed Wireless network is designed just to carry internet traffic – so we put your connection first.

  • Fixed Wireless requires at least partial line-of-sight to one of our access points. See a detailed mapof locations likely to receive service. Depending on location, your maximum available speed can vary. (Your installer will assess this before you sign up.)
    Heavy foliage can diminish signal strength - some of our customers have removed branches or trees,
    While weather does not directly affect service, occasionally a lightning strike can damage equipment. Our sites require power, and we do have backup power, As with all Internet providers, an extended local power outage can disrupt service,
    In the event of a service disruption, we will contact you, and keep you informed as we restore service.

COMPARE FWB TO OTHER TECHNOLOGIES:
(Spoiler: It does very well !)

  • DSL uses existing telephone infrastructure. VT has some of the oldest copper wiring in the country, and users frequently complain of very low speeds., Phone companies are large organizations, which can mean uneven customer service., and cannot compare to NEW Alliance’s customer support.

  • Requires an unobstructed view of the sky, small branches will disrupt service. Decent download speeds, but much lower upload speeds. Latency is typically worse than Fixed Wireless, which can be problematic for real-time applications, especially gaming. Very susceptible to performance degradation due to weather - even light rain.
    Has higher start-up costs because of equipment purchase, (satellite dishes can cost hundreds of $.) Users must install their own satellite dish, or pay to have that done.
    Customers report very uneven customer service which cannot compare to NEW Alliance’s Customer Support.

  • Cable Internet tends to be available in areas with of denser population,
    Cable companies may have plans with usage caps, plans whose price increases after a promotional period, or which must be bundled with TV plans.
    While listed speeds may be higher most customers find our speeds more than adequate (see The Speed You Need)
    Heavy rainfall, flooding, or melting snow can lead to signal degradation, causing slower speeds or intermittent outages
    As these are large companies, customer service cannot compare to NEW Alliance’s Customer Support.

  • Fiber offers the fastest speeds, however for most users our Fixed Wireless speeds are more than adequate. (see The Speed You Need)
    Fiber takes many years to rollout, so if you don’t yet have access, it could be a long wait. (Fixed Wireless can expand it’s coverage quickly)
    Start- up costs vary depending on how far you are from the road. If close, they may be minimal. If not, you will have extra connection costs, and may have to pay for a conduit, install a conduit.
    The glass fiber optic cables are strung on telephone poles and their Internet can go down due to several factors. These include physical damage to the fiber optic cables , for example, accidental cuts during construction work or road side accidents which damage telephone poles (happens more often than you think!). Service can also be affected by severe weather conditions like storms, or heavy winds, can also compromise service. In addition with these large companies, their customer service doesn’t equal NEW Alliance’s Customer Support.

  • To make use of excess capacity on their networks, cellular companies now offer 5G Home Internet in many areas.5G networks prioritize Cellular Voice and Data traffic over everything else, leaving 5G Home Internet users with whatever bandwidth is left over.
    If you look at the Terms of Service for these 5G Home Internet solutions, they explain that bandwidth and latency will vary significantly during peak traffic hours for this reason. That can lead to streaming services buffering or game sessions disconnecting.
    Our Fixed Wireless network is designed just to carry internet traffic – so we put your connection first.
     Speeds and reliability can vary with cell tower availability and signal strength. Unfortunately our region suffers from “Cell phone deserts.”
    It can be a good backup for other internet services.
    As large companies, their customer service does not match NEW Alliance’s Customer Support.

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