Tips For Buying An Internet-Ready Home

Oct 31, 2017

Have you ever purchased a home to find that you cannot get Internet service? This painful realization for would-be buyers relocating to the suburbs or rural areas can come a little too late! Below we share some tips for buying an Internet-ready home to help you avoid the same mistake.

CONCERNS ABOUT INTERNET SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS

My home is in a Mountainous Area – What service options are available to me?

Not every Internet Service Provider is available in all areas. Many of us have grown up spoiled by countless options in the city, but when you move to the suburbs or rural areas, the well dries up and reality shows its ugly face. Ouch!

So what if my current provider does not offer service in my new neighborhood?

In every state, you can find a list of service providers for your area at websites like Broadband Now, which displays pricing and vendors by zip code. But, buyer beware: just because it lists local Internet providers, that doesn’t always mean that they can provide service to your desired home.

TYPES OF INTERNET SERVICES:

DSL Internet – Service provided through your phone line; prevalent in major cities and also available in some rural communities.

Consumer Tip:  Call your local provider to see if service is available at your new location. No matter what you hear, verify service availability by having them come out to confirm this.

Cable Internet– In telecommunications, cable Internet access, shortened to cable Internet, is a form of broadband Internet access which uses the same infrastructure as a cable television. Also principally located in metropolitan areas, cable Internet may or may not be an option.

Consumer Tip: Call your local cable provider to see if service is available in your new area to transfer your service. No matter what you hear, verify serviceability by having them come out to confirm this.

FIXED WIRELESS AND SATELLITE

Fixed Wireless – Fixed wireless is the operation of wireless devices or systems used to connect two fixed locations (e.g., building to building or tower to a building) with a radio or other wireless link.

Consumer Tip: Wireless Internet providers require line-of-sight to fulfill service. Some areas may require custom installations for clients with challenging terrain. Custom installs may cost buyers more upfront fees but can provide homeowners options when all else fails. Fixed wireless providers offer service in both metropolitan and rural areas as a “last mile” where other telcos are not available.

Satellite Internet – Satellite Internet access is Internet access provided through communications satellites. Modern consumer-grade satellite Internet providers serve individual consumers through geostationary satellites that can offer data speeds ranging from two to eighteen megabits per second.

Consumer Tip:  Often confused with Fixed Wireless, Satellite can provide service to nearly any area. However, at 22,000 miles above the earth and using the law of physics, ping on Satellite Internet will average around 625 milliseconds. This type of Internet service ends up being the last resort after finding Fixed Wireless, DSL, or Cable providers are unavailable.

What if my current provider is not available?

If you find yourself in this predicament, start looking for alternatives immediately. Research the area to see what providers offer service to your desired neighborhood. You can also ask neighbors to see who they use, check on Yelp, or see if your realtor can recommend anyone.

How to confirm service before you buy?

Remember: The seller wants you to buy their home.

If they are using a local provider that fails to impress, do your homework to look for other Internet providers that cover that area. Make sure you ask the seller if they can set up a free site survey with the desired Internet provider in that area to confirm serviceability. Once you have confirmation that Internet is available to that house, you still have work to do. See below for more tips.

Consumer Tip:  It is crucial that you do your due diligence to confirm if the house you want to buy has reliable Internet. Asking around is one method to get a feel for anecdotal issues. Nearby neighbors will give you the “skinny” of past tales with providers, speeds offered and performance they are getting using that service provider.

Another way to confirm services is to visit the prospective home you want to buy and explore Internet options just as you would other features of a potential new home. Some buyers focus more on the esthetics and worry about Internet later – don’t make that mistake!

Also, check for existing equipment located on the roof or property and ask the realtor for the name of the Internet Provider delivering service at that home.

Consumer Tip:  Asking the right questions will help you uncover what is real and what is not. Just because you see a telephone box does not mean you can get DSL Internet.

Once you’ve finished your preliminary investigation, call the local provider or providers to find out what speeds they provide, pricing, and learn if they serve other clients in that area as well.

Remember, it is not what you think you know; it is what you can prove.  

So there you have it, folks. Please use this as a good start to make your next home buying experience a lesson you do not have to learn the hard way. Be Internet ready! As always, thanks for listening! – Sonia

Question: Did you buy the house or did you walk away? Please share any past experiences.

Photo via Mr.TinDC

Net Neutrality and Your Pocket Book: Are You Bleeding Money?

Jan 31, 2014

Everyone wants their video to playback smoothly, but is there more to Net Neutrality than smooth HD video? Yes, everyday ordinary people will be impacted and burdened with the decisions and policies being considered today.

When I was young and building a three computer network in my bedroom, I explained to my father the entrails of cables dangling from computer to computer were data pipes. I would pause and cringe as I described it as I knew the physical connection was only one layer of an almost magical onion. (Onion? Look, if they are good enough for ogres they are perfect for networks! If you’ve not had the opportunity to ponder the OSI model check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model)

Nowadays, I am more likely to compare a network to building a fleet of ships and sending them out to sea. A sea where packet storms surge, peering and routing deliver or imperil the voyage as it passes through ports to deliver cargo by adhering to protocols. To spice my tale of the Internet seas, picture a cast of characters… lusty pirates, firebrand revolutionaries, leagues of lawyers, treacherous worms, clever trojan horses, phishing fleets and our heroes the intrepid entrepreneurs!

The Internet’s complexity

The Internet as we know it today is vastly complex with a staggering array of interacting pieces. Its existence is accomplished through machines, wireless and wired interconnections, stacks of operational codes but also by writ, RFC’s and contractual agreements. The Internet is at once both physical and conceptual. It is unquestionably evolving.

It is a marvel to behold and be part of knowing that nothing like it has come before. Etheric Networks is an independent Internet Service Provider. We get involved with the details and the big picture poetry of the Internet.

Net neutrality is important to us.

We practice it.

We peer with numerous organizations to ensure the speed and low latency of data for our clients. We do this without reference to specific content. The data that is important to you… that is the data whose timely delivery is important to us.

We do not handle NetFlix video packets differently than YouTube’s, Hulu’s, Vine’s, Vimeo’s or tomorrow’s rising stars. We don’t prefer one vendor’s VoIP of another. All mail packets are created equal to our eyes. This is the central issue of Net Neutrality, not whether networking providers are free to innovate. Of course, they are.

We are free to figure out inventive methods by which various types of traffic, some of it real time while others have less inherent time requirements can be interwoven and transmitted in the most efficient means. But, within a type of traffic if one brand purchases a faster route than others the ability to compete equally in the marketplace has been undermined.

To be candid, FCC rules or any other governing body alone can not ensure and protect Net Neutrality. We the participants need to remain committed to its principles, and as consumers, we must be willing to wield the powerful weapon of choice to punish those who act against our collective interests.

Conclusion

We, here at Etheric Networks, remain committed to delivering a Net neutral service. We encourage you to voice your concerns and vote with your pocketbook! Interested in more information about Net Neutrality? Here are three excellent sources:

What Equipment Do I Need for My Wireless Installation?

Sep 8, 2013

Whether it’s fixed wireless or cable, having the right equipment is essential to get you up and to run without aggravation or anxiety.

If you are new to fixed wireless Internet or not, knowing what you need will save you time before your install. We get asked all the time, what does our equipment look like and what equipment do I need to install service? In this blog post, we will discuss two common questions about the equipment used and needed for each install.

What’s Involved With An Installation?

Fixed wireless Internet access, provides a home connection shared throughout the house. A small externally mounted radio and antenna housing connects your location to an access point (often called an AP) sometimes located up to 15 miles away.

The antenna mounted is used to achieve a point-to-point connection with Etheric Networks’ extensive collection of APs. This is the reason our installation process is preceded with a free site survey to establish the presence of a clear line of sight to one or more of our tower locations.

What does the equipment look like at my house or business?

Here is the outline of what is involved in a basic installation:

  • Mounting of an antenna and radio transceiver (testing of equipment for proper orientation)
  • Weather sealant for connections and structure penetrations (if required by the installation considerations)
  • Routing of cable from transceiver to one computer system or router via a single wall penetration (including up to 300’ of CAT5 Ethernet cable)
  • Grounding of system components
  • Connection of power interface
  • Configuration of TCP/IP settings
  • Testing internet browser to ensure adequate connection and installation.

Once an installation is complete, the Internet connection can be distributed throughout the house either using pre-existing wiring or wirelessly with inexpensive equipment that combines the function of a router and a WiFi access point. Which brings us around to the next question?

Do I need a Router?

Technically a router is a device that forwards data packets between two or more networks. Which networks? Well, for a household, the Internet and the internal network of the home often referred to as the LAN or local area network. You don’t need a router for a home set-up, but there are some advantages:

  • Security: it supplies a layer of separation between your computers and the Internet at large.
  • Multiple devices: a router takes the single connection that Etheric Networks provides and enables multiple computers and a host of other gadgets and gizmos to use the connection all at the same time.
  • So, if you don’t already own a router on the date of installation, you’ll probably want to acquire one. Many consumer grade routers include a wifi access point capability which is our next term of endearment.

Examples of Routers:

Wifi access point – Most times strange words like LAN, WAN or TCP/IP are acronyms… not so for wifi. Wifi started out as a marketing term for devices that used “Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 802.11 standards” – Yep; that’s a mouthful…. those standards and the desire to never say them aloud begat “wifi.”

Now, a wifi access point allows you to use a collection of devices (computers, phones, tablets nowadays even TVs) on your internal network without having to have wires for connecting them up. Of course, today, devices like phones and tablets wouldn’t be able to connect without wifi even if you had the wires because they are designed from the outset to use wifi technology.

We get often asked, “Do you have a list of preferred routers?” We don’t have a list of favorite devices as we’d never be able to keep up. New devices are regularly released with features stacked high upon their data sheets. We could write a blog about home routers! (As a side note, if you start one we’d be happy to reference your blog.)

The rest of your network devices are up to the specifications of your needs and desires. No matter whether you are looking to be “edge of the envelope” or to avoid licking envelopes, we’re here to help!  Still have questions, chime in below or give us a call.

The Digital Divide for Millions Looking for Reliable Internet

Aug 18, 2013

The internet is a way of life and not just a matter of convenience; it is something everyone wants.

We use the internet for everything from connecting with friends, family, school to running a business. But in an era when accessing the internet is essential to jobs and global competitiveness, it is no surprise that millions of households still have no internet. For rural residents, unreliable internet it is just a way of life.

Often, companies claim that there aren’t enough customers per mile to make it worthwhile for fiber, DSL or cable companies to run their infrastructure to rural areas. They expect more density per mile or they won’t build out. It becomes very expensive leaving underserved areas with limited options.

Typical Challenges

Some problems put connectivity to the test; natural and artificial obstacles such as foliage and terrain present significant communications challenges for customers in underserved areas.

If you’re higher up on the mountain, away from the city, the more likely it is that the service is nonexistent or inadequate. With Wireless Internet, there is no need for underground copper, fiber, or other forms of commercial cabling. Wireless internet has emerged as the leader to get broadband into rural areas.

How are we solving this problem?

We’re coming to you. We know there are underserved areas in our community and we want to bring the internet to areas that otherwise can’t get any service at all. With Fixed Wireless internet you get high-speed Internet access with connections to service providers that use radio signals and not cables.

Fixed wireless broadband utilizes transmission towers (ground stations) that communicate with each other and with the subscriber’s location. From there we install equipment to homes to connect our towers.

Find out more about Etheric Networks services by contacting our sales department at 650.399.4200 Ext 2 or sales@ethericnetworks.com.

Increase Productivity and Profitability with Wireless Internet

Aug 8, 2013

Minutes count when it comes to running your business and having a powerful tool for boosting productivity and collaboration is essential. Partnership and sharing information has become increasingly crucial in today’s fast-paced world.

Indeed, it is arduous to imagine a business environment that wouldn’t benefit from a wireless network. Companies are increasingly implementing wireless networks in record numbers from manufacturers, retailers, construction, hotels, service facilities, and schools.

What are some Best Practices to Increase Productivity and Profitability with Wireless Internet?

Boosted Collaboration and Mobility

Employees can benefit from using Wireless Internet to roam from office to different floors without the loss of connection. Teams can meet for conferences to share documents, collaborate with up-to-the-minute communication and work together more efficiently.

Enhanced Responsiveness

Wireless Internet (network) improves your customers experience to connect staff to the information they need.

Scalable

Install an access point and be connected instantly. Your wireless network will grow as you need, with no cable to connect and determine where or how many data ports are.

Boundless Productivity

Wireless Internet gives your employees freedom to move from office to office for meetings or face time without losing connectivity. This provides flexibility for hard-working employees to work where they need to work and better overall cost-effectiveness.

Security

If you have a small or large office building, wireless internet service can be set up to meet the requirements to maintain a desired level of security. Wireless internet can ensure safety and protection to its users by providing services ranging from auditing, network marketing, firewall configuration and intrusion detection.

Reduced Overall Cost-of-Ownership

Wireless internet overall cost-effectiveness is only accelerated in fast-changing and evolving industries which require frequent moves. Without the need of cables, wireless service provides a quick install in short off, the need to pull wires through walls and other barriers, which saves time and external costs of installation.

Act NOW! To get more information about Etheric Networks personal service, please contact us at sales@ethericnetworks.com