WISPs provide a fixed wireless Internet service. This means it relies on a direct line-of-sight connection from the access point (typically mounted on top of a tower or building) to the roof of your business or home. These access points are usually within three to five miles from your location. Internet service speeds are vastly faster than wireline or cable providers copper medium. Wireless technology called millimeter wavelength provide ‘fiber’ type speeds; however, the latency is less. Latency is the time it takes for a command to be received and a reply to be sent, and that latency in fiber communications increases over longer distances. By comparison, a microwave signal will have a latency of about 5.4 microseconds, while light on the fiber cable travels at 8.01 microseconds per mile.
2) How does the Sandia Wireless Internet connection compare to DSL or Cable Modem?
Our fixed wireless solutions support faster downstream AND upstream speeds (typically as symmetric service – same in both directions). We also differentiate ourselves with larger companies by offering a faster and superior customer service, we are LOCAL, and we can be at your location within hours if necessary.
3) Is Sandia Wireless Internet service the same as cellular or mobile hotspots?
No. Our technology is fixed wireless millimeter wavelength in a point to point configuration, which delivers higher reliability and faster speeds.
4) How safe is a wireless signal?
The wireless technology used is designed to handle secure data transmission and security authentications which run undisclosed to the public due to the elimination of open access. The encryption standards which are used is military grade AES encryption. We also take extra measures to secure the connection from the base station to the primary network using a variety of different security strategies. Also, to help reduce packet loss during transmission we deploy advanced technologies which increase signal frequency during inclement weather.
5) How safe is your data center?
Our equipment is housed within the projected facilities of the largest electronic security company in New Mexico.
6) Does Sandia Wireless support Quality of Service (QoS)?
Our wireless radios support several different L2/L3 QoS queues for traffic prioritization. Typically, an upstream router sets values for CoS (L2), or DSCP (L3) for specific traffic on the post-routing chain. After packets leave the router, they enter the radio where the traffic is queued and sent according to the packet marking.
7) How reliable is wireless Internet service?
Service reliability is based on the equipment, link design, and the network engineering. Usually, different services require different reliability. For example, voice and management require 5 9s (99.999% annual uptime, or 5 minutes of downtime a year), while web browsing may be delivered at 3 9s (99.9% annual uptime, or 8 hours of downtime a year). By leveraging the embedded networking functionality, flexible H-QoS mechanisms, and hitless adaptive modulation, our solutions can deliver any required service availability.
8) Do I need to sign a contract?
Yes. We have a variety of term lengths including month to month for some residential agreements. Please call us for more details.
9) Is there a fee for service calls?
It depends on your service level agreement. If an interruption is a result of a Sandia Wireless network issue, a service fee will not be charged.
10) Is there an installation fee?
Yes. The installation fee is reflective of the length of service term. Installation fees for residential applications will be waived for customers who commit to a 24-month service term.
11) Does Sandia Wireless plan to add additional service areas?
Yes. We continue to expand the network every month. Please check back for updates if your location is not currently serviceable. Please send an email to info@sandiawireless.com or call (505) 998-2243.
12) Does weather affect the service?
Weather will not cause a degradation of service even in many severe storms. Your connection will remain stable even during winter months or other stormy periods. Heavy rains that are continuous over several hours/days may cause a degradation of service. Wireless Internet access requires a line-of-sight connection from your business or home to one of our towers. This means any large trees or buildings may cause a degraded level of service. Our installation crews perform a site survey before installing any equipment as part of our network engineering design.
13) What about e-mail accounts?
If you already have email accounts (whether business and/or free through Yahoo, MSN, G-Mail etc.) these can be accessed over the Sandia Wireless Internet connection.