Hot Spots FAQs
Bandwidth Now® provides Hot Spot and Hot Building environments using Wi-Fi 802.11x. User FAQ's below. 



General FAQ'S

1. What is a Hot Spot and Hot Building?
   
2. What do I need to access the service?
   
3. Where can I purchase a wireless ethernet card?
   
4. How fast is the Hot Spot or Hot Building?
   
5. How does the it work?
   
6. Can I access my corporate network using a Hot Spot or Hot Building?
   
7. Do I need to download or install any special software to connect?
   
8. How do I secure my connection to the Internet through the Hot Spot or Hot Building?
   
9. Does using a Bandwidth Now® Hot Spot or Hot Building cost anything?
   

Usage FAQ'S

1. I am at a Hot Spot or Hot Building location. How do I get on the Internet?
   
2. What operating systems are currently compatible with the service?
   
3. How do I install the software drivers for my wireless network card?
   
4. How do I know if my wireless network card is supported?
   
5. Can I access my personal email account?
   
6. Can I connect using a Macintosh computer?
   
7. Can I connect using a Palm handheld device?
   
8. What if I have problems accessing my VPN or Corporate Intranet?
   

Building Optical Network FAQs

1. What is a Building Optical Network (BON)?
2. Who owns the BON and why is it in my building?
3. Why is this an important benefit to me as a tenant?
4. How long does it take to get connected?
5. Do I have to sign a annual contract?
6. Is the network managed 24/7?
7. Is the bandwidth shared?
8. Will I get charged more if I use too much bandwidth?
9. Does my building have wireless (wi-fi)? How does it work?
   

General Answers:

1. What is a Hot Spot and Hot Building?
   A Hot Spot is high-speed wireless Internet access located in convenient public locations in office buildings, such as airports, airline clubs and select coffeehouses. A Hot Building is a building that provides high-speed wireless throughout and entire building. Using either a laptop or handheld that is Wi-Fi 802.11b wirelessly-enabled, you can access the Internet or your corporate intranet at speeds up to 50 times faster than dial-up.
   
   
   
   
   
2. What do I need to access the service?
   You will need two things to begin using a Hot Spot. First you will need a laptop or handheld with Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless capability. Your existing device may already have this capability built-in. If not, you can purchase a Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless networking card for most laptops and many handhelds from major electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer. When your device is wireless-enabled, you will need to set your SSID (or network identifier) to “any”.  Refer to your wireless network card documentation for specific instructions on how to make this change. Second, you will need a standard Internet-ready browser on any operating system. No additional software is required.
   
   
    
   
3. Where can I purchase a wireless ethernet card?
   You can purchase a Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless networking card for most laptops and many handhelds from major electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer.
   
   
   
   
   
4. How fast is Hot Spot service?
   The Wi-Fi 802.11b technology allows for speeds up to 11 Mbps, but throughput is governed by the speed at which the device is connected.  Bandwidth Now® Hot Spots and Hot Buildings have high speed broadband connections.
   
   
   
   
   
5. How does the service work?
   Bandwidth Now® installs access points at the Hot Spot or throughout the Hot Building which transmit a radio signal wirelessly to a user's Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless network card. With a properly installed wireless network card, a user launches their browser from within a Hot Spot or Hot Building.  With full connectivity to the Internet, customers can access any Internet resources, as well as any corporate networks to which they have access from the Internet.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Can I access my corporate network using a Hot Spot?
   If your employer has provided you with a virtual private network (VPN) client and a firewall, you can seamlessly access your corporate network. We strongly recommends that its customers take measures to ensure the security of their wireless connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption and firewalls. As with any wireless communication, Wi-Fi is not inherently secure and you should ensure you have adequate security safeguards in place.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Do I need to download or install any special software to connect to the Internet?
   The only software you will need is the software driver for your Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless network card and an Internet-ready web browser.
   
   
   
   
   
8. How do I secure my wireless connection to the Internet?
   We strongly recommends that its customers take measures to ensure the security of their wireless connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption and firewalls. As with any high-speed wireless service, the Hot Spot network is not inherently secure. Furthermore, wireless communications can be intercepted by equipment and software designed for that purpose. Notwithstanding our efforts to enhance security with respect to the service, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these efforts and will not be liable to you or any other party for any lack of security that may result from your use of the service or your device. You are responsible for taking such precautions and providing such security measures best suited for your situation and intended use of the service.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Does using a Bandwidth Now® Hot Spot or Building cost anything?
   No. Use is free to the end user. The building owner believes that Wi-Fi is an amenity, that should be treat like a drinking fountain in the hallway. The bandwidth is already there…and a little Wi-Fi is just a sip!
   
   
   

Usage Answers:

1. I am at a Hot Spot or Hot Building. How do I get on the Internet?
   If you are in a Bandwidth Now® location and your Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless network card is properly installed, launch your browser.
   
   
   
   
   
2. What operating systems are currently compatible with the service?
   Our Hot Spot is not OS-specific, and will work with any operating systems as long as there is a compatible, Internet-ready browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
   
   
   
   
   
3. How do I install the software drivers for my wireless network card?
   Software drivers differ depending on the specific wireless network card you purchase. Refer to the documentation that came with your wireless network card for specific instructions.
   
   
   
   
   
4. How do I know if my wireless network card is supported by a Bandwidth Now® Hot Spot or Hot Building?
   A Bandwidth Now® Hot Spot our Hot Building is a Wi-Fi 802.11b network; therefore, any Wi-Fi certified wireless network card will work. Look for the Wi-Fi certification on the wireless network card before purchasing it.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Can I access my personal email account from a  Hot Spot or Hot Building?
   You can access any web-based email account such as Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com. You can also access corporate email accounts if your employer provides you with a virtual private network (VPN) client and a firewall. Bandwidth Now® strongly recommends that its customers take measures to ensure the security of their wireless connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption and firewalls. As with any wireless communication, a Hot Spot or Hot Building is not inherently secure and you should ensure you have adequate security safeguards in place.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Can I connect using a Macintosh computer?
   Yes.  Macs with AirPort cards installed usually require little or no configuration. See the AirPort card documentation for specific instructions.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Can I connect using a Palm handheld device?
   No, Palm devices use a proprietary web browser which is not compatible with a Hot Spot network. Any handheld that supports the Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless technology and utilizes a standard Internet-ready browser can be used with a Hot Spot or Hot Building.
   
   
   
   
   
8. What if I have problems accessing my VPN or Corporate Intranet?
   If you are experiencing any problems accessing your corporate network using a virtual private network (VPN), please check with your company IT department.
   
   

Building Optical Network Answers:

1. What is the Building Optical Network (BON)?
   The Building Optical network is the enabler for next gen buildings. Our patent pending Building Optical Network (BON) design enables buildings to Aggregate Bandwidth (deliver to tenants as the 4th utility), Automate Tenant IT, Integrates Building Systems and Enables Wi-Fi (wireless 802.11x).
   
   
   
   
2. Who owns the BON and why is it in my building?
   Unlike traditional third party networks, the BON is owned by the building owner and managed by a third party. 100 years ago building owners boldly made the move from kerosene to electricity...by installing a common agnostic in Building Electrical Network (BEN). Next Gen buildings treat “optical wires and switches” like “electrical wires and transformers” ...essential building infrastructure that is owned by the building and managed by a third party. Bandwidth as the the 4th utility.
   
   
   
   
3. Why is this an important benefit to me as a tenant?
   You building can deliver up to gigabit network speeds at a fraction of the cost.
   
   
   
   
4. How long does it take to get connected?
   You building can deliver up to gigabit network speeds at a fraction of the cost.
   
   
   
5. Do I have to sign a annual contract?
   No, your contract can be month month or annual. The price is the same.
   
   
   
   
6. Is the network managed 24/7?
   The BON is managed 24/7/365 by Wireless Facilities Inc. (SYM WFII) for guaranteed uptime.
   
   
   
   
7. Is the bandwidth shared?
   We bring dedicated bandwidth to each building. Bandwidth usage is monitored 24/7.
   
   
   
   
8. Will I get charged more if I use too much bandwidth?
   There will be no additional charge for typical to heavy internet users. If you have a data center or sprecialized use, we reserve the right provide dedicated service.
   
   
   
   
9. Does my building have wireless (wi-fi)? How does it work?
   Your buildling has provided wireless (wi-fi) as an amenity (yes, it is free!) for building tenants, guests and visitors. Your building either has a Hot Spot or is a Hot Building.