|  What
is GigaSkyNet?
GigaSkyNet is STI’s brand name for wireless Internet access.
What
is wireless Internet access?
The simple explanation is Internet access without wires. GigaSkyNet
is a private wireless network owned and operated by STI. Access
to the Internet is transmitted wirelessly from one of our transmission
towers down to your home where a receiver picks up the transmission.
The receiver is programmed for your computer so that you and only
you can access the signal.
How does GSN Wireless differ
from Wi-Fi?
This simple answer is that there is really no difference in technology
– Both transmit and receive radio signals on the 2.4 ghz radio
spectrum, and both adhere to the wireless 802.11b protocol (also
known as Wi-Fi). They simply differ in the way the technology is
used.
Although
GigaSkyNet is based on “Wi-Fi” standards, it is a wireless
access technology that is engineered to travel long distances. The
signal typically travels from an STI tower (located on a nearby
mountaintop) to your home. Large antennas are used to transmit the
signal. You must have “line of sight” to the tower (you
must be able to see the tower) to qualify for the service. Finally,
trees, mountains, and other buildings can obstruct the line of site,
which may disqualify new subscribers requesting the service. GigaSkyNet
is a high-speed Internet service just like DSL – except GigaSkyNet
is wireless.
Wi-Fi typically
refers to a shorter distance access technology. You’ll see
Wi-Fi in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, homes and small businesses.
It connects your laptop (or desktop) wirelessly to an “access
point” which then connects to a high-speed Internet service
such as cable, DSL, satellite or wireless. A wireless access point
broadcasts the high-speed Internet service wirelessly over a couple
of hundred feet – it can even go through walls! While you
cannot actually see the access point, your Wi-Fi equipped PC will
detect the signal if you are within a couple hundred feet. Many
times, Wi-Fi technology is used in homes and small businesses as
an alternative to wiring the home or business with Ethernet for
a local area network. Cabling can be expensive, so the alternative
is to go Wi-Fi.
How
fast is the service?
GigaSkyNet is blazing fast!! You can expect download speeds burstable
up to 5.0Mb per second! Residential uploads are up to 256Kb and
Business upload speeds are up to 384Kb.
What
are the minimum system requirements?
| Minimum
System Requirements |
| |
PC |
Macintosh |
| Processor |
Pentium Class Processor |
PowerPC |
| Operating
System |
Windows
98 SE |
Macintosh
OS X |
| Browser |
Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5.0 or Comparable |
Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5.0 or Comparable |
| System
Memory |
64MB
of RAM |
64MB
of RAM |
| Available
Hard Drive Space |
500MB |
500MB |
| CD
Drive |
CD ROM or DVD Drive |
CD
ROM or DVD Drive |
| Hardware
– Single User |
Available PCI Slot or Ethernet Card |
Available
PCI Slot or Ethernet Card |
| Hardware
– Multiple Users |
Ethernet
Card |
Ethernet
Card |
Where
are your transmission towers?
You must have a clear line of sight to one of our transmission towers:
• Deadwood Mountain
• Miami Lookout Mountain
• Mount Bullion
Is
there a contract or commitment?
Yes. GigaSkyNet has a 1-year contract and an early cancellation
fee of $200. Other terms of service apply. Please review our terms
of service at www.stiterms.com.
How
does GigaSkyNet compare to satellite Internet service?
Satellite Internet access relies on satellite communication. All
Internet traffic must travel the distance to the satellite and back
to your computer…twice! This causes a three-second delay.
GigaSkyNet operates from a tower strategically placed on a local
mountaintop, so there is no delay. It is instant on…instant
access.
How
do I sign up?
Complete a GSN site survey request online.
|
