1. How do I connect to Mad City Broadband
Wireless Services?
a. Insert a wireless network card (You will have
to purchase one if it doesn't comes with your device)
b. Select "msncity" SSID from
your available wireless network list.
c. Open a browser (e.g., Internet Explorer)
d. Click "Continue" button when Mad City
Broadband Welcome page finishes loading. No password
is required.
2. What do I need to access the service?
You will need two things to begin using Mad City Broadband. First, you will need a laptop or handheld
with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless capability. Your existing
device may already have this capability built-in.
If not, you can purchase a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g 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 'madcitybroadband'. 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.
You do not need a wireless router
to use Mad City Broadband.
3. Where can I purchase a wireless
ethernet card?
You can purchase a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless networking
card for most laptops and many handhelds from major
electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer.
4. I've heard WLANs being called "802.11b/g"
and "Wi-Fi" networks. What does that mean?
It means that the WLAN network conforms to the industry
standard applicable to WLANs, known by the technical
"802.11b/g" name as well as the "Wi-Fi"
name. The Mad City Broadband service is
based on the 802.11b/g standard. Although this is
a widely adopted industry standard, it will likely
evolve to allow higher speeds and greater security
in the future. You may learn more about 802.11b/g
Wi-Fi at the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance
web site found at www.weca.net.
5. Can the wireless signal penetrate
concrete and steel? Will it affect the bandwidth?
Wireless transmitters are not the
most precise devices and as such there is a certain
amount of signal bleed between buildings. We have
tried to reduce this as much as possible without
compromising the quality of service.
6. I am using Intel ProSet/ Wireless
device and cannot find Mad City Broadband in the
available network list. What is wrong?
It has been reported that the Intel ProSet/
Wireless device requires downloading the latest
driver. Please connect to the site below and find
the appropriate driver:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Support_Intel.aspx?iid=HMPAGE+Header_2_Support_Download¡¯
7.
How fast is the Mad City Broadband service?
Mad City Broadband has full T1 connection,
which provides users with speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.
The Wi-Fi 802.11b/g technology allows for speeds
up to 54 Mbps, but throughput is governed by the
speed at which the device is connected.
8. What
operating systems are currently compatible with
the service?
Mad
City Broadband is not OS-specific, and
will work with any operating system as long as
there is a compatible, Internet-ready browser such
as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
9. How
do I know if my wireless network card is supported
by Mad City Broadband?
Mad
City Broadband is a Wi-Fi 802.11b/g 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.
10.
Can I connect using a Macintosh computer?
Yes, Mad City Broadband supports Macintosh
users. Macs with AirPort cards installed usually
require little or no configuration. You will need
to set your AirPort card to select the Mad City
Broadband network. Please send an email
to support@madcitybroadband.com
for specific instructions.
11. Can I connect using Smartphones
devices such as Wi-Fi readied Palm and iPaq?
Yes,
certain Palm and iPaq smartphone devices that support
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless technology and utilize
a standard Internet-ready browser, such as the Tungsten
C and iPaq 6315, are compatible with the Mad City
Broadband network. Other Palm devices use
a web browser that is incompatible with the Mad
City Broadband network.
12.Can
I use the Mad City Broadband service outside
or in my home?
Yes,
we offer service coverage outside or in your home.
The Mad City Broadband network is wireless
LAN-based, therefore the service is intended to
be used from any physical public location. The
coverage area can be found at http://www.madcitybroadband.com/cover.htm
13.
My card shows that I have an 11 or 54 Mbit connection,
but I am not able to transfer as fast as that. What's
wrong?
Bandwidth
is shared between all users on the system. If usage
is high, your available bandwidth will be reduced.
If possible, you can move to a different wireless
access point and try from there.
14.
If there are too many users, will I be prevented
from using the wireless network?
A
pool of resources has been set aside large enough
to accommodate users in the city of Madison. You
will not be prevented from accessing the network
because of too many users.