FAQ:
1. How do I connect to Mad City Broadband
Wireless Services?
a. Insert a wireless network card (You would have
to purchase one if it doesn't comes with your device)
b. Select "MadCityBroadband" SSID from
your available wireless network list.
c. Open a browser (ie, Internet Explorer)
d. Click "Continue" button when Mad City
Broadband Welcome page finish loading. No password
is required.
2. What do I need to access the service?
You will need 2 things to begin using Mad City Broadband
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 '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 Hot Spot.
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. 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" name as well as the "Wi-Fi"
name. The Mad City Broadband HotSpot 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 steels? 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 on behind walls.
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 Intel ProSet/
Wireless device required 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. Is
WLAN Internet access, as in a Mad City Broadband
Hot Spot, less secure than wired Internet service
networks?
As the name implies, WLANs transmit
data wirelessly or "over the air." Because
of this, they are more vulnerable to illicit attempts
to intercept and read data by persons in the vicinity
of the Hot Spot during the time the data travels
wirelessly. (That said; keep in mind that it is
also possible for data traveling on a wired network
to be intercepted.) Additionally, a hacker could
attempt to use the wireless connection between the
device and the access point, whether you are on
the Internet or not, to gain access to your device,
including software and data stored on the device.
The types of safeguards recommended for Mad City
Broadband Hot Spot users should be used for any
type of wireless technology via any service provider
(and are advisable on wired networks as well).
8.
How fast is the Mad City Broadband Hot Spot service?
Each
Mad City Broadband Hot Spot has full T1 connection,
which provides users with speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.
The WIFI 802.11b/g technology allows for speeds
up to 54 Mbps, but throughput is governed by the
speed at which the device is connected.
9. What
operating systems are currently compatible with
the service?
Mad
City Broadband 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.
10. How
do I know if my wireless network card is supported
by Mad City Broadband?
Mad
City Broadband Hot Spot 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.
11.
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 Hot Spot network. Please send an email
to support@madcitybroadband.com
for specific instructions.
12. Can I connect using Smartphones
devices such as wifi readied Palm and iPaq?
Yes,
certain Palm and iPaq smartphones devices that support
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless technology and utilizes
a standard Internet-ready browser, such as the Tungsten
C and iPaq 6315, are compatible with the Mad City
Broadband Hot Spot network. Other Palm devices use
a web browser that is incompatible with the Mad
City Broadband Hot Spot network.
13.Can
I use the Mad City Broadband Hot Spot service outside
or in my home?
Yes,
we offer service coverage outside or in your home.
The Mad City Broadband Hot Spot network is wireless
LAN-based, therefore the service is intended to
be used from any physical public locations. The
coverage area can be found at http://www.madcitybroadband.com/cover.htm
14.
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.
15.
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.
