Wireless Internet access is exactly what it sounds like. CaribServe connects you to the Internet via a high-speed wireless radio modem, all without the need or usage of phone lines. Thus, there is no need to worry about slow downloads, busy signals, or disconnections anymore, with wireless internet your computer is always on the internet.

Using wireless technology, we are able to send information to various towers throughout our coverage area. That information is then broadcast out, where it is received by the antenna provided to you. It's that simple!

Absolutely NOT!! Our Wireless Internet connection is Bi-directional. Meaning your unit will send and receive information, making it a complete solution for internet connectivity.

Depending on the service package selected, CaribServe.NET's wireless service uses wireless technology to provide connection speeds up to 1.5 Megabits per second. That's just as fast as a standard T-1 line, up to 50 times faster then your 28.8 Kbps modem!

There has been much press recently about the security issues of Wireless LAN technology known as 802.11b/g or WIFI. It is true that if the user uses the default settings with most WIFI products it is very easy for an outsider to get onto the network. However, just changing a few settings can make the network secure.

The wireless system CaribServe.NET uses is completely different than 802.11 or WIFI technology. We use the Canopy Wireless System that is developed by Motorola. This Motorola system has 3 features that make it very secure.

• Proprietary: The Motorola system uses completely proprietary technology for the Radio Frequency signals as well as the data protocols. So a potential hacker would first have to reverse engineer the Motorola radio equipment.
• Authentication: No Motorola radio can communicate with our tower without first having its Electronic Serial Number authenticated against our list of allowed radios.
• Encryption: The Motorola Canopy encrypts the user data over the air using 128 bit DES encryption.

These characteristics make our service at least as secure as DSL or Cable modem systems. As an example, it would probably be easier to tap into your phone line outside your home than hack through the encryption.

The effects of weather on Microwave radio signals vary based on the frequency used and the distance the signal travels. With the frequencies and distances in our network, signal degradation due to heavy rain is negligible. The degradation due to heavy rain is less than .2 db and our system is designed with at least a 10 db signal fade margin.

We install a small antenna (12" tall x 3.5" wide and weighs less than 1 pound) on or near the roof of your home or business with a Cat5 Ethernet cable that is run down and into your home to a single point where your PC or router will be installed. Please see our "How it works" section for a more detailed description. Please note that we do not get into cabling from that point to multiple rooms or drops. For the latter, you will need to contact a network installation company. We can recommend some independent contractors we have worked with in the past. Billing for internal cabling services offered through independent contractors will not be included in the cost of our installation / service.

No. The technology used by CaribServe operates at very low power levels, similar to a cell phone, and much less than the amount that is emitted by your microwave oven. Also, radio frequency power drops dramatically as you move away from the power source. Typically, our antennas would not be placed where any person would be able to stand right in front of it for any significant period of time.

Your PC must have a working 10BaseT or 100BaseT Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC).

Our system uses PPPOE for authentication to our network and thus, depending on your operating system, we might need to install a PPPOE client (software). You must also have up-to-date and working Antivirus / Anti-Spyware software installed and running on your PC. The minimum platform and operating system requirements are as follows:

• UNIX \ Linux: Linux Kernel v2.1 or above, Pentium-based PC or better, 128 meg of RAM or better, 10baseT NIC card or better.
• Mac: Mac OS 8.6 or above, PowerPC or better, 128 megs of RAM or better, 10baseT NIC card or better.
• Windows: Windows OS (98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7), Pentium-based PC or better, 256 meg of RAM or better, 10baseT NIC card or better.

Any broadband router that has an Ethernet port (10BaseT or 100BaseT) as its WAN or Internet port and supports PPPOE authentication will work. This includes the wireless routers that are currently popular. If you purchase a router from CaribServe.NET, it will be a Linksys BEFSR41, which is a wired (not wireless) router with a built-in 4 port Ethernet switch. Other brands that will work include D-Link, NetGear, Belkin, and SMC.

CaribServe.NET Networks requires the use of a router if you are planning on sharing your connection with multiple PCs because we require a single PPPOE authentication from your account. A router is programmed to authenticate and create a single connection to our network while allowing multiple computers to share that connection.

Furthermore, a router will segment your local area network traffic (file sharing between your PCs, printing, etc.) from our network and the Internet, thereby offering you a higher level of security (firewall protection).

Yes, there is no additional charge for multiple computers. Our service requires a router to separate the customer's network from CaribServe's Networks. The router acts as a firewall to protect the customer's home network from Internet attackers and is an administrative demarcation point that allows customers to build their home network independently. CaribServe's Networks supports the innovative use of home networking and charges based on the bandwidth service package you selected in your subscription rather than on the number of computers connected to your router. Please see question/answer above this one for further details.

If your location is within range of one of our towers and has line of site to that tower, we guarantee installation within 5 business days of receipt of payment and signed contract (not including public holidays, etc.).

Our fixed wireless service extends island-wide on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. Our mobile or Hotspot services are available in the Simpsonbay lagoon area. For an up-to-date overview of our service areas, please contact our customer service.

You can join CaribServe today by contacting us or one of our agents.