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What is Partnership Vision?
Partnership Vision (PV) brings high speed wireless broadband Internet access to your home or business using economical equipment, minimal installation fuss, and excellent performance at competitive prices. This service is designed to provide high speed Internet to areas where DSL or Cable Internet is not available. We specialize in providing high speed Internet access to rural communities and farms. This service is also excellent for people who have satellite television, or have switched to cell phones and have discontinued wire-line service.
How does PV Work?
PV uses inexpensive 802.11b/g wireless networking equipment to connect your computer or network to the Internet through DerbyTech's wireless network of distribution and relay sites. An antenna needs to be installed to the outside of your home or business and have clear line-of-site to one of DerbyTech's many distribution sites around the area. This service gets you connected to the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What will I need for PV?
You will need at least one computer with an Ethernet port running Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Windows XP. Since this is an always-on connection, we highly recommend you have all the latest Microsoft updates installed and your anti-virus software is current. We do have limited support for Macintosh and Linux, call for more information.
Is there a contract I need to sign?
Yes, there is a two year contract that will need to be signed at the time of installation.
How much does the service cost?
To install the service on a single computer, the equipment cost is $100, and the installation is $120. The rate for Internet access is $25/month for teachers and faculty of schools in District 518 and $40/month for students in District 518. Residents in the district that qualify can receive it for $50/month. For installations requiring additional time, an additional installation fee may apply. Rates for business-class Internet access starts at $75 per month and increases based on the desired bandwidth. Call for more details.
What if I have two Computers?
To add a second computer to the network, you would need to purchase a hub/switch for $29. Cat5 cabling needs to be run from the two computers to the hub, and each computer needs to have an Ethernet card installed. We can provide a network card for $19 if needed. There is no additional monthly fee for two computers.
Can I purchase a firewall/router?
Yes, DerbyTech can provide you with a high performance long range firewall/router protecting the computers installed behind it. The price for this router is $200. If you want to split that connection between multiple PC's, a hub/switch($29) will be needed as well. This stateful firewall is managed equipment monitored 24x7 by DerbyTech. We are able to provide support all the way to the Ethernet port on the back of the router.
Can I wirelessly hook up my computers in the house?
Yes, DerbyTech can provide you with a wireless option that gets installed in the above-described router. The wireless add-on runs $100. We will then redistribute the Internet connection wirelessly in your home alleviating the need to run cabling.
Can I use my own wireless router?
Yes you can, but we absolutely DO NOT support 3rd party equipment in any way. We'll bring your Internet service to the Ethernet port we provided but will not answer any questions pertaining to the configuration of equipment made by companies like Linksys, DLink, etc.
Do I get email with your service?
Yes, we provide you with one email address (name@derbytech.net). People using our email benefit from automatic virus scanning of all emails sent and received. Furthermore, our mail servers' anti-spam system will keep your inbox clear of unwanted SPAM. If you desire more email addresses, we provide an additional 5 email addresses for $5 monthly. Email can be accessed from anywhere by going to http://webmail.derbytech.net.
Does your service use a phone line?
No, this service does not use a phone line at all. The Internet service is transmitted wirelessly over the airwaves between an antenna we install at your facility to one of our many distribution points.
Do I qualify for PV?
PV is not a commercial network, and is not available to everyone. The Vision aspect of PV is to provide high speed internet to people who don't already have access to high speed options. If you live inside a city already serviced by DSL or Cable Internet, PV may not be available to you. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify, feel free to contact us.
How fast is the service?
PV uses 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz technology to deliver performance comparable, and sometimes exceeding, traditional land-line products like DSL or cable. Most users enjoy speeds of about 1Mbs download and 256kbs upload. Our low latency makes our network ideal for gamers and people that compute online. However, it is important to note, users who abuse the network will be slowed down. Large continuous downloads, peer to peer file sharing, and any other activities that negatively impact other users on the network will be traffic shaped.
Do you offer a premium service?
Yes, for $75/month you can subscribe to our premium service. You will receive a real Internet-routable IP addresses (needed for most VPN's to work correctly) and up to 5 email addresses. You will also have access to our pornography filtering product which filters objectionable content on the Internet. Furthermore, you have the ability to block downloads to your computer preventing the unintentional installation of spyware so prevalent on the Internet today. Premium subscribers also receive preferential bandwidth allocation.
How do I sign up?
Before we schedule an install, we like to perform a site survey to verify you have line-of-sight to one of our distribution points. There is a $35 charge for site surveys. The survey charge is waived at the time of signup, or if we can't provide you service. We verify where the antenna will be mounted, and the size of antenna needed. We don't require anyone to be home during this process. Once a site survey is performed we'll schedule an installation date. Since we're working outside our schedule is sometimes dependant on the weather. A typical installation takes us about 2 hours to complete. Email jefft@derbytech.com for more info.
How do I get support?
Most problems can be solved telephonically and we ask you call us between 8AM and 4 PM Monday thru Friday at 1-800-24DERBY or (309)755-2662. Press 2 for wireless sales and support and then 1 for sales or 2 for support. Option 3 can be used after hours to report an Internet outage. We pride ourselves in running a high performance, high availability network and make every effort to respond to problems as quickly as possible.
How do I pay for the service?
The one-time installation fee will be collected at the time of installation. The equipment fees will be billed with your first statement. Monthly ACH withdrawals can be set up to automatically come out of your checking account. All other methods of payment will be billed quarterly. For billing questions dial (309)755-2662 and press 5.
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