wireless?

[stevoman 2]

Hi Guys

Have just been offered,and accepted, by Telecom here in N.Z. an "Upgrade" as an existing "Broadband" customer to "Wireless" with a supplied Moderm absolutely free, subject to my extending my existing contract for a further 2 years.

I have accepted as it's not my intention to change suppliers anyway and all monthly costs and conditions remain unaltered.

Not being very computer literate my questions are,

1/Is wireless faster?

2/How do I know whether it will work on my P.C.?

3/Are there any other advantages by using wireless?

 

I have not yet changed as the "Moderm" will not be delivered until Friday.

Thanks in advance for any answers!

[jacko 8,822]

Hi Guys

Have just been offered,and accepted, by Telecom here in N.Z. an "Upgrade" as an existing "Broadband" customer to "Wireless" with a supplied Moderm absolutely free, subject to my extending my existing contract for a further 2 years.

I have accepted as it's not my intention to change suppliers anyway and all monthly costs and conditions remain unaltered.

Not being very computer literate my questions are,

1/Is wireless faster?

2/How do I know whether it will work on my P.C.?

3/Are there any other advantages by using wireless?

 

I have not yet changed as the "Moderm" will not be delivered until Friday.

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Well they are not a big deal to install yourself!

But to your questions......

Wireless is not faster. The speed depends on your internet connection...namely the wires into the box from the phone lines and what is going on at the Interst Service Provider end (ISP)! The wireless bit is how you get it from that supplied box to your computer.

Most laptops come with wireless inside.... desktop PCs not necessarily.

Wireless is great for laptops. You can wander around the house and even out into the garden and still connect to the internet, no wires see.. Other members of the household can too, at the same time. A wireless printer is nice, a printer sat anyplace that you can send to without wires.

 

First thing, find out about wireless for your PC... does it have it. do you need to buy it. But don't worry the wireless modem/router will have places to connect the old style 'network cable'. If you are going to keep the PC near the modem/router, a cable will work...also if no other computers or remote printers will be used in your home, no need for wireless.

 

One thing to beware.... if a technician sorts it for you, and makes the wireless network 'secure', as he should... get the password off him! They are twats for keeping it to themselves then you have to pay for him to come back one day!

Edited February 10, 2009 by jacko

[MM 6,562]

Some ISP providers are offering wireless (not WiFi 802.11x) rather than landline access to the internet. I can't see how an existing customer who has a wired/landline internet connection would be a candidate for a wireless (microwave) solution, so it's probably correct for you, jacko, to read this query as an offer to install a wifi (802.11x) access point in the home. I didn't read it that way, but..if that is the case, here's what you should consider stevoman.

You can install a wifi access point in your home without their help and without signing a new contract. Go down to your local computer/internet hardware store and ask for a "wifi access point/router". Many are available for about ... $80 USD. Plug it in and read the installation information. You should be up and running, with laptops and computers connecting "wireless" without having to involve your internet company...and without another 2 year contract.

You can plug the wifi access point into your existing "moderm" without any major issues.

 

But, then again, if they are asking if you want an antenna on your roof pointing at some sort of microwave point to give you true wireless, this becomes a whole other issue.

[jacko 8,822]

Yes, MM is alert this AM. I live in Thailand, so sometimes the more modern technology escapes me. The aerial on the roof is the key as to what you are specifically being offered.

Edited February 11, 2009 by jacko