Covad Wireless Business Internet - Frequently Asked Questions

There are several questions that are usually asked about Covad Wireless T1-class business Internet service and fixed wireless infrastructure and so this is an attempt to aid understanding of a few of the key issues involved in this technology.

	What about rain? Doesn’t that affect the reliability of a fixed wireless connection?
	In most cases, people asking this question are somewhat familiar with millimeter-wave microwave radio, used at 23, 28 or 38 GHz. And it is true, that you have to build in sufficient margin in the receive signal level to accommodate the fading that occurs due to rainfall at those frequencies. However, even at millimeter-wave frequencies, a well-designed link should be very reliable with a ‘5 “9s”’availability (that means 99.999%) even if its range will be only a couple of miles in heavy rain areas. In addition, at 5.8 GHz, the UNII band frequency that Covad Wireless is using, the attenuation of the radio signal due to rain is insignificant and so rain has no practical impact on the link reliability at all.
	What about line-of-sight? Don’t you need an unobstructed path from one end to the other? Doesn’t that restrict deployment?
	Yes, you do need line of sight from both ends of every fixed wireless link in the UNII bands – and in all other microwave bands, for that matter. Generally, this is not a problem, as the base stations are deployed on the roofs of high-rise buildings, like the ones owned by Kaiser, which have a commanding view over adjacent terrain. In some cases, trees and other buildings may cause obstructions, which should be overcome using a mast extension at the user’s location or with a repeater.
	What about security? Can my wireless data be intercepted?
	No. The Covad Wireless network employs more encryption and levels of security than even a T1. Covad Wireless does not use WiFi equipment (which has well known security issues). Every customer has an individually provisioned point to point circuit that is only capable of communications between the client and Covad Wireless's network. No broadcast technology is used (i.e., WiFi) that would allow unauthorized snooping or eavesdropping. To further enhance security, Covad Wireless employs directional antennas throughout its network to ensure that wireless signals are only received at the locations where they are intended to eliminate interception. Finally, the wireless traffic itself is encrypted over the air via proprietary encryptions schemes employed directly in the radios. Because of these advanced security features, Covad Wireless's wireless segment is actually more secure than a standard T1, which have no encryption. It is still important to recognize that Internet access over any technology (T1, DSL, Cable, and fixed wireless) creates an open doorway to your network. A firewall is recommended to prevent unauthorized access into your network from the Internet.
	Isn’t there a potential problem with interference in the unlicensed bands, such as UNII? What happens if another system is installed nearby and causes interference to the wireless connection?
	It turns out that there is a greater perception of interference problems than actual interference problems! Covad Wireless management probably has more experience than anyone in pioneering the deployment of tens of thousands of reliable fixed wireless systems in unlicensed frequency bands around the world. The first issue is that the system must be well designed, with directional antennas and frequency channel selection: any fixed wireless system that is poorly designed, licensed or unlicensed, will be unreliable. The second issue is that most cases of interference in unlicensed bands have occurred at the densely populated lower ISM frequencies: 900MHz and 2.4 GHz, where there is less path attenuation and directional antennas more difficult to deploy because they are much larger. Covad Wireless staff have not experienced any interference problems in the higher 5.8 GHz ISM or UNII bands. Additionally, there is an FCC requirement that unlicensed equipment must not cause interference to any other systems: see FCC Rules, Part 14.247 and 15.401. In practice this means that there is a huge advantage to the first user in deploying his system. And typically, the new user would experience reverse interference himself when he installed a system causing interference to an existing user. So, the new user would not be able to successfully install his system and this would lead to the parties working out a mutually cooperative solution.
	Isn’t there a major difficulty with roof access for wireless systems? What do you do to get access to the roof if the end-user doesn’t own the building?
	Covad Wireless's customer-premise equipment can be installed on most any location. Covad Wireless's equipment qualifies under FCC rule 47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000, as amended, which prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use a fixed-wireless service antenna. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property where the user has ownership or a leasehold interest in the property. Additional information can be found on the Federal Communications Commission web site at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.
	Is this faster than DSL?
	Many businesses today need fast access both upstream and downstream, and most DSL connections cannot support symmetrical access. Covad Wireless's service supports symmetrical broadband with the flexibility to increase service levels in the future.
	How long does it take to get my service installed?
	Because Covad Wireless's wireless technology is not dependent on, or limited by, your local phone company and its copper wires, service can be installed in as little as one day.
	If I am an ISDN, DSL or T1 user, how difficult is it to switch to Covad Wireless's wireless service?
	It's fast and easy! Covad Wireless can simply plug into your LAN or computer via a standard Ethernet (10 BaseT) connection and will handle all of your IP addressing and allocation.
	How can I scale-up to meet my increased bandwidth needs and how difficult is it to do this with Covad Wireless's service?
	Again, it's easy! You can request an upgrade to your service via our web site or toll-free customer support line at 1-866-282-9044 and it will be provisioned before the next business day by Covad Wireless without anyone visiting your location. Typical upgrade choices are to upgrade maximum bandwidth to 4, 6, or 10 Mbps.