Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fixed Wireless Broadband?

Fixed wireless broadband is a method of delivering high speed data utilizing a microwave (wireless) connection between two fixed points. BOB owns and operates the largest independent wireless broadband network in Chicago. BOB eliminates the phone or cable company. All IP traffic is transported over our own wireless network utilizing high capacity microwave technology end to end.

How is BOB‘s Fixed Wireless Broadband service provided?

BOB installs a microwave transceiver on the roof or exterior of our customer's building. We then extend a CAT 5e network cable from this transceiver down to the customer premise for connectivity into the customer’s network.

Other wireless technologies such as cell phones sometimes experience inconsistent service e.g., dropped calls. How reliable is the BOB fixed wireless technology? What kinds of tests/trials has BOB conducted to ensure reliability?
As opposed to the wireless technologies that support the mobility of a cell phone, BOB uses Motorola Canopy technology— a fixed wireless system that supports ranges of approximately 10 miles or less. A better example of a fixed wireless technology many consumers are used to is commercial radio or television experience with reception consistency of a home stereo receiver tuned to a local community radio station or home TV tuned to a local community TV station. The Motorola Canopy technology has been rigorously tested for over five years and is currently in commercial service with tens of thousands of Fixed Wireless Broadband customers (and growing) around the world. Go to www.motorola.com/canopy to learn more about this technology.

How fast is BOB Service? (…and how is BOB different from DSL or Cable?)

Our service provides our customers with dedicated connections that can be compared to traditional wire line services like fiber or a T-1; providing consistent 1.5 Mbps (megabit per second) and faster connections. DSL and Cable connections are “best effort” type technologies and do not provide a consistent or fixed bandwidth. The speed of the DSL or Cable connection varies widely from location to location and even by time of day as more or less customers get on the network.

Is BOB faster than Cable or DSL?

Yes. BOB's service is guaranteed fast. Our network is symmetrical and BOB gives you the flexibility to increase service levels in the future. Businesses today need fast access for both upload and download, DSL and Cable connections do not support symmetrical access, providing only a minimal upload speed and inconsistent download speeds. Slow upload speeds from Cable and DSL make it difficult to run VPN's, remote video monitoring, Web servers, and other Internet applications.

As my business grows and our broadband needs increase, can I change my connection speed?
Yes. If you need to upgrade your connection, simply gives us a call. We can implement the speed upgrade before you hang up the phone.

How long is the wait to get service?

We average 5-7 business days and have installed service on the same day. Because BOB’s wireless technology is not dependent on, or limited by, your local phone company and its copper wires, service can be installed quickly.

Where is the service available?

See Coverage Map or contact sales for coverage updates.

DSL is not available in our location. Will that prevent our company from getting BOB's service?
No. Our systems do not utilize any type of phone equipment; we're completely independent.

How many computers can I connect to the Commercial Service?

With our commercial service, there is no limit on how many computers you can connect to the system. For more help sizing your network, contact sales.

Can I share the Internet connection with the rest of the computers in my office?

Yes. Our service was designed with multiple computer connections in mind. Our service is symmetrical (same upload as download) which provides a reliable Internet computing environment for businesses.

Do rain or other weather conditions affect service?

Our service operates in a frequency not affected by any type of weather.

Is wireless the same as satellite?

No. Although the installation looks similar and employs a small antenna on the roof, BOB provides a local microwave service. Unlike satellite, we are transmitting only a few miles, unlike a satellite and the latency and throughput speeds on BOB are much quicker than satellite.

What other equipment is needed?

All a customer will needs to connect our service is a firewall or router to secure its own network. The equipment and cables necessary to bring the connection into your building are provided by BOB.

Are BOB's wireless data transmissions secured? (short answer)

Yes. BOB's network provides over-the-air encryption, which cryptographically scrambles the data bits, preventing anyone “listening” to the airwaves from deciphering any messages. In fact, BOB’s over-the-air link may be the most secure leg of a user’s Internet connection, even more so than a wired provider's network.

One of the biggest issues surrounding the Internet is security. The term “wireless” immediately raises questions on the security of the system. Most consumers have experienced the unintentional interception of portable phone signals and cellular phone signals and equate this to wireless. Explain, in layman’s terms, how BOB’s wireless technology addresses these problems.

(long answer)
First, unlike analog telephone transmissions, digital transmissions of Internet traffic are much more difficult to intercept because of the complex cryptology associated with the technology. Second, like other Internet applications such as secure email or web browsing, users can employ many security applications which prevent eavesdropping on transmissions - whether such security applications are installed on the last-mile link to the user’s house or elsewhere in the Internet. Third, BOB’s fixed wireless system provides an over-the-air encryption, which cryptographically scrambles the data bits, preventing anyone “listening” to the airwaves from deciphering any messages. In fact, the microwave system’s over-the-air link may be the most secure leg of the typical user’s Internet connection.

Do I receive a static IP address?

Yes, as a Business Broadband service provider, we include a static IP address with each account. Static IP's are necessary to run VPN's and many Internet-based services.

Is BOB's wireless as reliable as service from a telco provider?

We have found that our service is often more reliable than the services provided by Telco's in this area.

Can I run a server on this connection?

Yes. Clients can run any number of servers through BOB's Internet service.

Is there a long term contract?

Not if you don’t want one. Month-to-month plans are available, but at a higher rate.