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 and New York. 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 an Ethernet CAT 5e network cable from this transceiver down to the customer premise for connectivity into the customer’s network.

How reliable is the BOB fixed wireless technology?

Our technology use a fixed beam or transmission from one radio to another as opposed to the wireless technologies that support the mobility of a cell phone, those technologies can lose connectivity when mobile or going from cell site to cell site. BOB uses Motorola, DragonWave, LigoWave and BridgeWave technology— fixed wireless systems that support ranges of approximately 10 miles or less and never changes or moves. This provides greater reliability and allows BOB to provide a 99.99% uptime SLA.

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

We provide our customers with dedicated connections that provide speeds of 1.5 Mbps (megabit per second) to 1 Gigabit. 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 within 24 hours.

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.

Does rain or other weather conditions affect service?

Our network is designed to withstand the effect of rain on RF signals. We provide a 99.99% uptime SLA.

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 which transmits into space, we are transmitting only a few miles, also the latency and throughput speeds on BOB are much quicker than satellite.

What other equipment is needed?

All a customer will need 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?

Yes.

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?

BOB offers contracts from 12 months to 36 months with discounts for the longer term contracts.