A wireless modem is a small device that enables faster and more reliable connections from indoors to the WiFi network outside. A wireless modem is typically many times stronger than the radio in your computer, smart phone, etc. The modem also provides enhanced security. A wireless modem is included with the premium wireless internet service provided by Tech Valley Communications called "Wink High Speed Internet". Click here to learn more about Wink High Speed Internet.

No, Tech Valley Communications does not sell wireless modems. No, Tech Valley Communications does not sell wireless modems. However, a wireless modem is included with the premium wireless internet service offered by Tech Valley Communications called "Wink High Speed Internet." Click here to learn more about Wink High Speed Internet.

There is no limit on how long you can use Albany FreeNet. There is a 200MB daily data limit. You can sign on as many times as you like anytime between 12am and 11:59pm each day until your total data usage (downloads and uploads) on Albany FreeNet for that day reaches 200MB.

To make sure that you have fully signed off after your session, enter "Logout" in your browser window and go to that address. You will be returned to the Albany FreeNet portal.

Tech Valley Communications offers an affordable premium Internet service called "Wink High Speed Internet" that provides even faster connection speeds and other valuable features. Click here to learn more about Wink High Speed Internet.

1.You must be within one of our coverage zones
2.Select "Albany FreeNet" from your list of available wireless networks and press "connect."
3.Launch your internet browser and begin to surf.
4.The Albany FreeNet landing page will automatically load to your browser.
5.Review the Terms of Use and click the "Free Internet" button. No password is required.

Wireless card configurations vary depending on what wireless equipment your devices is equipped with. We have included some general information below on connecting to wireless networks, but suggest you consult your owner’s manual or contact their technical support line if you have trouble with your particular device.

For Macs with OSX
1.On the Apple Menu, go to "System Preferences"
2.Click "Network"
3.Select "AirPort" and Click on "Connect"
4.Click on the Network drop-down list that appears and select "Albany FreeNet"

For PCs with XP
1.Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "View Available Wireless Networks"
2.Select "Albany FreeNet" from the Available Wireless Networks list and click "Connect."

Or

1.Click "Start" at the lower left of your desktop, then "Control Panel"
2.Select "Network and Internet Connections."
3.Right-click the wireless network icon and select "View Available Wireless Networks"
4.Select "Albany FreeNet" and click "Connect."

For PCs with Vista 1.Click "Start" at the lower left of your desktop, then "Connect To" 2.Select "Albany FreeNet" and click "Connect." 3.Click "Connect Anyway" if you receive a security prompt.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Once you select "Albany FreeNet" in your list of available wireless networks, you must open your web browser in order to access the Albany FreeNet login page, which will automatically load when you begin to surf.

This depends on several things, including how close to one of our access radios your building is, whether the room you are trying to connect from is on the side of the building that faces one of our access radios; how many stories up you are, and what material the building is constructed from. In many cases, interference caused by walls, overhangs and other obstructions, as well as distance from the access point can inhibit your ability to connect. It is possible to remedy this by purchasing a wireless modem.

If your apartment unit is on the side of your building that faces one of our access radios, you should be able to receive a signal up to the 10th floor. However, this may require a wireless modem that provides a much greater sensitivity to help "boost" the signal strength. As the network expands, we will be evaluating different technologies and design modifications to increase our coverage of buildings both in floors covered as well as farther into interior spaces.

While poor cell phone reception may be an indicator of a potential environmental or structural interference issue, it may not preclude you from receiving our signal. To help mitigate interference issues, you may need a wireless modem that has a greater sensitivity than standard WiFi devices normally supplied with laptops or available over the counter. If structural variable such as a stucco exterior of your home prove to be a significant barrier to our signal, wireless modem in or adjacent to an exterior window has shown to be a viable solution.

Most wireless devices, including laptops, have a wireless radio inside that is designed to access local wireless internet networks (i.e. offices, coffee shops, etc...). They are not designed to communicate with a network radio that is outside and down the street. The radios that are out on the street poles are very powerful, and have the ability to transmit through most walls of homes and buildings. What this means is that your wireless device will usually be able to "hear" the signal coming from outside from our radios. The issue is the laptop card cannot communicate data back to the radios, as it is simply not strong enough.

An example would be Person A (our radios) a block away yelling very loudly at Person B down the street (your laptop). Person B (your laptop) is able to hear what the louder Person A is saying, but Person B has a sore throat and does not have the ability to yell back at a volume that Person A (our radios) can hear, so there is no ability for communication.

Your wireless device can hear our "loud" radios outside, and your signal meter on your wireless device will show this (i.e. multiple bars, etc...). The wireless radio in your device simply cannot (and was not designed to) be "loud" enough to communicate back. It is intended to access a wireless signal through maybe a wall or across the room. This inability to communicate will results in dropped connections and poor speeds and performance.

To correct this, you may need a wireless modem.

You can attach as many computers to Albany FreeNet as you would like.

Albany FreeNet is a best effort broadband (or high-speed) service with speeds up to 1.5Mbps download and 1Mbps upload.

Even higher speed are available with the affordable premium Internet service from Tech Valley Communicatioins called "Wink High Speed Internet." Click here to learn more about Wink High Speed Internet.

The Albany FreeNet network is an open network. As such, we recommend that you use a firewall on your device, turn off any file-sharing and only conduct internet transactions on secure websites using an encrypted SSL server (a lock should appear on your browser if this is the case).

Your computer is automatically connecting to our wireless signal due to its high signal quality at your location. If you do not wish to use our service, see your wireless card's documentation on how to manually choose which wireless network your computer should connect to.

The wireless network utilizes special outdoor access radios or "access points" that broadcast high frequency IEEE 802.11a/b/g "WiFi" radio signals. WiFi is the dominant global standard for WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks). Tech Valley Communications uses industry leading wireless radio technology and connects more of our access point radios directly to fiber optic cable to ensure high speed connections for many users. To learn more about WiFi 802/11b/g, visit www.weca.net

Approximately 600 ft. in an average area. Large buildings will block signal as well as heavy tree coverage. More open areas with less tree coverage can reach up to 1000 ft.