Frequently Asked Questions
- General Questions
- How does it work?
- Is it affected by weather?
- How does the installation look?
- Are there any time limits on my service?
- How secure is it?
- What areas do you provide service to?
- How many computers can I connect at once?
- Can you provide references from your clients?
- Corporate Questions
- Who is Community Networks?
- Pricing Questions
- What is your pricing?
- Do I have to sign a contract?
- How can I pay for my service?
- Why is your pricing higher than in the city?
- Is your service my only choice for Internet in my area?
- Business Questions
- Can you host my web site?
- Do you provide business packages?
- How does it work?
- eFirehose High Speed Internet uses a technology called Fixed Wireless.
This means that each client on the system is fixed in one location
and not mobile.
We have base stations that transmit and receive the Internet connection to all our clients. The base stations are located high above the ground on towers or other tall structures in the area.
This allows our service to reach our clients without obstructions to the signal. Our service does not always require a clear line of sight between the client and the base station but it helps a great deal and is the optimal configuration.
Our equipment operates in the 2.4Ghz microwave frequency band. This band is reserved for applications such as Internet access and data communication. This band has several advantages over other data bands including cost effectiveness and large capacity for bandwidth.
Our base station has an Internet feed provided to us by Wiband Communications. They are a nationwide wireless commercial Internet carrier. - Is it affected by weather?
- In some cases severe rain or snow can actually improve our signal.
Compared to satellite technologies, we use a much lower frequency. Satellite operates at about 12 gigahertz. This means that the water vapour and clouds in the atmosphere readily absorb this signal. Water has a much stronger tendency to absorb signals above 10 gigahertz.
Since our equipment operates at 2.4 gigahertz it is well below the absorption frequency of water. Weather can have an extremely small impact on signal strength but the affect is negligible.
Weather has much stronger impact on the level of natural radio noise. Severe weather reduces the amount of background noise and this makes it easier for the equipment to receive it's signal.
There are some extreme cases where a receiving antenna can be buried by snow. This can affect the connection. However it would require a substantial amount of snow to bury the antenna and we mount our antennas in such a way as to make this extremely difficult. In over 1000 Installations for commercial and residential clients this has never happened that we are aware of. - How does the installation look?
- Aesthetics are very important to us. They promote our image as a
professional company and convey our attitude towards our business.
We have geared our entire solution toward providing as clean a product as possible.
We mount the antenna/receiver in a location that is as hidden as possible while still providing adequate signal. The antenna is also a neutral white colour flat panel. This is much more appealing than dish or grid type antennas and can be installed in much tighter locations. Our antenna mount is extremely strong and will survive winds in excess of 200 kph.
Click thumbnail for larger photo
The cable that we use is beige and rated for exposure to the sun and weather. Due to it's small diameter we can employ many techniques to make it invisible. It will easily hide under trim, soffits, siding, in attics, through crawlspaces and a multitude of other places. The cable has a smaller diameter than satellite TV cable.
We install all cabling in accordance with the electrical codes of Canada, Alberta and Calgary. Our installers all have full WCB coverage.
The connection point inside looks much like a typical phone or network surface mount port. It has the antenna cable connected from outside, the power cable is connected on the side and your computer connection is also on the side. This is a very clean solution as there are no modems or other pieces of equipment cluttering up space.
- Are there any time limits on service?
- There are no time limits. Your connection is always on and available.
There is a 25gb (20GB Down/5GB Up) monthly transfer limit. We have set this number quite high as it is only intended to prevent abuse of the service. An average user uses 3gb per month.
Any transfer that exceeds this limit will be billed at $5 per GB after a warning at 80%. To exceed the download limit you would have download the equivalent of 5000 songs from the Internet.
We do recommend that if you are using file sharing utilities (like Kazaa or Soulseek) or that you turn off sharing with other users and be sure to close your program when you are not using it. File sharing left on can generate enormous amounts of bandwidth if not watched closely.
- How secure is it?
- The connection to the base station uses authentication based security.
This prevents persons illegitimately connecting to the system.
Like all security measures both in technology or the physical world it is possible to defeat them but it becomes impractical after a certain point.
The biggest risk to users is attacks that originate from the Internet. We highly recommend that all users employ a virus scanner, spyware scanner, firewall and use safe browsing practices.
We have information about keeping your computer secure at Keeping Your Computer Safe
Our e-mail server also scans all e-mail for viruses and automatically deletes all mail that contains viruses. However this does not remove the need for a virus scanner on your computer and only provides protection for e-mail hosted on our server.
E-mail is protected by:
- How many computers can I connect at once?
- We place no limit on the number of computers you may use simultaneously on your service. To connect more than one computer you will need to purchase a broadband router. They are available at any computer store and are typically about $50. With a router all members of your family will be able to use the Internet at the same time with no slowdown of any sort.
Many customers install a wireless router which allows them to roam about their house with a laptop. This works exceptionally with our service however we require that anyone on our network with a wireless LAN use WEP or some other security. We would be happy provide names of companies that provide that provide indoor wireless LAN and PC support if you feel you require assistance with building or securing your own household network.
- What areas do you provide service to?
- eFirehose Internet is available to most residents in areas North and East of Calgary, including:
- Prairie Royale Estates
- Delrich Meadows
- Georgian Estates
- O'Neill Ranchettes
- Delacour
- Conrich
- Chestermere
- Airdrie
- Irricana
- Keoma
- Kathyrn
- Beiseker
- Balzac
- Bearspaw
- Sharp Hills
- Symons Valley
- Cheadle
- Langdon
- Indus
Here is a map of our current and coming soon coverage areas. This map is intended to only give a rough idea of coverage. It is a computer projection and cannot account for all variables.
We have recently launched service to Strathmore, Langdon, Indus, Dalemead, Cheadle and most surrounding areas.
We do not provide service to residents within the City of Calgary. For more details on our areas of service, which are always expanding, please contact us.
". . .as always I appreciate your great customer service."
-Rob Mantle, Irricana, client since Oct 2004
"We'll keep passing the word of the great service that you are providing."
-Ian Taylor, Beiseker, client since Nov 2004
"I am really enjoying your services; keep up the good work. I have recommended you guys to our friends" -Patrick Kunz, Beiseker, client since Sept 2004
"I have heard great things about your customer service, and I appreciate your attitude."
-A client who is a Shaw employee who wishes to stay anonymous
". . . it is a treat to have high speed -- we are loving it."
-Larry Samueleson, Airdrie, client since March 2005
"I just want to say a word of thanks. This is working so nice."
-Jerry Kamphuis, Strathmore, client since April 2005
"I am very confident in your guys ability and desire to somehow keep us "users" happy. Keep up the good work!"
-Barry Davidson, Owner of Canadian Network Solutions, Lyalta, client since January 2005
"Just a quick note about your service. Your installers connected us today to your service. Everything about getting set up with your company has been a pleasure, from the original phone call that we made to the fact that the installers call because they were going to be a little late. The guys were courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. It has been a delight getting off dial up and back on to something that does not drive you up the wall."
-Frank Kaiser, Big Hill Springs, client since May 2005
"I have to say Thank You to you. You've been honest and straight forward. I appreciate knowing what is going on. I've had months of zero problems with my Internet access."
-Debbie Greene, Kathryn, client since Dec 2003
"I for one, am very pleased with the service you provide."
-Rob Mantle, Irricana, client since Oct 2004
"You look after your customers and keep them informed - a rare thing these days."
-George Hawey, Beiseker, client since Aug 2004
"I always cheer for the little guy and seeing you make it is great. You have been a shining example of how to take an idea, create a successful business, and expand while keeping your most important objective, customer service.
Go eFirehose Go!"
-John Boddy, Prairie Royale, client since Nov 2003
"We had very little problem -- and we are very happy with the service. The speed is awesome. Thanks!"
-Diane Samuelson, Airdrie, client since March 2005
"Thank You Scott for the regular updates. Your communication is excellent and your service impeccable. It is a pleasure to deal with an Internet provider that honestly cares about the customers."
-Carol White, Irricana, client since Aug 2004
". . . and love the Internet by the way!!"
-Shaunrda Boneham, Beiseker, client since March 2005
"Thanks for your support - -Nice to actually nice to access the support your company offers - Others claim to have that service - -but - - push buttons on your phone and get frustrated, e-mail the right department - - big companies don't deliver like you - - THANK YOU - - I did talk to a live person a while ago - I wasn't able to connect while the other people in the household could -- he talked me through it and ' voila ' - - I am in business again!! Great JOB guys!!!"
-Carmen Jeffery, Prairie Royale, client since Dec 2004
"We recently had some friends over for dinner and the conversation turned to Internet service. They are on dial up and were saying how slow it was. I told them about eFirehouse and gave them a little demonstration. They were astounded!"
- Kenneth Bailey, client since Feb 2005
"You've combined the benefits of living in a small community with exceptional, personal customer support with the benefits of having a high speed internet connection at a great price. Thanks!!"
-Shaunrda Boneham, Beiseker, client since March 2005
"You guys rock, like seriously, I love my Counterstrike latency =P, keep up the good work!"
- Andrew Quach, Conrich, client since Oct 2003
"I was told about your company today by a fellow gamer who lives in Beiseker, his pings looked good so I thought I would give you a shout. I live In Abbeydale and use Shaw Extreme Speed cable and am pretty happy with their services, the cost of Shaw is definitely more than 39.95 per month. I was noticing on your area coverage map that Calgary is not included at all, can you provide your service to city dwellers?"
- A Shaw Extreme client in Calgary (Sorry, our service is only available to people in the country!)
"Many of us have the eFirehose Internet access at home, and Community Networks is hosting this web site for free. My personal experience with this company has been second to none. Very professional service and quick response to any issues. Way to go guys, keep up the good work!!!"
- A quote from PrairieRoyale.ca
- Who is Community Networks?
- Community
Networks is the company that provides the eFirehose Internet
Service.
Community Networks was founded by Scott Armstrong In January 2002 and operated as a consultant to other wireless and Internet providers. We helped our clients to build, expand and improve their networks. Previous to working as a consultant, Scott Armstrong worked as a Senior Network Engineer for Canada's 2 largest wireless Internet Service Providers and was the IT Manager for an IBM subsidiary in Calgary.
In early 2003 Community Networks began preparations for launching the eFirehose Internet service and added Matthew Beaton as a partner.
Community Networks has a network of consultants with specialties in fields such as Linux, Web Design, Tower Construction, and many others
Community Networks is a privately owned company with no plans for becoming a public traded company. We feel that becoming a public company encourages us to cater to our shareholders and not our clients. We strongly believe in a stable organic growth model for our company. This enables us to be a stable company that will last.
We are based in Calgary however we spend the vast majority of our time onsite with our clients. That is where we like to be! Community Networks is a very young and energetic company.
- What is your pricing?
- Service requires the purchase of our Internet receiver. We offer the receiver for $300. If you cancel your service we will buy back your equipment
if in good physical condition at current market value.
Standard Home Package
$46.95/mo.
Includes public dynamic IP addresses
45 GB of traffic per month (40 GB download\5GB upload)
Unlimited E-mail addresses at efirehose.net and 100mb of space for a web site.
7 Day a week telephone support (9AM-9PM weekdays, 11AM-9PM weekends)
Next business day onsite support guarantee
99% uptime guarantee
For a limited time we are also offering free installation and a free first month if you sign up for our Direct Debit Payment service.
Free installation
We also offer a free month if you sign up for Automatic Direct Debit Payment service from a chequing account.
We also offer commercial packages at the bottom of this page. - Do I have to sign a contract?
- Never. All our plans are month to month. We feel that contracts allow providers to become unaccountable for client satisfaction. We keep our clients by keeping them happy, not by; lockin' 'em in.
- How can I pay for my service or setup fees?
- We currently offer 6 payment methods:
- Pre-Authorized Monthly Direct Debit from a bank account
- Post dated cheques
- Credit Card or Interac through Paypal.com
- Pre-Authorized Credit Card Debit through Paypal.com
- Cheques
- Cash
Upon completion of the installation we require payment for the receiver.
Click here for the Direct Debit (EFT) agreement and application.
Our service is pay as you go. All payments are due at the beginning of the month for which they apply.
Cheques are to be made payable to Community Networks. Cheques sent via the mail can be sent to 19 Cromwell Ave NW, Calgary Alberta, T2L 0M6.
- Why is your up front pricing different than in the city?
- There are 2 main reasons for this.
- Our equipment is many times more expensive than cable or ADSL modems.
- Our installs are much more involved than Cable or ADSL.
Overall we feel our pricing is extremely reasonable. All the competing solutions like satellite and other wireless solutions are much more expensive and not as fast.
We sell our receivers with no margin. We rely on maintaining long term relationships with our clients.
- Is your service my only choice for Internet in my area?
- No, there are several other choices and we want to make sure our
clients can make an informed decision. We have included the following
Table that outlines the
features of all the products in the area.
* Note * There are other options for both dial-up and satellite but we have cited the 2 cheapest.
- Can you host my web site?
- Every service on our system automatically has 100 megabytes
of free web and space set up for it. You may have as many web sites or e-mail addresses in that space as you wish.
If you own a domain name, we can host it for you. For $5 a month we will host your domain name and have it point to your free web space. We also forward e-mail accounts for that domain. (Additional registrar fees are the responsibility of the customer)
- Do you provide business packages?
- Yes we do.
Standard Business Package
$99.95/mo
$300.00 receiver purchase
Free Installation
Includes a Public Static IP address
40 gb of traffic per month (20 GB up/20 GB Down), $5/gb thereafter
Unlimited E-mail addresses at your own domain and 200mb of space for a web site
Priority 7 Day a week telephone support (9AM-9PM)
Same day onsite Support
99% uptime guarantee
Speeds of up to 5mbit download and 512kbit upload
Entry Level Dedicated Package
$199.95/mo
$1500.00 receiver purchase
Free installation
5 public static IP addresses
100 gb of traffic per month (50 GB up/ 50 GB down), $5/gb thereafter
Unlimited e-mail addresses at your own domain and unlimited space for a web site
7 Day a week telephone support (24 hours)
<4 hour onsite Support
5Mbit download and 5Mbit upload, burstable to 10Mbit
Industrial Package
Starting at $499.95/mo
Receivers starting at $1500.00
Unlimited public static IP addresses
500 GB of traffic per month
Unlimited e-mail addresses at your own domain
Unlimited space for a web site
7 day a week priority telephone support (24 hours)
<4 hour onsite support
Up to 54mbit download and 54mbit upload
Our business service installation and equipment costs may vary depending on requirements and location.