eFirehose Internet Services
Community Networks' business is built on providing our clients with incredibly fast and reliable high-speed internet service; backed by top-notch, helpful customer support. Check out our residential or business internet packages and contact us to find out how we can fill your needs.
About eFirehose's Internet Service
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.
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 45GB (40GB download/5GB upload) 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 available 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 indoor wireless LAN and PC support if you feel you require assistance with building or securing your own household network.
Service Area
eFirehose Internet is available to most residents in areas North and East of Calgary, including:
- Airdrie
- Balzac
- Bearspaw
- Beiseker
- Cheadle
- Chestermere
- Conrich
- Dalemead
- Delacour
- Delrich Meadows
- Dewinton
- Eagle Lake
- Georgian Estates
- Heritage Pointe
- Irricana
- Indus
- Kathyrn
- Keoma
- Langdon
- Lyalta
- Nightengale
- O'Neill Ranchettes
- Prairie Royale Estates
- Rockyford
- Sharp Hills
- Shepard
- Symons Valley
Coverage Map
Here is a Map of our current 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 Rockyford, Dewinton, Lyalta, 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.
Happy eFirehose Customers
When asked to provide references from our clients, we say- You Bet! All these clients sent us these comments completely unsolicited. They were so happy that they took time from their day to express how they feel. Such positive feedback certainly makes us feel great about coming to work each day!
"...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
"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
"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
"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 ... 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
About 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.