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Airstream Networks offers high speed wireless Internet connections throughout rural Manawatu, Horowhenua and Rangitikei districts via microwave radio links which utilize the 2.4Ghz, 5.2Ghz, 5.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz radio spectrums. We offer Symetrical Internet connections up to 10 Megabits with up to 100 Megabits per second within the Airstream Wireless network. Imagine the speed of three thousand 33.6K modems working simultaneously! Background Airstream Networks is a pioneer of rural wireless broadband connections in the Manawatu. While there was considerable publicity in the past few years regarding the use of wireless data transmission in NZ, especially with LLU “Local Loop Unbundling” once being big news, Airstream Networks have been providing wireless services since 2004. Many businesses and private individuals use Airstream Networks to provide wireless broadband Internet access we call Airstream Wireless.  How does it work?Wireless connectivity relies on a “line of sight” connection, and can operate satisfactorily at ranges up to 60 kilometres. At ranges in excess of 65 kilometres, relay points can be added, so the potential reach of wireless technology is unlimited. If you are within “line of sight” to any of our existing wireless transmitters or see our main tower near Wharite Peak from the building you wish to connect from, it is then a simple matter of placing our wireless receiver on a suitable high point, and connecting via a port on your local network hub, or directly to the back of your computer. We mainly operate ‘multi-user’ wireless transmitters, whereas some users may prefer the more expensive option of a dedicated private link we call UniLinx. Why is Wireless Broadband better than other Internet connections? Normal urban telephone lines have the ability to reach a maximum throughput of 56Kb per second, for rural dial-up customers this is almost impossible to achieve. While connected to the Internet with dial-up, your telephone line is permanently tied up, and no calls can get through. If your phone line is a business or school line, you are probably paying for all the time the line is connected, whether or not you are moving data across the network. Dedicated high speed circuits are available, but are very expensive, and even for modest bandwidth the cost can be in the thousands of dollars per month. This is where Airstream Wireless service can save you money. Satellite connections are available for Internet users, some of these connections rely on a normal telephone line for the uplink with Internet data streaming back via satellite. So normal line rentals and per minute usage costs are still incurred in this scenario, but good bandwidth is gained on the return of data. There are some issues that are of concern to many Internet users with satellite, the major one being the latency of data. Because of the sheer distance the data travels through space, some time lag occurs between the sending of data from one point, until its arrival at the other end. This time lag can make chatting, VoIP (Skype etc), Gaming and videoconferencing very difficult if not impossible over Satellite connections. Wireless radio connectivity has the advantage of making the Internet available to your computer or network 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, without you incurring any line charges or other costs for merely maintaining the connection. There are no annoying delays of having to wait for modems to connect, busy phone signals or any of the hassles or costs associated with traditional telephone connections. What you do get with our wireless broadband connections is pure, clean, fast bandwidth, when you want it, without delay. And best of all, you only pay for the data you use on the Internet, you pay nothing for using our wireless network or just remaining connected. There is no reliance on telephone lines that are of poor quality for some rural areas. Your phone is never tied up because you are on the Net. How much does it cost? FASTER - Telephone services as well? Our Wireless service gives the capability to carry voice data as well as high speed broadband - you can now completely eliminate the need for Telecom’s copper wire. We can give you a local calling number or even port your existing number from another provider. Maintenance All of the wireless radio and wireless antenna equipment we currently use remains our property for the duration of your service, this being so we are responsible for the maintenance of the hardware at the installed site. In other words there are no charges for maintenance of the wireless broadband equipment installed at your location. |