With our AirMAX phone and broadband packages, we bring the phone and broadband service to your home wirelessly. This means that there is no need for a phone line, so you can save on line rental.
Your most frequently asked questions are answered here:
1. How does Nova Networks AirMAX service work?
Our installer will attach a small receiving antenna to your home or office. A cable will be brought inside to carry the phone and internet service in from the antenna. This antenna will receive a signal from one of our many base station transmitters located strategically around our coverage area. These base station transmitters are linked to each other wirelessly or by fibre optic cable and are in turn linked via fibre optic cables to the rest of the world. We use this platform to bring you a phone service also, eliminating the need for a phone line (and of course, eliminating line rental)!
2. Is this like the 3G / mobile dongles or wimax window modems?
No. Our installer will fix the antenna in the optimum location for the best signal and test the service fully. This way, you will not suffer the inconsistencies that are found in USB dongles (3G/mobile) and wimax window modems. You will find the service generally much more consistent and of higher quality.
3. How big is the antenna?
The antenna is about the size of a paper-back book (many times smaller than a Sky dish).
4. Can I use the service with my wireless laptop or with multiple computers/consoles?
With the AirMAX 7M Bundle, we provide a wireless router so you can use multiple devices. With the other packages you can add a wireless router for €39 or bring your own compatible one.
5. Do I need a phone line and do you provide a phone service?
You do not need a phone line as our service completely bypasses the phone network. In fact, this makes the service great for people who failed a line test for broadband or for those who want to get rid of their phone line to save on line rental. Our AirMAX Value package includes broadband only. AirMAX 3M Bundle and AirMAX 7M Anytime Bundle packages include a phone service also. By adding a special phone adapter (€49), you can use your normal phone to make and receive calls to normal phone numbers without using your PC or a phone line. Then you can make real savings.
6. What does maximum speed mean?
In common with all other wireless broadband providers, our base stations share a certain amount of capacity with the connected users. Therefore, your speed will vary depending on traffic of other users, distance from transmitter, peak time usage, etc. We pride ourselves on giving good speeds to our customers.
7. What is “data allowance”?
You are allowed to transfer a certain (huge) amount of information on your connection every month. For instance a 60GB data allowance would allow you to download about 8,000 music tracks. For the protection of other users in the network, anyone “hogging” the connection 24/7 and exceeding their monthly data allowance may be slowed down temporarily to create space for the other neighbouring users. Don't worry – our limits are huge and are typically up to 6 times what some of our competitors are giving. Customers can check their current data usage at any time by visiting www.novanetworks.ie/data. Some providers claim "unlimited data" but if you read the small print, they hide their data limits and sometimes don't disclose them at all. We are up front about our data allowances.
8. What kind of support do you provide?
We provide support by phone, email and web-based helpdesk system. Full details of our support offering is available on the Support section of our website.
9. Can you come and survey our place?
If you place an order with us, we will check your address and if it is generally within our coverage area (based on our extensive knowledge and experience of our coverage area) we will proceed with your order. If for any reason on the day of installation there is a problem with getting a signal, we will not proceed with the order and there will be no charge to you whatsoever. We don't do on-site surveys in advance of getting an order, but you can email your GPS coordinates or a Google Earth screenshot of your building to support@novanetworks.ie and we can do a free desktop survey for you. If you can't get Nova, we will advise you on other options.
10. Where will you put the antenna and how is it connected to my computer?
The antenna must be placed in a location where it has good line-of-sight to one of our base stations. Our installers have vast experience and will know where is best but will strive to make the installation as unobtrusive as possible. The installer will bring in a single cable into a nominated room where it will be plugged in to a POE (power over ethernet) injector (mains powered). A short patch cable will be provided for insertion to your computer or a wireless router (if present).
11. Is the signal secure?
It is as secure as any internet connection. The internet is not an inherently secure network but nobody will be able to connect to your Nova antenna unit from outside. If you are using a wireless router, you must enable security so your neighbours/passers-by don't log on to it. We recommend the use of a firewall and up to date antivirus software at all times.
12. What kind of quality should I expect?
We pride ourselves on the quality of service delivered. Your broadband will be fast, with low latency and good consistency. You should expect broadband of fixed line quality which is unaffected by weather. Our phone service uses voice over internet technology which provides a voice quality equal or better than an average mobile phone call.
13. Why should I get Nova over DSL (phone line) or 3G broadband?
Nova provide a far more consistent service than 3G broadband with lower latency and better actual speeds. 3G broadband is quoted as having high megabit speeds but in reality they are never achieved. We provide a good quality honest and fast service by comparison. We can also save you money over DSL in that you can get rid of your phone line once the service is up and running. Best of all, our broadband is suitable for all internet activities, such as web, email, peer-to-peer, video sites, gaming etc.
