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| What is Portable Broadband Service? |
The Portable Broadband (PBB) modem provides broadband service within 12 miles of the nearest broadcast tower. The modem sends and receives signal to and from the tower, and is capable of data transfer in excess of 1.5Mbps download and 500Kbps upload.
The Portable Broadband modem may be used anywhere within the 12 mile radius as long as it can still receive the signal. Additionally, the modem is capable of traveling between operational towers and cities where the service is active - much like a cell phone. |
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What features are included with Portable Broadband Service? |
- Small external modem
- Complete portability within service areas
- No external antennas or dishes
- No need for telephone or cable service
- As fast as basic DSL or Cable modem service
- Download speeds of up to 1.5Mbps and upload speeds up to 550Kbps.
- Service includes ISP service for up to 6 computers, 6 email accounts, and up to 1 Gig of server space for Web files.
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How do I know if I qualify for Portable Broadband service? |
Contact nTelos Customer Service and provide your name, physical address, and telephone number -OR- Check Availability for Virginia by completing the form, and a nTelos representative will soon contact you.
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Do you supply the Portable Broadband modem? |
nTelos supplies a Portable Broadband modem at no additional charge during your period of service. If you terminate your nTelos Portable Broadband service, you must return the modem, or charges will be billed to your account. |
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How do I install my Portable Broadband modem? |
When the modem is delivered to you, a complete set of instructions is included. Click on "details" for more information ... (details  ) |
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My modem has a flashing red light, and is not passing data, what should I do? |
Your modem needs to be placed in a better spot in order to receive signal from the broadcast tower. Click on "details" for more information ...... (details ) |
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My modem seems slow and/or is dropping the connection occasionally. What is happening?
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Your modem may not be placed in the most efficient location. Even small adjustments to position or location can have a dramatic effect on modem speeds. Several factors will slow a modem down from the best effort speed. They are:
- Poor modem placement within a house or building- Good placement of the modem is critical for achieving the highest speeds. This is the primary factor which may slow a modem down. Generally, placing the modem as high up as possible on the side of a building facing the tower will achieve the highest speeds.
- Difficult terrain- foliage, structures, and bouncing the signal around buildings will slow down the service. This is the second most important factor. A modem that has to shoot through three houses and acres of trees to get at the tower may run slower than a modem with a clear view out of a window of the tower.
- Extreme distance from the BTS- The farther the modem is from the BTS, the slower it will operate. This is the least factor in slowing a modem's performance.
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Can I set up a network for my Portable Broadband connection? |
Yes, you can set up a network connection for your Portable Broadband service with a router. Click on "details" for more information ... (details) |
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The best room for the modem is not where my computer is located. What should I do? |
Short of moving your computer, you may attach a router to the modem and then keep your computer in its present location. A wired router will operate further, but you will need to run Ethernet cable from the router to your computer. A wireless router could also be purchased eliminating the need for wires, but make sure the router can function for the distance you will need between the modem and the computer - particularly in older houses or in office buildings. |
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What are my network settings? |
All network settings and IP addresses are server assigned using DHCP. |
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How do I set up my Internet email account on Portable Broadband? |
Contact nTelos Customer Service.
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How can I address a security issue with my Portable Broadband service? |
nTelos Portable Broadband service does not include a firewall or other security protection. Security is the responsibility of the customer. Companies who provide Local Area Network (LAN) Services often have a variety of security solutions available for a fee. |
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How do I access my email when I'm traveling? |
Your email account is accessible from any Internet enabled computer via this website on our nTelos Email page. If you do not have access to another Internet enabled computer while away from your Portable Broadband enabled computer, you may want to purchase an additional dial up account from nTelos at additional charge. Call the Customer Service for details.
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My Windows 98 computer connects fast then slow, then fast again repeating behavior on downloads. |
Update the regedit.exe file. nTelos Broadband Technical Support can help change this file.
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My Computer hesitates on initial download request, and then runs great. |
The RF session between the modem and the tower has to be established before data can pass, this causes the initial request to take longer than subsequent requests. Some computers will have longer initial request drag than others. Users at the far edge of the service area will have longer waits than users nearest to the tower. |
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In terminal mode, the echo length is terribly long ... |
The nature of the service is that terminal mode users will experience long echo times, while casual web surfers or gamers will experience ping times slightly longer than DSL service. |
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The wireless service worked great until the tree leaves came out in the spring. What should I do to get my speed back up? |
Leaves can be a problem. Move the modem to a better location, such as another floor of your home to avoid the trees causing interference. |
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The modem won't function when hooked up to another computer or a router ... |
If the modem is moved directly from one computer to another, or connected to a router before the DHCP table clears (once a day) the MAC address won't match, and the tower will reject requests from the new computer. Hook the modem back up to the original computer or router, and perform an IP Release, then hook the modem into the new computer or router. |
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The modem keeps losing power even while connected to the wall power pack ... |
Check the modem power cable and make sure it's connected tightly. You should hear or feel a small *snap* when the power plug is put in correctly. We have seen some modems which are simply dead. If this is the case, order a new modem from Customer Service, and return the old one.
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Are there external antennas available for the wireless service, and how do get one? |
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The PBB wireless Internet modem has three built-in antennas to receive signal from the base stations. Two patch antennas built in to the left and right side of the modems, and the flip-up antenna on the front of the modem.
The modem will automatically choose the best antenna for receiving signal from the tower. *Please Note*: If the modem is moved to improve reception, it should be power cycled (turned on and off) so that the modem can re-select the best internal antenna to use. The modem must remain upright for the antennas to function, as the signal from the tower is polarized.
Larger outdoor antennas are of dubious value for the following reasons: Outside mounted antennas (such as roof mounted antennas) must be professionally installed and grounded. nTelos does not offer antenna installation service, and a customer who chooses to use an external antenna does so at their own risk and expense.
The longer length of the antenna lead down to the modem reduced greatly the signal gain offered by the antenna. Typically, the modem (which must remain indoors) will see no gain from an external antenna with a cable longer than 10 feet.
Where can I view the nTelos Internet Services Terms & Conditions?
Click to view: nTelos Internet Services Terms & Conditions
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