WiFi ENABLED HOTSPOTS

What is a WiFi Enabled HotSpot?

Hot Spot Broadband has and continues to work with local business in and around the Reno/Tahoe area to provide a truly mobile Internet experience. Because we are local to the area, our WiFi Enabled HotSpots far outnumber those of our competitors allowing you to sign up for service in one location and use it throughout the local region. Using either a laptop or handheld device that is WiFi 802.11b/g wirelessly-enabled, you can access the Internet or your corporate intranet at speeds that are as fast or faster than what you may have at your home or office. If you are a Fixed Wireless customer of Hot Spot Broadband you have access to ALL of our WiFi enabled locations at no extra charge.

How does the service work?

Hot Spot Broadband installs access points throughout each service location, which transmit a radio signal wirelessly to a user's WiFi 802.11b/g wireless network card. With a properly installed wireless network card, a customer launches their browser from within a Hot Spot Broadband service location and receives a sample page courtesy of the hosting establishment to reach our log-in/sign up page they simply hit the home button at the top or their browser or attempt to access any other web page. If they are an existing customer, they enter their username and password after selecting the login option. Once the account information is verified, they are able to connect to Internet resources. With full connectivity to the Internet, customers can access any Internet resources, as well as any corporate networks to which they have access from the Internet. If they are not an existing customer, they can go through the secure signup process. This is done by selecting the signup option. They will be guided through the account creation process and once they are done, they will have full Internet access.

What do I need to access the service?

You will need three things to begin using our WiFi Enabled HotSpots. First you will need a laptop or handheld with WiFi 802.11b/g wireless capability. Your existing device may already have this capability built-in. If not, you can purchase a WiFi 802.11b/g wireless networking card for most laptops and many handhelds from any computer specialty retail store, major electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer. When your device is wireless-enabled, and you are within range of one of our WiFi enabled locations look for our signal on SSID (or network identifier) 'HotSpotBroadband'. Refer to your wireless network card documentation for specific instructions on how to make this change or our configuration technical support FAQ page for general instructions.

Second, you will need a standard Internet-ready browser on any operating system. No additional software is required.

Third, you will need a Hot Spot Broadband service plan. Hot Spot Broadband offers a number of service plans to meet the needs of any mobile user - from as little as one hour of access or as much as a annual subscription. You can sign up for the service plan at any of our WiFi enabled locations just by opening a web browser or manually by calling us directly at 775.284.9434

Where can I purchase a wireless Ethernet card?

You can purchase a WiFi 802.11b/g wireless networking card for most laptops and many handhelds from any computer specialty retail store, major electronics retailers or direct from the manufacturer.

Which wireless Ethernet cards do you recommend?

Hot Spot Broadband recommends the following 802.11g wireless network card vendors: Linksys, Netgear, Orinoco, Dell, D-Link, Intel, and Belkin. Other card vendors products may also work with our service. It is important that you familiarize yourself with your individual cards operation before attempting to access one of our WiFi Enabled HotSpots.

Which wireless Ethernet cards do you NOT recommend?

Hot Spot Broadband does not recommend the use of Microsoft Networking Brand 802.11b wireless network cards. We have found that it takes considerable time and effort to reconfigure the default settings in the Microsoft Network product to allow it to easily interact with Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpots.

How fast is the service at a WiFi Enabled HotSpot?

Most of our WiFi Enabled HotSpots are fed with our most advanced service package, which provides users with speeds over 2 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. The WiFi 802.11b technology allows for speeds up to 11 Mbps, and 802.11g allows for speeds up to 54 Mbps; however, throughput is governed by the speed of the network feed.

Can I access my corporate network using a a WiFi Enabled HotSpot?

If your employer has provided you with a virtual private network (VPN) client and a firewall, you can seamlessly access your corporate network. Hot Spot Broadband strongly recommends that its customers take measures to ensure the security of their wireless connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption and firewalls. As with any wireless communication, the Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpots do not inherently offer secure data transfer. You should ensure you have adequate security safeguards in place. See the WiFi Enabled HotSpot Acceptable Use Policy posted on our website for additional information concerning the security of the service and steps you can take to enhance the security of the service.

Do I need to download or install any special software to connect to the Hot Spot Broadband network?

The only software you will need is the software driver for your WiFi 802.11b wireless network card and an Internet-ready web browser. The Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpots do not require any proprietary software to use.

How do I secure my connection to the Internet through a Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpot?

Hot Spot Broadband strongly recommends that its customers take measures to ensure the security of their wireless connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), encryption and firewalls. As with any high-speed wireless service, the Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpot network is not inherently secure. Furthermore, wireless communications can be intercepted by equipment and software designed for that purpose. Notwithstanding our efforts to enhance security with respect to the service, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these efforts and will not be liable to you or any other party for any lack of security that may result from your use of the service or your device. You are responsible for taking such precautions and providing such security measures best suited for your situation and intended use of the service. Please consult the Hot Spot Broadband WiFi Enabled HotSpot Acceptable Use Policy posted on our website for additional information concerning the security of the service and steps you can take to enhance the security of the service.

Do you offer dial-up services?

Our goal is to provide a truly mobile wireless broadband Internet experience throughout the Reno/Tahoe area. Hot Spot Broadband does not offer a dial-up alternative at this time.

How do I become a WiFi Enabled HotSpot subscriber?

You can signup by visiting any WiFi Enabled HotSpot, if your laptop or handheld is already WiFi 802.11b enabled, you can sign up launching your browser and selecting the "Signup" box on the right. You can also contact us directly at 775.284.WiFi (9434) for manual signup.