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Q.
What do I
need to connect to this service?
A.
Wi-Fi (802.11) enabled
device such as a laptop or PDA.
Q. What is the
name (or SSID) of the access points?
A.
cullman_Wi-Fi is the associated name of our
wireless access points and should be
detectable by your Wi-Fi enabled device at
the listed locations when you are in range.
Q.
Is this service
a replacement for my home Internet services?
How far does the wireless signal reach?
A.
Project Access provides wireless “hot spots”
over limited range within and just around
the installation sites. Range can vary
depending on your wireless equipment,
environmental and structural factors,
current usage, etc. A common misconception
is that Wi-Fi products are comparable to
cellular technologies; however a better
simplified comparison would be a consumer
cordless phone.
Q.
Can someone
help me connect my laptop to the service?
A.
While the City of Cullman and Cyber Broadband
monitor for system failures, it is not
possible for us to provide end-user support
on your wireless equipment. Since this
service is provided free and supports
hundreds of users, staff is simply not
available to offer end-user support. Please
contact your manufacturer’s technical
support or consult documentation for
assistants.
Q.
How fast is the
service? Why does the speed vary?
A.
Each access point is fed by a broadband link.
The number of users connected and browsing
the Internet certainly affects network
speed. Bandwidth to the end-users will vary
depending on network demand, environmental
factors, etc.
Q.
Why am I asked
for a zip code? I’m sitting in 35055, right?
A. The zip code is collected for our statistical
records. This will help us to determine
where our primary user base is coming from,
and how many tourists use the service while
visiting our City parks. This information is
not collected for advertisement or marketing
in any way.
Q. Is wireless
Internet
access safe?
A.
Wireless transmissions can indeed be
intercepted as with nearly anything that is
transmitted over radio waves. Sending
sensitive information or making online
purchases is discouraged over any wireless
connectivity.
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Q.
Is my information being collected by the
City for marketing or advertisement
purposes?
A.
Absolutely not.
Q.
My computer
warns me that cullman_WiFi is an unsecured
wireless network. Does this mean it is
unsafe?
A.
For maximum compatibility for users, the
system is setup totally open with no
passcodes or encryption codes. Sending
sensitive information or making online
purchases is discouraged over any wireless
connectivity.
Q. I tried to access a
website and was blocked due to content
filtering. Why?
A.
The wireless access points are behind a
dynamically updating content filtering
appliance which maintains a list of websites
that are listed in various categories.
Certain categories which may contain
questionable material are blocked as they
are not within the scope of acceptable use
for this free service. While content
filtering is very effective in most
situations, the internet changes constantly.
Parents are strongly encouraged to supervise
children’s use of this and any internet
access.
Q.
Nothing is
free. Who is paying for this equipment and
service?
A.
A grant was awarded to the City of Cullman by
the Appalachian Regional Commission in early
2007 providing $30,000 towards equipment,
installation, and configuration as related
to this project. Recurring access fees are
paid by the City of Cullman.
Q.
Who is the
service provider?
A.
Cyber Broadband. The project was bid during
mid-2007 and was subsequently awarded.
Q. I want to provide a
Wi-Fi access point at my business. How do I
get started?
A.
This can be as simple as an off-the-shelf
wireless access point and some type internet
connection, or as complicated as an advanced
network installation requiring professional
technical expertise. The
City
of Cullman Information Technology Department can not
directly recommend a particular vendor or
manufacturer for such a project, but a
wealth of information is available on the
Internet. |
The
City of Cullman provides free wireless
internet points of presence which are open
to the public and available for use 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week. 
