FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

To help you understand more about our wireless broadband internet connectivity for business users we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions. If your question is not covered below please Contact Us or call us on 0800 294 7975.

What bandwidth is available?

On-Communications currently deliver guaranteed 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10Mb/s symmetrical business Internet services. Please contact us for more information, and to discuss any bespoke wireless connectivity solutions (10Mb/s - 1Gb/s) you may wish to purchase.

What communications protocol do On-Communications services use?

IEEE 802.11a 5.8 GHz OFDM / 802.16 5.8GHz Wimax

Can On-Communications offer combined Internet access and VoIP over its network?

Yes, On-Communications can be used for VoIP and Internet access over the same connection. Please call us to discuss how you'd like to use the On-Communications service.

How long does it take for the service to be delivered?

Delivery of the On-Communications service usually takes 15 working days from acceptance of an order, although if you need it sooner we can provide a priority service. This compares with anything up to 65 working days for some wired alternative solutions. We are able to deliver the service so quickly because we own and operate the On-Communications network and are not reliant on any third party suppliers. 'Rush' jobs with even quicker delivery can be requested for a premium. Lead times depend on our installers having Landlords permission to install and free access to the installation location.

What receiving equipment is required?

On-Communications installs an externally mounted radio/antenna unit that is aligned to the On-Communications base station. The unit is about the size of a domestic alarm box. This is connected to your power through a 13A socket, and to your network by means of an Ethernet cable. Installation is carried out by a qualified engineering team of two.

Will I need a Broadband router?

No. With On-Communications, there is one less piece of equipment for you to manage. We present you with a Cat 5 RJ45 Ethernet presentation direct to your IT / Comm's room, ready for your LAN edge router.

How much does the equipment cost?

Nothing! The cost of the equipment and the installation is included in the price of the set-up and rental.

Is planning permission required for the antenna?

The antenna is small and unobtrusive and planning permission is not normally required. The exceptions to the rule are for listed buildings and buildings in a conservation area.

How does the installation process work?

A full site survey is carried out prior to installation to ensure that the optimal location for the outdoor unit is chosen. Our fully trained and accredited field engineers then install, test and configure each site's equipment and ensure end-to-end connection.

How long does installation take?

A standard installation will typically take two to three hours, and we will need to be able to fix the antenna to the outside of the building and run power and Ethernet cables inside the building during this time.

Who does the installation?

Our qualified engineers install the equipment. This installation process is included in the cost of the service.

I don't own the building, what do I need to do?

If you do not own the building in which your business is housed you will need to contact your landlord to get permission for the service to be installed. We offer help and assistance with this and will provide you with a 'landlord information pack', which will clearly explain to your landlord what the equipment looks like and the positive impact that the addition of this service will have to their property.

My business is not within the On-Communications service area. How can I get On-Communications?

We are constantly adding to our network coverage. If we are not in your area, please contact us on this link to register your interest and we will advise you when On-Communications becomes available in your area.

Is the system reliable?

On-Communications' SLA guarantees 99.5% or better availability, and includes other SLA guarantees including network latency, a key issue for the delivery of VoIP . This Service Level Agreement is standard for all our customers and also comes with service credits for failure to meet performance criteria.

Is my On-Communications connection secure?

Yes, very. The On-Communications network is highly secure and employs strong encryption coupled with line of site point-to-point directional antennas making it extremely difficult to eavesdrop (unlike WiFi systems). As with all wireline broadband technology, we strongly advise all our clients to access the Internet through a firewall to protect their systems from unauthorised access.

What is the power output of the wireless equipment on my building?

The wireless connections used by On-Communications require a clear "Line of Site" between your building and our base stations. This type of connection only requires very low levels of radio power, approximately one thousand times LESS than mobile phone technology.

What is the 95th percentile for burst?

Burstable services will be billed for excess usage based off the standard 95th percentile rule. On-Communications will sample Customer bandwidth utilization every five (5) minutes, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. At the end of the month, all samples from the month will be organized from highest to lowest. The top 5% of samples are then discarded, and the average month's usage will be based on the next highest reading, either inbound or outbound.