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Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to commonly asked questions about WildBlue.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? If you would like more information,
you may contact us via phone, or visit our forums online.
General Information
- What is the WildBlue service and where is it available?
- Why should I get WildBlue?
- How hard is it to use?
- Who do I call if I have a problem?
- What equipment is needed to get the WildBlue service?
- What are my computer system requirements to get WildBlue?
- Are there any cancellation fees?
- What kind of speed can I expect?
- Can I be a WildBlue dealer or installer?
Services and Prices
- What does WildBlue cost?
- What email do I get with my WildBlue account?
- Do I get dial-up service with my WildBlue account?
- If I have WildBlue, do I need an additional account with an Internet
Service Provider (ISP)?
- If I sign up for WildBlue service, can I keep my AOL account?
- Do you limit heavy bandwidth users?
- Do you offer a limited warranty on the equipment?
Availability Information
- Where can I get WildBlue?
- Will your service be available in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico?
- Can I get WildBlue service in a mobile vehicle like an RV or boat?
Installation Information
- What is the installation process like? Can I install my
own dish?
- Will my Home Owners Association allow mounting the WildBlue dish?
- Can I use wireless home networking with WildBlue?
- Do customers have to have a phone line in addition to the satellite
connection?
- Do I need a southern line of sight to receive a signal from your
satellite?
Technical Information
- How fast is this service?
- What operating systems are compatible with the WildBlue service?
- Will WildBlue work with Macintosh computers?
- What Web browsers and email clients does WildBlue support?
- What is the impact of latency? Can I play real-time Internet games
or make Internet phone calls on your service?
- Does WildBlue support VoIP?
- Is the WildBlue service affected by weather?
- Where can I learn more about WildBlue’s network management
policies?
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General Information
- What is the WildBlue service and where is it available?
WildBlue is a high-speed Internet access service for homes, home offices and small
offices. It is available in virtually every location across the contiguous United
States.
- Why should I get WildBlue?
WildBlue provides access to the Internet at much higher speeds than dial-up access:
up to 1.5 Mbps. For file downloads, such as photos and music files, this can be
as much as 30 times or more faster than
dial-up. A whole new world of content will open up to you with your broadband
connection. And with WildBlue, you get an “always on” connection which
means no dialing-in to get high-speed access to the Internet.
- How hard is it to use?
Not hard at all. Once we professionally install your WildBlue system which will
take 2 to 3 hours, you are ready to surf the Internet at lightning fast speeds.
You can use your same web-browser, go to the same sites, use your email, etc. just
like you always have…but a lot faster! And it’s always on so no more
dialing-in delays, or getting “bumped off.”
- Who do I call if I have a problem?
You just call the friendly customer care agents at WildBlue. We’ll have a
person you can talk to, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer Care:
1-866-WildBlue (945-3258) (toll free)
- What equipment is needed to get the WildBlue service?
It’s easy. All you need is a WildBlue mini dish and a WildBlue modem.
- What are my minimum computer system requirements to get
WildBlue?
Most computers in use today will meet our minimum system requirements. If you don’t
know if you meet them, please contact
us and we can help you figure it out.PC/ Windows: 300 MHz or faster processing
speed, minimum 128 MB Random Access Memory (RAM), and Windows XP, Windows Vista
or Windows 7 operating systems. At least 100 MB of hard drive space and an ethernet
card are required. Macintosh: 300 MHz or faster processing speed, 128MB Random Access
Memory (RAM), and OS 10.4 or higher operating system. 100 MB of hard drive space
and an ethernet card are required.
- Are there any cancellation fees?
WildBlue customers are required to sign a 24 month contract when they initiate service.
If you cancel the Service before completion of the Minimum Service Term or Extension
Term, the Termination Fee is equal to the number of months left in your Minimum
Service Term multiplied by $15.00.
- What kind of speed can I expect?
WildBlue offers packages that provide different speed levels. These are broken into
two catqagories, Origional and Broadband Plans.
With the Origional Plan, our core Value Pak offers up to 512 kbps download speed
and up to 128 kbps upload speed. Our Select Pak features download speeds up to 1.0
Mbps and upload speeds up to 200 kbps. Our Pro Pak offers download speeds up to
1.5 Mbps and upload speeds up to 256 kbps.
There are two plans Under the Broadband Program, in each of the plans all packages
are equal with download speeds up to 5 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1 Mbps or download
speeds up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps, depending on your location.
- Can I be a WildBlue dealer or installer?
Yes, if you qualify. Learn more.
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Services and Prices
- What does WildBlue cost?
The WildBlue equipment is leased to you for the length of the time you’re
a WildBlue customer. There is a one-time activation fee of $149.99. Customers pay
a low monthly lease fee of $9.99, similar to most cable and satellite television
pricing models. During the entire period the equipment is leased, it is covered
under WildBlue’s worry-free equipment
replacement warranty. As an added savings, customers have the option to
prepay lease fee(lifetime) for just $219.99, a savings of $130.
Professional installation is free. Please check out
current offers. The monthly fee varies depending on the plan you choose.
We offer a variety of service packages, including a Blue Basis at $49.95 per month.
Learn more about the packages and prices
we offer.
- What types of email options do I get with my WildBlue
account?
WildBlue offers an advanced suite of Internet services powered through our partnership
with Google. WildBlue customers will receive 10 email addresses (each with at least
7 GB capacity). More email addresses are available for a minimal extra charge. Learn more about the packages we offer.
- Do I get dial-up service with my WildBlue account?
WildBlue offers an optional remote-access dial-up service, allowing you to access
your email and the Internet when you’re not at home or out of the office.
Dial up service costs $7.95 / month for 10 hours of use per month. This is an optional
service that is available to all customers.
- If I have WildBlue, do I need an additional account with
an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
No. The WildBlue service includes all key ISP features like email, web space, etc.
If you prefer, you can continue to use your current ISP for email and use the WildBlue
service for your broadband Internet access. See your current ISP for details as
separate ISP charges may apply.
- If I sign up for WildBlue service, can I keep my AOL account?
Yes, if you prefer. You can use WildBlue for high-speed broadband Internet access
and keep your AOL service if, for example, you want to retain your current email
account. You will need to pay a separate fee directly to AOL beyond your monthly
WildBlue fee. Please contact AOL directly for more information. Do you limit
heavy bandwidth users?
Similar to other Internet Service Providers, WildBlue manages its network through
a Fair Access Policy so that extraordinary usage by a few customers doesn’t
negatively affect the normal usage of other customers. For the vast majority of
users, the Fair Access Policy has no effect on their usage. For a few very heavy
bandwidth users who exceed the Fair Access Policy’s thresholds, the system
will restrict their speeds until their usage falls below the threshold. See WildBlue’s
Fair Access Policy for details.
- Do you limit heavy bandwidth users?
Similar to other Internet Service Providers, WildBlue manages its network through
a Fair Access Policy so that extraordinary usage by a few customers doesn’t negatively
affect the normal usage of other customers. For the vast majority of users, the
Fair Access Policy has no effect on their usage. For a few very heavy bandwidth
users who exceed the Fair Access Policy’s thresholds, the system will restrict their
speeds until their usage falls below the threshold. See WildBlue’s
Fair Access Policy for details.
- Do you offer a limited warranty on the equipment?
Yes. You will receive a 90 day labor/24 months parts limited warranty on all equipment
at no charge when you become a customer.
View our Two-year limited warranty.
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Availability Information
- Where can I get WildBlue?
We are selling WildBlue service and equipment through a variety of distribution
channels. You are able to buy from many local satellite TV dealers and selected
National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative telephone and electric companies.
Find a dealer
in your area.
- Will your service be available in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto
Rico?
WildBlue is planning to start offering high-speed Internet services in Hawaii and
southern Alaska (Anchorage and most of the Kenai peninsula) in early 2012. At present,
we do not have plans to serve Puerto Rico.
- Can I get WildBlue service in a mobile vehicle like an
RV or boat?
Not at this time. WildBlue service was designed for stationary locations like homes
and small businesses. We do not offer broadband service for mobile vehicles at this
time.
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Installation Information
- What is the installation process like? Can
I install my own dish?
WildBlue professional installers quickly and efficiently install equipment and activate
WildBlue’s broadband service at your chosen location. The satellite mini-dish
is about 26 inches x 28 inches and can be easily mounted on a roof, outside wall
or in the ground. A cable from the dish connects to a satellite modem (a small box
usually placed next to the computer), which connects to your computer via an Ethernet
connection. Installation requires
an installation professional to make sure that the dish is pointed at the satellite
accurately and to verify that all connections are made properly. Self-installation
is not offered.
- Will my Home Owners Association allow mounting the WildBlue
dish?
The WildBlue dish is considered under what the FCC calls the “Over-the-Air
Reception Devices Rule”. This means the WildBlue dish is under the same classification
as other residential satellite dishes (such as satellite television) and legally
permissible for mounting on your home. As always, please check with your HOA for
specific rules and covenants that may alter your rights. For additional information
on the FCC ruling and dish classification, view the FCC OTARD documentation.
- Can I use wireless home networking with WildBlue?
Yes. WildBlue is compatible with nearly all major wireless home networking products.
- Do customers have to have a phone line in addition to
the satellite connection?
No. WildBlue offers an efficient 2-way broadband connection that requires no phone
lines.
- Do I need a southern line of sight to receive a signal
from your satellite?
Yes. You will need a clear view of the southern sky to receive a signal from the
WildBlue satellite.
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Technical Information
- How fast is this service?
WildBlue’s always-on Internet connection provides download speeds of up to
1.5 Mbps, which can be up to 30 times faster than today’s dial-up speeds for
file transfers. We offer upload speeds up to 256 kbps. WildBlue’s high bandwidth
opens up a window to a world of rich content that is largely unavailable through
dial-up modems.
- What operating systems are compatible with the WildBlue
service?
Windows/PC: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Mac: OS 10.4 or higher
- Will WildBlue work with Macintosh computers?
Yes. The WildBlue service is compatible with Macintosh computers.
- What Web browsers and email clients does WildBlue support?
Web Browsers:
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Windows/PC:
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Latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome browsers.
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Mac:
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Latest versions of Safari and Firefox browsers.
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Email Clients:
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Windows/PC:
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WildBlue Webmail (powered by Google).
Outlook Express, Outlook 2002 (XP), 2003, 2007, and 2010.
Thunderbird 1.5 and up.
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Mac:
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WildBlue Webmail (powered by Google)
Apple Mail, Entourage, Outlook, Thunderbird.
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- What is the impact of latency? Can I play real-time
Internet games or make Internet phone calls on your service?
The WildBlue system is engineered to help offset the impact of latency, which is
the delay caused by sending signals from the earth to the satellite and back again.
However, there is a delay as the signal travels up to the satellite, back down to
the gateway, up to the satellite and back down to your modem. For most applications
this latency does not affect performance, however, there are some applications like
voice over IP (telephone service delivered over the Internet, also known as VoIP),
or real-time interactive gaming, where latency will have a noticeable effect on
performance over the WildBlue network, as it would on any satellite-delivered service.
- Does WildBlue support VoIP?
At this time, WildBlue does not support VoIP.
- Is the WildBlue service affected by weather?
The WildBlue service is only minimally affected by inclement weather – typically
only under severe conditions. You may notice slower WildBlue speeds during rain
and snow showers, but this normally only lasts until the rain or snow stops. Total
loss of connectivity should not occur unless the storm is unusually severe.
- Where can I learn more about WildBlue’s
network management policies?
Click here to read the WildBlue Network Management Policy.
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If you have any more questions, please contact us.
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