Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I get LompocNet inside my home or office?
2. Can I connect any 802.11b/g wireless device such as a PDA to the LompocNet network?
3. Do I need additional equipment?
4. How do I connect to the LompocNet network?
5. How do I use this service?
6. How will the LompocNet wireless service cover all of Lompoc?
7. Is LompocNet available in all areas of Lompoc?
8. Reception
9. What exactly is wireless Internet service?
10. What is a hotspot?
11. What is the difference between the LompocNet service and other Wi-Fi hotspots?
12. What kind of performance can I expect from LompocNet?
13. What kind of technology does the LompocNet wireless service use?
14. Who will be my Internet Service Provider if I sign up for the LompocNet wireless Service?
15. Why do I need a Wi-Fi bridge?
16. Why do we need a broadband network?
17. Will LompocNet wireless Internet service be like the Hotspots I've heard about at Local businesses and other locations?

Please check the Support page as well

1. Can I get LompocNet inside my home or office?

   Yes, however, for best results you should subscribe to the Family Rate Plan and use the Wi-Fi bridge that comes with that plan. Some people might be able to connect from inside their homes or offices with standard Wi-Fi equipment – a laptop computer, others will require a bridging device. The quality of the connection will be higher and probably noticeably more reliable with the bridge. We also, provide troubleshooting support – we also have software tools that allow us to provide a high level of support to subscribers whether or not they utilize a bridge.

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2. Can I connect any 802.11b/g wireless device such as a PDA to the LompocNet network?

   If you are trying to connect directly to our network, without using the Wi-Fi bridge provided with our Family Rate Plan, your computer or other device must have an 802.11g (“Wi-Fi”) card inside of it or be connected to an external card. You must also be able to enter a user name and password via your device. You can do so with any computer that has a keyboard, however some PDAs and other Wi-Fi enabled devices do not have this capability, and will not be able to connect directly to our network

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3. Do I need additional equipment?

   Probably yes. It is unlikely that a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or a computer with a conventional wireless card will work indoors in most locations. If you want to use the service indoors, we suggest subscribing to the Family Rate Plan, which includes a city-owned Plug-and-Play wireless bridge. LompocNet wireless signal will be strongest when a user is outdoors.

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4. How do I connect to the LompocNet network?

   If you are a Family Plan user and are connected to your bridge, you are now connected to the internet, no login or password required. For the other plan, you need a wireless bridge or Wi-Fi enabled computer. Most desktops and laptops sold today already have a built-in Wi-Fi capability. To connect to the LompocNet network, users will select the "LompocNet” network ID when searching available wireless networks on their computer. If you are using the Free, Weekend, or Extended Stay plans, your laptop or device is authorized on the network upon your registration. No login or password required. As a Hotspot user you will be using a login and password for access. Once connected, users will open their browser and see a LompocNet Login page.

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5. How do I use this service?

   If you are outside and near a hotspot , you can start using our high-speed wireless service with a few easy steps. To begin, you will need to have a laptop or wireless enabled device and a web browser. Most laptops have built-in wireless capability. If your device does not have this capability, you may need to purchase a wireless network card.

   
   
   To access the LompocNet Wi-Fi network:
   
   

   1. Find and associate to LompocNet Wi-Fi by using the network connections manager on your Wi-Fi-enabed device.
      
      OR
      
      

      You can create a wireless network connection to the SSID network name "lompocnet.com" to associate to LompocNet Wi-Fi. Your wireless network connection does not require additional security settings. WEP, WPA, and 802.1x encryption options should be disabled.

      
      

      Please note that all traffic transmitted between our LompocNet Wi-Fi nodes and the Internet is secure. However, traffic from a user's mobile device (such as a laptop or bridge) to the Lompoc Wi-Fi node is not encrypted and unsecure. We encourage all of our customers to use secure socket layer (SSL and /or HTTPS) connection whenever possible and to use appropriate third-party services and software at all times in order to safeguard data and privacy.

   2. Open your Internet browser, and log into the network by using your LompocNet Account. You will be able to create an account by contacting LompocNet at 875-8750. Please note that if you do not see the LompocNet Wi-Fi login page immediately, open another site such as www.google.com. This should automatically load the LompocNet Wi-Fi login page.

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6. How will the LompocNet wireless service cover all of Lompoc?

   Numerous access points are placed throughout the city, to give you the freedom to move around town and connect to the network whenever and wherever you choose. In addition to laptop computers, many hand-held portable devices are now available with Wi-Fi capability.

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7. Is LompocNet available in all areas of Lompoc?

   If you are within our coverage area, you may be able to connect to LompocNet’s wireless network with a Wi-Fi enabled laptop. However, in many cases, distance from our access points and interference from walls and other devices can affect your ability to connect inside. We therefore strongly recommend that you use an indoor Computer Premise Equipment (CPE) often referred to as a “bridge”, if you plan to use LompocNet inside your home or office. LompocNet service provides a city-owned bridge with the Family Plan. On rare instances and depending on the signal strength inside your home, an outdoor device may be needed.
   
   Numerous access points are placed throughout the city, to give you the freedom to move around town and connect to the network wherever a signal is available. In addition to laptop computers, many hand-held portable devices are now available with Wi-Fi capability.
   
   Coverage is not available in Mesa Oaks, Vandenberg Village, Mission Hills, and Vandenberg AFB, which are outside Lompoc city limits.

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8. Reception

   Before you begin setting up your LompocNet connection, consider the placement of your wireless bridge. It’s best to place the bridge on a main or upper floor, preferably near an exterior wall or window. Just like cell phone or radio reception, which can improve or weaken when devices are repositioned, the LompocNet signal strength may be enhanced by adjusting the location of your wireless bridge.

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9. What exactly is wireless Internet service?

   It is a way of connecting your computer directly to the Internet using adaptors with small antennas instead of wires. This sort of service is also referred to as "Wi-Fi" or 802.11b/g. You'll find Wi-Fi "hotspots" in many places such as coffee shops, airports and hotel chains.

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10. What is a Hotspot?

    A specific geographic location in which an access point provides public wireless broadband network services to mobile visitors through a WLAN. Hotspots are often located in heavily populated places such as airports, train stations, libraries, marinas, conventions centers and hotels. Hotspots typically have a short range of access.

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11. What is the difference between the LompocNet service and other Wi-Fi hotspots?

    Other Wi-Fi hotspots work within a very limited range. As soon as you move outside of the coverage area of a hotspot, you lose the connection. The Lompoc network is designed to work throughout the city.

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12. What kind of performance can I expect from LompocNet?

    It's difficult to say without doing a formal site survey. Please keep in mind that 802.11b/g is a Line-Of-Sight (LOS) technology. It works best when used in environments where each site has a clear view of the other, with no obstructions. If you don't have a clear LOS, your results will be dependent on what is between you and the signal receptor.
    
    Rule of thumb is, glass will reduce the signal by about a third (beware of 'metalized' glass, or glass with metal wire mesh). Sheetrock, drywall or wooden walls will drop the signal about 60% to 70% dB per wall. Brick, metal or stone walls will result in higher losses. In some areas of the U.S., many houses are constructed of stucco walls that contain metal wire mesh. This presents a real problem for high-frequency radio waves and should be taken into consideration when placing your bridge. Trees and foliage will also interfere with these frequencies.
    
    Keep in mind placement is everything. If you place it in the middle of the house, you may find devices will not get a good signal. The most important factor in Wi-Fi is location. Distance saps wireless strength, and so do most construction materials. Keep your bridge away from solid walls and doors, as well as any metal objects or computer equipment. Put them near windows or hollow walls instead. One test home's lightweight California stucco walls turned out to have impenetrable wire mesh inside them. To reach outside, place the unit in sight of a window. Most home window glass is transparent to microwaves as well as light, so a window is better than a wall or a door.

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13. What kind of technology does the LompocNet wireless service use?

    The LompocNet wireless system is compatible with the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g industry standards (also known as Wi-Fi). To access LompocNet, you'll need a Wi-Fi network interface device such as a wireless Ethernet bridge. Many laptops are already equipped with network cards that allow connections to Wi-Fi networks. There are dozens of companies that build these devices. If you are trying to connect directly to our network, without using one of the special bridges provided with our Family Rate Plan, your computer or other device must have an 802.11b/g (“Wi-Fi”) card inside of it or be connected to an external card. You must also be able to enter a user name and password via your device. You can do so with any computer that has a keyboard, however some PDAs and other Wi-Fi enabled devices do not have this capability, and will not be able to connect directly to our network.

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14. Who will be my Internet Service Provider if I sign up for the LompocNet wireless Service?

    LompocNet will provide the connection (via wireless) and will act as the ISP providing the Internet access.

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15. Why do I need a Wi-Fi bridge?

    The LompocNet Wi-Fi network signal will generally be stronger outdoors because the LompocNet Wi-Fi nodes are strategically placed throughout Lompoc on lampposts and rooftops. The radio waves they send out don't travel well through walls or other barriers such as trees. A Wi-Fi bridge acts as a larger antenna, with a stronger transmitter, to aide in accessing the LompocNet Wi-Fi network.

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16. Why do we need a broadband network?

    Lompoc needs an advanced broadband network to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life within the community.

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17. Will LompocNet wireless Internet service be like the Hotspots I've heard about at Local businesses and other locations?

    Yes. It will be the same technology, and our intention is to make it available everywhere in Lompoc.

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