Metro Detroit / Southeast Michigan Wireless

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Nextus Broadband Wireless work?

Nextus Wireless Broadband utilizes line of sight high-speed microwave transmission from cell site to cell site. Our cell sites are found on the tallest buildings in the metro-Detroit area. Thereby giving us a vantage to "shoot" the surrounding area which allows the greatest number of business to participate in the Nextus program.

Does weather effect the transmission?

Because of Nextus' unique open-grid antenna design, and the frequencies we transmit at, weather has no subsequent effect on the quality of the transmission. Each antenna is anchored to withstand hurricane force winds of up to 180 mph. In addition Nextus uses the rooftops of buildings unlike other firms that rely on towers. Having access to the roof 24/7 allows for quick servicing should an emergency occur.

How many cell sites do you need?

Nextus is in a class all by itself when it comes to transmission distance. Because we use a very low frequency to transmit we are able to "shoot" on a flatter plane giving us greater coverage area per cell site. We can send our signal upwards to 15 miles. Our competitor's coverage area per cell site is less then 1/3 of ours.

What about security - how do I know my data is not being pulled from the air?

The truth of the matter is that it is easier to intercept data over wire then it is with Nextus high-speed microwave data transmission system. Since we are a line of site process our antenna are aligned so the flow of data is directly from point A to point B, with no stops at various connection points as wire often takes. To steal data from our airwaves you would have to have another antenna directly between our cell and your rooftop antenna plus it would have to be transmitting on the exact frequency that we are at that exact microsecond. Since we use a process called "frequency hopping" it is virtually impossible for the interloper to guess which of the hundreds of frequencies we are on within the bandwidth.

What makes microwave better then wire connectivity?

Let's face it; no matter if you are using a dial-up modem, ISDN, DSL, or a T1 connection, you are still using wire. Wire has a physical vulnerabilities, it can be cut, along with limitations of only being able to carry a specific amount of data, either up or down. Speeds quoted are normally for download time, while upload times are far slower.

And Nextus avoids these wire type problems with microwave transmission?

Most definitely, high-speed microwave transmissions from Nextus are far superior to those sent by wire. The throughput is consistent up and down! Providing for a better transmission and faster speed. No matter what bandwidth you need, you're going to get it all.

How will it interface with my current LAN systems connectivity?

The Nextus Wireless installation will have only positive effects on your current LAN structure. You have to look at Nextus as the replacement for your current connectivity structure. We will place an antenna on the top of your building, bring a CAT5 connection to your server and plug it into a port on your switch or hub and your off and running. It's simple and easy.

What special equipment will I need to use this connectivity system?

If your company currently has a LAN your cost is relatively small. All we will do is run a wire from our antenna and radio transmitter to your server. You'll plug the RJ45 connection into your hub or switch and off you'll go. The current wiring for your LAN will not change. If you are not running a 10/100 Base T system, you will have to purchase a switch or hub to replace your modem.

My company currently has a WAN to interconnect our offices throughout the State; is there a better way?

Yes there is, its call a Virtual Private Network, commonly known as a VPN. A VPN lets a business use the Internet as its network, eliminating the cost of setting up a wide-area network, with all of its fees and expensive infrastructure. With a VPN, the remote user simply accesses a local Internet provider (ISP) and uses the Web to transfer information. The cost is far less then the 8¢ a minute national average, and more internationally, then that charged by the ISP's monthly flat rate. Security, once an issue, has been solved. The secret core of VPN is encryption. VPN's, through both hardware and software, encrypt data in a way that makes it impossible to crack the code. VPN's don't just let a user send information cheaply, securely and reliably; they let the user access the main server as if he or she were sitting in the office.

How does Nextus fit into this VPN scenario?

Nextus Wireless Broadband powered by Seneca is a full service Internet service provider (ISP). Through Nextus Wireless Broadband network, our clients are able to access the Worldwide Web at incredible speeds. Nextus can support your company's Virtual Private Network (VPN) within many metro areas though our high-speed microwave system and nationally through our fiber connection. By combining both microwave and fiber Nextus can provide excellent service for all your corporate requirements.

What about my Web site?

Nextus keeps everything moving in a smooth and orderly fashion, including our clients' Web sites. Nextus prefers to host your Web site so we can be in sync with your system and our connectivity. By having Nextus host your Web site you get better productivity and speed through our system.

What if I don't need high-speed 3 mbps of bandwidth?

Nextus has the ability to provide a wide range of connectivity speeds. We offer our clients a choice from 768bps to 3 mbps and beyond. All of our costs are competitive to the bandwidth chosen. The key to remember is that any bandwidth chosen is up and down, so even if you are currently at 256kbps our program will still increase your speed.

We keep expanding our offices and it is becoming very expensive to rewire every time we do, can Nextus help?

Nextus can provide a complete wireless solution for your office environment. We are able to bring you connectivity by microwave and give you connectivity within your office without any wires. By installing small radio receivers on desktop and laptop computers we can provide high-speed connectivity throughout the office, saving the cost of "pulling" wire and making connections.

What happens if my system goes down?

Nextus is not your internal LAN administrator. Many times problems arise because administrators do not re-configure their server after they add new programs onto the system, which may cause major problems. But in the event the problem is traced back to Nextus we will have our service techs working on it even before you notice it. How? Nextus monitors our system 24/7 and we are able to respond to a problem before our clients realize there is a problem. Our average up time is 99.8%.

Can Nextus provide LAN administration services?

Yes, as a solution provider with a long history in providing a wide range of LAN/WAN services that you can trust for your data networking needs.

With the prices of T1, ISDN, and DSL coming down how does Nextus compare?

Let's look at the comparisons in two ways - application and cost. In application Nextus wins hands down. You never really get what you pay for with wire. Almost 100% of the time the only thing discussed is the download time, never the upload. The most common use of the Internet is downloading files so if you see a significant increase in speed over a 56kbps dial-up modem most people are happy. It doesn't mean they are getting what they are paying for; it just means they are happier. So moving to a faster connectivity process is better, and a T1, ISDN, or DSL wire connection looks good. Nextus on the other hand is far superior to any of the wire systems. Our connectivity is fully duplexed. When we provide a bandwidth it is for the download and upload links. Why is this important? Well, we all understand downloading. Most of us have sat for hours waiting for the Web site to open or the files to download. What you have to understand is that while you are waiting so is the sender. They are waiting for a return message indicating you received the download. If they don't receive it they will re-transmit the information packets to you, continually slowing down the process. So speed does play a very important role in using your Internet connections, and Nextus leads the way.

As for cost, Nextus is highly competitive with all forms of wire connectivity. We may not be the "cheapest" but we are right there in the ballpark. We look at cost in relationship to productivity. If I have highly skilled employees sitting around waiting for downloads then it is costing me far more then a few dollars a month. Look at it this way, if I have an engineer, who earns $50,000 a year, sitting around waiting for a download, it just cost me $5 a minute. So even if I save 10 minutes a day I just saved my company $50. If I have 25 people doing the same thing everyday that is $1,250 per day. When you add it all together it adds up to several hundred thousand dollars a year directly to the bottom line. You do the math and tell us if Seneca is competitive or not.

How large is the roof antenna or Digital Transceiver?

The digital transceiver is mounted outside your location and is used to send and receive signals to the Sprint Broadband Direct transmitter located in your city. This digital transceiver provides the wireless connection which is used to access the Internet.

Dimensions: 13.5" x 13.5" x 2.6"

Weight: 6 lbs. (with mount)

For more information, call us: 1-586-619-2128

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