Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for amazing?
Send us an email or give us a call to get the best internet around!
Usage
Do I have to sign a binding contract to sign up for Interlakes Wireless service?
No Interlakes Wireless has no binding contracts and no hidden fees. We fully disclose what you are buying when you are buying it and how much it costs.
How do I pay?
You pre-pay monthly for your service with a credit, debit card, or check that is associated with your Interlakes Wireless account. Feel free to call us with any questions!
What are the data usage limits for Unlimited Premium?
There are no limits! Interlakes Wireless offers Unlimited Premium Internet service - one flat monthly fee for all the broadband Internet you can use!
What does this mean?
It means that we take your Web-Apps experience to a higher level! For instance, if you select an APS for Gaming, you will be truly real time and won't miss any chances to take out your opponent! With the Voice and Video calling APS the picture on your monitor will be as clear as if you were sitting next to each other and so will your voices.
Please call 605-480-0299 for more information.
Setup and Security
How do I set it up?
With our professional installation an outdoor modem will be placed on the outside of your house with a cable pulled inside modem. This outdoor modem wire will connect to your router. The antenna will be pointed toward the base station which will communicate wireless broadband Internet to you. A professional installer will do this for you.
How secure is it to surf on the network?
Your connection is very secure. We use modern state-of-the-art security protocols that protect your communication with the Internet. These are activated automatically and are operating at all times. No one else can "listen in" to your Internet connection
Can I receive a static IP address?
Yes! We have static IP addresses available for those who need it. The cost is an addtional $10 per month.
Coverage and Equipment
How do I know if I am in the coverage area?
Simple - You can also call us at 605-480-0299 and we will check for you. We personally verify each location so we can provide the best service we can.
Can I expand my fixed service to cover my entire home/business?
Yes you can! Depending on your location to the tower, you may be set-up with an indoor device or outdoor device. Your location may determine the need for a dish in order to provide better service. A separate wireless router purchase will be necessary. All Unlimited Premium Fixed ,PLUS service, and Magnum service includes professional installation.
What types of devices can I use on the network?
With the modem you can use any type of device with Wi-Fi capabilities (computers, smart phones, iPhones, Android devices, tablets etc.).
How do I get my Interlakes Wireless device?
This device is part of your service. It will be installed by a professional upon your scheduled service
Can I move my outdoor modem to a new location?
If the move is to another point on the same dwelling, the answer is "yes". The modem has to remain pointed in the exact same direction as it originally was without obstructions between it and the horizon.
If you are moving to new address, please call us to arrange assistance with the move and get you back online as soon as possible.
Is your service affected by the weather?
It can, but we will work to install your equipment in a location where any impact should be very minimal.
We go to a warmer climate during the winter. Can I suspend my service?
Yes you can! We offer a seasonal package that keeps your account active for a low nominal charge for as long as you are gone. Just call us at 605-480-0299 to arrange a seasonal package. There is no other service charge or hidden fees and you can apply any existing prepaid active service to the vacation service charge. During this time, your modem should be turned off. You will be unable to use the Internet until you call us and reactivate your service.
Does your service still work during a power outage?
The network is built to the same high standards as other commercial service providers such as cellular and telephone networks. We have our own battery and standby power sources to keep the network running.
We do not supply a backup power source for the outdoor modem at your home. If you do have an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for your computer system, be sure to have the power adapter plugged into the UPS power as well. Then, your Internet connection should be good to go as long as the UPS is active. Our outdoor modem draws less than 30 watts. Your USB modem will work as long as the computer itself.
Disclosure on Service Descriptions
All services (Unlimited Premium, Unlimited Premium Plus and Unlimited Premium Magnum) are delivered via the Cambium PMP family of proprietary technology products from Cambium Networks. (Formerly known as Motorola Canopy.) The networks we use are configured to have a Maximum Information Rate (MIR) of nominally 4 Mbps, 10 Mbps, or 20 to 25 Mbps for the downlink and nominally 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps or 3 Mbps for the uplink for the Premium, Premium Plus and Premium Magnum, respectively. When network loading increases, the radio's built in congestion management technology attempts to maintain the throughput for all active connections at the same relative level and is independent of the type of data in use. The impact on the connection's speed will be a decrease in both the down and up directions and not necessarily in direct proportion to the stated "up to" speeds.
The radio network operates with a nominal baseline latency of less than 10 milliseconds (msec) for the radio link itself ("the last mile network"). As the network is loaded with uses, latency will increase as the radio attempts to maintain its overall performance. The net effect is that latency will increase for all subscribers by approximately like amounts, up to several times the baseline latency.
The radio network we use operates in radio spectrum shared by others. While we monitor performance and work to minimize the impact of other users on the Internet experience of our subscribers, interference may arise at any time and is generally out of our control.
All the preceding information is accurate when the radio network is behaving normally and radio conditions are favorable. By radio conditions, we specifically mean that the radio path between our network and the subscriber locations is unobstructed and there is minimal noise present in the form of interference. Obstructions in the path and noise will degrade the radio performance. Such degregations may not impede the overall subscriber experience as the radio will use various technical means to mitigate such conditions until the point where the connection begins to exhibit increasingly poor performance as the conditions degrade past the point where the corrective techniques are unable to compensate. When that happens, the effective speed of the connection will rapidly decrease and the latency will increase dramatically until the connection become unusable.
Troubleshooting
I can't connect to the network at all.
If you have an outdoor modem, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure your device is powered on at the AC Power adaptor.
- Reboot your indoor router device
- Make sure that the cable coming from the modem on the outside of your house is attached to the AC power adapter inside the house/building.
- Make sure that you have active service. It may be as simple as updating your payment on file. Call us at 605-480-0299 and we will help you solve the problem.
If none of this fixes your problem - call us 605-480-0299!
I can connect, but I just get a web page saying that there is a problem with my account. What does that mean?
Often, the problem is minor, maybe your credit card on file has expired. Either login to your account or update payment information on file, or just call us 605-480-0299 and we can get your service going again in no time!
My service is slower than normal, what should I do?
There are many factors that may impact your connection speed, including type of browser or operating system, overall network traffic, time of day, additional background applications already running (e.g. streaming media, downloading large files).
If you are experiencing consistently slower connection speeds, make sure that all of your connection and security software is up to date.
Run the standard maintenance programs for your PC, including scanning for viruses, spyware and malware. To keep your PC running at its best, we recommended that you perform this maintenance every 30 days.
General
How do I cancel my subscription?
Just call us at 605-480-0299 and we will cancel your service. If you are a wireless subscriber, we will make arrangements to come and unistall the outdoor modem. If you have Mobile service you keep the modem you bought when you signed up for service.