Thank you for becoming an Open Broadband customer! For important information on your new service see our up-to-date online document here
Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet provides qualified households and small businesses with high-speed Internet service via an outdoor antenna and indoor Wi-Fi Gateway router. Our Fixed Wireless solutions utilize several different technologies to ensure the highest speed, reliability, and quality of service for our customers.
Due to the nature of wireless transmission, it is impacted somewhat by trees, hills, other obstructions, and “noise” from other wireless equipment in the area. For these reasons we cannot offer a speed “guarantee”. However we do our best to meet or exceed the requested speed offered at the time of installation.
Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet is designed to reach up to advertised maximum speeds. However, data speeds can vary depending upon various factors:
- Wi-Fi isn’t as fast as a wired connection. You get the best Wi-Fi signal closest to your gateway without obstructions. Use a wired (Ethernet) connection for the best results.
- Devices have a maximum Internet speed they can reach, and might not be as fast as your possible Internet service level (especially older devices).
- Multiple devices sharing your Internet connection at the same time, whether wired or Wi-Fi, can reduce your Internet speed.
- Technology used to service your location.
- Distance from nearest servicing tower.
- If you run 3 speedtests in a row you are likely to get several different results
- If you use different speedtest sites you will likely get several different results
- Speedtests go through the internet to a server located on someone else’s network. We do not control the entire internet, or the far-end server and the hosting site’s capacity utilization. For all these reasons, speedtests are simply a tool for getting an approximation on your connection. Speeds are not guaranteed.
Open Broadband cannot guarantee speeds at all times, as there are many factors and conditions beyond Open Broadband’s control that can affect internet performance. Some of these external factors and conditions are:
- Performance of Subscriber computer and/or router
- Type of connection to the Subscriber’s own equipment (i.e., Wi-Fi)
- Congestion of websites and services on Internet
- Website or service limiting speeds on the Internet
- Internet and equipment performance outside of the Open Broadband network
Yes, you can connect multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets to the Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet Wi-Fi Gateway, and up to 3 Ethernet-connected devices. Though we do offer a WiFi Gateway with our service you have the option to configure and use a WiFi gateway you provide so long as it is compatible with standard ethernet networking.
You can get faster downloads and uploads on your home WiFi by identifying which apps are hogging all of your bandwidth and using them more sparingly. It’s easy to do and you can go about it on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Read this article to learn how:
Speed up a slow home connection by checking for WiFi-guzzling apps
Check to see if we are servicing your county or town then submit a service request form or call (980) 246-8989. One of our representatives will do a pre-check on your address and if you’re in a serviceable area they will schedule an appointment to determine which packages you qualify for.
The Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet Wi-Fi Gateway router enables wireless networking capabilities throughout your home or business and helps to minimize wireless dead spots. This smart technology allows you to:
- Provide high-speed Internet connections to multiple devices
- Create safe and secure wireless networking
Open Broadband looks for existing tall structures to mount antennas. These can be county or town owned communication towers or water towers, grain elevators, silos, private Rohn 25 towers used for ham radio, and tall buildings. The taller the structure the better, and generally we look for something at least 40 ft tall.
On a rare occassion we will use a commercial cell phone tower. These are usually cost-prohibitive, so our use of them is rare.
We do not lease land or put up towers of our own; we use existing structures.
At the home we typically mount an antenna on the side fo the house, often near the roof.
No, we don’t.
Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet relies on several different technologies to reach customer sites. Many things can affect the availability and quality of your Service, including network capacity, terrain, buildings, foliage, and weather. A professional installer will confirm sufficient signal strength at your location before installation.
Open Broadband prides itself on offering 24×7 customer support from our call center in the Carolinas . Call 833-880-9968 anytime you need support.
Services like Web hosting or hosted services such as camera, gaming server, peer-to-peer, etc., that require static IP address are generally not supported by Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet.
Open Broadband Fixed Wireless Internet may not be compatible with DVR/Satellite systems. Generally speaking with the updates DirecTV/Dish have made it is compatible, however in certain instances with older DirecTV/Dish units that require a telephone/DSL line and do not support ethernet networking. In a case like this you would need to purchase a VoIP adaptor. Some of the systems now run through their satellite interface and don’t require an independent connection at all. There are also some remote-viewable DVR systems that are not cloud based (they are still out there) that have special NAT requirements we can support but its is not standard.
Static IP addresses are available on a case-by-case basis.
Instructions for accessing your Cambium home router can be found in the Quick Start Guide: https://premierbroadband.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/360004882293/cnPilot_R190_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf
The full user manual can be found here: https://cdn.cambiumnetworks.
If you Reset your home Wi-Fi router and the old SSID no longer appears:
Connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable, open a browser, and go to https://192.168.11.1 and use the credentials “admin” for both username and password. From there, the WiFi password can be found or updated via the WiFi settings screen.
If you cannot access the router with an Ethernet cable and the IP address above, use your device to search SSIDs and look for one that says Cambium. Try “admin” for both username and password. If that doesn’t work try ‘admin’ for username and ‘12345678’ for the password.
Open Broadband bills a flat monthly rate regardless of usage. There are no data caps, no overage changes, and no throttling.
We bill in advance, once a month, to the payment method selected at the time of installation. You may select to pay by credit card or by bank account draft each month. Upon installation, you should have received a link to pay online. You only need to complete the online bill payment process once. Thereafter your payment method will be used automatically on the service anniversary date.
If you wish to change or update the credit card or bank account, please log into your account.
Go to https://openbroadband.mypaysimple.com/myaccount and log into your account. Your username is the email address you used when you signed up for service, and the password is the one you set. If you get stuck or don’t remember your credentials, call our billing department on 980-246-8989.
You’ll be responsible for troubleshooting device-related issues using the manufacturer’s user manual if we’ve confirmed that your Open Broadband Internet or Voice service is functioning properly. You’ll also be responsible for configuring your wireless network’s security settings, if applicable.
Factors that will limit user internet speed on Wi-Fi
- If the end user device is on a lower Wi-Fi standard (a/b/g) they will have lower speeds. The older the device the more likely slower speeds will be realized.
- Interference from users with their own high-performance wireless access point in their unit; the wireless networks will overlap each other. This can result in adjacent channel interference or contention and channel modifications will need to be made on the Wi-Fi system.
- Other electronic devices can interfere, including cordless phones, televisions, microwaves, satellite dishes, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, and alarm systems.
- Water: Aquariums, rain, fountains will limit speeds
- High vs Low. Having your WiFi router on the floor or behind other objects usually results in noticeably worse performance. Instead, place the router as high up as possible to extend the broadcasting range of the radio waves. This also helps clear the router of possible interferences.
Building construction issues that will limit user internet speed on Wi-Fi
- Distance between the user’s device and the Access Point directly impact speed results. Distance may require the user to add a Wi-Fi extender.
- Physical obstructions are a common cause of reduction of Wi-Fi speed. Construction materials can cause interference by absorbing or reflecting the radio waves that make up a wireless signal. Such materials include metal, mirrors, concrete, masonry, and thick timber. Materials such as drywall, plywood, other kinds of wood and glass can be easily penetrated by wireless signals.
- Yes we do! As long as the government has funding available we are a participating ISP where we provide service in North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. Please note that the FCC announced that ACP funding is expected to run out in April 2024. If and when the program is refunded, or replaced, Open Broadband will participate in the next available program.
- Please note that qualification for government broadband subsidies is not without our control. If you qualify for a program please email us at info@openbb.net