Lake Waseosa Ratepayers' Association

The first tower went live today (Feb. 3)  at 5:45pm. The installer said "I'm hooking up the cables now" and within 2 minutes he had a call on his cell phone from Core telling him the system had recognized the new tower going online. (And you think driving and talking on a cell is bad -- how about doing it while clinging to a narrow perch with frozen fingers 100' in the air! ) 

 So, the question on everybody's mind is "How do I get high speed service?"

You will need to contact either Vianet (http://vianet.ca/wireless_muskoka_parrysound.php) or Surenet (http://www.surenet.net/06/services/wireless.html) and fill out a form to request service. Both will be utilizing the same tower and network. Costs will be similar, but not necessarily identical. In either case, the base installation cost is $180. You may have to purchase some extra-cost options* if the signal is weak at your specific location, although most people won't have a problem getting a signal from this tower. They will do a site survey and let you know before going ahead with the installation. 

Here is a chart comparing Vianet with Surenet, based on their respective website information, telephone calls and visits to the respective offices (both maintain offices on Main Street in Huntsville)

 Notes:

1. Cancellation Fee waived if customer removes and returns equipment themselves or if new owner signs up for service. 

2. Early cancellation fee also applies if service is cancelled prior to end of 12 month contract (year round) or 24 month contract (seasonal) and is equal to the price of the remaining months of the contract.

3. Vianet called back within 30 minutes of faxing the form and said the installer would call within a few days to make an appointment. 

4. Surenet said service would not be available until June. When told the tower was now operational, the clerk said that it would take several months of testing and adjusting before service could start, but if all went well service might be available as early as May.   Update: To clarify this issue, we contacted the installation company directly. According to them, the process of connecting subscribers has started. However, this is being done selectively around the area and could be considered a "testing phase" in the same sense that software is often released initially as a "beta" version. That is, it should work, all initial testing says it will work, but unexpected glitches can happen so they are not making any promises just yet.  Over the next month, early customers can expect the system to be shut down sporadically as and if necessary to upgrade equipment to suit local conditions. Fortunately for Surenet customers, this process should not last anywhere near as late as June but it would appear that Surenet is being cautious in their forecast. Anyone with a critical need for internet connectivity should either hold off for now or maintain a back-up dial-up account for the next little while.  

 *Extra-cost options may include:

High-gain yagi anntenna -- $89.95

Chimney mount kit -- $15.95

House bracket -- $39.95

10' mast -- $32.95

3' tripod with mast -- $79.95

5' tripod with mast -- $79.95

Extra surge suppressor -- $34.95

Extra outdoor cable¹ -- $1.00/foot

Extra indoor cable¹ -- 50¢/foot

Additonal labour² -- $65.00/hour per man

1 the standard installation includes up to 75' total combined indoor and outdoor cable.
2 the standard installation fee includes up to 4 hours of on-site signal evaluation
and installation time. 

 Mounting the receiving dish