Technology
Q: What is a Viocen system?
A: A Viocen system is based on broadband wireless technology
that provides for high-speed internet access, and allows ROAMING.
The Viocen system was designed to provide “Location Specific”
high-speed data access for customers who desire to give access
to their customers and visitors. The Viocen system is comprised
of three major components: Access Point (AP), Subscriber Module
/ Customer Equipment (SM / CE) and the Backhaul Unit (DSL Or
Cable Modem). A Viocen system utilizes the 802.1X technology
within the location.
Q: How does Viocen technology differ from other broadband
services?
A: Today, virtually every broadband service employs different
technologies, e.g., phone lines, cable TV, large-cell wireless,
satellite. The Viocen technology is different from all of
these solutions in that it offers faster delivery to the
end-user and is a more affordable system. A Viocen system
uses the wireless communications protocol 802.11a/b/g. Compared
with other wireless delivery technologies, the Viocen technology
uses a smaller community of cells and involves significantly
less network investment.
Q: Wireless technologies, such as those used by cell phones,
sometimes experience inconsistent service. (dropped calls)
How reliable is the Viocen technology? What kind of tests
and trials have been conducted to ensure reliability?
A: As opposed to the wireless technologies that support the
mobility of a cell phone, the Viocen technology is a fixed
wireless system that supports ranges of approximately 250 meters
or less. The technology provides a similar user experience
to other fixed wireless devices. Examples of this include a
traditional radio, with the reception consistency of a home
stereo receiver tuned to a local community radio station. The
Viocen technology has been rigorously tested.
Q: One of the biggest issues surrounding the internet is security.
The term “wireless” immediately raises questions about the
security of the system. Most consumers have experienced the
unintentional interception of portable phone signals and cellular
phone signals and equate this to wireless. Explain, in layman’s
terms, how Viocen’ wireless technology addresses these problems.
A: First, unlike analog telephone transmissions, digital transmissions
of internet traffic are much more difficult to intercept because
of the complex cryptology associated with the technology. Second,
like other internet applications such as secure email or web
browsing, users can employ many security applications which
prevent eavesdropping on transmissions - whether such security
applications are installed on the last-mile link to the user’s
house, or elsewhere in the internet. Third, a Viocen system
provides an over-the-air encryption, which scrambles the data
bits, preventing anyone from “listening” to the airwaves and
deciphering any messages. In fact, the Viocen system’s over-the-air
link may be the most secure leg of the typical user’s internet
connection.
Q: What are the transmission speeds for Viocen systems?
A: The raw data rate for the radios is 11/54 Mbps. This is the
speed of transmission from a user’s laptop or desktop to the
centrally located antenna. The effective through-put of the
Viocen system Point-to-Point Backhaul Unit (BU) is dependent
on the connection speed of the establishment to the internet.
Typically, these connections to the internet range from about
325K bps to upwards of 3 mega bps.
Q: In what spectrum does a Viocen system operate?
A: The Viocen system operates using the 802.11a/b/g protocol
at the 2.4/5.8 Gigahertz frequency.
Q: What is the maximum number of users that a Viocen system
can serve?
A: A basic system can serve approximately 500 users.
Q: Is it possible to link together multiple systems to form
a network?
A: Yes, multiple Viocen Access Point Clusters can be combined
to create a network.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of systems that can be linked
together to form a network?
A: No, there is virtually no limit in adding capacity or coverage
to the Viocen network. One of the unique characteristics of
a Viocen system is the fact that it does not cause interference
with any other components in the system, which is key to supporting
this type of expansion.
Q: Does a Viocen system require any system engineering or
frequency planning?
A: Simple Viocen systems that provide islands of unconnected
coverage do not require significant frequency planning. Once
these systems become more complex and provide contiguous coverage
with greater capacity, frequency planning and RF propagation
analysis are required to ensure high quality systems.
Q: Is a Viocen system compatible with existing internet service
provider systems including cable or telephony networks?
A: Yes, the primary interface between the Viocen system and
an internet service provider’s network is through either DSL
or Cable Modem. The backhaul unit (BU) has been designed utilizing
standard interfaces for connectivity to any internet service
provider network that the establishment might have already.
Q: Does the Viocen Subscriber Module (customer equipment)
require any special installation knowledge or expertise?
A: No, one of the key attributes of Viocen is the ease of
installation of the Subscriber Module (SM). The SM is automatically
synchronized with the system once the unit is initialized.
The SM can be used either indoors or outdoors and has an indicator
light to guide the optimum location for final installation.
In fact, consumers can actually self-install the product.
Q: What are the typical configurations or deployments?
A: The Viocen technology has been developed to support the
needs of access to internet while customers are away from their
regular ISP. The user will have a laptop or an enabled PDA.
The laptop will require a PCMCI slot and a card. The preferred
device operating system for a Viocen system is Windows XP.
General Information (Business/Market)
Q: Is the Viocen systems available today?
A: Viocen is commercially available today. There are currently
three commercial installations (and growing all the time) across
the Northeast. Prior to commercialization, the product underwent
rigorous testing and validation.
Q: What are the major benefits of Viocen technology for establishments?
A: The Viocen system lowers the barriers to entry for providing
broadband internet service. Viocen:
· Requires extremely low infrastructure cost
· Delivers higher speed
· Operates in the 2.4 Ghz frequency band, thereby requiring
no costly radio spectrum licenses.
· Enables simple deployment & easy installation.
· Requires no integration with phone or cable systems.
· Provides Unique Security Feature through its propriety Wireless
Access Device (WAD) Technology. *
Q: What are the major benefits of a Viocen system for consumers?
A: The Viocen system offers a wide range of benefits to consumers:
· The Viocen system is a reliable, highly-available, fast
service.
· The Viocen system will be available because it is lower
cost for the establishments to deploy.
· The Viocen system will available because it is ISP friendly
and does not require a subscription to one company
· Because of the shorter range than other wireless alternatives
(MMDS or Satellite), the Viocen system employs a smaller customer
unit, which is lower cost and easier to install.
Q: Why would internet service providers want to partner with
Viocen and how will they benefit from the system?
A: A Viocen system will enable new entrants to the ISP market
to offer a more economical, commercially viable wireless broadband
service offering. The system’s competitive pricing structure
dramatically lowers the barriers to entry that new ISPs might
face. The Viocen system also permits more rapid deployment
of broadband service due to its simple-to-deploy network design.
Finally, the Viocen system will permit ISPs to provide roaming
services to their current installed base and realized new fees.
Q: Will Viocen assist its customers (the establishments who
install the antennae and network gear) in the development of
specialized software features?
A: Yes, Viocen has a well-established and experienced professional
services organization that is highly qualified to develop specialized
software applications for the Viocen product at a rapid pace.
Along with Viocen, value added resellers and distributors
are encouraged to develop customized applications for Viocen
systems to serve a wide variety of needs.
Q: Due to shrinking demand, major phone carriers are re-evaluating
their aggressive broadband strategies. Would this seriously
hinder the attractiveness of the Viocen system to these carriers,
and possibly create another supply and demand dilemma for the
industry?
A: The Viocen wireless internet platform is not a 3G cellular
broadband architecture. It requires no costly spectrum. In
fact, the barriers to entry become low enough that Viocen
ISPs do not need to be a major phone carrier today. In terms
of demand, the Viocen system hits the sweet spot (high-speed
affordable internet) that virtually all internet subscribers
would want - were it only available and affordable. It is also
worth noting that the Viocen solution is focused on stationary
customers, not those moving from cell to cell. Furthermore,
Viocen WAD* is technology independent, and it does not discriminate
between 3G, wireless and or other technologies. Therefore,
Viocen can be viewed as an ally rather than a competitor.
Q: What is the pricing strategy for Viocen system?
A: A detailed pricing strategy is in place to support the
sale of Viocen systems. The plan takes into account the distribution
channels and the ultimate markets in which the product will
be sold.
Q: What is the distribution strategy for the product?
A: The Viocen wireless broadband solution will be sold to
establishments where customers congregate, like hotels, restaurants,
enterprise lobbies, etc. Since the Fixed Wireless Access target
market is very fragmented, most of the Viocen systems will
be sold through Distributors and through Value Added Resellers
(VARs).
Q: Is there any type of formal training available?
A: Yes, Viocen has developed a comprehensive training program
that addresses both pre-and post- sales training requirements.
The pre-sales training focuses on assisting sales representatives
in understanding the product and its benefits, helping them
to appropriately configure and price the product, and other
similar activities The post-sales training program focuses
on enabling customer care agents, operations and maintenance
personnel to have all of the tools necessary to perform their
functions. Finally, Viocen is creating a comprehensive on-line
interactive training program.
Q: What are the key targets and markets that the Viocen wireless
broadband platform addresses?
A: The Viocen system was designed to provide the “location
based ” high-speed data connectivity. It is ideally suited
for ISPs and other service providers who seek to provide high-speed
data services to a current customer base or new market locations
where existing infrastructure is not yet available. The wireless
connectivity aspects of the Viocen systems are also appealing
to rural and difficult terrain locations that make DSL or cable
implementations cost prohibitive. The Viocen system also meets
the needs of many private systems owned by enterprises and
service providers.
Q: What types of warranties are available?
A: The Viocen system comes with a three-month software and
hardware warranty against all defects.
Q: Who will be manufacturing the Viocen technologies? Will
Viocen outsource the production?
A: Viocen manufacturing production is outsourced, as are
many wireless products today. Viocen WAD* technology is a
core innovation and all Viocen products are produced to meet
Viocen six-sigma quality standard.
Q: Will the Viocen wireless internet platform be available
in the U.S. only?
A: The Viocen system is designed using the 802.11a/b/g protocols
that are global standards.
Q: What type of customer support is available for the Viocen
system?
A: Viocen customer care support program has been designed
to minimize the impact of potential service issues that may
arise during the life of the Viocen system. The customer care
program is segmented into three distinct tiers of support to
ensure prompt response to technical issues encountered by subscribers.
This tiered strategy of support will address the infrequent
problems that may arise during the normal operation of the
system.
Q: What if a Viocen unit is damaged during shipment? What
is Viocen’ repair and return policy?
A: Viocen stands behind the quality of its products and services.
If a product is damaged during shipping, a customer needs merely
to repack the product and return it to Viocen. Upon receipt,
Viocen will evaluate the product and promptly either repair
or deliver a new product to the customer.
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