This document will provide you with an introduction to all of the features of the Unleashed service in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format.

Is the information sent via Unleashed secure?

No. Any information sent or received through Unleashed and the Internet in general is not secure. You should encrypt all confidential information. PenTeleData does use encryption during the sign up process.

What is WEP?

This stands for "Wired Equivalent Privacy" and refers to the encryption of data on a wireless network. Unless you know the pre-determined "WEP Key" for a particular wireless network, you will not be able to access it. WEP adds security to wireless networks, as the "WEP Key" described above uses either 64-bit or 128-bit encryption.

Can I access my corporate network while using the PenTeleData Community Wi-Fi service?

If you are a High-speed broadband or dial-up customer, you may send and receive email through the webamil email server. For support information related to the webmail server, go to www.ptd.net and click on "How to setup your email software to use SMTP Authentication." If you use another email provider, you will need to use either web mail or connect to your provider's mail server using authentication. If you experience problems sending and receiving email while using Community Wi-Fi, please contact your email provider for assistance.

What is a wireless network card?

A wireless network card is a Wi-Fi device that allows your computer to connect to a wireless network or service like Unleashed. There are several types of wireless network cards available, including 802.11a, b, and g. In order to use the Unleashed service, you will need an 802.11b or g wireless network card.

What kind of equipment do I need to use for Community Wi-Fi service?

You will need a laptop computer or other wireless device equipped with a Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) network card. If your device does not have a wireless network card, you can purchase one for most laptop and handheld computers from PenTeleData I.T. Services or an electronics retailer. You will also need a web browser installed on the computer or wireless device.

What is an SSID?

This stands for "Service Set Identifier" and refers to the actual name of a given wireless network. Anyone attempting to access that particular wireless network will need to know the "SSID" in order to connect. Please note that "SSID" does NOT provide any actual security on the wireless network itself, it is simply an identifier to separate one wireless network from another.

For  PenTeleData Community Wi-Fi, you will need to set/select the SSID as "PTD Community Wifi", without the quotes (the SSID is case sensitive).

What is a hotspot?

A hotspot is an area where Wi-Fi service is available. An Unleashed hotspot is an area where the Unleashed Wi-Fi service is available.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi, which stands for "Wireless Fidelity," is a certification for a wireless local area network (WLAN) products based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard.