FAQs

For further information please contact our professional services team at 0845 434 0434 or info@onwave.com

How big are the dishes?

How long is the process, from booking to installation?

Does it support VOIP/ Skype?

Do I need a phone line?

Will I have an Irish IP address?

I've heard of latency issues with satellite broadband. What does this mean?

Do I need my landlord's permission?

What are the non-standard installation charges?

Can I send the broadband signal throughout the house?

Can the installation engineer connect up my home network?

Is it possible to play online games?

Where are Onwave's broadband services available?

Is it possible to install the equipment myself?

How will I receive my bill?

Will I be able to keep my number with Onwave's phone solutions?

Does weather affect the dish?

Can I use a Security Camera with onwave’s satellite broadband?

Can I have a static IP address?

Can I host a webserver or email server with onwave’s satellite broadband?

Can I access my computer remotely?



How big are the dishes?
The largest size of our dishes is 74cm.

How long is the process, from booking to installation?
Under normal circumstances you should be installed & operating within 10 working days from providing payment details to Onwave.

Does it support VOIP/ Skype?
Yes, all of our broadband packages support VOIP and Skype. Our own phone package offer higher levels of service and convenience and can be used with your existing phone handset.

Do I need a phone line?
No, the Onwave satellite system does not require a telephone line. It is a two way satellite therefore independent of the telephone lines.

Will I have an Irish IP address?
Yes, all Onwave customers will have an Irish IP address.

I've heard of latency issues with satellite broadband. What does this mean?
Due to the distance travelled by the signal to/from your computer and the Internet Hub, via the satellite, older satellite technologies exhibited a noticeable lag between communications. The Onwave service employs software techniques to minimise this lag, including an Internet Protocol Accelerator, IPA. In use, when a web page is requested for example, the IPA strips out surplus protocol data and requests, and retrieves the page in fewer larger 'pieces', than a typical dialup connection for example which assembles the page piece by piece. Similarly this technique is ideal for handling large file or email downloads.

Do I need my landlord's permission?
If you do not directly own your building, you will require the permission of the landlord to install a satellite dish and this should be obtained in writing. Onwave does not take any responsibility for obtaining such permissions from landlords or for any consequences should such permission not being obtained by the customer.

What are the non-standard installation charges?
Onwave does not seek to make more money by charging customers for additional non-standard equipment and/or services. It is a fact, however, that by the physical nature/orientation of certain sites the dish cannot always achieve a line of sight using a right-angled wall mount and an alternative mount may be needed. Equally, some customers have particular requirements where additional time, services or other materials may be required e.g. false ceilings, high roof/access areas, etc. In all instances the Onwave installation engineers or accredited Onwave installation engineers will attend site equipped with the aim to complete all installations on the single site visit. Any Non- Standard elements presented by the particular site and/or customer requirements will be advised and explained to that customer on the day of installation together with the associated charges. Customers are required to call Onwave at that time and pay these non-standard charges using a credit/debit card and before the installation works commence at the site.

Can I send the broadband signal throughout the house?
Yes. Each computer needs to be enabled for wireless connectivity.

Onwave lets you connect your computer to the Internet whether you are running a Windows or Macintosh or Linux operating system. In order to ensure you get the most out of your Internet experience, Onwave has developed these minimum requirements: Windows 2000 PE or higher (including Windows XP and VISTA) or Mac OS 10.1 or higher, and Network capability (10/100 Ethernet pre-equipped). Additional equipment compatibility can be advised upon request.

Can the installation engineer connect up my home network?
Our engineers will fully install the system and demonstrate it prior to the completion of the installation. However, due to the complexity and bespoke nature of some businesses and home networks we will not as standard connect the system directly in to a network.

Is it possible to play online games?
Yes. But it is not recommended to play so called first-person shooter games because of the significant, longer ping times (more or less 600 - 650 ms).

Where are Onwave's broadband services available?
Onwave can provide broadband, phone and TV services anywhere guaranteed. Our solution offers high speeds without needing to live next to a telephone exchange or have line of sight to any communication masts.

Is it possible to install the equipment myself?
We are currently reviewing the possibility of self installation, however we believe that the best way to ensure quality of service is to have installation completed by trained installers.

How will I receive my bill?
Your bill will be sent monthly by email to the email address that you have provided us with.

Will I be able to keep my number with Onwave's phone solutions?
Yes, our phone solutions allow you to keep your existing phone number.

Can I use a Security Camera with onwave's satellite broadband?
Yes, however there are products and scenarios where there can be difficulty with this application. Some security camera systems with remote login capability may not function correctly on onwave's residential connections. onwave's residential broadband products do not allow unsolicited incoming connections from outside sources; this is to protect your home network and computers from malicious external threats. Currently there is no option to "open" ports on a residential service. onwave's business services are more suitable for these scenarios. Security cameras that stream data to an external server may work on residential services but you are advised to check with onwave before purchase. "Always On" camera systems can use significant bandwidth which may cause you to inadvertently violate onwave's Fair Usage Policy .

Can I have a static IP address?
Yes, all onwave's Professional services come with a minimum of 1 useable static IP addresses however it should be noted that onwave's residential service do not come with a static IP. There is not currently an option to purchase static IP address for residential services. Onwave's business broadband services come with a minimum of 4 useable static IP addresses.

Can I host a webserver or email server with onwave's satellite broadband?
Yes, onwave's business services are more suitable for deploying servers that need to be remotely accessed. onwave's residential broadband products do not allow incoming connections from outside sources; this is to protect your home network and computers from malicious external threats. Currently there is no option to "open" ports on a residential service. There are no restrictions on accessing email hosted elsewhere or on accessing webmail such as Hotmail or Gmail.

Can I access my computer remotely?
Most remote access software such as Logmein or Teamviewer will function correctly as they establish a secure "tunnel" through which to accept connections. However due to the distances involved with satellite communications there will be a slight delay. Extended use can consume significant bandwidth which may cause you to inadvertently violate onwave's Fair Usage Policy .

Does weather affect the dish?
The service is designed to cope with most weather conditions. During periods of extremely heavy rain or snow the radio signals could become attenuated (reduced) and you may experience a slight "slowing" of the service for such a period. There are, however, sophisticated and automatic measures to effectively increase the power of your system to compensate for any attenuation.