When did this go live?
The proof-of-concept (Phase One) was launched in late July, 2010. We will now expand the area of coverage as funds and support allow.
Return to TopFAQs
What is this costing the taxpayers?
How will the cost of installing this service be paid?
How will this affect the physical and historical beauty of Woodstock?
How will customers visit my website via Wireless Woodstock?
Can I advertise on Wireless Woodstock? At what price?
Will I still need to maintain my Internet Service Provider, e.g. Comcast, Fairpoint, or Sovernet?
Will I still be able to download music, videos, podcasts? Is there a limit?
How will this service affect my cell phone service?
What kind of radiation will this system give off?
How does this service compete with ECFiber?
What will it cost me?
Nothing. Similar to many services provided by libraries, this service is free for all to enjoy.
Return to TopWhat is this costing the taxpayers?
Nothing. The service is owned and maintained by our local Library which is primarily supported by private funding.
Return to TopHow will the cost of installing this service be paid?
Purchase of the hardware, software and installation is bring covered by tax-deductible donations made through the Norman Williams Public Library. We have several generous title donors who have already contributed and we welcome your contribution.
Return to TopHow will this affect the physical and historical beauty of Woodstock?
The hardware itself is small – each repeater is the size of a shoebox. You’d have to look carefully to notice them atop the buildings in town. The signal itself is invisible.
Return to TopHow will customers visit my website via Wireless Woodstock?
The way they would using any other internet service. When connecting to the service, you will be directed to the service’s website. From there, you may click or surf as you wish.
Return to TopCan I advertise on Wireless Woodstock? At what price?
Yes, on-going maintenance of the service is covered through modest advertising on our website. Advertising on our homepage (limited) costs $500/year or $900/two years. Adding a link to your free business listing costs $50/year or $90/two years. Learn more here.
Return to TopWill I still need to maintain my Internet Service Provider, e.g. Comcast, Fairpoint, or Sovernet?
If you live or work in the village (the access area) the choice is up to you. We would strongly suggest that if your livelihood or business depend on internet access that you keep your existing service. This is a community service and not a utility. The service will be up and active 99.5% of the time.
Return to TopWill I still be able to download music, videos, podcasts? Is there a limit?
You will be able to use the service as you would any other broadband connection. We would discourage significant VOIP (voice or video phone service) or gaming access. We will be monitoring and measuring access and abuses (significant bandwidth use) will not be tolerated.
Return to TopWhat about speed?
Speed of the service is determined by the broadband internet access managed by the Library, and the number of users. Speeds may vary slightly, but we will increase the speed as demand increases.
Return to TopHow will this service affect my cell phone service?
It won’t at all. Cell phones work on a very different radio frequency.
Return to TopWhat kind of radiation will this system give off?
Each repeater gives off less radiation than a standard cell phone. A microwave puts out 800-1000 Watts, radar puts out 10-100KW but a Wi-fi base station only uses 0.1W. To learn more visit our page on how to protect yourself.
Return to TopHow does this service compete with ECFiber?
ECFiber (East Central Vermont Community Fiber) is an initiative to create direct-to-home broadband internet access to many rural areas of Vermont. This does not compete with ECFiber – rather, it complements it. ECFiber is about the internet connection – where as Wireless Woodstock makes that connection wireless. Should ECFiber provide faster access, we could plug into it.
Return to TopI live just outside of the Village. Can I gain access?
Soon after our service is extended throughout the village, individuals who choose to can extend the wireless service area can donate to the Library whereby additional hardware may extend the signal. Look for more info on this in the future.
Return to TopWho is profiting from this?
This is a non-profit endeavor through the Norman Williams Public Library.
Return to TopWho thought of this?
The initiative was conceived and produced by Townsend Belisle and his crew at Haystack Digital. T brought it to the library with a vision that such a system would drive business and economic development. Support quickly came through the many other constituents in town, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Commission, the Woodstock Inn & Resort, the Vermont Standard and dozens of individuals.
Return to TopWhere does the signal reach?
As of June, 2011, the signal covers in front of the Library, the Eastern half of The Green, down Central Street to the Post Office and down Elm Street to the Village Butcher. The signal is scheduled to further expand (thanks for additional sponsorship) in August of 2011.
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