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How does the service work?
The Storm Wireless Internet Service is a high-speed (two-way) symmetrical service that uses radio frequency (RF) waves to move the data. The entire network meets or surpasses all Industry Canada (ICAN) safety standards in place today. We use 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz license exempt equipment to transmit our signals. It is a line-of-sight system that has a coverage area of approximately 8 Kilometers from the broadcast tower.
The system operates in an "always on mode" and there is no time limit on the service. Because the system is "always on" it is STRONGLY recommend that you get a firewall for your household. If you currently have an email address with Storm and you are upgrading, your email address will remain the same as it currently is.
The system would have a dish installed on your house/property/building and would be connected to a modem internally that is attached to your computer. Visit our Storm Wireless Photo Gallery.
- How far does the service work from the tower?
You must be within an 8-10 km radius from the tower to receive our wireless service. This service depends on line of sight and special requirements pertaining to visibility with one of our towers.
- What is meant by Line-of-Sight?
Line-of-Sight means our installers must be able to go on top of your roof or building and physically be able to view the tower, and the tower is not obstructed by trees, buildings, structures, or hills.
- How do I know if I am close enough or have visibility?
To find out the status of your possibility of service you must have a FREE site survey conducted. The service ranges from 8-10km from each tower. To get a survey, you need to contact Storm directly and schedule one in your area.
- How do I get a ** Wireless Site Survey ** conducted?
To get a site survey to see if you can have Wireless Internet at your location, please fill out the online order form and in the comments section mention 'SITE SURVEY' so we can follow up with you.
Note: Once the online form is received by a staff member they will narrow down whether the location is able to receive service or not (in accordance with areas listed above). If you do not hear from a staff person, please feel free to call us during regular business hours with the following details:
Your Full Name, Home Phone, Business Phone, Full Address (including township), Major Cross St/Hwy.
- How long does it take until a site survey can be conducted?
Our installer will not conduct the site survey until the service tower is up and running. Upon application for a site survey it will take place within 5-10 business days. ***Please note that this period is dependant on current workloads, and there may be much longer delays due to high demand.
- Is there a charge for the site survey?
When the survey is conducted, if visibility is verified, and you are able to receive service, but do NOT have the service installed - a $50 charge will apply. If you are unable to receive service or there are extra charges for the service and you decide to have have it, there is NO charge for the site survey.
- What if I move to another location? Can I keep my HighSpeed Wireless active?
If you move to a new location, we can conduct another site survey to see if you are able to subscribe. In the event you are, there may be a small $250 service install charge that will apply to get you reconnected. If you are an existing client, you will NOT pay the entire initial setup fees again.
- Do you have photos and samples of what the wireless systems look like?
Yes. You can find these in our photo gallery by clicking here. If you have additional questions, or need to see what works for you best, please feel free to contact our sales or technial support team.
- What does the service come with?
Our Residential Wireless service operates with dynamic IP addresses and you can not "serve" hosting from this residential service. The basic service package comes with storage space and email accounts (see the chart above). The Commercial Wireless service operates with static IP addresses so you CAN "serve" from this service. This option comes with varied throughput limits, email accounts, website hosting and a free dial-up account.
- Can I get TV service with my Wireless Internet as well?
Sorry. Not at this time. Our service is good for highspeed Wireless Internet only.
- How fast is the service compared to Dial-up?
The service is VERY fast and depending on the setup can be up to 20x faster than dialup. You can compare the wireless service to a fast DSL connection with speeds up to 7MB on residential connections, and up to 100MB on business connections.
- Do I get a deal and save money if I have a business account already?
You may qualify. Please contact us so we can review your account.
- Can I connect several computers to the one wireless connection?
Yes. Depending on the setup, you can add the wireless connection to a network and share the connection on your local premise.
- What is DSL?
DSL is an always on high speed internet service that is provided over the telephone line. It does not use the voice portion of the line, so you can use your telephone while you are online.
- How fast is DSL?
The typical residential DSL service is up to 5meg download to your computer, and up to 800k upload to the internet. With DSL you can stream live video, participate in audio or video chat, send and receive pictures, play online games, and many other things.
- Can I get DSL?
If the area you live in has the DSL infrastructure in place, and your residence has working telephone wiring in it, you certainly can.
- What if I cannot get DSL?
If you live in the Lanark County area we may be able to provide wireless high speed service. If you live in any other area, we may be able to provide dial-up service.
- Can you provide commercial or business DSL?
We certainly can, please visit our corporate sales pages, or contact our commercial sales representatives to discuss your specific needs. We can offer single line DSL connections and bonded solutions.
- What are the requirements for DSL?
You must live in an area where DSL is available. Your residence will need to have telephone wiring to the house, and also to the jack that you will be plugging the modem in to. Your computer will also need an ethernet port. If you are using Windows 98 or earlier version, you will also require us to provide a CD with software to install on your computer. You will also need to have a DSL modem to make the connection. You may also need telephone filters.
- What are the advantages of DSL service?
DSL service is always on, there are no limits to the hours you can be online. You can also use the telephone and be online at the same time.
DSL is also up to 100 times faster than the typical dial-up connection.
DSL is not affected by changes in weather, as it is a wired service.
Your DSL is a directly connected non-shared connection. The service that comes through your telephone line is just for you.
DSL is also very reliable, and rarely experiences down time.
If your location is already wired for telephone services, there is no additional wiring needed to set up a DSL service.
You can share the high speed service with multiple computers or devices by setting up a wireless network in your house.
- Are there any limitations with DSL service?
Because it is a wired direct connection, you cannot take it with you when you go to another location. You can access your email from other locations, provided they have an internet connection.
- Why Storm DSL?
Storm was established in 1996.
Storm is a full service ISP. Our representatives in Ottawa are empowered to solve customer's technical difficulties on the first call.
Our prices are competitive. We offer discounts on annual service, with no long term contract.
Storm has a 95% customer satisfaction ratio and is a two time Consumer Choice Award winner.
- Can I use a DSL connection on more than one computer?
Yes you can, however you will need to purchase and set up a router.
- How much does DSL service cost?
Our residential DSL service prices begin at $32 per month or $349 per year. All pricing details can be found on our services page.
If you have a second telephone line to use with your dial-up service, you may be paying more per month than the cost of DSL. Since you can still use your telephone while on the internet with DSL you could cancel your second telephone line.
- What if I have an existing dial-up service with Storm and I want to upgrade?
Once your DSL service has been set up, we will make the changes to your billing to reflect the upgrade. Any service credit you have left on your dial-up package will be applied to your DSL service.
- What if I do not have telephone service?
If you do not have a land line, or analog telephone we can order a phone line that works just for the DSL connection. This is a dry loop.
- What is a dry loop?
A dry loop is the term used to explain having DSL service on a telephone line that does not have telephone service. This is sometimes referred to as naked DSL. A telephone number is assigned to your lines for the DSL to be installed to, this number cannot be used to make or receive telephone calls. It is only for the internet connection.
- What if I have a digital telephone through Rogers or another provider?
If you have a digital telephone line, we can only provide DSL as a dry loop service.
- What if I have regular telephone service through a provider that is not Bell?
If your provider is a Bell reseller, we can supply you with regular DSL service. If your provider is not a reseller, we will need for you to get the circuit number for the DSL order to be placed. Your telephone provider should be able to provide you with your telephone circuit number.
- Is there an extra cost for dry loop?
Yes there is. There is a $15.16 dry loop set up fee. There is also a small additional fee each month. This fee is typically between $5-$17 per month. The dry loop fee will depend on your distance from where your DSL service originates. The typical monthly dry loop fee is between $8-10.
- Will I need to be home for dry loop activation?
For most dry loop installations, Bell will dispatch a technician to the location for the set up. If the Bell technician requires access to your residence, there will need to be somebody home to grant this access.
- What is included with my DSL service?
DSL service, 200meg of web storage, 15 email addresses, back-up dial up, technical support for your connection by email and telephone, and more. Full details can be found here.
- How long does it take for my service to be activated?
If all of the information provided on your application is proper, it will take 5-6 business days for your service to be activated.
- How will I know when my service is activated?
Once you have your DSL modem you can plug it in. On the modem there will be a light labeled either DSL or ADSL. Once this light is turned on and solid, your DSL service is active.
- How does the application process work? What can I expect?
Once your application is submitted, if all of the information is correct the order for your DSL will be placed. Within one or two business days you will be contacted to confirm the date that your service is slated to be activated, along with having any hardware needs confirmed. If there is any hardware required it will be prepared for pickup or couriered to you.
If there are any other questions that need to be clarified, we will contact you by telephone or email to do so.
- Do you do any content filtering?
No, the only filtering that is done by Storm is to help reduce the amount of unsolicited emails that are received.
- What can affect the speed of my DSL?
Distance from where the DSL service originates, also the condition or quality of the telephone lines used to provide the service. The quality and speed of your DSL service can also be affected by unfiltered telephones, or alarm systems that use the telephone lines.
- Do I have to use a modem provided by Storm?
No, you can provide your own DSL modem as long as it is compatible with the service.
If your modem was purchased from another ISP, it may be hard coded to their service. We do not hard code our modems.
Please note that we do not recommend USB modems.
- What are telephone filters? Do I need them?
Telephone filters are devices that you can put between the telephone jack and your telephone to ensure that there is no audible effects of having the DSL enabled on your telephone line.
Some clients will experience a static, hum, or very quiet volumes on their telephones once their DSL service has gone live. Adding filters to each telephone will remove these sounds. Unfortunately, we will not know if you will experience these things until after your service has been activated.
- I need to have my hardware delivered, how does that work?
We will send any modems by courier. There is a $10 fee for each courier delivery. If you live within Ottawa, we will send the modem by local courier, if you live outside of Ottawa, your modem will be delivered by Federal Express. If you would like to provide an address other than the service address for delivery of your modem, we can certainly accommodate that request.
If you are purchasing only filters, we will send them by Canada Post in a regular postal envelope. There is no additional courier fee for filters shipped by postal mail.
- How will I receive my bills?
All of our residential invoices are sent by email. You can specify any email address of your choice for delivery.
- How can I pay for my service?
We can set up an automated debit from your bank account or credit card. Services can also be paid for by credit card, internet banking, mailing a check. You can also visit our offices and pay by cash, credit card, or Interac.
- Do I have to sign a contract? What if I want to cancel?
We do not require any contracts for DSL service. However all cancellations must be in compliance with our Terms of Service.
- How does technical support work?
Technical support is available by telephone and email. Monday - Friday from 8am-9pm and weekends from 9am-5pm. We are closed for statutory holidays. The technical support email address is support@storm.ca and they can be reached by telephone at 613-567-6585 or 1-866-257-8676 and choosing option 1.
- Is there a charge for installation?
There is no charge for a self install, or assistance with the set up of the connection on your computer. If you require a technician to be dispatched to your location, there will be a service call charge.
- What happens if I have DSL and cancel my telephone service?
If your service is a standard DSL connection, then you must maintain the analog telephone service that it is attached to. If you are canceling your telephone service, we can replace your standard DSL service with a dry loop connection. The dry loop connection would be subject to the additional dry loop fees and a new 5 business day wait time for activation.
IF YOU HAVE DSL SERVICE AND YOUR TELEPHONE IS DISCONNECTED FOR ANY REASON YOUR DSL WILL NO LONGER WORK.
- What if I am only in Canada seasonally, can I still get DSL service?
Yes you can. We will have to have the DSL on your telephone terminated and re-established each time you leave and return. We will require written request with advanced notice for the suspension and resumption of your service. We will require at least 1 week's notice for the resumption of service due to the 5 business day wait on activation of service.
If you would like to maintain access to your storm.ca email address while you are out of the country, we can provide you with an email only service for $5 per month.
- How do I order DSL?
Please fill out an online application.
