- What is home networking?
Home networking connects your home computers so everyone in the family can enjoy instant high-speed cable Internet access from any computer in your home.
Bright House Networks' home networking service also has an advanced intelligent firewall that detects and defends against hackers. Plus, our technicians make it easy by setting-up the network for you and we provide service and support 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
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- What types of home networking does Bright House Networks offer?
Home networking is available in a wireless version. Our wireless home networking solution lets you enjoy even greater mobility - allowing you to surf the web from any room in your house.
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- Do I have to buy any additional equipment?
If you already have a wireless network card for your laptop or your desktop that supports 802.11B Standard, then there is no need to purchase any equipment in order to take advantage of home networking. If you do not have a card, we can provide and install one for a one time charge of $49.95. This card is yours to keep. Additionally, customers must have Road Runner High Speed Online service and computers must meet the minimum requirements.
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- What are the system requirements for Bright House Networks' home networking solution?
To benefit from Bright House Networks' home networking, customers must have Road Runner High Speed Online and all computers must meet the minimum requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 98/SE, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Mac OS 8.6 or higher
- CD-ROM Drive on at least one PC
To view the complete list of the minimum/recommended requirements and/or download a small application that tests your computer to verify it meets Road Runner High Speed Online's system requirements, check the systems requirement page.
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- What are the benefits of home networking?
Now the whole family can be on the Internet instantly at the same time from any computer in your home - all with a single high-speed Internet connection.
Bright House Networks' home networking service also has an advanced intelligent firewall that detects and defends against hackers. Plus, Bright House Networks' technicians make it easy by setting-up the network for you and we provide 24/7 service and support.
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- Do you provide technical support?
Yes, our home networking solution is fully backed by Bright House Networks' 24-hour customer service and technical support.
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- Can I install the home network myself?
At this time, you cannot self-install our service. Bright House Networks' professional technicians set-up the home networking service just the way you want it for just $49.95 for the first two computers and $29.95 for each additional computer.
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- Will opting for home networking affect the speed or quality of my high-speed Internet connection on any of my computers?
No, installing home networking and increasing the number of users will not affect the speed of your high-speed cable Internet connection.
All the computers share the cable bandwidth; however, unless one computer is being used for something that requires a large amount of dedicated continuous bandwidth, like streaming video or large graphics transfer, you should not notice any effect from sharing your bandwidth between multiple computers.
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- How many computers can I link together?
Our residential Home Networking service supports up to four computers; however, our standard installation offer is to link two computers together. There is no additional monthly fee if you choose to connect more computers, although there will be an additional set-up fee.
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- Does Bright House Networks' home networking solution protect me from hackers?
Bright House Networks' home networking service features an advanced intelligent firewall that detects and defends against hackers. The Internet; however, is a public network and no device can guarantee 100 percent protection. We recommend that you install virus protection software.
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- Does Bright House Networks' home networking solution support Internet gaming?
Yes, Bright House Networks' home networking service supports most Internet gaming with multiple users on your home network.
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- Will Bright House Networks add other features to its home networking offer?
Yes, we are considering a number of other new services to include with our home networking solution, such as parental controls and other options to allowing better management of your Internet service.
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- I'm a Bright House Networks digital customer. Do I also have to have high-speed Internet access, or can I network my DSL or dial-up Internet access?
Bright House Networks' home networking service is only available for customers with Road Runner High Speed Online.
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- What's the difference between Bright House Networks' home networking solution and others that can be bought at retail outlets?
Bright House Networks' technicians will set-up the network for you. If you already have an 802.11B wireless networking card, there's no equipment to purchase and we provide 24-hour customer support. Bright House Networks' solution also includes a professional-grade firewall.
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- Can I have a PC and Mac on my home network?
Yes, Bright House Networks' home networking solution works with both PCs and Macs as long as they meet the minimum requirements.
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- Does Bright House Networks' home networking solution allow me to make the Internet safe for my children with some type of parental controls?
Bright House Networks' home networking service does not offer parental control features at this time. However, there are many excellent tools available to provide parental control and security. Check getnetwise.org to help make informed decisions about your families' use of the Internet.
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- If I move, can I take the equipment with me?
Bright House Networks' professional technicians set-up the home networking service just the way you want it and we provide technical support. If you move, call us and we will again set-up your home network in your new home for a one-time fee of $49.95. Since the equipment belongs to Bright House Networks, if you move and do not continue the Bright House Networks' home networking service, the equipment must be returned.
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- Can I still select the ISP with high-speed cable of my choice or must I have Road Runner to get home networking?
Bright House Networks' home networking is compatible only with Road Runner High Speed Online.
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- If I have multiple IP addresses from Road Runner, do I need to get Bright House Networks' home networking solution?
No, but the Home Networking Solution is easier and less expensive. Customers who are not home networked must have separate modems installed throughout the home and will pay $44.95 per month for each modem. Our home networking service is a superior solution. Now customers can enjoy Road Runner High Speed Online on one connection and pay only an additional $14.95 to network up to four computers.
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- Can I use Bright House Networks' home networking solution with the Road Runner Business Class service?
No. Bright House Networks' home networking solution is a residential service only.
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- Will Bright House Networks support EarthLink's home networking solution?
No. Our home networking solution can only be used with Road Runner High Speed Online.
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- Will Bright House Networks install EarthLink's home networking solution?
No.
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- When will AOL offer its own home networking solution?
AOL 8.0 supports its own proprietary home networking solution. Contact AOL for more information.
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- Will AOL's home networking replace Bright House Networks' offer?
No. The Bright House Networks' home networking solution can only be used with Road Runner High Speed Online. The AOL home networking solution is designed only for AOL for Broadband customers.
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- What is the monthly cost of home networking?
The wireless solution allows up to four computers to be networked. The cost is an additional $14.95 monthly, and a one-time set up fee of $49.95, not including sales tax. However, if you subscribe to the Family Combo, you can enjoy the wireless home networking solution for an additional monthly fee of only $9 per month and a one-time set-up fee of $14.95, not including sales tax.
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- What is the cost of adding more computers to my network?
Bright House Networks' standard offering for the wireless solution connects two computers for a one-time installation charge of $49.95. If a customer has more than two computers the installation charge is $29.95 per additional computer. If the computers do not have the wireless networking cards that support the 802.11B Standard, Bright House Networks can provide them for an additional $49.95 per wireless card. The customer then owns the card. There is no additional monthly fee to add more computers to your network.
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- Is there an installation or activation fee?
There is a one-time installation fee of $49.95 to connect two computers and $29.95 for each additional computer. There is no activation fee.
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- Will consumers get a discount if they are both a cable (video) customer and a high-speed Internet customer with home networking?
Yes. Bright House Networks strives to provide value for our customers. From time to time, we may offer special packages on one or more of our products and services. Currently we offer several Family Combo packages, which include home networking. For more information, call 1-877-892-EASY.
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- Will Bright House Networks honor the 30-day money-back guarantee on home networking?
Yes.
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- Does Bright House Networks require customers to sign a contract or pay a cancellation fee for home networking?
No.
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- What if the equipment is damaged - will Bright House Networks replace it for free?
Bright House Networks will replace the home networking portal for normal wear and tear and/or lightening power surge issues.
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- Will Bright House Networks honor the On Time Guarantee on home networking?
Yes.
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- If I have a problem with an ISP and I think it is actually a networking problem, whom do I call?
Bright House Networks or the ISP?
Bright House Networks' customer support is available 24 hours per day to direct customers to the appropriate source for service and technical support. Call 1-877-892-FAST.
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- What types of support will be available?
We have trained professionals to assist you 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call 1-877-892-FAST if you need help.
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- Will Bright House Networks support retail-based home networking solutions connected to Bright House Networks' high-speed cable Internet service?
We do not support other retail-based products. Bright House Networks' home networking service includes all the equipment you will need and we provide 24-hour customer support.
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