Common Questions

What is Wi-Fi and wireless broadband?
What is Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
The Employment Café Key Objectives
What hardware and software do I need to use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I get a wireless network (WLAN) card?
How do I log in to start using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I change my username/password?
Is there a bandwidth guarantee with Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How much does it cost to use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband and what's the best plan for me?
Who can I contact to help me choose a plan?
What are the benefits of subscribing to Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I pay?
How am I billed?
How do I subscribe to Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I set up Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I change my plan?
Can I send and receive emails using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Is there a download limit?
Will I be able to send and receive large files when using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
How do I connect to banking, financial institution and other secure shopping internet sites?
Is there any risk to health from using wireless network (WLAN) technology?
Can I use my PC to make phone calls?
Where can I use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
What are the minimum Operating System requirements?

What is Wi-Fi and wireless broadband?

Wi-Fi (or Wi-fi, WiFi, Wifi, wifi), short for "Wireless Fidelity", is a set of product compatibility standards for wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. New standards beyond the 802.11 specifications, such as 802.16(WiMAX), are currently in the works and offer many enhancements, anywhere from longer range to greater transfer speeds.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_broadband and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiFi

What is Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?

The Employment Café Key Objectives:
• To assist applicants in finding worthwhile employment and training The Employment Café Key Objectives:
• To assist applicants in finding worthwhile employment and training opportunities, particularly those from ethnic minority communities.
• To promote diversity in the workplace.
• To act as a central repository of information and services related to employment that can be easily and effectively accessed by our applicants
• To provide a small local community focussed ISP

The Employment Café's Wireless service aims to extend the café's reach by providing a cost effective Internet access solution to those seeking employment and training.

The Wireless service has tailored to ensure it can offer a service to a large number of users, denying those who wish to use certain high bandwidth applications as that would degrade the service to others.

What hardware and software do I need to use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Any computer with 802.11b Wireless capability with WEP should be compatible with the system.

How do I get a wireless network (WLAN) card?
Your local computer shop should be able to provide a suitable card, please contact the Employment café and ask for further advice if you are unsure, before buying a card.

How do I log in to start using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
You need to set your computer up to connect to the Employment Café's wireless network. Please see the separate guide detailing the steps:
NB Instructions are at present available for Windows XP only, if anyone would be willing to assist in providing a guide for other platforms, please contact the Employment café.

How do I change my username/password?
Your username is assigned to you when you sign up, and cannot be changed. if you want to change the password please visit the Employment café.

Is there a bandwidth guarantee with Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Whilst we have worked to try and provide the best possible service, we cannot guarantee the quality of service.

How much does it cost to use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband and what's the best plan for me?
Please visit the Employment café to discuss the options available.

Who can I contact to help me choose a plan?
Please call or visit the Employment Café

What are the benefits of subscribing to Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
The wireless system from the Employment Café means that you don't have a long term contract with an ISP, you don't need a BT phone line, you don't need to wait for the service to be installed, and if you are in the coverage area then one stop in the Employment Café can provide access.

How do I pay?
Payment is in person at the Employment café only; online payment is not possible at this time.
How am I billed?
The system works on a pre-pay basis, to assist in budgeting.

How do I subscribe to Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Please visit the Café to setup your account, you will need to bring a proof of identity and address with you. For example a driving license, passport, utility bill.

How do I set up Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?

How do I change my plan?
Please visit the Employment café to discuss the options available.

Can I send and receive emails using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Yes, provided they do not break the terms and conditions.

Is there a download limit?
Download limits and rates are dependant upon the

Will I be able to send and receive large files when using Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Yes, provided you do not exceed your usage limits.

How do I connect to banking, financial institution and other secure shopping internet sites?
As long as the site uses standard https connections over port 443 normal browsers will work fine.

Is there any risk to health from using wireless network (WLAN) technology?
There are no known health risks to using Wireless technology.
The Employment Café uses a Cisco AP to provide the Wireless coverage, a statement from Cisco on Wireless and RF Safety Issues can be found at
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/products_white_paper09186a0080088791.shtml

Can I use my PC to make phone calls?
Not on this service, as it does not support VOIP calls.

Where can I use Employment Cafe Wireless Broadband?
Please see the map below, a final site survey needs to be done, and please bear in mind that environmental factors inside your house and those around you can affect the coverage.

What are the minimum Operating System requirements?
Your system needs to support a Wireless card with WEP capability.