Service Questions

What is Tooway™?

Tooway™ is a bi-directional high speed satellite internet service for Internet access.  Bi-directional means that receive and transmit functions are performed via the satellite; therefore there is no need for telephone line.

How Does Tooway™ Work?

Traditional “wired” internet services connect you to the internet using copper phone lines, or if you are really very lucky, fibre optic cables.  This works well if you live near an exchange, but less so if you live more remotely or even if the cables between you and your exchange take a tortuous route.
Tooway™ uses satellites.  A small dish on your building allows the signal to be bounced from your computer, off a satellite and connect with the internet.  Because Tooway™ is a two-way system, the same happens sending data back in the opposite direction.
Because Tooway™ doesn’t rely on miles of cables to connect you to the internet we can deliver fast connections practically anywhere.  If you can see the sky from the roof of your building then you can almost certainly benefit from Tooway™

How do I install the dish?

We offer a choice of 2 professional installation options, allowing you to choose the best option for your home.

Isn’t satellite internet slow?

Not any more! Tooway™ is a 2nd generation service that brings fast broadband to almost all of Europe.  Many wired broadband providers can only offer speeds of up to 8mb and then still rely on you living close to an exchange to deliver those speeds.  Tooway™ doesn’t suffer such problems and can deliver speeds up to 18mb.

Can I install the dish myself?

Yes.  If you prefer you can use the self install option.  We’ll post you everything you need and step by step instructional videos are available online to guide you through the process.

How much can I download?

Each package comes with it’s own quota, allowing you to choose the best package for your needs and only pay for the allowance you want to receive.  If you find that your data needs change then it is easy to switch packages at any time.  A one time booster is available to purchase to boost data allowance in that month of billing.

What happens when your business goes offline?

Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury in business.  Email, inter-office comms, VOIP, online order processing and countless other tasks require you to be online to get the job done.  Despite how critical the internet is for business, many companies still have no back-up connection in place.

Satellite internet services, such as Tooway™ ConneXions for business offer true independence from the telephone network – keeping you online even if the phones go down.

Whether you are looking to protect yourself from something as mundane as copper cable theft, or need to ensure connectivity in the face of true disaster, Satellite Internet offers a robust means to ensure business continuity and Tooway™ ConneXions stands out as the choice for business users.

Who uses Tooway™ for business?

Tooway™ for business is proving popular with both businesses operating in remote locations and those looking for a backup internet solution.

Will Tooway™ work on our LAN?

Tooway™ connects via a specialist router.  Incorporating this on your network is very similar to adding an additional ADSL router and connection.

How do I find out more?

Simply call us on 01228 518912 or contact us online.

What speeds can I achieve?

The achievable speeds can been seen on our package pages.

Are there any minimum requirements for computers?

No.  The satellite system can connect to any PC, MAC or laptop providing there is a network card installed.

How big is the dish?

The size of the KA-Sat Tooway dish is a parabolic 72x68cm.

Can I play online games?

In principle yes, but games that require fast response times like “first-person shooters” are not suitable because of the significantly longer ping times (approximately 600 – 650 ms).

Does weather affect the dish?

The service is designed to cope with most weather conditions and wind speeds up to 100mph.  During periods of extremely heavy rain or snow the radio signals could become attenuated (reduced).  There are, however, sophisticated and automatic measures to effectively increase the power of your system to compensate for any attenuation.

Does it support VOIP?

Yes, all of our packages will support VOIP.  Please note however that due to the high latency times associated with satellite broadband there may be a short delay (~1second) between you speaking and the other person hearing.

Can I use Skype on the Tooway system?

Yes.  Please note though Skype was originally designed for terrestrial ADSL connections, it is based on the P2P protocol so is not as efficient over satellite networks as some other VoIP solutions.

What is FAP?

To ensure fair Internet access for all satellite broadband subscribers, Tooway maintains a Fair Access Policy (FAP).  This policy establishes an equitable balance in Internet access for satellite broadband subscribers.  Tooway assigns a throughput threshold to each service plan that limits the amount of data that may be downloaded/upload during a typical monthly period.  A small percentage of subscribers who exceed this limit will experience a temporary reduction of speed.

What happens if I exceed my quota and go into FAP?

There are no financial penalties for exceeding your quota it is simply a case of having your speeds ‘throttled’ back.  If you do happen to find yourself in that position you have the option to purchase a volume booster token of 1GB or wait for the recovery period to lapse to have you typical speeds reinstated.  The volume booster tokens are available for £8.33 ex VAT.

Do I need a phone or phone line?

No, the Tooway satellite system does not require a telephone line.  It is a bi-directional satellite system therefore independent of the telephone lines.

What happens when I opt for your installation service?

When opting for our professional install service we endeavor to visit your property, professionally align and install the system within 15 working days.  Our installers will provide the hardware components required (cable and mounting bracket).  We have a local network of professional friendly installers so nothing is a problem for us.  We will ensure the whole thing is working for you before we leave.

What happens if I opt for a self install kit to do this myself?

Our self install kit contains all the hardware components required (cable & universal mount) along with a compass and inclinometer so you can perform your self install.  With some basic DIY tools and a basic level of skill you will be able to align your dish.  The radio head on the Tooway dish has built in ‘beeper’ system that gives you a clear indication that you are pointing the right direction and will alert once the dish is locked to the satellite.

Is the system Wireless?

The Tooway modem itself is not wireless however any DSL/Cable wireless router can be plugged straight into the Tooway modem to create a wireless network within your home.  Please note, we can supply a business grade wireless router and provide the install for additional costs.

Can I have a fixed Public IP?

Tooway business packages include up to 4 fixed IP addresses, depending on package.  Home packages use dynamically assigned IP addresses.

Can I run a VPN connection on my Tooway system?

In theory yes however, if your VPN is an IPSec type of VPN, these often require a static public IP address, in this instance Tooway would not be suitable.

How long is the contract length?

We operate a 24 month contract period from the activation date.

How do I pay?

You can order the kit, installation and your first month of service via our dedicated sales team on 01228 518912 or contact us online.

What cards are accepted?

We accept all major credit and debit cards.