OPEN INTERNET STATEMENT AND POLICIES
Open Internet Policies
SKYBEAM provides Internet access services to subscribers located in Colorado and Wyoming. Our Internet services are provided over the SKYBEAM fixed broadband wireless network system. We are committed to providing our Internet services as an open platform for innovation, investment, job creation, economic growth, competition, and free expression.
The purpose of this disclosure is to provide information regarding our network management practices and the network speeds and commercial terms of our broadband Internet access services to enable you to make informed choices regarding the purchase and use of our services, in accordance with the open Internet policies and rules of the Federal Communications Commission. SKYBEAM does not block any lawful content, applications, services, or your use of non-harmful devices, or discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic except as reasonably necessary to manage our network effectively for the benefit of our subscribers as described below. This document is intended to be informational and does not replace or alter the legal terms and conditions of our service, which are found http://www.skybeam.com/legal.html documentation center.
Network Management Practices
The SKYBEAM network does not block access to or discriminate against any lawful web site, application or service. All lawful Internet use is handled identically. SKYBEAM does not slow, throttle or shape one type of use over another.
Congestion Management.
SKYBEAM is committed to providing the best online experience possible for all of its subscribers. In order to ensure the best experience, in certain circumstances, managing the network is required. SKYBEAM Network Management techniques are tailored to ensure that under congested network conditions, all subscribers receive their fair share of the service.
Network Management is only activated when congestion is detected on the network. In regular intervals, network equipment is polled to identify what devices may be experiencing congestion. When a specific device is determined congested, the subscribers serviced from that/those network device(s) are analyzed and then managed based on plan and usage thresholds until the congestion has been alleviated, as described more fully below. Subscribers will still be able to do what they want online, in many cases activities may be unaffected, in other cases, subscribers may see reduced speed in downloads or uploads. No specific type of usage activity or subscriber aggregate monthly usage is targeted by these techniques. It is important to note that network management is temporary and based on dynamic network conditions.
The chart below outlines how subscribers will be affected in the event of congestion. Based on usage and service plan, all subscribers impacted by network congestion will be managed. For example, once network congestion is identified on specific equipment serving specific subscribers network management will be activated. A 15 mbps subscriber serviced from this “equipment” will be un-managed until daily aggregate usage exceeds 500 MB at which point the account will be reduced to 7 mbps down and 2 mbps up. In the event that 6 GB is exceeded then the speed on the account would be further reduced to 4 mbps down and 1.5 mbps up until the congestion was alleviated at which point the subscriber would return to normal and unmanaged access.
SKYBEAM also deploys “fair queuing” as a Network Management tool when congestion is present in the network. This is done by equally splitting available bandwidth across all active subscribers regardless of usage or service plan.
The Network Management practices described in this section are part of the “standard” SKYBEAM Network architecture. SKYBEAM acquires other broadband Internet networks on a regular basis and implements these practices as quickly as possible.
Equipment
Subscribers may connect to the service with any lawful, non-harmful equipment of their choice. Subscriber equipment (typically a computer or home router) connects via Ethernet Cable to the SKYBEAM managed Customer Premise Equipment (CPE). The CPE receives the Internet wirelessly from a location near the subscriber rooftop.
Additional information regarding acceptable use of the SKYBEAM Service can be found here http://www.skybeam.com/legal.html documentation center.
Network Security
SKYBEAM uses a number of tools and techniques to protect its network and subscribers from malicious and unwanted Internet traffic such as preventing the distribution of viruses or other harmful code and preventing the delivery of spam to subscriber email accounts. Because the nature of external threats to the network is constantly evolving, SKYBEAM’ network security practices necessarily are dynamic and regularly changing. In general, these security practices should not have any effect on our subscribers’ use of their network connections.
Network Speeds
SKYBEAM offers a range of download speeds to residential subscribers varying from 1.5 mbps to 15 mbps (megabits per second). The network is designed to support these speeds to help ensure that every subscriber receives the speeds to which they have subscribed. SKYBEAM however cannot guarantee speeds at all times, as there are many factors and conditions beyond SKYBEAM’s control that can affect Internet performance. Some of these external factors and conditions are:
a. Performance of subscriber computer and/or router
b. Type of connection to SKYBEAM Customer Premise Equipment (i.e. WIFI)
c. Congestion of web sites and services on Internet
d. Web site or service limiting speeds on the Internet
e. Internet performance outside of the SKYBEAM Network
SKYBEAM Internet packages are advertised as “up to” certain speeds reflecting performance under ideal conditions. Without purchasing an expensive “dedicated” Internet connection, no Internet Service Provider can guarantee package speeds at all times.
SKYBEAM provides a Speed Test Server for its subscribers to use. To test your speed click here. While the test results on this site provide information regarding service speeds, they are not definitive as they are highly dependent on equipment and configuration found in the home network.
Prices and Other Terms of Service
SKYBEAM has multiple levels of Internet service available. To see current pricing click here.
Usage Metering
SKYBEAM subscriptions include a specific amount of monthly Internet usage (up and down transfer). If usage exceeds the threshold, additional charges will apply. Charges will be based on usage (up and down transfer) in 10 GB (Gigabytes) increments. 10 GB increments will be billed after the first bit of usage over the subscription threshold. Additional 10 GB increments will be billed as usage dictates.
Subscribers will be notified when they have hit certain usage thresholds. Email notification will be sent to the subscriber at the following events:
a. 75% of subscription usage has been consumed
b. 95% of subscription usage has been consumed
c. Every time a new 10 GB increment has been purchased
In addition to email notification, subscribers can also track their usage online at http://www.skybeam.com.
The Internet Subscription Plans below are subject to metered usage at the transfer threshold and 10 GB cost increments specified:
SKYBEAM also offers network services in addition to those specified above and more detailed information on price, terms and conditions of those services can be found http://www.skybeam.com/high-speed-broadband.html
Internet Privacy Policies
SKYBEAM values the privacy of our Internet subscribers and follows procedures to ensure that information we collect is reasonably protected. Additional details concerning the types of information SKYBEAM collects, how the information is used and your privacy rights can be found http://www.skybeam.com/legal.html documentation center.
Questions / Complaint Process
Questions and concerns regarding SKYBEAM Service or Network Management can be directed to tx-support@skybeam.com or 1-866-411-FAST.
Rev. 12/1/2011
