TexMesh FAQ

We are a privately owned central Texas-based company striving to "bring wireless freedom to Texas". It is our goal to bring citywide WiFi Internet service to small Texas towns. This provides an opportunity for smaller towns in central Texas to offer advantages and services to its residents that have only been afforded, until now, by larger towns with much bigger budgets.

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When will it become available? Is my location covered?

Depending on location, it is available now. See the Service Areas page for up-to-date information. Go Back go back

What services do you offer for businesses?

For businesses we can offer a much higher level of service. We can place a unique wireless radio at your premises, ensuring you a much more certain amount of Internet bandwidth. You will not have to share that bandwidth with any other users. Also, we can construct a secure private wireless network for your premises for your own use. Please go to our Contact Us page and select 'Inquiry About Service For Business' to send us an email inquiry. Go Back go back

What services do you offer for apartment complexes?

For apartment complexes we can offer a custom wireless radio network tailored for your site. You will not have to share that bandwidth with any other users. We have flexible business models, including revenue sharing. Please go to our Contact Us page and select 'Inquiry About Service For Business' to send us an email inquiry. Go Back go back

What equipment or software do I need?

1) Any computer with any operating system that has an "Internet Browser" such as "Microsoft Internet Explorer", "Apple Safari", "Mozilla Firefox" etc.

2) Either:

a. An Ethernet network interface on your computer (10, 100 or 1000Mbps, "CAT5" or similar socket) OR

b. A wireless interface (card or built-in) supporting any popular type of "802.11" WiFi such as: 802.11a or 802.11b or 802.11g or 802.11n.

If our wireless signal is not too strong in the places you wish to use your computer around your house, then we will supply you with a range extender as well. If you already have a range extender then you can just use your existing one. That's all! Go Back go back

I live in an apartment, can I get service here?

TexMesh is adding apartment complexes all the time. If your apartment complex is not in our coverage list, please ask your apartment management to contact us so we can bring service to you too! Go Back go back

What can this wireless service do for me? Where can I use it?

It can unleash you from the phone and cable companies. Within your home you will no longer need to be tied to a wall socket for Internet access. You can access the Internet from anywhere in the home or garden that suits you. Better yet, as the service expands across the city, you'll be able to access the Internet from any of our citywide hotspots as you go about your daily business. As other cities are added, your account will work there too. TexMesh is currently negotiating with other hotspot service operators to allow roaming in their establishments too. Our service plans aim to offer better value for money speeds than dial-up, cable or DSL do and no long-term contracts are required. Go Back go back

How does it compare to Cable, RoadRunnertm, DSL or Dial-up service?

Our aim is to provide you a superior and untethered service for a lower cost. Upload speeds, especially, should be notably faster. Go Back go back

Can somebody help me to install and set this up?

If you do not need a wireless range extender then our support folks should be able to talk you through the whole procedure over the phone.

If you do need a wireless range extender then we can send one to you for self-installation, or we can for an additional fee arrange for someone to help you install it at your residence. They will contact you using the phone and email contact information you provide at sign-up to arrange a suitable time. Go Back go back

Can I use it for VoIP, Skype or digital phone service?

Yes! Our most basic service plan will be fine for the occasional VoIP or Skype call, but you should really consider our plus or premium plans for a better voice quality experience. All TexMesh Business plans include our very highest level of VoIP quality of service network settings. Go Back go back

Can I get email service or my own WWW site?

Yes, 3rd parties do offer such services which can be used with the TexMesh network. Some examples are Yahoo and Gmail. Go Back go back

Can I speak to someone with more knowledge about XYZ?

Please go to our Contact Us page and select 'General Inquiry' to send us an email inquiry and you will be contacted shortly. Go Back go back

Can I just try it for a short while?

Sure! Your 1^st month is free for credit card accounts! Just sign-up using your credit card and then cancel before the end of the month. Alternatively, buy a 1 day or 1 week pre-paid card and use that until it expires. No long-term contracts are required, though users paying for 1 year in advance do receive a generous discount. For a short time, we are offering a 30 day free trial to a limited number of users. Check the service plans on our Sign-up page of the city in which you are interested for details and availability. Go Back go back

Subscriptions, Payment, and Billing

What are the available service plans and rates?

Please see the TexMesh WWW site for current rates as they vary by date and area. Go Back go back

How can I pay for this service?

We accept all the most common credit cards. You can be billed monthly or pay for one whole year in advance (coming soon), which will give you a good discount (see the TexMesh Sign-up page for current offers). If you don't have a credit card, then you can use one of our pre-paid cards. You can buy these at local convenience stores in your service area. Go Back go back

My neighbor already subscribes, can I just share their account?

Sorry, no. TexMesh requires at least one account per household. Go Back go back

My family has multiple computers, can we share an account?

Yes! You will need a different user name and password ('sub-account') for each user in your family, but many of them can share the same master account plan. You are only billed for the master account. Please see the TexMesh WWW city sites for current limits on how many family members can share one master account. This allows multiple family members to be logged on at the same time on multiple computers. Go Back go back

I already have another WiFi account, can I use this with your Service?

Maybe! TexMesh has a roaming agreement with Boingo, IPASS and Syniverse. Just use your existing user name and password. Go Back go back

Technical

How do I use it?

More details are on our How It Works page. But, briefly:

Turn on your computer.
Enable the wireless card.
Use the wireless network software to seek and select one of these networks:
- TexMeshWiFi or
- YourCityNameHereWiFi (e.g. BudaWiFi, PflugervilleWiFi etc.)
Open your Internet browser.
You should get a TexMesh splash screen.
Feel free to browse around the free areas then sign-up if you'd like to try it.

Our technical support staff are available 24x7 to help you with these steps. Just call the toll-free number indicated on our Contact Us pages. Go Back go back

I need technical help, who can I talk with?

Our technical support line is open 24x7. The phone number can be found on the Contact Us page on the WWW site. Go Back go back

I can't get any WWW pages or even a splash screen.

Some simple things to try:

Check that you have at least 2 bars of signal strength for the TexMesh wireless network you are trying to connect to
If practical, try moving closer to the TexMesh wireless radio in your street.
Completely quit your browser, then restart your browser.
If your are trying to connect to an unencrypted TexMesh wireless network, make sure encryption is also turned off for your wireless card.
If your are trying to connect to an encrypted TexMesh wireless network, make sure encryption is also turned on for your wireless card & that the correct type of encryption has been selected (WPA2).
Be sure to add texmesh.com to your list of trusted WWW sites in your browser's security settings. Go Back

I have Internet Explorer 7 and cannot get any WWW pages or even a splash screen.

By default, Internet Explorer 7 disables (turns off) the sending of 'http headers'. TexMesh requires these to be enabled in order for the Service to operate properly. Please see Internet Explorer 7's documentation for details on how to enable (turn on) 'http headers'. Go Back go back

Can I run multiple computers in my house from one TexMesh wireless link?

Yes you can. There are many ways to do this, some examples are:

If your location does not require the use of a range extender and every computer can directly connect to the TexMesh wireless radio in your street, then no more equipment is required. However, each computer will need to have an account, or sub-account with TexMesh in order to allow simultaneous access.
If your location does require the use of a range extender then the range extender can be shared amongst multiple computers. Range extenders allow sharing via a local wireless link within the house or via a wired connection. If sharing via a wired connection then an additional router may be necessary to expand the range extender's single port to the multiple computers. Note that all the data for the household must then be channeled through the range extender's single wireless link to TexMesh's network. In this arrangement, if multiple computers attempt to simultaneously perform large downloads then throughput rates may be compromised. Go Back

Can I setup my computer to automatically logon to the TexMesh network?

Yes you can. TexMesh's network supports an advanced technique called 'MAC identification and authentication'. This can be tricky to setup, but once it's done the TexMesh network will automatically recognize your computer each time it is turned on and is in the vicinity of the network. Authentication will happen automatically, which can be very convenient. Periodically, the network will ask for re-authentication just to ensure the computer and user account are still valid. Look for instructions in the How It Works page of our WWW site to see how to set this up. Go Back go back

What security is supported?

TexMesh Networks uses the latest techniques in wireless network security. All communications between your computer and our business and residential wireless access points use WPA2 encryption when the customer uses a range extender supplied by TexMesh. However, customers can still use the same encryption techniques when connecting directly to the TexMesh network with your own equipment. TexMesh uses 3 different wireless network names (SSID's). Select the one which matches the level of encryption which your wireless card supports:

YourCityNameWiFi (for example: PflugervilleWiFi) - use this one if your wireless card does not support encryption. Note: this wireless link is not encrypted.
YourCityNameWiFiSecWPA (for example: PflugervilleWiFiWPA)- use this one if your wireless card supports WPA encryption.
YourCityNameWiFiSecWPA2 (for example: PflugervilleWiFiWPA2)- use this one if your wireless card supports WPA2 encryption or if you are using a range extender provided by Texmesh.

If you select to use encryption, then you must supply an initial 'passkey' to begin the encryption process. This passkey is used to generate a unique passcode for your computer, and furthermore, the passcode will be automatically changed every few minutes to enhance your security, without you needing to do anything further.

If you use the SSID YourCityNameWiFiSecWPA (for example: PflugervilleWiFiWPA) then enter the passkey TexMeshWPA, when asked by your computer to do so.

If you use the SSID YourCityNameWiFiSecWPA2 (for example: PflugervilleWiFiWPA2) then enter the passkey TexMeshWPA2, when asked by your computer to do so.

In areas which allow free access to the TexMesh network, encryption may not be available.

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What other security measures should I take?

As with any Internet service you choose, including TexMesh, you should take precautions against Internet threats such as virus, spam, spyware, port scans, etc. We recommend that a hardware firewall with Network Address Translation (NAT) capability (included in most standard wired and wireless routers) be used between the Internet source to your home and your computer system(s). In addition, we suggest you install and use Internet security software including firewalls. Many companies offer good tools specifically for this purpose. Go Back go back

Can I use the TexMesh network with my existing wired or wireless network?

Yes. You will need one of our wireless range extenders which will service as the Internet source which you plug into the WAN port of your router. This arrangement is very similar to connecting to a cable or DSL modem, you just connect to TexMesh range extender instead. Go Back go back

Will the range extender interfere with my existing wireless router?

Probably not. Our range extender and the TexMesh wireless access points are set to operate on the less busy channels in the area. However, if you do experience slow speeds or suspect interference, you can remedy that by changing the channel on your wireless router. Some routers can be set to automatically scan and find a quiet channel by setting its channel selection to "Auto". Go Back go back

Can I set up a server on the TexMesh network?

Yes you can. However, with residential service you can only obtain a dynamic IP address for your server. Static IP addresses are only available under our business plans.Go Back go back

Can I obtain a static IP address?

Yes you can. However, static IP addresses are only available under our business plans.

Can I operate a virtual private network (VPN) on the TexMesh Network?

Yes you can. However, TexMesh merely carries the VPN data traffic. You must provide your own VPN software, hardware and authentication systems. TexMesh support cannot assist in matters related to VPN software, hardware or authentication, please contact the support desk of the company who provides you those items. Go Back go back

Can I operate a virtual LAN (VLAN) on the TexMesh Network?

Large institutions may contact TexMesh directly to discuss this possibility. It is not available under the standard residential and business plans. Go Back go back

I'd like to use the TexMesh encrypted connection but my wireless card & software do not seem to support WPA2.

Check with the support pages of the manufacturer's WWW site. Many have been able to offer software updates to support WPA2. For example, Windows XP with SP2 users can go to URL: (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917021) to obtain a software update. For MAC users, as far as we understand, earlier versions of Mac OS X and any version of Mac OS 8 or 9 probably cannot handle WPA because the operating system isn't designed for it; few or no third party wireless card offers WPA support before 10.3, either. Under Mac OS X 10.3.3 to 10.3.9 (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/airport42formacosx1033.html) or Mac OS X 10.4.2 or later (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/airportextremeupdate2007003.html), you should be able to upgrade AirPort Extreme Cards, AirPort Extreme Base Stations, and AirPort Express Base Stations to handle WPA2. Go Back go back