Open Internet Compliance Statement

The Federal Communications Commission issued rules to preserve the Internet as an open platform. These rules went into effect on November 20, 2011 and can be found at this link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-23/html/2011-24259.htm. All Internet service providers are required to post information regarding various issues so that consumers, both residential and business, can make informed choices about choosing an Internet service provider. This document contains information regarding our services and in compliance with the FCC’s rules. The policies contained herein serve as a supplement to the existing terms of service.

The FCC’s rules focus on three primary issues:

  • Transparency. Fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and terms and conditions of their broadband services;
  • No blocking. Fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful Web sites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services; and
  • No unreasonable discrimination. Fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic.
  • Reasonable network management. ISPs may engage in reasonable network management to maintain a high quality of service for broadband Internet access.

Network Practices

ISPs must disclose their network practices, specifically in the four general areas listed below. ISPs may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management. An ISP may not block consumers from accessing lawful Web sites, subject to reasonable network management; nor shall the ISP block applications that compete with the provider’s voice or video telephony services, subject to reasonable network management. ISPs may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer’s broadband Internet access service, although, reasonable network management shall not constitute unreasonable discrimination. The FCC’s rules state that a network management practice is reasonable if it is appropriate and tailored to achieving a legitimate network management purpose, taking into account the particular network architecture and technology of the broadband Internet access service.

Congestion Management:

Alamo Broadband uses smart traffic monitoring and QOS to manage potential congestion. All traffic is subject to management. The purpose of network management is to enhance the customer’s interactive Internet experience and to allow all customers to enjoy the service to the greatest extent possible. The effects of such practices are minimal to the end user. We only use priorities, not limits. VoIP, interactive traffic and some others are given priority over non-interactive downloads other types of non-real time traffic. A set of smart filters is used to tag and control traffic based on an evolving rule set. No traffic is ever blocked or dropped, merely re-prioritized. At the current time congestion is very rare. We indicate congestion when a particular network segment approaches 90% of its usable capacity. Alamo Broadband does not have usage limits or any consequences for exceeding them.

Application-Specific Behavior:

We do not block or rate-control any particular application or protocol. We do favor interactive applications over non-interactive applications. This allows VoIP calls and other high QOS applications to continue to function normally in the face of any possible congestion.

Device Attachment Rules:

For our fixed wireless broadband service only the Ubiquiti radios with proprietary Airmax protocol enabled can connect directly to our network. For the customers in-house wireless or wired access, we have no restrictions.

Security:

Alamo Broadband employs interactive firewall rules and NAT at the border routers and NAT at the customer premise equipment. All radio transmissions in our network are encrypted with industry standards AES encryption.

Performance Characteristics

ISPs must disclose the following network performance characteristics:

Service Description:

Alamo Broadband provides fixed wireless broadband. We use unlicensed 2.4GHZ and 5.8GHZ spectrum to deliver the services to the customer. Expected speeds are 1megabit/second upload, 2 megabits/second download for the basic service plan. Actual speeds may vary. The service is used by customers for real time applications such as VoIP as well as other internet based services.

Impact of Specialized Services:

Alamo Broadband does not currently provide specialized services.

Commercial Terms

ISPs must disclose the commercial terms of its broadband Internet access service including those listed below.

Pricing:

Please see http://www.alamobroadband.com/?page_id=16 These plans and pricing are subject to change without notice.

Privacy Policies:

Alamo broadband does not capture or store any browsing information. Network management does entail inspecting the type (but not the content) of network traffic. Alamo Broadband does not provide any information about traffic to third parties nor do we use any traffic information for non-network management purposes.

Redress Options:

Alamo Broadband maintains 24×7 technical support for customer issues. We work to respond to all escalated issues within 48 hours. Any customer may terminate our relationship at any time with no penalty if outages exceed contracted limits.

FCC Notice

If a customer believes that these open Internet rules are not being met, the customer may file an informal complaint at the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC urges customers to submit any complaints via its website at the following address: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. Customers may also file a formal complaint at the FCC using Part 76 of the Commission’s rules.