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Introduction to Wi-Fi on PRTC's Buses
PRTC is piloting FREE wireless Internet service on our Tyson Corner
OmniRide route. These buses serve stops at the Woodbridge VRE Station
and I-95 & Route 123 Commuter Lot with express service to Tyson’s
Corner. For easy identification,
PRTC’s Wi-Fi logo will be posted on Wi-Fi enabled buses.
Using your Wi-Fi enabled device, such as a laptop, PDA, or cell
phone, you're able to send e-mail and surf the Web from the comfort
of your seat while you commute to and from work. PRTC’s wireless
provider is Sprint through RiderNet.
Wi-Fi access provided by PRTC is unsecured, but a firewall is in
place to stop brute force hacking. Users should ensure that their
wireless devices have up-to-date anti-virus and security protection.
PRTC is not responsible for any loss or security breach resulting
from the use of this service.
PRTC's Wi-Fi Usage Policy & Disclaimer
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) provides
free on-board Wi-Fi service on OmniRide commuter buses. Customers
who use this service are required to do so in a responsible manner.
By using PRTC’s Wi-Fi service you are agreeing that you will
not use this service to violate any applicable law or regulation,
and further agreeing not to:
- Send, receive, or open material displaying text or graphics which
may be reasonably construed as offensive, indecent, or objectionable,
including pornographic or sexually explicit material;
- Attempt to access or modify files, passwords or data
belonging to others or to seek unauthorized access to any computer
system or to alter, or damage software components;
- Engage in unauthorized
copying of copyrighted and/or licensed software, data, audio or
video web content;
- View or listen to loud content; the use of earbuds/headphones
is encouraged.
PRTC’s Wi-Fi service is not password protected and offers
no security features. Users of PRTC’s Wi-Fi service assume
all risks associated with the use of this service and should refrain
from transmitting security-sensitive personal information. In addition,
users should ensure that devices being used to access PRTC’s
Wi-Fi service have up-to-date virus and security protection. PRTC
is not responsible for any loss of information or security breach
resulting from the use of this service. You should be aware that
PRTC may be required to disclose data related to the use of this
service if it is served with a legal subpoena or court order.
PRTC uses filtering software to help reduce the possibility of customers
accessing or encountering illegal/objectionable content but, because
there is no perfect filtering technology and some illegal/objectionable
websites may evade the filtering software, passengers wishing to
use the WI-FI service will be required to abide by the PRTC Usage
Policy described above. Furthermore, failure to abide by PRTC’s
Wi-Fi usage policy may result in blocking the offender’s use
of the service.
Users are responsible for having the proper hardware, software and
network settings on their wireless devices. Bus operators will not
provide assistance with Wi-Fi connection problems.
By using the free Internet service provided by PRTC, you are agreeing
to the policy and disclaimer set forth above.
Wi-Fi FAQ's
If your question is not answered here, please contact technical
support at 1-866-470-6897
Q. How to Identify a Wi-Fi Bus?
PRTC’s Wi-Fi logo is posted on Wi-Fi enabled buses.
Q. Is there a cost to use PRTC’s WiFi
Internet service?
No, PRTC’s WiFi is free of charge and there is no registration.
The only requirement is that you accept the “Terms of Internet
Service Use”.
Q. What equipment do I need to use WiFi?
To use the service, your device (laptop, PDA, cell phone) must be
wi-fi enabled. Both PCs and Macs can be used. Using PRTC’s
WiFi service is similar to connecting with other wireless Internet
services in cafes, office buildings and other wireless hot spots.
Q. Is the WiFi network encrypted or is a passphrase required for
access?
No, PRTC’s WiFi uses an unsecured network. However, you
must be on board a bus in order for your wireless device to access
the network. A firewall is configured on the wireless router to prevent
brute force hacking.
Q. Does PRTC Wi-Fi offer virus protection and security?
No, it does not. Users should ensure that their wireless devices
have up-to-date anti-virus and security protection. PRTC is not responsible
for any loss or security breach resulting from the use of this service.
Q. How secure is PRTC’s Wi-Fi network?
PRTC’s wireless network is as secure as any other public open
wireless network. The actual security of the connection will
depend on the user’s device and the security application(s)
it uses. You should use the same precautions while on PRTC’s
Wi-Fi network that you would exhibit while using any other open wireless
network.
Q. How do I connect?
Turn on your wireless equipped laptop computer or handheld device.
- Enable your wireless radio (WiFi).
- Open your wireless connections
from the taskbar and connect to the public wireless network called
PRTC-WiFi.
- Wireless Privacy (WEP) should be set to “OFF”.
No password is required.
- Launch your web browser. You will
be redirected to the PRTC’s
Wi-Fi portal.
- Review PRTC’s “Terms of Internet Service
Use” and
if you agree, click “Go”.
- You will be redirected to the
PRTC Home Page.
If you encounter difficulty connecting, call Technical Support at
1-866-470-6897.
Q. I can’t connect. What should I do?
First, reboot your computer and carefully follow the instructions
above. If you are still unable to connect you can contact
technical support at 1-866-470-6897. Please do not ask the bus
operator for assistance with your Wi-Fi connection. Bus operators
have not been trained to evaluate and fix Internet related problems.
Q. I see more than one available network. Which
one should I choose?
PRTC’s wireless network will always be identified by the “PRTC-Wi-Fi” service
set identifier (SSID). If you see other available networks,
but the “PRTC-Wi-Fi” one does not appear, please notify
technical support at 1-866-470-6897 so we can check the equipment
when the bus returns to the garage.
Q. My device says it is connected to the WiFi
network. Why I can’t
browse/check e-mail/use my VPN?
You must accept the “Terms of Internet Service Use” before
you will be allowed access to the Internet. Open a browser
window to bring up the PRTC’s Wi-Fi portal page, click “Go” to
accept the terms before attempting to access the Internet.
Q. I was connected and everything was working great; why did the
Internet suddenly stop working?
Due to normal vehicle movement, signal strengths may vary and you
may experience occasional loss of service. Wait a few minutes
and try again. Due to the characteristics of the cellular network,
there may be locations where service is intermittent or unavailable.
Wi-Fi is solely dependent on the strength of the cellular signal
in that area. This is the same effect as when a person experiences
a “dropped” call on a cell phone when hitting a “dead
zone”.
Q. Does PRTC’s WiFi Internet use a content
filter?
PRTC employs the use of Web content filtering software to assist
in prohibiting access to material that is obscene, contains child
pornography, or is harmful to minors and to comply with Federal
law. However, users should be aware that the nature of the Internet
precludes any filtering software from being fully effective. Some
sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable sites may evade the
filtering device. Other sites may be inadvertently blocked.
Q. Is WiFi available when the bus is not moving?
For WiFi service to be enabled, the bus Ignition signal must be in
the “ON” position (similar to a car radio, in order
to listen to most automobile radios, the key must be “on”).
Once the bus ignition is turned off, WiFi service will be disconnected.
Bus operators follow strict protocol regarding engine idling may
not be able to accommodate requests to "keep the Ignition
on."
Q. What about bandwidth and network speed?
WiFi service can accommodate basic Internet browsing, checking and
sending e-mails. Since this is a shared service with limited bandwidth,
PRTC has limited streaming video, audio and file downloads as a
courtesy to other commuters. In addition, overall connection speed
may be affected by the number of WiFi users on the bus.
Q: Can I download large files?
We recommend that you use PRTC’s Wi-Fi connection for simple
web services. Downloading or emailing large file attachments may
be restricted or result in the loss of the file.
If you have additional Wi-Fi related questions, please call 1-866-470-6897
We hope you enjoy this FREE service!
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