Equipment

• What equipment is required?

  • Trailblazer Broadband service includes the lease of an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) that facilitates your internet connection as well as wireless connectivity if you subscribe to our managed WIFI service. This equipment will need to be returned to Trailblazer Broadband if and when service is terminated.

• Is equipment included with the service or can I buy my own equipment separately?

  • The lease of the equipment is included with the service. We highly recommend using our provided equipment whenever possible because it is configured to maximize efficiency and internet speed as well as to aid in any troubleshooting that might be required in the future.

• Do I need a wireless router?

  • If you wish to connect multiple devices within your home or use OnDemand or streaming TV services, a wireless router is essential. The good news is that Trailblazer Broadband’s Nokia Gateway acts as a modem and a wireless router all in one.  So if you subscribe to our Whole-Home Managed WiFi service – which is included in the discounted Mountaineer Package, you will not need to have a separate wireless router.

• Connecting Additional Devices

  • In most cases, connecting a device to your home network is easy. A managed WiFi connection is available with Trailblazer Broadband. This option is needed if you wish to connect multiple devices wirelessly.

    Although each device is somewhat different, these simple steps should get you started.  Please also consult the Users Guide for each individual device for more specific instructions.

    On your device:

    • Go to Settings
    • Select the option most closely related to one of the following: Network – Connectivity – Internet Connection
    • Select WIFI Connection option
    • When prompted, enter the wifi name and password that are listed in your Trailblazer Broadband account
    • Wait for the indication that the device is “connected”
    • NOTE: You can perform these same steps in a wired configuration by connecting your device to the modem with an ethernet cable.

    If you want to connect a device that does not have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can purchase a WiFi adapter that plugs into your computer’s USB port.

• ONT/Router Placement & Signal Strength

  • The positioning of your ONT (or your wireless router, if you are using your own device) can impact the WIFI signal you receive in various parts of your home. Placing the device in a central area of your home reduces wasted coverage area and eliminates unnecessary distance between the unit and any connected devices on the outside edges of the coverage area. Ideally, it will be within sight of wherever you sit and use the Internet most.

    Every installation is unique, based on the layout of your home.  Step 1 of installation is a brief inspection of your home to determine the best location for the equipment and the proper route for installing the wiring necessary to activate the service.   The installers will provide a few options for installation and wall plate placement.  Typically, the standard installation will be on the main floor of your home within 20 feet of the entry point from the exterior of your home.  It is best to avoid placing the ONT near metal objects and electrical appliances, particularly microwaves and baby monitors.

    Depending on your home layout and size, some areas may experience a weaker signal, no matter where the ONT is placed.  You can lease additional beacons (similar to repeaters, but offering stronger, more consistent signal strength) from Trailblazer Broadband to place strategically within remote areas of your home.  Our installers can assist with placement recommendations to optimize the signal strength throughout your home.

    If needed, custom installation is available for an additional cost; however, adding a mesh node or two in remote areas of your home may be a better solution.

     

• Custom Installation & Moving Equipment after Initial Installation

  • Custom Exterior Installation:
    Some homes on large lots or in remote areas require a longer fiber run from the fiber terminal to the outside of the home. If this applies to your property, we encourage you to contact Customer Support at 970-577-3770 when you are ready to sign up for service. A member of our fiber team will schedule a time to meet with you and work with you to determine the best path for the fiber to be run to your home. If custom work is required, we will provide you with an estimate of what it would cost, similar to what you may have experienced with other phone or energy companies. You will have an opportunity to review the quote and approve it before any work is done.

    Custom Interior Installation:
    During the initial in-home installation, our installers will work with you to determine the best placement for your Nokia Gateway within our standard installation parameters.  They will confirm this selection with you before completing the installation.

    If you require an installation that falls outside our standard guidelines, a custom installation can be performed at a cost of $80/hour over and above the standard installation time. Likewise, if you choose to have your Gateway moved after the initial agreed upon installation, a separate service appointment will be created for that move, again at a cost of $80/hour.

• Can I turn off the blue light on my Nokia ONT?

  • Yes, you can turn the light off with these easy steps:

    1. From the Nokia WiFi device list, tap the device you wish to view.
    2. At the top of the screen, locate the device name.
    3. Find the Nokia WiFi device’s LED status under Configuration.
    4. The LED Light is enabled by default. Selecting this option (clicking on the dot to disable) turns off the LED on top of the Nokia WiFi device.

• Does the NOKIA Beacon use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless frequencies?

  • The NOKIA Beacon supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless frequencies.  The Beacon switches automatically depending on what the clearest channel is away from interference. Go to 192.168.18.1 (paste this IP address in your browser) and enter the email and password on the bottom of your device to review your settings.

• What is the benefit of having a beacon?

  • The Beacons used with the Trailblazer Whole Home Managed WiFi Service detect and circumvent all sources of interference to provide the best and most consistent service in every room of your home.