The equipment: who owns what

This is what the service agreement says about equipment, in plain words. It describes the terms and does not list brands or models, because none are published.

Which equipment belongs to High Desert?

Four things: the antenna, the radio, the power supply and the injector. The agreement says title to equipment the company provides never passes to the customer. They are installed to carry the service, and they come back to us when service ends. Think of the arrangement as a loan that lasts as long as service does, and ask your technician if any piece was provided differently at your home.

What happens if it fails?

If supplied equipment fails, the agreement says the company will repair or replace it. If a technician is sent and finds no fault, or the trouble sits in equipment the agreement does not cover, the visit is billed at time and material rates, as is a visit where the technician cannot get access. Before you call for a visit, run through the five checks and power injector lights.

What about my router and Wi-Fi?

The agreement says the customer is responsible for provisioning, configuration and maintenance of customer premises equipment, which includes routers, unless an accepted service order says otherwise. Ask at installation what is supplied and what is yours. If you buy your own, choosing a router to buy helps, and set up a new router shows the steps. Then whole-home Wi-Fi and mesh covers bigger houses.

What if I cancel or move?

All equipment must be recovered before monthly billing stops. The agreement says to return it undamaged within five calendar days of termination. If it is not returned, or comes back damaged, you are charged for its value. For lost equipment the agreement states a replacement cost of approximately $500 wholesale value. The company can also enter the property to recover its equipment. Read return equipment and how to cancel and return equipment. If you are moving, see moving house, service and equipment.

Can I move the antenna myself?

No. Do not climb to the antenna or touch the radio or its cable. Aim matters, and the cable carries power. Call us and a technician comes. After a windy night, see after a wind storm for what to check from the ground.

Does the equipment need power?

Yes. The injector plugs into an outlet indoors, so when the power goes out the connection goes out with it. A small battery backup can keep a router and injector alive for a while; see surges, outages, UPS and generators and after a power outage.

What does each piece do?

The antenna and radio outside receive the signal from the tower and send yours back. One cable carries the data down to the house and also carries the power that runs the radio. The injector is where that power joins the cable, which is why it needs an outlet. The router takes the connection from the injector and turns it into Wi-Fi and wired ports for your devices.

What happens to the equipment when I move?

It stays with us, not with the house. Tell the office before the move so the equipment can be recovered, and ask about service at the new place. The new address gets its own check, because a clear path at one house says nothing about another.

What should I never swap or change?

Use the supplied power supply and injector with the radio, and do not substitute another adapter or cable. The wrong power can damage the radio, and a damaged radio is a problem for both of us. If a cable looks cut, chewed or loose, leave it alone and call. A tidy, short run of cable inside the house also helps, so keep it clear of doors and furniture that could pinch it, and keep the injector somewhere dry and out of direct sun, as with any small piece of electronics.

Where can I learn what the parts are?

The glossary has plain entries for the customer radio, the PoE injector, the router and Ethernet. When you are ready, the address check starts the process.