Wi-Fi Frequently Asked Questions
GeneralWhat Wi-Fi services does Courtroom Connect Provide?
How do I get access to Courtroom Connect's services?
Where does Courtroom Connect provide services?
Service Features
What type of Internet connectivity does Courtroom Connect provide?
What web sites can I view using Courtroom Connect's Internet service?
How do I access e-mail and files on my corporate network?
Can I instant message and web conference with other people on the Internet?
Can you provide me with access to realtime transcripts?
How do I print out a document, e-mail, or web page at Court?
What security measures does Courtroom Connect employ?
How do I log off my WiFi account?
User Support
How do I sign up for service?
How does Courtroom Connect support users?
Pricing and Payment
What are the different pricing options?
How is payment made?
What pricing does Courtroom Connect provide for public interest and pro se users?
System Requirements
Does Courtroom Connect require any proprietary equipment or software?
What is Wi-Fi?
Which Wi-Fi cards can be used with your service?
Do I need a particular laptop to use your service?
Do I need to change the settings on my laptop before accessing your service?
General
What Wi-Fi services does Courtroom Connect Provide?
Courtroom Connect partners with Courts, and other legal service organizations, to install high-speed wireless local area networks within their facilities. Courtroom Connect's wireless networks allow users to connect to their office networks, access web research sites, send and receive e-mail with attachments, instant message with coworkers, download files, and print important documents (printing service to be arranged in advance). In certain locations, Courtroom Connect enables users to view realtime transcripts over the network. All of these services are accessed using regular laptops outfitted with 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless cards, which can be supplied by Courtroom Connect or the user. Essentially, Courtroom Connect allows you to bring all the capabilities of your office network and the Internet to the courthouse and other legal service facilities.
How do I get access to Courtroom Connect's services?
Courtroom Connect users access the Internet directly from their own laptop or palm-computing device. The laptop or device connects to Courtroom Connect's network using an 802.11b (“Wi-Fi”) wireless card, and then users log into a web page using an ID and password prearranged with Courtroom Connect. Once connected, users have high-speed access to the Internet, the ability to connect remotely to their office network, and the ability to print to local printers—all from anywhere in the courthouse. Click here to arrange for service.
Where does Courtroom Connect provide services?
Courtroom Connect's network is optimized for high-speed, high-quality, secure, services within facilities. That means that equipment must be installed within a facility in order to provide coverage. This enables us to guarantee excellent service throughout the facility, including courtrooms, conference rooms, hallways, and common areas. While laptops with Wi-Fi capabilities can access wireless networks throughout the world, utilizing the fastest growing, de facto standard for wireless networking within facilities, Courtroom Connect only provides services in its partner facilities. For future expansion plans, please contact a Courtroom Connect representative.
Service Features
What type of Internet connectivity does Courtroom Connect provide?
Unlike the technology behind wide-area wireless networks, such as Blackberry and Verizon Express, Courtroom Connect's wireless network is not compromised by bandwidth constraints. Each location serviced by Courtroom Connect is connected to the Internet with a dedicated, broadband connection. Most facilities are outfitted with a full T1 connection to the Internet backbone of a Tier One carrier, while smaller sites will have high-speed DSL connections. The 1.5Mbps connection provided by Courtroom Connect is over 20 times faster than dial-up and wide-area wireless connections.
What web sites can I view using Courtroom Connect's Internet service?
Any web site that is on the Internet, including AOL, Yahoo, Westlaw, Lexis, and your own law firm's site.
How do I access e-mail and files on my corporate network?
There are two primary ways to access e-mail and files on your corporate network. You can establish a virtual private network connection that allows your laptop to act as if it is on your corporate network, or you can access your network using a Citrix client or other web client. Courtroom Connect can support whatever service your law firm utilizes. And, of course, Internet based e-mail, such as AOL, Earthlink, and Hotmail can be accessed from Courtroom Connect's network without connecting remotely to your office network. If you do not have access to e-mail remotely, Courtroom Connect can set you up with a secure Outlook Web Mail account to which your e-mail can be forwarded, and through which you can send and receive e-mail at the courthouse.
Can I instant message and web conference with other people on the Internet?
Yes. Users can access their preferred instant messaging service on their laptop, as well as use other web and Internet conferencing services. It is possible to obtain full videoconferencing functionality on Courtroom Connect’s network using dedicated equipment (i.e., not using your laptop), but that must be arranged as a separate premium service.
Can you provide me with access to realtime transcripts?
In certain locations served by Courtroom Connect, we work with court reporters to make realtime transcript services available over the network. To offer these services, a court reporter must provide Courtroom Connect with a realtime data feed. Depending on availability, we can provide service on our network to your team at the courthouse or over the Internet to anywhere in the world. Please contact a Courtroom Connect representative to determine whether service is available in your courtroom.
How do I print out a document, e-mail, or web page at Court?
Courtroom Connect provides dedicated printers for individual trial teams. These printers are accessed on our network using print drivers installed on user laptops (just like at the office). Users have the option of specifying a PIN Code when printing, which keeps the print job from printing out until released by the user at the printer.
What security measures does Courtroom Connect employ?
We offer several layers of security for our users, including both the latest Cisco wireless encryption measures as well as industry-standard VPN technology. In addition, our network allows users to employ their own security when accessing their corporate documents and e-mail. Users should also utilize personal firewalls and/or deactivate file sharing for added file protection.
How do I log off my WiFi account?
You must be currently connected to our network at the courthouse that you originally logged into, using the same laptop you logged in with, and click on the link for the toolbar. You can then click on disconnect to disconnect your session.
User Support
How do I sign up for service?
Simply speak with a Courtroom Connect representative to determine the service plan that best suits your needs. Courtroom Connect will activate your ID and password, and work with you or your IT staff to prepare your laptop for service. An account can be set up in a matter of minutes, and laptop configuration takes less than 30 minutes. While this can all be performed last minute at the courthouse, we strongly recommend you provide as much notice as possible to ensure everything is ready for your appearance at court.
How does Courtroom Connect support users?
Courtroom Connect supports users in a variety of ways. Documentation is available on our web site, including a Quick Start Guide. We work with users and support staff to set up laptops for service, often going on site to perform set-up ourselves or train support staff. We answer any user questions over phone and e-mail during normal business hours, usually responding in less than an hour. If we can’t resolve an issue remotely, we will send someone to the courthouse or office. With few exceptions, all required support is included in the pricing of our different service plans.
Pricing and Payment
What are the different pricing options?
Courtroom Connect has a variety of pricing options designed to meet the needs of the diverse legal community. Plans can cover individual attorneys, entire firms, or anything in between. Our most common option combines monthly pricing for unlimited use during non-trial proceedings with weekly pricing for unlimited usage during trials. A Courtroom Connect representative can work with you and your IT staff to select the best plan for your needs.
How is payment made?
Courtroom Connect can charge your credit card for services rendered, or provide your firm with a monthly invoice.
What pricing does Courtroom Connect provide for public interest and pro se users?
In most situations where users are not in a position to afford service, Courtroom Connect will drastically reduce or waive fees.
System Requirements
Does Courtroom Connect require any proprietary equipment or software?
No. Courtroom Connect does not require any proprietary equipment or software to access its services. Users need only have a laptop (or PDA) equipped with a Wi-Fi card (or internal adapter).
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is the brand name for the wireless Ethernet standard also known as 802.11b. Although improvements are still being made to add security and increase speed, Wi-Fi has become the de facto standard for high-speed wireless data communications. To access our network wirelessly, a client device must have a Wi-Fi card and its associated software drivers and utilities.
Which Wi-Fi cards can be used with your service?
All Wi-Fi cards are compatible with our service, but we recommend business-focused cards operating at 100mw such as the Cisco Aironet 350 Series adapter.
Do I need a particular laptop to use your service?
No. As long as the laptop supports a compliant Wi-Fi card and web browser, the laptop will work with Courtroom Connect’s service. Windows XP is particularly good at managing wireless networks, but virtually all standard laptops with a version of Windows or Mac OS can be outfitted for service.
Do I need to change the settings on my laptop before accessing your service?
Not usually. Once the laptop has been set up for service, users need only insert their wireless card and log in to the network using a web browser.