How to Prepare for Your Free Race Communications Internet Installation
Thank you for choosing Race Communications for your internet and phone services. To make sure your installation is smooth, we’ve put together this helpful guide.
Here, you’ll find important tips and steps to follow before your technician arrives, plus insights on what to expect during and after the installation process. Best of all, your installation is completely free!
Our goal is to make your installation day as easy as possible so you can start enjoying Race Communications’ fast, reliable internet and phone connections right away.
Preparing for Installation
Preparing your home for your Race Communications internet installation can make the process faster and smoother. Here’s what to expect and how to get ready before the installation technician arrives.
- Arrival time & notifications.
Our installation technician will arrive within a designated window. If there are any unexpected delays, our scheduling department will reach out to notify you. - Requirements for presence.
For the installation to proceed, the account holder or an authorized adult (age 18 or older) must be present throughout the entire appointment. Having someone available who can make decisions on the installation helps us address any issues and finalize the setup quickly. - Duration of installation.
Installation times vary depending on your home layout and the specific services you’re receiving, but you can expect the process to take between 2 to 4 hours from the time the technician arrives. This range allows for variations and ensures that your Race Communications internet and phone services are installed accurately. - Access requirements.
The installation technician may need to access both the inside and outside of your property. To facilitate this, please ensure that any gates or fences are unlocked. If you live in an HOA or managed property, arrange access in advance for the technician to reach telecom rooms or utility areas. - Clear path and pet safety.
For everyone’s safety and efficiency, please clear any personal items from the technician’s path and work areas. This includes securing pets in a safe location away from installation areas to prevent interruptions and keep your pets safe during the process. - Maintaining existing services.
We recommend that you do not cancel any existing internet or phone services until your Race Communications services are fully installed and operational. This way, you’ll have uninterrupted service during the transition. - Equipment placement considerations.
You might already have a preferred location for your equipment, but please keep an open mind to suggestions from our installation technician. Sometimes, the best location for your Race Communications equipment may differ from your preference to get optimal Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
By following these steps, you’ll help make the Race Communications Internet Installation process smooth and successful, setting up your home for fast and reliable internet and phone service.
What to Expect During Race Communications Internet Installation
Knowing what to expect can help you feel prepared and make the installation process a breeze. Here’s what our technician will do when they arrive for your Race Communications internet installation.
- Fiber cable installation. The technician will begin by running a small, thin fiber cable from a protective casing, or “clamshell,” on the outside of your home to the room where the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) will be set up. This process is sometimes called “wrapping the home.” Since every home is different, the technician will determine the best route to ensure the fiber cable is both secure and protected.
- Wall penetration. To bring the fiber connection into your home, the technician will drill a small hole (about ¼ inch in diameter) through the outer wall. If you know of any utilities or electrical wiring hidden within the walls, please let the technician know to avoid any interruptions or potential hazards.
- ONT installation and service testing. After running the fiber cable into the designated room, the technician will install the ONT, which connects your home to the Race Communications network. Before finishing the job, the technician will verify that all services are working properly.
Internet-Specific Installation Details
If you’ve subscribed to our Race Communications fiber internet service, here are additional details to keep in mind for your installation.
- Router & network connection.
For those who have subscribed only to internet service, the technician will provide an Ethernet port on the ONT, allowing you to connect your own router. If you’re using a wireless router from Race Communications, the technician will either install an ONT with a built-in router or a separate device to meet your needs. - Wi-Fi SSID & password.
Our technician will give you the SSID (network name) and password for your new Wi-Fi network, allowing you to easily connect your devices to your new Race Communications fiber internet. - Gigabit internet requirements.
If you’re subscribed to gigabit speeds (1 Gbps or 10 Gbps plan), your router, switches, computers, and streaming devices should meet the minimum requirements to handle gigabit speeds. Compatibility across your devices lets you take full advantage of the high-speed service. - Device troubleshooting limitations.
While the technician will verify that your Race Communications internet service is operational, they are not responsible for troubleshooting personal devices like routers, computers, or other connected devices. If you encounter any issues with these, we recommend reaching out to the device manufacturers or consulting an IT professional.
Phone-Specific Installation Details
If you’re setting up Race Communications home phone service along with internet, here’s what you can expect for the phone portion of the installation:
- Backup battery installation.
To keep your phone service active in the event of a power outage, the technician will install a backup battery (UPS) along with the ONT. This ensures continued phone connectivity during short power interruptions, though the backup won’t power any phone device that requires electricity to operate. - Standard phone connection options.
The technician will either connect one standard phone set directly to the ONT or extend the phone line up to six feet from the ONT. For activating additional jacks, please consult a low-voltage contractor to make the necessary connections throughout your home.
Important Installation Notes
There are a few additional details to consider when preparing for your Race Communications internet installation.
- Access restrictions. For safety and liability reasons, our technicians are not permitted to access crawl spaces or attics and cannot move any furniture. If you’d like to manage wiring in these areas yourself, contact our customer service in advance. We can arrange a drop-off for the necessary fiber cable so you can complete the setup according to your preference.
- Alternative cable drop-off options. If you prefer to handle the more complex cabling aspects yourself (such as through attics or crawl spaces), let us know beforehand, and we’ll arrange to provide the appropriate amount of fiber cable for your needs.
Final Tips & Recommendations for Race Communications Internet Installation
For a smooth and efficient installation, remember to follow these key points:
- Be prepared for the technician’s arrival and the necessary access.
- Clear any pathways and secure pets.
- Keep an open mind on equipment placement to maximize Wi-Fi performance.
- Check your devices for compatibility with Gigabit Internet if applicable.
We’re here to make your Race Communications internet installation as straightforward and seamless as possible. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team for assistance.
