How do I schedule a free site survey?

You can call us anytime at 202-546-5898 or schedule your site survey here.

Do I need to sign a contract?

There’s no long-term commitment when you sign up with DC Access. You can cancel your service at anytime without penalties, though we do want you to be aware of the terms of service, so we’ll ask you to sign a services agreement, which you can review here.

How long will it take to install?

Once we have completed a free site survey to pre-approve your site for wireless, the installation can usually be scheduled within 3-5 working days.  The actual on-site installation time can vary from 1 to 2.5 hours.

Is there any wiring involved with the wireless installation?

Yes. The wireless portion of the connection is from the DC Access network antenna to the roof of your building or home. An outdoor Ethernet cable runs from the antenna on your roof to your computer or a wireless router that DC Access provides.

What equipment will be needed?

DC Access provides everything you need to get connected—including the antenna, mounting hardware, cabling, and a basic WiFi router.

The roof-mounted antenna (typically no larger than 20″ x 15″) is discreetly installed—usually strapped to a chimney or vent pipe. It has a built-in radio that converts the wireless signal into a standard Ethernet connection. From there, an outdoor Ethernet cable runs down the back of the building and connects directly to your DC Access-provided wireless router inside.

For homes or businesses that need broader coverage or advanced performance, managed routers and upgraded mesh WiFi systems are also available. These options help extend coverage, strengthen signal quality, and ensure seamless connectivity throughout your space.

Can you do a site survey and install at same time?

We typically perform the site survey and installation on separate visits so our technicians can gather the details needed for a smooth, successful setup. During the site survey, we determine the best placement for your router and antenna, identify any special equipment needed, and preconfigure everything for optimal performance.

However, there are times when both appointments can be completed on the same day—for example, if a previous DC Access customer lived in your home recently or a neighbor on your block already has service. In these cases, we already have much of the information needed to complete installation right away.

For customers in Northwest DC, we also try to schedule the site survey and installation together whenever possible to make scheduling and travel more convenient.

Do I need to get installation approval from my landlord? How do I get approval?

Approval from your landlord is needed to install an antenna on the roof for legal and liability reasons. Approval needs to be in written form and submitted before the installation appointment.

Email us at support@dcaccess.net to get an approval request form.

How much does it cost?

We offer several plans. Learn more about our wireless internet pricing.

What if DC Access isn’t right for me? How much does it cost to cancel?

We hope you’ll love your DC Access experience—but we understand that sometimes things don’t work out. If for any reason our service isn’t the right fit, you’re covered by our 100% money-back guarantee.

If you’re not satisfied within the first 30 days, we’ll refund your installation fee and your first month of service—no hassle, no hard feelings.

Before you sign up, we also conduct a site survey to make sure your location is a good fit for our network, so most customers know exactly what to expect before installation.

How fast is your wireless internet?

DC Access offers several levels of high-speed wireless Internet service designed to meet the needs of homes, businesses, and multi-unit buildings. Our WiFi packages vary and are comparable to other high-speed broadband providers in DC—delivering the reliability and performance you need for streaming, remote work, video calls, and smart home devices.

If you need even faster speeds or want to connect multiple locations, custom packages are available—just ask, and we’ll design a solution that fits your needs.

Is the internet access unlimited?

Yes, it is unlimited access. In addition, wireless internet is a full-time always-on connection; your computer is connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is wireless internet reliable?

Yes. Our wireless network has been designed to provide reliable wireless data connections to the areas we service. By design, weather conditions do NOT affect our wireless data network..

What equipment will be needed?

DC Access provides the antenna, which is no larger than a one foot square panel. It is mounted on the roof (attached to a chimney or a vent pipe).

The antenna has an embedded radio that converts the signal to regular Ethernet. An outdoor Ethernet cable is then run down the back of the building and fed into the building and connected directly to one computer or into a wireless router.

Is Wireless the same as “satellite” internet?

No. Wireless Internet uses ground based antennas to transmit data to your location.

Satellite systems have higher “latency” (the time it takes data to travel between two points) since the data has to travel from your location up to the satellite 22,300 miles over the equator and back down to the Internet.

A satellite connection can make surfing seem sluggish and video conferencing and gaming unbearable.

Do I need a clear line of sight to a DC Access wireless network antenna to receive service?

You do need what is called a “radio line of sight.”

Radio line of sight differs slightly from visual line of sight. Our signal can pass through various types of buildings and obstructions (depending on your distance from a DC Access network antenna and the type of building) so you may be able to get service even if you can’t see the antenna.

Can weather affect the wireless internet signal?

In general, weather will not impact your internet signal.  The only time you could experience any type of signal loss would be during heavy rain.

Speed may decrease slightly during torrential downpours of 6″ per hour or more. Luckily, this type of rain is very rare in our coverage areas.

Wireless links are not affected by fog, smog, snow or non-torrential rain. Our type of system successfully operates in rainy, tropical areas, with no significant degradation of service.

Is there any wiring involved with the wireless installation?

Yes. The wireless portion of the connection is from the DC Access network antenna to the roof of your building or home. An outdoor Ethernet cable runs from the antenna on your roof to your computer or a wireless router that DC Access provides.

Will cell phones or cordless phones interfere with DC Access wireless?

Cell phones and 900MHz cordless phones have no impact on DC Access Wireless service because they operate in a different frequency range.

Any device such as a phone or baby monitor that operates at 2.4GHz or 5GHz may cause interference.

Can I get DC Access WiFi (wireless internet) at my location?

We currently provide WiFi to customers who live in the following zip codes: most of 20003, parts of 20002, and parts of 20009.   

Visit ourservice area maps to see if your location is covered. If you are in our DC service area, we will still need to do a free site survey to ensure that we will be able to provide you with service.

If you live in one of our wired buildings, you are all set to schedule service installation (no site visit required).  Learn more on our WiFi page.

Which WiFi speed do I need?

DC Access offers several levels of high-speed wireless Internet service to fit different needs—whether you’re streaming, working from home, running a small business, or managing a multi-unit property.

Most customers choose our second-level package, which offers the ideal balance of speed and value. It’s perfect for households or small offices that regularly stream video, join video calls, or connect multiple smart devices at once.

Our WiFi packages are comparable to other high-speed broadband providers in DC and backed by the local reliability and responsive service DC Access is known for.

If you need even faster speeds or want to connect multiple locations, custom packages are available—just ask, and we’ll help design the right solution for you.

See our speeds and prices.

Do you share or sell my personal information or browsing history?

No. We value your privacy and as stated in our privacy policy, unless expressly stated otherwise, subscriber personal information will never be sold to any company, nor will it be shared with third parties. See our PrivacyPolicy