Internet Providers | Consumer Triple Play

01 Jul

Major Company Releases 5G Services In Las Vegas

5G Internet Services

AT&T released mobile 5G service in Las Vegas and will be open to business customers. This takes the total count of the cities where 5G was introduced by the company to 20. The company did not mention the spectrum it was using.

Presently, 5G services are available to business customers only. They would be able to get AT&T’s 5G network by using the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Note that this is available on the Business Unlimited Preferred plan provided by the company. Besides, this is a free service throughout the year. This allows them to test and make more 5G-enabled applications through AT&T’s network.

AT&T has already released the mobile 5G service in limited areas of 19 cities before launching it in Las Vegas. This includes 7 places in April. These were Nashville, Orlando, Austin, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The company said that it was looking to provide “new experiences that digital natives crave,” although it did not explain further regarding the details that it may contain.

“We are proud to introduce 5G+ to Las Vegas,” said AT&T Nevada state president Stephanie Tyler. “Being the first to Las Vegas, and the first to 20 cities across the U.S., is a testament to AT&T’s commitment to our future.”

High Speed Internet

Before this, AT&T mentioned that San José, California as the very first within the country to use the specialized first responder network FirstNet. It was employed at full potential in the city.

Some of the Best Internet providers in the country had a very eventful period in recent days. Initially, Verizon announced that their 5G network was running in Denver. They also revealed the plans to switch on mmWave mobile 5G service in Rhode Island from the upcoming month.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile said that customers belonging to 6 different internet providers would be able to access the web in 5G. This would be a result of the release of Galaxy S10 5G.

The six cities are Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, and Cleveland. T-Mobile has upgraded its methods for 5G. It assures 5G coverage with lower frequency 600 MHz spectrum combined with mid-band 2.5 GHz which would be provided by Sprint if the two internet providers decide to collaborate. T-Mobile is deploying mmWave spectrum that comes with 39 GHz for Las Vegas and 28 GHz for the other locations.

06 Jun

Xfinity Customers can now keep an eye on their Pets Using their Smart Home Camera

Smart Home Camera

Comcast® is one of the best internet providers in the United States. Currently, the cheap internet provider introduced a unique idea that can make a stir in the communication field. The Telco added a pet detection camera to their Xfinity smart home camera. This will enable their customers to keep an eye on their furry friends. Comcast® made it possible for their consumers to detect the movement of their pets utilizing the AI platform. This will let the customers sort through long videos quickly and identify the ones with just their pets. The company decided to incorporate a pet filter to the Xfinity Smart home camera since a recent survey reported that 94% of their internet-enabled camera users tend to check on their pets frequently.

Even though Pet filter is one of the latest AI features, this isn’t the first time that the company is coming up with this type of unique element. Two years ago, Comcast® unveiled certain thumbnails for their customers who tend to use the 24×7 video recording feature of the company. With these thumbnails, the company enhances the ability of their customers to find the relevant motion episodes quickly. After a year, the feature was upgraded by incorporating computer vision models. This allows the Xfinity cameras to automatically detect the motion triggered by vehicles or people.

The vice president and general manager of Comcast’s® Xfinity Home, Dennis Matthew said, “We developed this feature to help our customers quickly filter motion-triggered events by people, vehicles, or pets because we wanted to bring them the video clips that matter most even faster. It’s an intelligent home security solution that enables our customers to easily check in on their loved ones from anywhere, anytime.”

High-Speed Internet

The latest innovative pet filter is developed by the computer experts from the applied AI team of the company in Washington DC along with the engineers from the camera team of the company in Philadelphia. The vision specialists in the company analyzed thousands of home security camera visuals donated to the company by employee testers using machine learning as well to ensure its efficiency. Finally, this trendsetting feature that allows the Comcast® customers to check in on their furry friends throughout the day was introduced on 06-06-2019.

In a press release, a representative of the company said, “The goal was to build an algorithm that could quickly and consistently detect movement from a pet, and clearly distinguish it from a car, or a person, or anything else that might trigger motion detection. Initially, we looked into commercial solutions that might work for our cameras, but we weren’t satisfied with the accuracy we were seeing. Detecting a dog photographed from five feet away, standing still in perfect lighting isn’t the same as detecting one running across the backyard 30 feet away, and we needed an algorithm that could do both – so the cameras could reliably spot … Spot.”

21 Mar

How and Why Cheap Broadband Plans Were Introduced in the US

High-Speed Internet

There are several ways to get affordable internet service, which not all people know. Some cheap internet services are only available to low-income households, but there are other subsidized plans available to anyone. In other words, you can avail the latter no matter how little you earn or how much you make.

Almost all major internet providers in the country offer cheap internet plans to low-income customers or families. In addition, FCC’s broadband adoption program also offers such plans to low-income groups.

Affordable internet is offered separately to such customers by public or private services, as long as they meet certain criteria that make them eligible to enroll for the broadband program. However, the eligibility criteria might vary from one state to the other and one program/company to the other. You might qualify for one if you have a member in your family who participates in a governmental assistance program.

Why the Internet is Offered at Cheap Prices

Not all customers in the country have access to the internet because of the relatively high cost, which they cannot afford. For those with the spending power, the cost of a standard internet plan may not seem all that high, but for low-income families, it does.

Bridge Connectivity Gap

The cause to provide customers with cheap internet is to bridge the connectivity gap. That exists in part because the deprived section of society also does not have access to the basic facilities to access the internet, The gap between those with the privileged section of the society is more apparent than what one can imagine, hence the need to bridge the digital divide. To this end, internet service providers also take certain initiatives, such as donating laptops or computers to the deprived families. Some of the telecom giants take part in such initiatives, but not all of them do.

All this is linked to one thing: availability of the basic facilities. Cheap internet plans are made available by companies in all US states, in addition to Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The first broadband adoption program was rolled out in 2011, and it was aimed at Americans who were struggling to make their ends meet. Existing technology advancements brought new private companies into the affordable internet business, giving more options to US customers.

06 Mar

The Do’s and Don’ts to Follow When Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi Guide

While it offers you free internet, public Wi-Fi network has little to no restriction. In a private network, on the other hand, restrictions as well as access rules are set up to give access to only a minimum number of users. However, if you are deprived of the internet or there are not many speedy and reliable services in your area, then you might want to look at the other options.

Not all residential users have direct access to some of the major internet providers in the nation. If that applies to you, and you do not have a connection from the best internet provider in your area, then you will want to rely on public Wi-Fi for your important tasks.

Some people hang around places such as a library, having access to the best internet provider therein, to connect to the internet. Seeing the lack of internet options there, such kinds of institutions and nonprofit organizations allow that as a gesture of goodwill. As you can see, in that case, one gets to access a private network, not a public network.

Do’s of Using Public Wi-Fi

Connect to a secured public network whenever possible.
Disable automatic connectivity option or setting in your device. This is one of the convenient features, available in most smartphones, tablets, and laptops, but it can connect your device to networks that you generally would not use. It is best to keep such settings disabled, particularly when you are traveling to an unfamiliar place.
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Monitor Bluetooth connectivity. It is a good feature to use when in a private place. However, leaving it on when on a public place can pose a big threat to your cyber security. That is because while Bluetooth connectivity allows for communication from one compatible device to another, a hacker can also look for open signals to get access to your device.
Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to make sure your anonymity and privacy are protected when on public Wi-Fi. VPN protection services can encrypt the data people send and receive when using public Wi-Fi hotspots, securing their information from others who use the same connection.

The Don’ts

Do not access your personal bank account, or any sensitive data, when on a public network. This may also apply while doing shopping over a public Wi-Fi network.
Do not leave your device unattended in any public place, or stay fully engaged in an activity in such a way that that presents a chance for someone to steal your property.

22 Jan

4 Ways to Get Internet for a Lower Monthly Cost

Monthly Internet Cost

Even if you are happy with your existing internet service provider, you might still be paying more for the service. Some ways to find a cheap internet service or lower your monthly bills are outlined below.

Reduce your Internet Speed

A few internet providers offer plans that promise downstream speeds of 100 megabits per second or more. However, not all residential users require that much speed. You could choose a different plan and decrease your bill by 35 dollars or more, depending upon your service provider. Determine the internet speed you want, and contact the carrier to choose a different or lower speed tier package. This speed requirement might depend on your monthly usage; if you do basic surfing and stream video and audio on a single device, you can choose an alternative plan that is lower in price.

Negotiate your Internet Bill

Tell your service provider that you have found a cheap internet plan elsewhere, and that you need to opt for it instead. Be polite yet firm enough in conveying this to your existing carrier. The better you back up this stance, the better the leverage you will have. So research promotional prices your provider and its rivals offer to new customers now – be ready to cancel the service and subscribe to another one that offers a better deal in comparison.

Bundle your Services

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If you already subscribe to cable, then you can save over 1,000 dollars in the course of two years with some service providers by bundling it with internet. Be wary of the upsell. Some operators may try to talk customers into extra speed or TV channels for 5 or 10 dollars a month. That monthly increase adds up to a bigger cost over time, and in turn defeats your main aim – to save money.

Use your Own Cable Modem as Well as Router

If you are planning to stay with one ISP for a few (contractual) years, it might be even more cost-effective to use your own equipment unit rather than renting the hardware. Many services charge 10 to 15 dollars a month to rent it. If you stay with such types of providers for a couple of years, the overall costs would be 240 to 360 dollars. You can purchase a top-rated router and modem for less than 200 dollars. Moreover, remember that some service providers will not offer support or personal hardware troubleshooting.

11 Jan

Digital Divide and the Initiatives to Tackle it

Digital Communication Facts

The term ‘digital divide’ refers to the connectivity gap, meaning the gap between regions and demographics that have access to today’s communications and information technology, and those that have limited access or no access at all. This technology can comprise telephone, TV, personal computers, as well as the internet.

Before the twentieth century, the term referred mainly to the division between people or regions with telephone access and those without it. After the late 1990’s though, its use primarily started to describe the divide between those with and without access to the internet, especially broadband.

This divide usually exists between people in cities and rural areas, between educated and uneducated sections of society, socioeconomic groups, and the more as well as less industrially developed countries. Even among a population with some access to today’s technology, the divide can be apparent in the form of slower personal computers, lower-speed Wi-Fi connections, and restricted subscription-based content access.

In this day and age, the digital divide is a reality even in developed nations. For instance, not all areas in the United States of America have access to the broadband internet. Even as technology keeps becoming more and more affordable and internet access keeps expanding across the country, studies have revealed that millions of Americans still lack a cheap and reliable internet broadband connection. Many of them who lack the access to it reside in rural areas.

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The digital divide affects peoples’ lives in many different ways. Since they are deprived of access to the internet, some of them have to rely on public internet access spots. However, this divide deprives them of job or education opportunities.

While adoption of smartphone technology is growing even among low-income and minority groups, data plans’ rising costs and the complexity of doing tasks as well as transactions on phones can hinder the closing of the connectivity gap in some ways. Still, the US takes steps to tackle the digital divide. The best internet service providers have a commitment to reach out to underserved or unserved areas in the country to the Federal Communications Commission. They also offer low-cost or best internet service that unserved or underserved subscribers can afford.

Besides, major internet providers take initiatives to improve the digital literacy of rural or low-income people. Some of them even provide free laptops or computers to those who do not have the same, to access the web.

07 Jan

3 Surefire Ways to Cut the Cord and Their Benefits

Top Rated Shows

Are you tired of very high prices, hidden fees, as well as the customer service that several satellite and cable cum internet providers offer? What about programming packages with channels you do not really need? Then, it may be high time for you to cut the cord.

For years, big broadcasting companies and cable TV providers have had the exclusive rights to carry a number of premium channels on their TV platforms. As a result, they were the means for audiences to access their desired programs, but that is no longer the case.

Nowadays, you do not necessarily require a cable service or subscription to receive these TV channels. In case you need content for free, one of the best ways for that is to go the free streaming route. In case you need regular TV programs for a relatively cheaper price, then you could subscribe to one or more streaming services.

As you can see, there are a few cord cutting options for you. Let us take a closer look at what each of them comprises.

Option One: Antenna

In the era of cord cutting, television antennas are back in style! An antenna lets you get TV shows from over-the-air (OTA) channels. You simply have to connect either an indoor antenna or outdoor antenna to your TV set to get programs from any network-affiliate or local channels.

In case you need to get free programs from your preferred networks, then this is the ideal way to do it. It is also one of the simplest methods to cut the cord. However, it is important to note that a customer having an analog TV set might have to use a “converter box” for digital.

Option Two: Streaming

Streaming TV Services

Streaming basically means you can access TV shows and movies over the web. With this method, you do not need to have satellite or cable services, or a TV antenna. However, you do require a speedy internet connection that is suited for your data usage.

Most internet providers give information about speed tier plans and what they are suited for, on their websites, so customers can easily choose plans as per their data consumption patterns or requirements.

Option Three: Antenna Plus Streaming

This is the priciest option for cord cutters. Still, it allows you to access free local channels over the air, while still letting you get more content over the web. This is also an ideal option as it brings a lot of content that you get to watch on-demand.

14 Sep

Tips to Increase the Speed of Internet Connection

Internet Speed Tips

Many things affect internet speed, including peak usage or network traffic. If you are experiencing slowness in your internet connection, try these things to improve speed. While it is a good thing to have high-speed tiers in your best internet service, what you do with it is equally important. While it is not possible to boost the speed of your internet connection beyond the speed for which you are paying your internet service provider, you still have to make sure a few things to get the maximum possible speed.

Note that these are general pointers, which most carriers recommend to improve speed. Also, check out other suggestions for that from your internet service provider. For instance, if your best internet service provider has announced a latest and upgraded speed tier plan, then it will tell you to reset your router or modem to get it.

Test the Speed First

Testing your actual downstream and upstream speeds will give you an idea of how close they are in relation to the advertised speeds. Many internet providers advertise download speeds of up to a certain a megabits or gigabits per second. If you are getting close to what is advertised in your best internet service, then be sure your carrier is only adopting industry-wide standards. If, however, the speed tests reveal a noticeable disparity, then get in touch with your carrier. It is likely it will suggest some changes to improve speed.

Reduce the Distance between your System and Router

If you are further away from your wireless router, you will notice speed drops. Thus, stay as proximate as possible to it. Also, ensure your computer and router have sufficient space all the way around in order to avoid overheating. If you have more room to cover at home, then consider adding wireless range extenders to maximize signal strength. You can buy it from your best internet service provider at an affordable cost than a new router.

Limit Access to your Network

If they are configured for it, some devices connect to a network as and when they come within range. If there is a setting in your smart device that receives the signal and then gets connected that way, then it is best to turn it off. Also, ensure only the devices you know have access to the network. If someone else is accessing it without your permission, perhaps it is time to change the Wi-Fi password.

Keep Line of Sight Obstacles Out of the Way

If the signal of your router has to pass through even an appliance, it will not be strong as you expected it to be. As a rule of thumb, keep your router in plain sight from where you are using your system or smartphone. Obviously, if it is on a distinct level than your device, then you will face signal problems.

Use Ethernet Connection in Place of Wireless

Plug in an Ethernet cable at the back of your computer to work around the delay taken by your system to receive a wireless signal. With the right Ethernet cable, you can get steady and fast speeds than perhaps what your wireless connection offers.

Other Ways to Improve Internet Speed

Restart your Internet Devices

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Restart your computer, and turn off and turn on your modem or router. These can resolve most connection issues as well.

Update the Firmware of your Router

If your router’s firmware is outdated, then it can prevent the equipment from maintaining a stable connection. This is important if you have been using it for over a year or two. If a replacement is due, then consider buying a new router to improve its signal reception.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files

Most internet providers recommend customers to clear caches and/or cookies to have an impact on page load speed. Although cached data allows a website to load quickly after accessing it once, it will lead to connection issues or errors in case the cache of a site does not match the records of your web browser.

Update your Browser and Operating System

An outdated browser can lead to slow page load times, choppy streaming of videos over the web, and many other things. Keeping your browser up to date makes it stable. The operating system update can also help in this respect.

Get Rid of System Malware

Viruses or malicious files slow down a computer, not to mention installed programs in it. Run a system scan and quarantine malware and get rid of potentially unwanted programs if required. This can improve the performance of your computer performance too. Therefore, it is worth running a system scan from time to time.

However, try not to activate the default update feature of your antivirus program as that could consume the remaining data in your internet plan and thereby affect speed.

07 Sep

3 Ways to Get the Most Value Out of an Internet Service

Best Internet Service

Whether you already have subscribed to one of the top internet providers or are looking forward to doing so, you should note these things to get the most of your internet service. You need to single out an ISP who offers the best speed, bandwidth and other options. Still, make the most of your data plan with these pointers.

Improved Speeds

Even when you are getting good downstream and upstream speeds, you still have to ensure certain things to get the best internet in this respect. If you keep an eye on the following things, you can improve speeds.

Make sure there are no services uploading, downloading and/or backing up cellular data to a cloud service in the background.
Make sure no device is connected to and is consuming data. If you have data caps, this will affect further data you could use or speeds if the limit exceeds.
Reset your equipment, comprising the router.
Test speeds with one connected device at a time in order to find out which device is using most data.
Replace old software and hardware and upgrade the firmware of your router.
Use your devices closer to your router and make sure a line of sight communication is there or no blockage exists between both.
Get rid of unwanted malware and virus on your device with antivirus software. Also, ensure its auto-update feature is turned off.
Use an updated web browser. Also, clear its cached files from time to time.

Consider your Data Requirement

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Make sure your internet package is one that is tailored to your data requirement. Usually, with an unlimited plan, you can download plenty of content or binge-watch TV shows online prior to your data caps start limiting speeds. In any event, you certainly need an unlimited plan for large data per month. On the other hand, if you use less data, a pay by the gigabyte internet plan will perhaps suit you. In other words, a pay by the gig plan means you will be charged for the data you consume in a billing cycle. There will be a specific monthly charge for up to one gigabyte.

Add-On Services

There are best internet service providers offering bundled packages to customers. You could bundle voice, data, and cable TV in a triple play package. If you only require less number of channels, it is best to go for a “skinny bundle”.

There could be other options to limit data usage such as parental controls or content filtering if your ISP provides the same. It will help you keep a tab on what your kids watch or stream, thereby impacting data.

27 Apr

Comcast® Shifts Focus to Internet Following Q1 Results on Cable Subs

Stream Online Channels

Comcast Cable^® officials recently reported that they experienced a significant loss in the number of video subscribers as of this year’s first quarter. As per reports, this decline in Comcast^® video subs is 96,000 as of Q1 of 2018. However, being one of the best internet providers in the US, Comcast^® has also achieved more than 350,000 high-speed internet subscribers during the same period.

This only goes to indicate the Philadelphia-based Telco giant’s role in nationwide markets of being an internet service provider that bundles cable TV packages and best internet plans. Slowly but surely, Comcast^® treats internet as the core competency of their overall service portfolio to stay competitive in a market that is shifting toward streaming services. In other words, more and more customers are choosing internet to stream online channels on Comcast Xfinity^® TV. Besides, their home security and Xfinity Mobile^® offerings also serve as adds to their product portfolio.

To retain customers and drive sales, Comcast^® sales reps are now pitching broadband packages first, and then, the company’s other offerings such as cable TV. “Our focus is very much centered on broadband,” said Dave Watson, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Cable^®.

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This focus of Comcast^® on internet offerings may seem surprising even at a time when the company has made a billion dollar bid, which is $31bn as per reports, to acquire Pay-TV broadcaster Sky plc. Comcast Corporation^®, the parent company of Comcast Cable^®, is surely trying everything it can to improve byline profits through broadband offerings even as their actions may seem to the contrary.

Trade analysts say that selling broadband would seem much profitable to Comcast^® than selling cable TV packages, for which profit margins are thinner in comparison owing to programming costs. No wonder Comcast^® is looking to acquire what is often billed as the largest satellite broadcaster in the UK namely Sky plc. In fact, Comcast^® is not alone in bidding for the broadcaster – even Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox Inc. join them in the bidding process. The board members of Sky plc welcomed the Comcast^® bid and withdrew a suggestion that shareholders have accepted an earlier proposal from 21st Century Fox.

Despite trying to cement their status of being one of the top internet providers, Comcast^® also sees an opportunity in the form of wireless subscriber growth. It has added 196,000 subscriber lines to Xfinity Mobile^® service in Q4, bringing its aggregate to 577,000 lines.

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Why the Internet is Offered at Cheap Prices

Do’s of Using Public Wi-Fi

The Don’ts

Reduce your Internet Speed

Negotiate your Internet Bill

Bundle your Services

Use your Own Cable Modem as Well as Router

Option One: Antenna

Option Two: Streaming

Option Three: Antenna Plus Streaming

Test the Speed First

Reduce the Distance between your System and Router

Limit Access to your Network

Keep Line of Sight Obstacles Out of the Way

Use Ethernet Connection in Place of Wireless

Other Ways to Improve Internet Speed

Improved Speeds

Consider your Data Requirement

Add-On Services

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