Ask The Experts Archives - Softcom Internet Communications, Inc.

The difference between 4G and 5G

August 6, 2019 Ask The Experts

Everywhere you turn, companies are singing the praises of 5G technology and how it will “revolutionize” everything pretty much everything we use that’s connected to the internet. If you’re not sure about what the difference is between 4G and 5G, though, you’re not alone.

What is 5G?

In short, the G stands for generation, so 5G is the collective term for the fifth generation of mobile network technology. At it’s most basic, 5G promises much faster speeds, but it requires a lot more equipment to do that. 4G LTE, the service that Softcom provides, relies upon relatively few large towers that are positioned miles apart. This is what allows us to bring stable, high-speed internet access to rural and remote regions.

When it comes to wireless – the future is now

March 10, 2019 Ask The Experts, Equipment Upgrades

Twenty years ago, a lot of people were just starting to get comfortable making the switch from pagers to cell phones. Things like real-time video chats and self-driving cars were only seen in big-budget movies. Fast-forward to today and people are using phones, computers, tablets, and watches to connect with the world from their homes, schools, cars, yoga studios and coffee shops, all because of wireless internet. Twenty years ago, that might have sounded like a scene from the Jetsons, but today it’s not just normal, it’s necessary.

No longer a luxury, wireless internet has become a must-have for entertainment, education, healthcare, business, travel, shopping, news, communications and more. Wireless technology is advancing so quickly that experts predict that things like self-driving cars and smart cities will begin to reach the average consumer household in the next few years.

Were you in the “Collection #1” data breach? You might be surprised!

January 28, 2019 Ask The Experts, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

In what is being called the “mother of all breaches,” security experts have reported that a massive database of nearly 773 million unique email addresses and more than 21 million unique passwords was recently posted to an online hacking forum. Referred to as “Collection #1,” it appears that the data didn’t come from a single source, site, or company but is an aggregation that includes fully exposed passwords.

How to pick the right internet service for you

January 20, 2019 4G LTE, Ask The Experts, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

Everyone loves to clear out the clutter when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Here’s a new take on that: Make sure you’ve got internet service that isn’t a mess by using our checklist to identify what it takes to make sure you’ve got the very best.

Understand your data needs

Activities like streaming, video conferencing and gaming will need a higher level of service than someone who just uses their computers for email and online shopping. If you have a home office or multiple devices that will all be online at once, this can also affect the level of service. Understanding this and discussing it with an experienced customer service representative will elevate your online experience asap. To learn more about connection speeds and choosing the right plan, read “What internet speed do I need.”

What internet speed do I need?

January 11, 2019 4G LTE, Ask The Experts, General News, Internet Service Area News, Tips and Helpful User Information

Signing up for internet service is easy. Deciding on the speed and level of service you want? That can be the hard part. Some of the most frequently asked questions we get are about understanding the difference in our 4G LTE plans, especially when it comes to connection speeds.

Here at Softcom, we don’t sell plans based on data usage because we offer true unlimited data for our customers, no matter what plan they choose and without affecting the speed of service. Other companies don’t do this, and in fact will reduce connection speeds once their customers exceed their set data caps within a billing cycle. Depending on how much streaming or data-consuming work is done from the home or office, this could result in a week or two of fast speeds, followed by frustratingly slower connections until the billing cycle resets.

Softcom mythbusters: Real truths about rural internet service

November 8, 2018 Ask The Experts, Community News, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

You may think you know your internet, but much of what is passed about as truth is often out of date or even pure fiction. As the premier provider of high-speed internet service for rural communities in Central California, we thought it was time for some debunking.

MYTH: With unlimited plans I get the speeds I’m promised

While other carriers offer unlimited plans and super-high speeds, there are hidden limitations that can affect what you really get. Data may be unlimited, but speeds are not guaranteed. Only a certain amount of data per month is guaranteed to be delivered at 4G LTE speeds. As of March 1, 2017, Verizon / AT&T caps it at 22 gigabytes; T-Mobile at 28 gigabytes. After you go over your 4G LTE cap, you are eligible to be “deprioritized” for the remainder of your billing cycle and your connection reduced to “3G speeds.” We know this can be confusing, so we’ve provided the information you need in this article, “The hidden limitations of unlimited plans.”

Secrets for a smoother customer support experience

July 9, 2018 Ask The Experts, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

We get it, when things go wrong, calling a tech support line isn’t at the top of your list. Long wait times, bouncing from person to person, and frustrating non-answers are common with other industry help desks. But here at Softcom, we’ve taken all of that out of the equation.

Believe it or not, calling or chatting with our customer support specialists for your internet connection issues or questions doesn’t have to ruin your day.

All it takes is a little preparation and a few easy expectations and we’ll make your day better – faster. Here’s how:

Tips to avoid identity theft online

May 15, 2018 Ask The Experts, General News, On-Line Streaming

Identity theft continues to be a major concern, especially for those who shop or do business online. In fact, identity theft hit a record high in 2017, with more than 16.7 million people affected, according to recently released statistics. As consumers have become savvier, and new security measures such as credit card chip technology are fighting back, identity theft thieves are shifting their focus online. By stealing passwords and personal information, they can open accounts, order products, access existing funds and create all sorts of havoc in a very short amount of time.

We’ve addressed email phishing scams and how to outsmart them, plus tips for keeping your family safe online, and are continuing in our effort to help you have the best experience online with even more tips here for avoiding the dangers of identity theft online.

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