On-Line Streaming Archives - Softcom Internet Communications, Inc.

Nielsen’s report: Too many choices can lead to streaming paralysis

September 23, 2019 General News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

We’ve all had that feeling. You turn on your streaming service, a colorful menu with an ocean of options pops up. You pause and stare at the screen. So many great choices. New shows to try out. Old favorites to revisit. Movies, sitcoms, documentaries, concerts, the list goes on and on … and on. Suddenly it’s 20 minutes later and no decisions have been made. It’s called streaming paralysis. And it’s affecting so many Americans that news of this issue is popping up everywhere from broadcast news shows to Nielsen reports.

According to Nielsen’s latest Total Audience Report, adults in the United States spend 11 hours and 27 minutes per day connected to media, and more than half of that usage is with digital media. And even though seven in 10 homes now have streaming service, which would indicate a general sense of comfort and proficiency with using the technology, nearly 21% of people indicated frustration with not being able to decide on something to watch and eventually walking away.

The best sports streaming services for fans who cut the cord

August 15, 2019 On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

If you’ve cut the cord but aren’t sure what your best sports-streaming options are, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the top sports-focused streaming services (as of summer 2019) to choose from.

Streaming for the casual sports fan

For fans who like to catch the game of the week, or watch shows like SportsCenter for an overview of the world of sports, most streaming services like DirectTVNow, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, will give you access to channels like ESPN or Fox Sports as well as a variety of live sporting events.

How the streaming wars will affect your viewing habits

July 10, 2019 Community News, General News, On-Line Streaming

A war started last year that may have escaped your notice. The players: Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Prime, Apple and more. The issue: A full-scale battle for your attention, in what’s being called the “streaming wars.” Options are increasing, pricing and platforms are changing, and some of your favorite shows are bouncing from one service to another. Here’s a quick overview of what’s going on and how it can affect you.

Costly, contentious, and with all the drama of the latest Kardashian scandal, the streaming wars are what you see happening as various studios, media giants and tech companies are trying to position themselves to become long-term essential streaming platforms. Low-cost subscriptions, mega-budget original programing, and non-stop jockeying for who gets licensing rights for popular shows like The Office, Seinfeld, and Friends are just a few of the moves that are being used to try to stay on top. Too many options can equal viewer fatigue, and streaming companies know that they need to rise above the crowd when households decide they want to only deal with a few at a time.

Busted! Wireless carriers caught putting the squeeze on streaming speeds. Here’s why Softcom will never do the same

September 27, 2018 General News, Internet Service Area News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

A disturbing report showing a trend among wireless carriers of throttling down on streaming speeds for their customers – just because they can – has stirred up talks about net neutrality again.

A few months ago we shared our thoughts online about the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality rules and what could happen because of it. Net neutrality can be very difficult to understand, that’s why we laid it all out in an article on our blog, along with our official position that can be accessed here:

“Our Position on Net Neutrality”

New study predicts over 5 million will cut cord in 2018

September 12, 2018 General News, Internet Service Area News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

A recent report that studied the TV watching and cord-cutting behaviors of viewers in the Unites States highlights the acceleration of people choosing to terminate their paid-TV services at such a rate that they predict that by the end of 2018 nearly 5.4 million consumers will have severed all ties to tradition television access.

Consulting firm Cg42 published the “2018 Cord Cutter & Cord Never Study” sharing their in-depth analysis of both US consumers who opted out of subscription-based Paid-TV service in the last several years (aka: Cord Cutters) as well as US consumers who have never subscribed to paid-TV service (aka: Cord Nevers).

Fixed Internet vs. Satellite for Rural Internet Access

August 1, 2018 4G LTE, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

In the past when rural homes or businesses wanted internet access, their only option was satellite service. While it was quick and easy to install, the downside was incredibly slow service resulting from data being transmitted to and from an orbiting satellite.

As technology has improved, however, so have the options for rural internet users. Fixed wireless internet is a more reliable solution, with faster, stronger and more reliable service that today’s internet user is looking for.

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.

Ready to stream? Now is the perfect time to cut the cord

March 27, 2018 4G LTE, General News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

If you’ve been hesitating to cut the cord and start streaming, now’s the time to jump in. Deals from streaming services such as DIRECTV NOW, YouTube TV, Hulu and Amazon Prime, in addition to stable Internet service from providers like us, means it’s the perfect time to make the switch.

“Cutting the cord,” the process of getting rid of traditional cable TV services and switching to watching television by streaming it via the Internet, is a concept that has existed for some time. However, for people who live in rural areas where internet services were either too slow or not available at all, cutting the cord has been out of reach. Until now.

The one thing you need before cutting the cord

March 10, 2018 General News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

Watching TV is not the same as it was when you were a kid anymore. In fact, it’s barely recognizable. Add to that the changes that the internet has brought to home, business, school, work and play and you’ve got a whole new world that is changing dramatically. At the center of it all lies something we’re very familiar with – understanding how best to connect to the world as it is today.

We’ve written about this a few times in the past and are not surprised at all to let you know that 2017 was the year that cord-cutting finally became mainstream. Fed up with high prices and bloated packages, millions of Americans continue to sever their relationship with traditional cable services, instead choosing streaming services that deliver low rates and the ability to get everything they want – and nothing they don’t.

Our position on Net Neutrality

January 25, 2018 General News, On-Line Streaming, Tips and Helpful User Information

The repeal of Net Neutrality is a hot topic in America, and many of our customers have reached out to find out how we feel about it. Here at Softcom we believe that everyone should have the same opportunities to access the internet, no matter where they live, without us getting in the way of you getting the content you want. In short, what does this mean for our customers? That we’ll continue to provide the best internet access and services to each and every customer without any net neutrality shenanigans. Or, in other words…business as usual!

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