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

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!

Cord-cutting rates continue to skyrocket

January 17, 2018 Community News, General News, On-Line Streaming

Cancelling expensive satellite and cable company contracts, aka cutting the cord, and moving to internet-based streaming is continuing to grow at an outstanding rate. In fact, the speed at which people are leaving traditional pay TV is on track to be the biggest upset of the year. In the last quarter alone, approximately one million pay TV subscribers in the U.S. cut the cord and moved to internet-based streaming services. Even ESPN viewers, formerly some of the most loyal fans around, are jumping ship with the company losing more than 10 million viewers in the last few years. This shows a growing trend of consumers who either don’t watch sports, or are tired of the high price that comes with access for it. In fact, one recent survey suggests that 56% of remaining ESPN viewers would drop it in a heartbeat if it meant saving the estimated additional $8 price tag the sports network adds to cable subscriptions each month.

The profound effect internet has on day-to-day life

September 26, 2017 General News, On-Line Streaming

(or) The day our tech got schooled by a 5-year-old

A funny thing happened to one of our techs during a recent service call. A family had reported their rural internet service was out and we sent Kurtis to the rescue. The problem was found and solved pretty quickly – some connecting cables had been accidentally moved inside the home. But the whole time Kurtis was there, the family’s little 5-year-old let him know how much this internet interruption had interrupted her life, with all the sass and authority only a Kindergartner could muster. Kurtis had trouble keeping a straight face – it was the best call of the day!

Softcom Reveals The Truth About “Unlimited” Plans

March 15, 2017 4G LTE, General News, On-Line Streaming

The Hidden Limitations of “Unlimited” Plans

There’s a trend in the market today of big-name carriers offering “unlimited” data plans that seem like the perfect answer for heavy internet users. Promises of never-ending data may sound great, but before you answer the siren call of data without limits, be sure to take a closer look at what you’ll really get.

Data may be unlimited, but speeds are not guaranteed

While many carriers offer “unlimited” data to a certain extent, their plans are filled with a lot of asterisks and if/when scenarios that will affect the quality of your service. 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.” Depending on how much streaming or data-consuming work you do from your home or office, this could result in a week or two of streamlined internet speeds at the top of your billing cycle, followed by weeks of frustratingly slower connectivity.

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