Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable internet technology available
Fort Pierce, Florida – November 16, 2023 – FPUAnet Communications, a division of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), is pleased to announce the launch of fiber internet service in the Lincoln Park area of Fort Pierce.
Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable internet technology available, and it will provide Lincoln Park residents and businesses with the speeds and bandwidth they need to thrive in the digital age.
“We are excited to bring fiber internet to Lincoln Park,” said Jason Mittler, FPUAnet manager.
“Fiber internet will provide Lincoln Park residents and businesses with the speeds and bandwidth they need to work, learn, and engage online. It will also help to attract new businesses and residents to the area, and support economic development.”
FPUAnet is offering a variety of fiber internet plans to Lincoln Park residents, with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
Fiber internet is symmetrical, which means that upload and download speeds are the same, making it ideal for activities such as video conferencing, streaming high-definition video, and school work.
FPUAnet would like to thank the following partners for their support in making this launch possible:
Allegany Franciscan Ministries
The City of Fort Pierce
St. Lucie County
“We are grateful for the support of our partners on helping to bridge the digital divide; bringing fiber internet to Lincoln Park,” said Mittler.
“This launch is a testament to our commitment to providing the Lincoln Park community with the best possible internet service.”
The service will be available to Lincoln Park residential customers for as low as $1 per month if they also qualify for the federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
This rate is made possible through a combination of discounts provided by the ACP, Alleghany Franciscan Ministries, St. Lucie County, and the City of Fort Pierce.
“We want to make fiber internet accessible to everyone in Lincoln Park,” said Mittler. “Our partnerships along with the ACP offer is a great way for residents to experience the benefits of fiber internet at an affordable price.”
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About FPUAnet Communications: FPUAnet Communications is a division of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) that provides high-speed fiber optic internet service to residents, businesses and institutions in Fort Pierce and surrounding areas. FPUAnet is committed to providing its customers with the fastest, most reliable, and most affordable internet service possible. Additional information is available at https://fpuanet.com/.
About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is a municipal, not-for-profit utility provider. FPUA’s mission is to provide our customers with economical, reliable, and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community. Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community. Additional information is available at www.fpua.com.
If you have a gamer in your life, whether it’s your own kid or a family friend’s child, you likely know how much video gaming is integrated into their lives. But even beyond the meteoric success and outright appeal of video gaming to young people (and even many not-so-young people), gaming now provides tangible benefits to serious players: competitive esports and esports college scholarships.
Parents of college-bound gamers might want to pay attention below, as we discuss college-level esports and the burgeoning ecosystem of esports scholarships. And don’t forget that the high-speed fiber internet delivered to smart TVs and gaming devices by FPUAnet Communications may just give the budding esports scholar in your life the edge he or she needs to own the competition!
Varsity Esports Are Exploding Across Colleges and Universities
Following the 2010s and the exponential growth of video gaming and esports, it’s obvious now that collegiate esports are truly taking off as a legitimate competitive endeavor. This explosive growth is mostly due to advancing internet technology like FPUAnet Communications’ fiber network and apps that make gaming more social and more competitive, as well as increased talent among players. Indeed today, there are approximately 500 American colleges and universities offering esports scholarships.
Every year, more and more colleges and universities across the United States add varsity esports programs to their rosters. And yes, we did say “varsity”—as in intercollegiate competition, not just a club or diversionary dorm room duel. Robert Morris University was the very first college to create a varsity esports team back in 2014—and the trend has only ballooned since then.
At the varsity and college level, schools typically create individual teams of players around particular games. This gives gamers the opportunity to advance and even excel at strategies and tactics suited to the complexities and skill needs of that title, enhancing the competitiveness of each game and of esports more generally.
Beyond enormously popular and well-known titles like Fortnite (played by untold millions of people around the world both casually and competitively), several other titles are most commonly played at varsity level esports in colleges and universities in North America. In particular, Call of Duty, League of Legends, Rocket League, Smash Bros, and Valorant are among the most frequently duked-out games in collegiate esports.
Other games are also increasingly popular, however. Overwatch is noted for its hero customization and intense fighting, requiring stout players and almost preternatural reaction skills to succeed. Additionally, Rainbow Six: Siege and its almost alchemical blend of gaming genres like strategy and tactical shooting has attracted legions of players to the game based around Tom Clancy’s novels. Both games are fielding more varsity teams and are increasingly seen at college-level esports tournaments.
Collegiate Esports Give Rise to Generous Scholarship Opportunities
Because there are actual competitions and bragging rights to be bandied about, colleges are also competing for the best talent in esports. Thus, more schools are also providing scholarships for their best esports players. That means real dollars are increasingly available that the top gamers can put toward the costs of their higher education. Indeed, in 2017, Harrisburg University became the first college to offer full-rides to its leading esports competitors, including room and board!
Already, an estimated $16 million in college scholarships exist just for esports players—not a small sum for a sport that barely existed only a decade ago. And as collegiate esports continue to rise, we can expect more schools to establish varsity programs, as well as expand their existing esports teams, too.
All this burgeoning esports growth at the college level means that more scholarships—and even larger dollar amounts—are likely to be dedicated to esports gamers. Hence, for the truly talented and committed gamer, esports should be taken seriously, and gamers should consider taking steps to make themselves more competitive for esports scholarship opportunities.
The Esports Gender Divide
Despite the stunning growth in collegiate varsity esports, we hasten to note an important issue inside the gaming and esports community—the gender divide. Though females make up almost 50% of all video gamers (49% to be precise, according to one 2023 analysis), statistics show that men receive 90% of esports scholarships.
With patently lopsided statistics like that, the divide has not gone unnoticed. Arguments abound for this staggering disparity, but at least one likely reason for the imbalance is that most of the games more typically played by female gamers are less likely to be the games that comprise competitive varsity esports in colleges.
With that in mind, however, savvy female gamers with a keen interest in esports games that are played at the varsity collegiate level may want to be particularly on the lookout for scholarship opportunities that have too frequently landed in the hands of their male counterparts. Their unique backgrounds and talents may help give young women an edge over their compatriots in the coming years—and also help broaden and improve the sport as well.
To stay on top of the ever-changing and always-exciting esports scene, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages. We’re confident that our high-speed fiber internet can improve any gamer’s experience and perhaps even help prepare them for competitive esports and the worlds of opportunity they open!
With the heat of summer waning and autumn’s crisper air approaching, it’s time for another much-awaited season of the year: football season! And with significant changes and moves among college football team conferences, and major newly-signed players joining the ranks of the NFL, the 2023 football season looks to be one of the most impressive in recent memory.
But in addition to the moving and shaking occurring in the sport itself, many football fans are perplexed—or even frustrated—by some other changes in the way they enjoy their game: the recent shake-ups in broadcasting of live football games. Indeed, many fans are worried that they won’t be able to follow their favorite teams or catch the best games of the week.
Fortunately, with the advanced fiber network of FPUAnet Communications, you can find and stream college and NFL football games live—and with a sharp and pristine picture, too! Below we discuss where you can stream both college and NFL football this season. We’ll walk you through all you need to know so you can keep up with your favorite teams and enjoy all the action!
Streaming College Football
College football fans face no shortage of outstanding face-offs this season. While the traditional networks—ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC—air many marquee matchups, you’re going to need additional providers to get the most out of this year’s college football gameplay. At first glance, finding channels for college football can seem downright byzantine!
Some networks have special deals with individual conferences and schools for many of the year’s prime showdowns, including Fox (Big Ten), CBS (SEC), and NBC (perennial broadcasting home to Notre Dame football). However, it’s ESPN and its affiliated channels that provide the most coverage of college football.
That means it’s critical to have access to ESPN2 and ESPNU as well as to ESPN (and the networks). For even more college games, you’ll also want to check out CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports 1 (FS1), as well. Beyond these options, don’t forget about channels devoted to specific college football conferences, including the Big Ten and SEC, which also have their own networks, as do the ACC and PAC-12.
But you don’t need a cable cord to enjoy it all, thanks to high-speed fiber internet from FPUAnet Communications! For cord-cutters and streamers wishing to capture as many of these channels as possible, selecting a live-streaming TV app is your best first step.
For starters, Hulu + Live TV is an outstanding option for a few reasons, including its deal with Disney and ESPN. You’ll get streaming access to all the college football games available on ESPN’s channels plus most live network channels too.
Many fans also rave about fuboTV, a streaming service originally tailor-made for sports that brings you a ton of college football every week. And Sling TV’s Orange + Blue package includes a suite of channels for many games, as well. You’ll want to make sure that the teams and conferences you care most about are covered by the streaming apps and channels in any of these three options, but for most fans, any of them will suit.
NFL Football Streaming Options
For pro football fans, there are also a wide range of ways to watch your preferred team—while also keeping an eye on rivals, too! Like with college football, networks like CBS and Fox cover AFC and NFC games on Sundays. However, viewers are subject to local market games (and potential blackouts, as well), severely curtailing their options.
Fortunately, streaming technology and high-speed internet like FPUAnet Communications’ fiber network have opened a whole new way to follow the entire season without the drag of cable subscriptions! Indeed, NFL fans have several options (and price points) that may suit their professional football preferences perfectly.
Let’s begin with the big kahuna in live football streaming today: NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Though expensive, NFL diehards will find it indispensable, as you can watch just about any NFL game you want. And yes—that means you can follow your favorite team (and its arch-nemesis to boot) whether you are in that team’s broadcasting market or not! Or if your team is just not cutting it on any given Sunday, you can use NFL Sunday Ticket to easily flip to another game in progress. It’s a phenomenal way to keep track of the NFL this year.
Of course, not everyone needs the breadth of NFL football coverage that YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket provides. Even with Sunday Ticket, to enjoy every NFL game this year, you’ll still need access to other streaming football apps and channels, including Prime Video’s streaming-exclusive Thursday Night Football. And don’t forget that the NFL action on Sunday doesn’t end with the afternoon games. You can catch Sunday Night Football on NBC’s streaming app, Peacock, too, making your day of rest (and football!) complete.
Like with college football, you’ll want to have a live-streaming TV app for even basic viewing. The previously lauded YouTube TV is one option, as are Fubo and Sling TV’s Orange + Blue package. And again, Hulu + Live TV and its ESPN connections are another superior choice, particularly with its easy access to Monday Night Football.
We hope our guide to streaming college and professional football will help you better navigate the sometimes-tangled web of options available today. For more tips on making the most of FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber network, follow our social pages!
In early September 2023, millions of Spectrum customers turned on their TVs and discovered that some channels, including ABC and ESPN, were suddenly missing from their television lineup.
The reason for the blackout? A contract dispute between two giants in the entertainment and communications industries: Disney and Spectrum.
Though the quarreling has abated, and the blackout is now over, millions of viewers remain uneasy about the dispute and its impact on their lives—especially football fans, some of whom lost ESPN access right in the middle of watching a game! And many are wondering what, if anything, they can do to give themselves more agency to prevent such a dispute from disrupting their lives.
Below we briefly explain the dispute between Disney and Spectrum. We also discuss how switching to streaming television by utilizing FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber network can help viewers avoid losing their favorite shows in the next corporate clash.
The Combatants: Spectrum vs. Disney
Let’s begin with the players in the dispute. Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, is one of the biggest cable television providers in America.
Disney, which controls far more than just Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and a host of other beloved Disney characters, is a media powerhouse. The brand owns ABC and ESPN, as well as FX and many other television channels. That means Disney is ultimately responsible for some of the biggest, most profitable brands and titles in all of entertainment and sports, including Monday Night Football.
And when the two couldn’t come to an agreement on their contract, it looked like no one would win—especially television viewers.
What Caused the Disney-Spectrum Dispute?
Contract negotiations are usually dull affairs, even when the stakes are high. But the Disney-Spectrum dispute was different, and not just because millions of people lost their content. At the heart of the dispute is what every cable provider must pay annually to provide their customers with channels: carriage fees.
Carriage fees are paid by cable companies to the content producers—in this case, Disney, and its ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic and other affiliates. Disney was demanding a higher carriage fee than Spectrum was willing to pay.
When neither company was willing to bend, Spectrum lost the ability to bring those channels to its customers, leading to a blackout for customers across 41 states.
The outrage was immediate, as viewers and fans realized they were blocked out of content they’d been waiting for all year, especially major sports events and tournaments. “College football season is just starting—where are the games?” “What happened to the U.S. Open?” “What about Monday Night Football?”
And the anger wasn’t just limited to living rooms at home. Sports bars and other restaurants contended with furious customers, who had planned to watch marquee matchups live and amongst a lively crowd, just as they always had, before realizing they couldn’t, thanks to the corporate squabbling.
In the end, after more than 10 days, the two sides had a “meeting of the minds,” and settled their dispute. ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic, and the other Disney-owned channels returned to Spectrum cable channel lineups. But cable viewers have not forgotten. And cable may not be quite the same again.
The Rise of Streaming
The ten-day blackout may be over, but the core issue extends beyond just these two companies and their dispute. With the rise of streaming TV platforms and services, which give more power to consumers to choose the kinds of content they actually want to pay for and view, cable companies and their longstanding tradition of “channel bundling” are facing a reckoning.
Cable’s channel bundling and its inherent inefficiencies are symptomatic of a broader problem in the cable television industry. These days, cable packages are just too bloated—and too expensive—for most customers. And those customers now have the option to stream TV, which gives them much more control over their content choices and their home entertainment budget at the same time.
One popular misunderstanding is that cutting the cord means you’ll only have access to on-demand content (like Netflix). But streaming actually allows you to subscribe to services that give you just about any television content you want—including live TV.
That means you can enjoy live sports action, breaking news and analysis, network comedies, prestige dramas, documentaries, lifestyle-themed shows, and almost everything else you liked with cable. And you’re far less dependent on the whims and market maneuverings of a massive company and its team of legal eagles to make decisions that cut you off from your favorite programming.
If nothing else, the Disney-Spectrum debacle should remind consumers of two radically different but interconnected realities: their utter powerlessness in carriage fee disputes as a cable customer, and their power to bypass those shenanigans through the freedom of streaming TV.
And with the reliability and pristine picture quality fiber internet from FPUAnet Communications delivers, consumers can feel in control of their home entertainment once they cut the cable cord and switch to streaming.
Keep following FPUAnet Communications’ social pages to stay on top of more streaming entertainment news!
Just about any of our customers who have already made the switch from older forms of internet (like cable) to fiber broadband will tell you that fiber’s advanced technology is vastly superior to anything else they’ve used.
From downloading files at near-lightspeed, to voluminous amounts of available bandwidth for handling multiple applications simultaneously, to more reliable material components that provide pristine streaming TV and movie experiences, fiber is simply heads-and-shoulders above cable, DSL, and satellite internet.
But those are just technical specs—and that doesn’t tell even half the story! Fiber internet, like the kind delivered by FPUAnet Communications, can genuinely enhance your quality of life in a myriad of ways, including the following eight use cases we’re proud to support in Fort Pierce.
1. Telehealth Expedites Critical Health Interventions
We begin with everyone’s top priority—keeping their family healthy. And the internet now plays a significant role in delivering healthcare to millions. Telehealth, which allows physicians and other medical professionals to provide initial consultations (and other healthcare) from a patient’s home, has expanded massively in recent years.
Telehealth helps doctors and patients assess when more urgent in-person care is needed (and when it’s not). Prescriptions can get filled faster with telehealth, and consultations over the internet can even assist in properly applying first aid to injuries.
Telehealth consultations can be performed quickly and reliably thanks to fiber’s bounty of bandwidth, which lets audio and video data transfer between doctor and patient seamlessly. Many doctors won’t make a diagnosis when a poor internet connection causes choppy video calls, but that’s not a problem when the patient has fiber!
2. Remote Work Improves Convenience and Productivity
While remote work isn’t for everyone, it can be life-changing for caregivers who need a little more flexibility. Plus, while avoiding the hassles of commutes and traffic delays, remote workers also save money on gasoline and reduce their carbon footprint.
While many workers and employers decide to go fully remote, even partial remote work flexibility can be a blessing. But it takes a particularly robust internet connection to facilitate remote work (especially video conferencing), which isn’t always supported by inferior connections like satellite.
Fiber’s symmetrical downloads and uploads let workers send and receive large files and transmit data during long meetings and conferences, making a remote staff member genuinely feel part of the team!
3. Distance Education Allows Students to Gain Skills and Get Ahead
Access to higher education is more attainable than ever, thanks to the multitude of online distance learning opportunities available through colleges and universities around the country.
From undergraduate and graduate degrees to technical certifications, the internet puts education within reach for many who thought it was impossible or beyond their means while helping them achieve the skills necessary to meet their career goals.
Fiber internet’s enormous bandwidth facilitates reliable distance learning and even genuine classroom experiences. It allows students and professors to share large files like presentations or lectures in real-time and enables video conferencing to foster learning and growth, including one-on-one student-faculty interactions—all without sweating frequent distortions or outages that frustrate students on older internet technologies.
4. Lifelong Learning Keeps the Mind Active and Engaged
Beyond bringing official degree and certificate programs to students, fiber internet also facilitates a less formal but still highly valued form of education: lifelong learning. Lifelong learning provides opportunities for the curious to understand their world—and even the universe—well after college ends.
Several companies and major universities, such as Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses), edX, Harvard, and Yale have developed extensive online course offerings. You can find classes from prestigious professors spanning topics like ancient Greek history, Renaissance art, classical music, modern astronomy, and more.
And many courses are available free of charge! Through fiber’s near-lightspeed downloading, these courses can be streamed and enjoyed right from your home.
5. Virtual Reality Lets You Explore the World from Home
Fiber’s hefty bandwidth and vigorous download speeds also brings the wonder of Virtual Reality to your home—and with it, the travel experiences many have only dreamed about! Unlike traditional forms of entertainment, VR’s wonderous technology envelopes a user in multiple dimensions of visual and sound effects.
VR—through fiber internet—makes viewers literally feel like they’re wherever VR is showing them, whether it’s a tour of the Grand Canyon or an Amazon rainforest, an astronaut’s view from outer space, or a sonorous symphony hall.
Fiber’s speed and bandwidth combined with VR technology allows you to explore Paris’ Louvre Museum one day, and the Colosseum in Rome the next without ever leaving your living room!
6. Smart Homes Save Energy, Time, and Money
Fiber internet and its spectacular speeds and enormous bandwidth capacities make it possible to power a genuine smart home—a place brimming with tech and devices to cut energy usage and costs and make life better and more efficient.
From smart refrigerators that let you know when it’s time to get a new gallon of milk, to smart lighting that cuts off when you leave home, to smart speakers playing music (or soundscapes) throughout every room, smart home technology can turn your dwelling into the home of your dreams.
Remember that fiber can keep these devices and smart home features running smoothly, while still letting you stream TV and movies, upload videos, and enjoy everything else about your internet. Unlike other forms of internet, with fiber, you’re not forced to choose which online activity to sacrifice at any given time!
7. Smart Home Security Makes for Safer Homes and Neighborhoods
One smart home feature everyone should take advantage of is improved real-time safety and security delivered by smart lighting, smart cameras, smart doorbells, and related tech. Fiber-powered devices can monitor your home for security threats at all times, whether you’re tucked in your own bed upstairs or thousands of miles away on vacation.
Additionally, outdoor smart lighting and doorbell systems help make your neighborhood safer too, deterring “porch pirates” and other crime. Fiber has the power to keep these crucial smart home safety and security systems running strong while still allowing you to stay productive and engaged in other online activities simultaneously.
8. Video Calling Keeps You Connected Face-to-Face
Lastly, fiber’s impressive speeds and incredible bandwidth make video calling crystal clear and convenient. Grandparents can easily have face-to-face conversations with their grandchildren, and both sides of the call can see faces as well as hear voices.
Video calling is simply a much more intimate way to stay in touch than by phoning or emailing. Fiber enables this improved communication without the distortions and interruptions that plague other types of internet.
The eight examples above are just a small sample of the way fiber internet’s innovative technology enhances your life. From practical matters like health, work, and security, to broadening your worldview and sharing knowledge and world cultures, fiber can improve your well-being, inspire your mind, and uplift you.
To learn additional ways that FPUAnet Communications’ fiber can make a real difference in your life, follow our social pages!
Fort Pierce, Florida – September 27, 2023 – FPUAnet Communications, a division of Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), is pleased to announce that it has expanded its fiber internet service to over 1,500 parcels in Fort Pierce. This progress represents FPUA’s commitment to bringing affordable, high-speed internet options to Fort Pierce – freeing up customers to choose their internet provider based on what’s important to them.
Fiber-to-the-parcel internet is the fastest and most advanced, reliable internet technology available, and FPUAnet now reaches over 1,500 parcels, covering both residential and commercial customers, in Fort Pierce. “As a municipal service provider, we are owned by the customers we serve, and are fully committed to providing our customers with the best possible service,” said Jason Mittler, Manager of FPUAnet Communications. “We are proudly offering fiber internet at affordable prices and with no data caps or overage fees, so that everyone in Fort Pierce can enjoy the benefits of this amazing technology.”
Fiber offers a number of advantages over traditional copper-based internet, including:
Faster speeds: Fiber internet can deliver speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is significantly faster than traditional copper-based internet.
More reliable service: Fiber internet is less susceptible to outages and slowdowns than traditional copper-based internet.
Lower latency: Fiber internet has lower latency, which means that there is less delay between sending and receiving data. This is important for activities such as online gaming and video streaming.
Fiber internet is also more scalable than traditional copper-based internet, which means that it can easily handle the increasing demands of internet usage, an important benefit while Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County are growing rapidly.
FPUAnet Communications offers fiber internet plans starting at $49 per month for residential customers and $99 per month for commercial customers. All fiber internet plans include speeds of at least 100 Mbps, with speeds up to 1 Gbps available. FPUAnet also offers enterprise services with speeds up to 10 Gbps.
Crowdfiber build-out may be available where neighborhoods are most interested in receiving fiber internet. Visit www.FPUAnet.com to input your home or business address. The website will indicate whether fiber is already available, or it will let FPUAnet associates know that you are interested in receiving fiber. Larger numbers of interest can help FPUAnet determine where to prioritize build-out, allowing us to best serve you.
“Fiber internet is essential for economic development and job creation,” said Mittler. “We are committed to working with the Fort Pierce community to build a brighter future for all.”
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About FPUAnet: FPUAnet, a division of Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA), is committed to providing cutting-edge telecommunication services to the residents and businesses of Fort Pierce, FL. With a focus on delivering reliable, high-speed internet connections, FPUAnet is dedicated to supporting the region’s growth and technological advancement. Additional information is available at www.fpuanet.com.
About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is a municipal, not-for-profit utility provider. FPUA’s mission is to provide our customers with economical, reliable, and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community. Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community. Additional information is available at www.fpua.com.
With streaming devices seemingly everywhere, it’s easy for your children to turn on the smart TV or pick up a tablet or smartphone and start watching their favorite shows and movies. Indeed, there’s no shortage of streaming content they can enjoy, with studios pouring money into animated series, live-action adventure or “mystery” stories, or educational shows that are both informative and a lot of fun.
But it’s natural for parents to have concerns about their child’s online activity and device use, particularly those of younger kids. And though some parents may enjoy the freedom of apps and streaming platforms that are intuitively easy for just about any youngster to learn and explore, unfettered access to any online-accessible device is always a risk worth further consideration.
Fortunately, many of the apps that deliver quality children’s content also feature age-based content restrictions and other security settings that will give parents peace of mind. And several apps consist exclusively of children’s content, providing even greater comfort. As your family’s online safety is our top concern, your neighbors at FPUAnet Communications have cobbled up a list of some of our favorite kid-friendly streaming apps and platforms.
Our recommended streaming apps feature a robust selection of enriching children’s entertainment and educational content, which can be streamed in pristine, distortion-free quality on FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network. And many also include settings and other protections parents will appreciate. Read on to explore our suggestions!
Four Streaming Platforms Made Specifically For Children and Families
PBS Kids PBS has been a perennial favorite of parents—and their kids—for decades. With years of children’s content creation expertise under its belt, PBS stands tall on our list. PBS Kids is a streaming platform geared toward children.
It includes some of PBS’ most beloved characters like Arthur Read, the bespectacled aardvark, and namesake of Arthur, whose 25-season run makes it one of the most successful animated kid series in television history. And who can possibly forget Sesame Street’s Elmo, whose endearing kindness has tickled the heartstrings of viewers for decades!
The app is incredibly kid-friendly, from its touchscreen accessibility to its bright, attractive display. And because its content is geared exclusively to younger children, parents can feel confident that PBS Kids is a safe space for their kids to explore, learn, laugh, and be inspired.
Noggin Next on our list of recommended streaming apps for children is Noggin, an app developed by a venerable name in kids’ entertainment—Nickelodeon. Leaning in big on learning, Noggin is a subscription-based app featuring ad-free content for younger kids, especially preschoolers. Many of Nick Jr.’s most adored series and characters are viewable on Noggin, including Peppa Pig, Blue’s Clues & You, and of course, Dora the Explorer!
We love how the educational content included with Noggin provides opportunities for learning as much as entertainment. And some of the content on Noggin is designed to get your kids off the couch and moving around—even outdoors as they discover more about their world!
HappyKids With over 60,000 videos to stream, the HappyKids app is another child-friendly and parent-approving app. Exclusively focused on content for children, HappyKids features a diverse array of educational and entertainment series. It’s also free, another boon to parents!
Appropriate for children of just about all ages from toddlers to early teens, parents can also establish content restrictions through several tools. Parental settings include toggling the age range of viewable content and even blocking specific series entirely.
And to inspire extra confidence, HappyKids has been commended with several awards, including a 2022 National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA).
Minno Another app that parents can feel comfortable letting their kids access and explore is Minno. An app specializing in faith-based, Christian content, its series are mostly geared toward younger kids, so parents need not fear inappropriate language or situations.
The app includes access to over 130 shows, including series developed by esteemed content creators at other major production studios like PBS Kids and Nickelodeon. Parents seeking more Bible-based content may find just what they’re looking for with Minno.
Kid-Friendly Features of the Major Streaming Platforms
Thus far, we’ve discussed streaming platforms designed specifically with children in mind. Indeed, all the content on the four apps highlighted above is exclusively for kids. But the major streaming platforms also have features that make them more accessible to youngsters, while also providing parents with a greater measure of control and oversight.
For example, Netflix lets you establish profiles just for kids, with built-in restrictions and limitations on content based on well-established rating guidelines.
Similarly, Max (formerly HBO Max) makes it easy for parents to limit content to specific age groups consisting of about four years each. In this way, Max’s parentally controlled content settings let the series and movies available on its app “age-up” with your children.
And no list of kid-friendly apps would be complete without Disney+, now celebrating 100 years of renowned family entertainment from family-oriented content powerhouse Disney. Disney+ also features children-specific profiles, which, once set, restrict the content available to them based on their age—and they can’t simply switch out to “the grown-up’s profile” either, thanks to Disney+’s clever safety features!
Our recommended kid-exclusive content apps are a terrific way to introduce your children safely to the world of streaming entertainment and learning. When coupled with parental and content settings on some of the major streaming platforms, parents can feel much more confident about their kids’ streaming activities, all while helping them build healthy screen time habits, too.
For more family-friendly content recommendations and additional information about our high-speed fiber internet, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages!
More Americans are working remotely from home than ever before. From the convenience of the at-home office to the lack of a commute (and mind-numbing traffic), to the savings on gasoline, to the ability to more easily look after children (and pets), the benefits of remote work keep adding up!
Vastly improved and faster internet technology—especially fiber internet, like FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network—have made working from home more reliable and efficient. Fiber’s high upload speeds and generous bandwidth make video conference calling far clearer than other forms of internet.
But many people may not know where to start looking for remote jobs they can perform from home with a fast, reliable internet connection. And some may be asking where a would-be remote worker can even start to look for such jobs.
In this post, we walk you through several of our top recommended websites to help you find a remote job. Many of these sites also include tips on freshening up your resume, interviewing, and even making the most out of remote work. So follow along below as we list our favorite websites for finding remote work!
1. We Work Remotely
Billing itself as the “largest remote work community in the world,” We Work Remotely is a leading website for finding remote jobs. With 4.5 million monthly visits, it’s often the first stop many would-be remote workers take on their job hunt. We also like We Work Remotely for its solid job categorizations and many useful resources and tools.
2. Upwork
Focused on the “gig economy”—short-term work and freelancing jobs—Upwork can be a useful site for finding temporary work quickly without the larger hassles associated with interviewing. Keep in mind, though, that Upwork will take a percentage of any earnings from a gig contracted on its site.
3. Remote OK
One of the best-organized job boards on this list, Remote OK categorizes all manner of remote work jobs. From tech-savvy careers to writing gigs and just about everything in between, Remote OK’s numerous “tags” help you easily sort through the extensive and ever-increasing job postings in many different sectors.
4. Jobspresso
Another solid website for finding remote work opportunities is Jobspresso, particularly because its team researches job listings for legitimacy and accuracy. Jobspresso also lets you post your resume to the site, letting potential employers notice you, even as you can browse its many job listings.
5. Working Nomads
While somewhat more focused on a particular type of remote worker (digital nomads who travel around the world), Working Nomads is worth a look. Those with international experience or interests might find opportunities that don’t appear on similar remote job boards and newsletters with job postings, broadening out the search beyond our own borders.
6. FlexJobs
Our last recommended website, FlexJobs, is one of the biggest names in the jobs posting scene. But please keep in mind that, unlike the other five options recommended above, not every job listed on FlexJobs is remote! Additionally, Flexjobs is not free—it offers monthly and annual fees to use its resources. As you’d likely expect from a jobs website you need to pay to use, they include features that give would-be employees confidence, such as pre-screened listings, regular alerts for jobs that meet your criteria, and detailed search tools for finding the right fit for you.
The six sites above are outstanding places to start your search for the perfect remote work job—or even a remote career! You can also check out other more traditional job posting sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. But be sure to checkmark any settings options for Remote Work as you conduct your search on those traditional sites.
Check out FPUAnet Communications’ social pages for more tips on remote work and how our high-speed fiber network can make you more productive from home!
Despite all the benefits that the internet brings to our lives every day, there is also a nefarious side that people need to be aware of and smart about—scamming. Unfortunately, like with just about every other technology, fraudsters persist, always concocting new ways to acquire personal information or access unsuspecting victims’ bank accounts or credit cards.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the latest scams, especially because they have spent far less of their lives engaging with the internet than Millennials or Gen Z! And given the kinds of scams out there, seniors are more likely to click on links that seem innocent but that are anything but.
At FPUAnet Communications, we take your online safety and security extremely seriously. But our technicians and online security experts can’t do it all. Nor can they watch out for scams that might hit your email account, social media feed, texts or web browser. You need to be vigilant as well.
Below we discuss ten signs that you are about to be scammed. As you will see, some of these signs are more obvious, while others can be cleverly sneaky about persuading you to “just click right now.” With even a little knowledge and some extra caution, you can avoid most scams, while enjoying FPUAnet Communications’ fast and reliable fiber internet with greater confidence.
What is Phishing?
Before highlighting the most common signs that you’re about to be scammed, let’s briefly discuss the most common schemes plaguing internet users today, especially seniors: phishing. Phishing attempts to “lure” a victim into providing something to a scammer: personal sensitive information like full name, address, or telephone number, or an official identifier like a Social Security Number, or bank account or credit card information, or direct access to a computer or other device.
They come in many forms and some scammers can be quite ingenious about their phishing methods. But there’s almost always something “off” about phishing attempts and scams. Let’s now move on to the top ten signs to be aware of to prevent phishing attacks and other scams.
1. Emails Arrive in Your Inbox at Strange Times
Many email scams originate from outside the United States in different time zones, some between six and twelve time zones away. Receiving emails in the middle of the night is a first sign that something is amiss. Further, if a hacker has taken over the email account of someone you know and sends you an email at an unusual hour (for them), that’s another indication to be suspicious—and extra careful.
2. Email Address Irregularities
While scammers can easily disguise themselves in the Subject Lines of emails, it’s much more difficult to establish an email address that fits the company, government agency or other entity they are pretending to be. Look for addresses that employ @yahoo.com, @gmail.com, or similar services. No legitimate major company or agency would use such addresses to conduct business.
3. Grammar and Spelling Mistakes
Scammers are notoriously bad spellers. And their command of the English language is frequently lacking. Astute and vigilant email users should note that misspelled words or blatant grammatical errors are a common sign of a phishing attack and should be ignored.
4. Fishy Attachments and Files
Beware of messages with odd or intentionally vague attachments. Attachments marked “Invoice “or “Shipping Notification” are particularly common—especially if you are not expecting either from a vendor. And the type of file employed in the message is another signal, too, including zip and Microsoft Word document files. Some email programs or services automatically scan such files for viruses, but if you’re at all suspicious, just ignore the message entirely and not let your curiosity get the better of you.
5. Urgent Demands
Another common trick many scammers use to get your attention is to demand action from you, often with an overwhelming sense of urgency. “Time is short!” “Respond immediately!” “Your reward expires in one hour!” These are just examples of demands designed to pique your interest and get you clicking. Don’t fall for them!
6. Requests for Your Personal and/or Financial Information
Any email from any source whatsoever requesting that you enter your personal or financial information should be ignored immediately. Indeed, most companies state outright that they will never ask you to enter such information through an email correspondence. Such a request is one of the biggest indicators of a phishing scam.
7. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
Phishing scammers have taken a play out of junk mail schemes dating back decades, promising rewards and riches if you act now. From dangling Amazon gift cards or cash prizes, these fraudsters know how to grab your eyes with such false promises—and hope to snag your bank account information through them.
8. Phony Delivery Notifications
Increasingly common in text messages sent to your smartphone, fake delivery notifications are another scam. The first sign that something is “off” is if you weren’t expecting a delivery in the first place. Even if you are, proceed with caution. For example, before clicking on such a message, try to remember how the online vendors you usually use (e.g., Amazon) typically contact you. It probably isn’t through this type of text message!
9. Surveys About Major Topics of the Day
Watch out for emails asking you to respond to surveys unless you know the source. Common topical surveys relate to COVID-19 vaccines and other public health matters. Again, scammers are trying to get your attention to get you to click. Don’t fall for it over the hot topic of the times!
10. Strange Greetings and/or Tone in Emails
Our last indicator of a scam is less straightforward—especially if some scammers have avoided some of the more common examples above. Watch for overly generic greetings like “Dear Friend.” Or if they use your email address instead of your actual name in the greeting! Also consider if the tone of the email is “off.” If it comes from a familiar email address but doesn’t sound like the person you know, don’t respond. Or perhaps the email is geared toward subjects or purchases that are irrelevant to you. When in doubt, trust your gut.
We hope this guide will help you fish out phishing and other scams, and make you feel more confident when utilizing the internet. And for more valuable tips and advice about staying safe online, be sure to follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages.
With the kids back in school for another year of learning and extracurricular activities, it’s time for parents to set new schedules and routines for managing their family’s work and school obligations. As you’re setting intentions for a new school year, we’re here to help you create healthy tech habits for you and your kids.
Though FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber network delivers the fastest, most reliable internet you and your children can enjoy, we know there is more to life than just online time! To help parents plan and prioritize, we’ve assembled this handy guide to developing healthy tech habits for their kids this school year.
With open communication and a bit of parental enforcement of reasonable limitations on tech use, parents should feel confident that they can build a healthy balance between screen time and other key aspects of their kids’ lives.
Tip 1: Begin With a Two-Way Conversation
The first step you should take before setting up boundaries and promoting healthy tech habits is to have a conversation with your kids. You can discuss your concerns about their screen time and encourage them to engage in other activities, as well.
As part of the conversation, however, do take the time to listen meaningfully to your children’s online interests and usage. After all, there are genuinely beneficial aspects to online activity, from communicating with their friends to learning about new ideas, people, and places, and even acquiring new skills and hobbies.
By approaching the topic as a team, you can work together to maximize their online time. This also helps build trust with your kids that this endeavor is not a punishment; rather it’s about better balancing responsibilities and other interests along with their online usage.
Tip 2: Establish Clear and Consistent Screen Time Limits
As part of that open and honest conversation, work together to establish clear screen time boundaries. Parents may choose to set up a daily schedule consisting of periods when device usage is acceptable, while other times are strictly off limits (except, of course, for necessary tasks like homework or other learning).
Other parents may be more flexible, allowing only a set number of total hours spent online each day or every week. To stay on top of this, apps and certain device settings can be employed to track just how much time your kids spend online.
Please keep in mind, however, that experts say it’s best that any limitations on screen time be clearly established and be consistent throughout the day and week.
Tip 3: Schedule Other Priorities
Around the same time you’ve set up screen time limitations, consider scheduling other activities, as well. At first blush these recommendations may sound too rigid and regimented. Remember, however, in a tech-saturated culture, the goal is to foster a healthy balance of online and device usage with other priorities and responsibilities.
Thus, consider blocking out a few hours each day to homework and reading time. Or schedule at least an hour of time outdoors or in physical activity of almost any kind. Also consider planning regular in-person get-togethers with their friends instead of mostly relying on their devices to socialize.
When coupled with the screen time limitations above, many parents (and kids) find that a natural, healthy rhythm between their online lives and other obligations can emerge.
Tip 4: Consider Turning Off Notifications
Another tip parents can consider is turning off all—or at least most—notifications on your children’s devices. After all, it’s the seemingly constant stream of dings from notifications that draws kids back to their devices to check emails, text messages, social media posts, or video updates, even if you’ve managed to get them momentarily concentrating on their homework or outdoor activities.
You could also establish a timeframe around limiting notifications instead of outright turning them off entirely. For example, blocking out a two-to-three hour time period between afterschool and dinner time without notifications may help naturally reduce screen time—and perhaps even encourage actual face-to-face conversation at the dinner table!
Tip 5: Model Good Online and Screen Time Habits
Our last tip is to remember that your kids are keeping their eyes on you almost as much as you are on them! Thus, it’s important that you model responsible online usage habits yourself.
The more consistently parents model a proper balance between using their devices and other activities, the more likely their kids will do the same.
Given that your child will have to be on their devices a lot more during the school year, these tips should help you better balance their screen time with other aspects of their lives. Just remember the need for open communication, appropriate boundary setting, consistent enforcement of any schedules or limitations, and to model responsible behavior as best you can. And perhaps these tips will help you better balance your own screen time, too!
For more helpful advice on navigating the online world, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages!
If you’re a parent and you haven’t been asked by your kids to download Fortnite yet, chances are you will very soon! Fortnite is one of the most popular online video games of all time, and gamers of all ages can’t seem to get enough of it. Its rich replayability, genial graphics, and brilliant blend of savvy strategy and intense action have captivated many millions of people around the world—including very likely, your own children.
But like with any other online activity that kids love, parents might have questions and even concerns about Fortnite and how it’s sweeping up young gamers across continents. At FPUAnet Communications, we take your family’s online safety and security very seriously. And while we love online gaming as much as anyone, we understand why parents are cautious about any popular internet trend their kids love to engage in.
In this article, we take a deep dive into Fortnite, briefly explaining what the game is about, why it’s become such a global phenomenon (especially for children) and detail some safety and security settings parents may want to employ. Keep reading to learn more about this game—and why your kids are likely to obsess over it!
What is Fortnite?
First released to the public in 2017, Fortnite is the brainchild of Epic Games, a major producer of video games. Within just three months of its release, over 5 million copies of the game were sold, a truly astounding number for a new game franchise. It very quickly morphed into one of the world’s most beloved video games ever developed.
Fortnite offers an intriguing mix of action and adventure, strategy and survival. Players are quite literally dropped onto an island to play with and compete against up to 100 other players online (depending on the version of the game they play), requiring each player to quickly adapt to the new terrain, think through their plans carefully, develop and maintain teams, and ultimately outwit one another on route to victory.
On each island, there is a treasure trove of weapons, resources, and other items for players to scavenge—items critical to success in the game. Like with other strategy games, players explore their island territory, hunting and collecting resources to build up their defenses. They’ll also build bases, defensive towers and other settlements to prevent attacks from world-generated enemies.
Today, Fortnite is not one game; rather, there are multiple versions of the game available. The original version, Fortnite: Save the World, is a “cooperative” (or “co-op”) game, in which players work together to achieve missions and goals—namely defending the island from zombies. Next, Fortnite Battle Royale expanded the game still further, allowing up to 100 players to play in any one game, while simultaneously providing options for solo or two-player games, or in small groups (called squads) of three or four teammates. Battle Royale’s ultimate goal? Be the last player standing!
A third version, Fortnite Creative, is a “sandbox game”, where players can more freely roam and discover the lands they encounter and craft and build on them. Another version, Zero Build, focuses on tactics rather than on building up structures and communities. In this way, players can select the type of game they want to play—whether emphasizing base-building, cooperation, or winner-take-all battling—depending on the version of Fortnite they’re up for playing.
Fortnite’s graphic design is more cartoonish than many other similar games, which simulate more lifelike features. That design decision seemingly “tones down” the intensity of the game, and helps broaden the appeal to younger audiences. But don’t confuse cartoonish with amateur—the graphics and effects are outstanding and a considerable draw for players of all ages.
Why Do Kids Like It?
The cartoon-like graphics are not Fortnite’s only appeal to children, however. The game is incredibly compelling—and much to the chagrin of some parents (or even players), even addicting! Like similar games, building structures, crafting tools and weapons, and defending and protecting yourself and your teammates turns out to be enormously satisfying, as well as challenging. And with seemingly endless varieties of factors and variances, especially on the island terrains the game is played on, Fortnite is eminently replayable.
Apart from its exciting gameplay and visual appeal, the social aspect of the game is another major draw for kids. Children can play Fortnite with another friend, or even more collaboratively with a group of friends. They can also text and voice call each other as they play. Thus, it’s a less isolating experience than many other video games can be.
Potential Parental Concerns about Fortnite
Fortnite has been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board as “T” for Teen. That means it’s deemed suitable for children ages 13 and up. Other online watchdogs and parental advisory groups, such as Common Sense Media, concur with the “T” rating, citing Fortnite’s interactive chat feature and not-insignificant amounts of violence.
The social aspect of the game means that kids can interact with other players, which could raise some parents’ eyebrows in the same way any other online interactive social media app or program can. Fortnite also includes firearms and related gun violence, as well, which some parents may feel uncomfortable about.
Fortnite’s Safety and Security Settings
Given Fortnite’s popularity with kids, it’s natural for parents to want to exercise caution, and the programmers seem to respond to their concerns. For starters, Epic built parental controls and settings right into the game.
Some of these parental controls are both strong and protective, especially for online social interactions some parents may be wary of. For example, one Fortnite setting can be activated requiring a parent to approve any new friend with a special PIN number before your child can play with, chat, and otherwise interact with that person. Other settings limit texting and chatting even further, allowing chatting with pre-approved friends only or completely turning off chat with anyone—including friends.
For parents worried that their kids may be playing Fortnite too much, Epic created a weekly playtime report that parents can receive via email. It details the number of hours your children play Fortnite, so that their other priorities (i.e., homework, exercise, and extracurricular activities) can be balanced. Epic even lets parents filter out inappropriate language by toggling a setting that detects offensive language in text chats and replaces them with heart shapes.
Fortnite’spopularity continues to endure, and parents are likely to face decisions on whether to let their kids play it whether solo or with their friends. We hope parents are now better armed with both basic knowledge about the game and the parental control tools and settings Fortnite offers so that they can make informed choices that are best for their families.
From its start as a DVD rental delivery service to its modern-day standing as movie and TV series production powerhouse, Netflix is one of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands.
Its ever-changing library of streaming titles provides countless hours of binge time, as well as award-winning exclusive content. And with fiber internet from FPUAnet Communications, you can enjoy it all without buffering, freezing, or crashing!
But Netflix subscribers have access to other perks and benefits beyond its vast selection of films and shows. Read below to learn some of the other benefits of a Netflix subscription that you can take advantage of today!
Workout and Exercise Routines
Though Netflix is usually associated with lounging around on the couch, there is another benefit to a Netflix subscription that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—its partnership with Nike and its training and workout routines. Yes, before you settle down for the day, you can enjoy a guided workout through the Netflix app!
To provide this benefit, Netflix teamed up with Nike, one of the world’s leading athletics and fitness brands. The Nike Training Club provides a wide array of exercise and workout routines for people of all ages, body types, and levels of fitness and strength.
Whether you’re learning the basics, developing your core, or looking to lose weight, the Nike Training Club videos on Netflix can get you off the couch and keep you moving. The trainers are knowledgeable and engaging, helping to encourage you and motivate you to push yourself further. We especially like that you can sort the routines by the amount of time you have to exercise, whether it’s just a quick 10 minutes or a more complete 30-minute workout.
Best of all, you don’t have to go to a gym or even leave the comfort of your living room to start improving your fitness—with your Netflix subscription, you can get a solid workout routine at home.
But if you do prefer the amenities of your local gym, you can also access the Nike Training Club workout routines and videos on the mobile Netflix app. The extra flexibility of your Netflix app lets you enjoy your routines outdoors, like in a park or at the beach, or even (when you’re ready) at the gym!
Before you begin, just remember to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Yoga and Stretching
In addition to getting in shape through Netflix’s partnership with Nike for workout routines, a Netflix subscription includes another excellent perk that’s sure to improve your health and well-being—guided yoga routines. Like the workouts, Netflix’s yoga features are provided by Nike Training Club, where experienced yoga instructors carefully guide you through the stretches and poses of this ancient practice.
Netflix currently has multiple Nike Training Club series dedicated to yoga. Two of them are more general yoga pose practices and exercises with different teachers and styles. Additionally, in 2022, a special Vinyasa-inspired yoga series was launched with six episodes devoted to that unique tradition of yoga.
Gaming on Your Mobile Devices
After you’ve exercised and enjoyed a relaxing stretch routine, it’s time to check out another awesome feature many Netflix subscribers don’t even realize they have: Gaming! In addition to having one of the most extensive streaming content libraries anywhere, Netflix also lets you game on its mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.
And Netflix’s game library is surprisingly large as well. It currently includes more than 55 games in many different genres. For example, you can enjoy relaxing simulation games like Country Friends, where you can create and maintain a farm. Or play Townsmen: A Kingdom Rebuilt, and build an awe-inspiring village around a castle. Or dive into one of many adventure games, including one based on Stranger Things! You can even play a dating simulation game if you’d like!
All you need is your Netflix subscription, an iPhone or Android-based phone, an internet connection, and enough space on your phone to download and install the games, and voila—you can play to your heart’s content.
For more helpful information about how to make the best of FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network, follow our social pages!
The summer television viewing season isn’t what it used to be.
From pediatricians to psychologists, experts agree that spending quality time is among the best “investments” a parent can make for their children. But it’s also perhaps the most difficult to pull off. Between parents’ work responsibilities and their child’s school, sports, and activities schedules, time for parents to bond with their kids can just slip away.
For the past few generations, one of the most common ways kids spend their free time is by playing video games. And from the Atari of the early 1980’s to the PlayStation 5 of today, they’ve only gotten better. Between their increasingly sophisticated stories to stunning graphics, it can be rather difficult to peel kids away from their screens!
So what if instead of competing with video games for your kids’ attention and time, you joined them instead—as in playing video games with your kids? Well, many parents are doing just that—and even enjoying the games almost as much as their children are!
Below we highlight seven of our favorite video games that you can play with your kids. And with FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber internet, you can enjoy these video games seamlessly and without lag or interruption, whether you play on a console like the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox, or on your PC or tablet.
Read on to learn more about some of the best video games you and your child can play together!
1. Minecraft
First on our list isMinecraft, the enormously popular—and let’s face it, addicting—building game that needs little introduction. Millions of people of all ages cannot get enough of this seemingly simple but enthralling building and crafting game. Its open-world sandbox setting gives children and their parents the opportunity to create and improve entire worlds together, and with deep, intricate, and rich details. Minecraft is available to play on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
2. Terraria
Comparable to Minecraft in many ways, but perhaps somewhat more goal-and-mission-oriented, the popular Terraria is another vast building, exploration, and crafting game that can be played by multiple people. Like other “sandbox” games, Terraria is open-world, letting players explore more freely than other types of games. No two games are exactly alike, enhancing their replay value, while giving parents plenty of time to master the game alongside their kids as they wind their way through it. Terraria is playable on your PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch.
3. Super Mario Odyssey
Many parents will fondly remember the Super Mario Bros. game series from their own childhoods. And the series has not only stood the test of time but has expanded immensely over the decades. Super Mario Odyssey continues Mario’s adventures through many perils on a magical airship called the Odyssey. This time, Mario makes use of a sentient hat named “Cappy.”Super Mario Odyssey won Best Family Game in 2017 by The Game Awards, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. The game is available on Nintendo Switch and is perfect for a parent to play with their children.
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
If you and your kid can’t get enough of the Mario universe, try out another challenge with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! After all, is there a better way for you to gleefully compete against your child than in a classic car race? In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you’ll race go-karts across a wide variety of locations and terrains. But be warned: the game is so fun to both kids and their parents, many find it hard to put down the controllers! Mario Kart 8 Deluxecan be played on Nintendo Switch and has an online play option as well.
5. Rocket League
When you’re ready for a stouter automobile challenge, check out Rocket League, an exceptionally popular game over the past few years. Rocket League is an eccentric but surprisingly perfect mix of sports, specifically soccer and car racing. One of the more competitive games on this list, Rocket League is free to play on just about every major platform, including consoles and PCs (and even Macs).
6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Another hugely popular game many parents have heard about is Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Utilizing animals to build a human-like settlement and society, you and your child can enjoy an easy-going and pleasant game that helps develop decision-making, organizational, and social skills. And unlike other games on this list, it’s actually quite relaxing! Indeed, playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a nice way to unwind with your kids after a long day. The fifth entry in the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons, won The Game Award’s 2020 Best Family Game award and is available on Nintendo Switch.
7. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Our last game recommendation combines two legendary names in family entertainment: LEGO and Star Wars. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagais part of a large series of LEGO-themed video games based on movies that also include the Harry Potter series. The Skywalker Saga is an especially solid choice for parents to play with their kids because of how Star Wars bridges the generations—and lets grown-ups share the sweeping epic and beloved characters of Star Wars in an interactive way. This edition follows the entire 9-film series and is playable on Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs.
Spending quality time with their children is perhaps the most invaluable goal a parent can achieve. We hope our list of seven great games—and our super-fast internet service to power them—will help make it just a bit easier!
To learn more ways that online entertainment can bring families together, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages for more recommendations!
The summer television viewing season isn’t what it used to be.
Once known for endless reruns and launches of shows that studios deemed less likely to be successful, the world of streaming entertainment and the production houses it created are churning out phenomenal content you’ve just got to see.
The trouble is that lots of other people want to watch it too! And quite often, they’re streaming at the same time as you. And with kids out of school for the summer and many people heading indoors to escape the heat, internet usage increases during the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, along with the increased demand, streaming picture quality and overall reliability often decline, frequently turning what should be a relaxing evening into a frustrating experience.
And with new premieres coming this summer, like HBO Max’s House of the Dragon (the prequel to Game of Thrones), you can be sure that your neighbors (and maybe you too!) will be streaming away the second these shows hit screens.
So what can you do to prepare for all of this increased demand? Or are you doomed to suffer repeated buffering, pixelation, and loading errors during the summer slowdown?
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to improve your internet connection and performance, even during the summer’s high demand. And your friends at FPUAnet Communications are standing by to help you learn more about high-speed fiber internet and suggest adjustments inside your home to improve your Wi-Fi’s range and overall streaming experience.
Below we suggest five tips to help you beat the summer slowdown so you and your family can enjoy a better streaming experience.
Tip #1: Upgrade to Fiber Internet
The single best thing you can do to improve your internet speed and connection is to upgrade to fiber internet. A technological wonder, fiber internet utilizes fiber-optic cables composed of ultra-thin, tiny strands of glass and other materials that transmit internet data near the speed of light.
As a result, fiber internet’s speeds exceed cable internet, which uses older technology and copper-based materials that cannot compete with fiber’s highest speeds.
Getting a dedicated fiber internet line through FPUAnet Communications directly to your home means you no longer have to share bandwidth with your neighbors.
Tip #2: Select the Bandwidth to Meet Your Family’s Needs
Once you’ve upgraded to fiber, talk to the customer support specialists at FPUAnet Communications about which level of broadband you need.
This will vary from household to household, and FPUAnet Communications’ experts can help you determine what will provide the proper amount of bandwidth. If you have multiple people in your home, be sure to choose a plan that offers enough bandwidth for the whole family to use it simultaneously. This tip will help keep the high-speed internet flowing into your home and devices and help keep the peace in your family!
Tip #3: Consider Whole-Home Coverage
Now that you have a perfect fiber internet plan for your needs, you should consider whole-home Wi-Fi coverage. You can use Wi-Fi extenders and other technology to “extend” the Wi-Fi throughout your house—even in harder-to-reach rooms upstairs or even on your back porch.
With the right setup, you may even get a strong enough Wi-Fi signal in your backyard for outdoor movie nights! Of course, the experts at FPUAnet Communications can help you set up whole-home coverage, too, so be sure to reach out to our customer service specialists.
Tip #4: Optimize the Position of Your Wi-Fi Router
After you’ve set up your fiber internet service, bandwidth plan, and whole-home coverage, make the most of FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber internet by optimizing the location of your Wi-Fi router in your home.
Remember that obstructions like too many walls and windows can interfere with and weaken the Wi-Fi signal and reduce streaming quality as it disperses through your home.
The simplest way to assess your Wi-Fi router’s placement is to run speed tests throughout your home (where your devices are most frequently used to stream). Speed tests let you experiment with your Wi-Fi router’s position—and making even minor adjustments, like elevating the router or separating it away from other electronic devices, can make a significant difference in streaming performance. And, of course, FPUAnet Communications’ friendly technicians are always around to help you, so feel free to contact us!
Tip #5: Utilize Parental Controls
Finally, don’t forget about parental controls! This is much more than limiting or even policing content your kids may use. Parental controls let you prevent your children from using online devices during certain times of day or night, which both reduces their screen time (something all parents aim to do) and increase the amount of bandwidth for you to enjoy!
Parental controls may be included in your service plan or as an add-on option for you as a managed Wi-Fi perk, so check out your package’s features or reach out to the customer service specialists at FPUAnet Communications to see what may be available.
By implementing these tips, you can significantly improve the picture quality and reliability of your streaming experience, even with the increased internet demand and higher usage of the summer. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a summer of streaming! And for more helpful tips on improving your internet experience, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages!
Perhaps the most common question we hear from customers at FPUAnet Communications is: “What internet speed do I really need?”
It’s actually an excellent question, and the answer can depend on a number of factors—from the number of people in the home and the number of devices regularly used at once to the types of online activities that matter most to you. (For example, gaming and videoconferencing will require more bandwidth than checking emails!)
While FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network is the most reliable internet you can get—and that reliability is consistent no matter what speed tier you choose—we offer different plans and tiers based on the speeds your household needs. Some homes or businesses may need or want greater speeds than others, while others prefer to try to save a little money on a slower maximum speed given their actual usage.
Below, we describe each of our speed tiers, as well as some of the key factors and considerations any customer should take when choosing an internet speed tier. And we help explain the reason why some speeds will work well for certain households or businesses, while others may simply need more. Still, have questions? Call us or stop by! We’re local and happy to help.
[NOTE: YOU MAY WISH TO EDIT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BELOW
100 MBPS
100 MBPS is generally considered the “entry-level” or most basic speed for high-speed internet service. While it is certainly a lower speed and does not take full advantage of fiber’s capabilities, for some households, 100 MBPS may be sufficient for most needs.
For example, 100 MBPS should enable customers to use three or four devices simultaneously for basic email, web browsing, and social media use—the kinds of everyday internet usage you’ve been accustomed to for years.
And 100 MBPS also lets you stream TV and movies and other videos and music on one or maybe two devices at a given time. But as streaming and other more data-intensive online activities like gaming do require much more information to be transmitted, 50 MBPS is likely to feel more sluggish, or even rather limiting, compared to faster speeds.
However, for a smaller home or business, or even for a household with just one or two users, residents may be able to get by with a 100 MBPS tier for most internet uses. Just keep
in mind that multiple users streaming at the same time will likely notice the need for a speed tier upgrade.
200 MBPS
200 Mbps internet speed is good for multiple people using multiple devices at once. It can stream TV and movies on three or four devices at the same time, and it allows for 4K streaming. This speed is a good option for most households.
Multiple people using multiple devices at once: With 200 Mbps internet speed, you can have multiple people using multiple devices at the same time without experiencing any lag or buffering. This is ideal for households with multiple children or for families who like to stream TV and movies together.
Streaming TV and movies on three or four devices at the same time: 200 Mbps internet speed is fast enough to stream TV and movies on three or four devices at the same time without sacrificing quality. This means you can all watch your favorite shows or movies together without having to worry about buffering or lag.
Allows for 4K streaming: 200 Mbps internet speed is also fast enough to stream 4K content. This means you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows in stunning high definition.
A good option for most households: 200 Mbps internet speed is a good option for most households. This is because it is fast enough to handle most of the things that people do online, such as streaming TV and movies, browsing the web, and playing games.
If you are looking for an internet speed that is fast enough to handle multiple users and devices, 200 Mbps is a good option to consider. It is fast enough to stream TV and movies, play games, and download large files without any lag or buffering.
500 MBPS
500 Mbps internet speed is excellent for multiple people using multiple devices at once. It can stream TV and movies on multiple devices at the same time, and it is ideal for gaming and other data-intensive activities. This speed is a good option for large households or businesses.
Multiple people using multiple devices at once: With 500 Mbps internet speed, you can have multiple people using multiple devices at the same time without experiencing any lag or buffering. This is ideal for households with multiple children or for businesses with a lot of employees working from home.
Streaming TV and movies on multiple devices at the same time: 500 Mbps internet speed is fast enough to stream TV and movies on multiple devices at the same time without sacrificing quality. This means you can all watch your favorite shows or movies together without having to worry about buffering or lag.
Ideal for gaming and other data-intensive activities: 500 Mbps internet speed is also ideal for gaming and other data-intensive activities. This means you can play online games without lag or interruption, and you can download large files quickly.
A good option for large households or businesses: 500 Mbps internet speed is a good option for large households or businesses. This is because it can handle the increased traffic that comes with having a lot of people or devices using the internet at the same time.
If you are looking for an internet speed that can handle multiple users and devices, 500 Mbps is a good option to consider. It is fast enough to stream TV and movies, play games, and download large files without any lag or buffering.
1 GIG (or 1000 MBPS)
The best possible internet speed.
Allows for simultaneous use of multiple devices and data-intensive activities.
Ideal for households with many users or businesses with high bandwidth needs.
For users looking for the best internet and streaming experience available—and to take full advantage of fiber’s advanced technology—the 1 GIG or 1,000 MBPS speed tier is the clearest choice. At this speed, fiber internet simply pours data into your home, powering your devices with the internet they need to perform at their best. With 1 GIG fiber internet, you and your family can easily use ten or even more devices at the same time to surf the web, check email, and play on social media.
Streaming TV, movies, and other video on multiple devices simultaneously is a cinch with 1 GIG, so you’ll never need to ration out streaming times in your home again. And the streaming quality of 1 GIG fiber internet is just exemplary, with 4K’s brilliant resolution making colors and textures pop on all of your screens. At this tier, you can also power a fully connected smart home (think Alexa, security cameras, and more) without noticing a slowdown on your device.
Online gaming, which can keep players engaged for hours (and build skills regularly used in “real life,” too!), is incomparably better with the 1 GIG speed tier for any gamer. 1 GIG’s greater bandwidth capacity allows more data to flow up and down seamlessly, preventing lag and other delays and choppiness that stymie gamers on slower speeds.
We hope this guide helps you assess your internet speed needs for your household or business. It may even help “diagnose” why you may notice some less-than-stellar internet performance—i.e., when too many people are using too many devices for intensive online activities simultaneously!
The friendly and knowledgeable support team specialists at FPUAnet Communications are available to answer any question you may have about which speed is best for you or any other question you may have about our fiber network. So feel free to reach out at your convenience!
And to learn more about FPUAnet Communications and why its fiber internet cannot be beat, be sure to check out our social pages!
Your top priority is keeping your family and home protected and safe from harm. Thankfully, today’s technology can help.
Your neighbors at FPUAnet Communications understand your concerns and desire to keep your family safe. We are also a part of our community and are proud to help serve and keep people informed, connected, healthy and secure. That’s why we’ve put together this brief guide to smart home security that anyone connected to our high-speed fiber network can learn from and put to good use.
This concise overview highlights some of the most well-regarded smart home security measures and technology recommended by home safety experts.
Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells help you see who is at your door before you answer. They also monitor any activity on your doorstep, front porch, driveway and even on the street in some cases. These devices can help prevent deliveries and packages from being stolen and deter suspicious activity at your home.
Smart Security Cameras
A smart security camera setup is a must for those looking for more robust security.
You can install a smart security camera system anywhere in or outside your home, from the driveway to the backyard. Many smart security cameras are designed with motion sensors, so any time a person—or even larger wildlife—is detected, you will know it.
You can also use smart security cameras with motion-sensing outdoor lighting, which will also help deter unwanted visitors. Best of all, smart security cameras connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and all your devices, keeping you notified of activity outside your home.
Smart Lighting and Glass-Break Detectors
Other state-of-the-art smart home tools can further improve safety and security. For example, glass-break detectors can alert you to intruders. Similarly, smart lights detect motion and can send notifications to your phone or tablet, alerting you to be on your guard.
When these devices connect to your home’s fiber network, your family can be notified of a break-in, even if you aren’t home.
Personal Medical Alert and Emergency Devices
Seniors and others with mobility limitations or chronic health problems need quick communication with first responders.
When there’s an acute health emergency or other safety concern, personal medical alert and emergency devices can connect people to first responders at the touch of a button. During an emergency, there’s no need for seniors to locate and use a phone. Modern wearable tech makes it easier than ever to contact emergency services in seconds.
Don’t Forget About Network and Online Security
At FPUAnet Communications, we take the security and stability of our network very seriously. Our engineers and technicians constantly work to keep the network safe from attacks. But there are also some steps you can take to protect your data and online privacy.
Keep your home network safe from hackers and phishing attacks by using strong anti-virus software and apps on all your devices, as well as password managers to safeguard your accounts.
And be sure to use a complex password that is difficult to guess—and not the same as all your other passwords! Ad blockers can also save both aggravation and the unseemly tendency of advertisers to track your online activity.
These are just some innovative devices and services available to put smart home technology to good use for home safety and security. But as always, practice common sense in and around your home and online.
Keep front and back doors locked (and car doors, too). And avoid clicking on suspicious emails or untrustworthy links, so you don’t become a victim of a security breach. A little caution, paired with modern technology, can keep your home, family, and community safe and secure.
Many internet users experience a sluggish connection even with “high-speed internet.” They’ve invested in a good Wi-Fi router, perhaps a range extender, and may have even upgraded to a faster internet plan.
So why do they find themselves frequently frustrated by slowdowns and freeze-ups? What about their devices—or internet plan—causes this underwhelming performance? And what, if anything, can people do to reduce or even eliminate these issues?
The most likely culprits behind poor internet performance are bandwidth hogs—devices and online activities that gobble up too much bandwidth and slow down everyone’s internet access.
The good news is FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network provides exceptionally high download speeds and the much-overlooked bandwidth capacity that only fiber internet can offer. Combined, fiber’s high speeds and excellent bandwidth can end internet sluggishness.
We discuss bandwidth in greater detail below and explain why every internet customer needs to understand it.
Then, we turn to the most common bandwidth hogs in most people’s homes—devices and online activities—and then explain how FPUAnet Communications’ best speed tiers can help resolve any bandwidth issues.
What Is Bandwidth—and Why Is Higher Bandwidth So Important?
Bandwidth can be confusing. Put simply, bandwidth is the amount of information an internet connection can manage per second.
Bandwidth doesn’t measure a particular internet connection’s rate (or speed). Instead, it’s about the volume of online data a connection can “carry” and transfer at any given time.
High bandwidth levels let internet users accomplish activities like streaming TV shows, participating in video calls, playing online games, and posting to social media simultaneously without any slowdowns.
More bandwidth is indispensable for keeping an active online household productive—and happy!
What Exactly Is a Bandwidth Hog?
A bandwidth hog is a colloquial term for a device or online activity that eats up more than its fair share of bandwidth. It hogs too much bandwidth and greedily takes it from other devices or activities. Keep in mind that everyday web browsing typically has little impact on overall bandwidth use.
Some devices are famous bandwidth hogs. Just by turning on and connecting to a bandwidth hog, a huge amount of available bandwidth on your internet connection will be used.
And certain activities require excess bandwidth to carry out your needs. When even one (or more) bandwidth hogs are activated, the dreaded slowdowns and freeze-ups can occur, leading to frustration and anger in your home!
High definition, 4K, and 4K Ultra-HD TVs produce stunning imagery and hog lots of bandwidth in the process. Using your smart TV can devour an enormous slice of your home internet’s bandwidth. If you have limited bandwidth capacity, your smart TV could impact other devices and online activities or even slow down a show you want to watch.
By far the activity with the most excessive use of bandwidth is streaming video.
Netflix tends to be the top offender, in part due to its popularity and vast library of content. Many people stream shows and movies on other devices like their tablets rather than just their smart TVs. And if you have more than one person in your household—and multiple tablets and phones in use—your bandwidth can easily be hogged just by streaming shows and movies.
And Netflix isn’t the only problem. Streaming services like TikTok and YouTube also use lots of bandwidth. Posting videos also hogs the bandwidth dedicated to uploads, which can be limited unless you’re on a fiber plan with symmetrical speeds.
Video Calling
During the COVID-19 pandemic, video conference calling became a daily part of life for many people. Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and other services allowed people to stay connected face-to-face, even across long distances. But video calls are notorious bandwidth hogs.
Voice, text, and video all combine to devour bandwidth—and that’s why you’ve experienced those ridiculous freeze-frame faces during the call!
And remember, with video calling, you are not just receiving data—you are also continuously sending it back to the server (uploading). That accounts for video calling’s massive appetite for bandwidth and why so many video calls end up frustrating people… unless you have fiber internet’s fast uploads!
Online Gaming
Another big-time bandwidth hog is online gaming.
Online gaming is incredibly problematic from a bandwidth perspective because, like video calling, information is shared—from the player back to the server and the server back to the player. It often jams the internet connection for gamers and others in the house.
Higher bandwidth allows this excessive volume of data to transfer with far less latency or other delays. So gamers experiencing lag or freezes will benefit from internet plans and tiers that provide more bandwidth.
What’s the Best Way to Get More Bandwidth?
Well, apart from eliminating bandwidth hogs—the devices and activities you already have and love—your best solution is to upgrade to fiber internet.
DSL, cable, and satellite internet don’t have fiber’s high speeds or bandwidth capacity because fiber’s innovative design and cutting-edge materials allow for data to transfer faster and in much higher volumes.
If you already have fiber internet and would like to improve your internet service, you should increase your plan’s maximum speeds. With our fastest plans, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps, not even these typical “hogs” will be able to gobble up all your bandwidth!
Our top tier package provides plenty of bandwidth to allow a steady flow of online activity like streaming TV and movies, video calling, online gaming, and social media posting. Just by using fiber internet and upgrading your internet speed, you should easily get all the bandwidth your household needs.
To sum it all up, the more bandwidth an internet connection has, the more information it can send out and get back at any particular moment.
And with fiber’s advanced technology and higher speeds, you’ll have additional bandwidth to disburse throughout your home and among your devices. With fiber’s higher bandwidth capacity, your household can avoid the freeze-ups and slowdowns that still plague so many internet users today.
If you have more questions about how fiber internet and its maximum speeds and higher bandwidth can make a difference in your internet connection, feel free to reach out to us.
FPUAnet Communications, a leading local provider of high-speed internet services, has announced the launch of a new fiber zone that promises to bring lightning-fast internet speeds to residents and businesses in the area.
The new fiber area, which covers several streets within the city, is part of FPUAnet’s ongoing efforts to expand its network and provide reliable and affordable internet services to its customers.
Fiber optic technology is widely recognized as the gold standard for internet connectivity, offering faster speeds, greater bandwidth, and more reliable connections than traditional copper cable or DSL lines. With fiber, data is transmitted via pulses of light that travel through thin strands of glass or plastic, making it faster and more reliable than traditional copper cable or DSL lines.
FPUAnet’s new fiber area is set to revolutionize the way residents and businesses in the region access the internet. With speeds of up to 1 Gbps, customers can enjoy lightning-fast downloads and uploads, seamless video streaming, and lag-free online gaming.
FPUAnet’s new fiber area is a game-changer for the region’s economy as well. With faster internet speeds, businesses can take advantage of cloud computing, remote working, and other digital tools to boost productivity and efficiency. And with more reliable internet connections, businesses can avoid costly downtime and lost revenue.
The launch of the new fiber area is just the latest step in FPUAnet’s commitment to delivering high-quality internet services to its customers. As a leading local provider of internet services, FPUAnet has a proven track record of innovation and excellence, with a network that spans the region and provides reliable and affordable internet access to thousands of customers.
In conclusion, FPUAnet Communications‘ new fiber area is a significant development for the region’s internet infrastructure. With faster speeds, greater reliability, and increased security, fiber optic technology is set to revolutionize the way residents and businesses access the internet. And with FPUAnet’s commitment to innovation and excellence, customers can expect to enjoy high-quality internet services for years to come.
To learn more about our fiber internet for your business, contact us at (772) 468-1697 or sales@fpuanet.com. We’re proud to keep Fort Pierce’s homes and businesses connected!
Slow, interrupted, or choppy internet can be a frustrating experience. And if you and your family experience it when everyone is at home and streaming shows or movies, you know how it can ruin your evening. Subpar internet can also make everyday communications with friends and co-workers difficult and negatively impact your productivity, as well.
Having fast, reliable, and consistent internet throughout your day (and night) throughout your home is essential—almost as necessary as all the other utilities. It can help keep the peace at home, too!
But you may have experienced enough consistent problems to wonder if something is “wrong” with your internet. While slowdowns and unstable signal are often due to your Wi-Fi hardware being older or not updated, your internet may be slow because your internet service is not as reliable and fast as current technology can provide.
The good news is that you can upgrade to fiber internet—the fastest, most reliable internet you can find! And FPUAnet Communications and its team of expert technicians can help get you on the road to high-speed fiber internet starting with one phone call.
Before we explain how fiber can turn around your frustrating internet experience, we discuss five warning signs that indicate it’s time for an upgrade. From “dead zones” in your house to not being able to stream on multiple devices simultaneously, we will help you troubleshoot so you can make the right adjustments and improvements.
1) Slow Speed Tests
The fastest way to determine if you’re not getting enough internet signal is to run a speed test.
Speed tests can be checked on a cell phone in any room in your house. Start your internet troubleshooting by running a speed test anywhere and anytime you experience choppy or slow internet. Take note of the times of the day these slowdowns most frequently occur. It’s a great first step to turning your internet around.
2) Needing to Regularly Restart Your Router
If you frequently restart your router, it could indicate your internet needs an upgrade. While it’s recommended to reboot your router every few months to improve connections, doing so routinely (weekly or more often) is likely a sign your internet service is just not fast enough, rather than the router not working properly.
3) “Dead Zones”—Or Not Getting Adequate Wi-Fi Signal in Particular Rooms
Many homes have the dreaded “dead zone,” where your internet only has a weak or lifeless signal, rendering it useless to stream music, TV, and movies or even check your email.
With today’s Wi-Fi technology (properly set up and situated), dead zones should be rare, if not extinct. So, if you find dead zones in particular areas of your home, it may be time to improve your internet service to get a stronger signal everywhere in the house.
4) Struggling to Stream on Multiple Devices Simultaneously
If your family is struggling to stream TV and movies simultaneously on different devices, your family is likely to…well…struggle.
We understand that keeping the peace at home is a top priority, and quality internet should be a non-contentious issue! But difficulty streaming on multiple devices simultaneously is a sure sign of insufficient bandwidth which means you have outdated, poor internet service. So, if this issue keeps popping up, it’s time to consider an internet service upgrade!
5) Videos Buffering Too Long and Slow Streaming
Our final sign that you need an internet upgrade is probably the most obvious and exceedingly frustrating: your movies and TV buffering for way too long.
If you find this happening n, or if the picture quality is frequently pixelating, indicate your internet does not have sufficient speed or bandwidth to handle streaming.
Upgrading to Fiber Internet Can Make All the Difference
Any of these issues could indicate a problem with your internet service. Unfortunately, many customers experience more than one—or even all—of these problems and others we don’t list here.
This is where fiber internet technology, such as the service provided by FPUAnet Communications, comes in.
Fiber internet technology transfers its data (i.e., emails, music, movies, TV, voice and video calls, photos, files, etc.) through light, sometimes reaching around 70% of light speed! Traditional copper-based coaxial cable just cannot compete with fiber’s speed capabilities.
But it’s not just speed that makes the difference. Fiber also carries higher bandwidth capacities than cable or satellite internet. Taken together—increased speed and higher bandwidth—and fiber internet is the clear winner. With fiber internet from FPUAnet Communications, you can get your family on the path to high-speed, high-picture-quality, and reliable internet throughout your home.
So, if you’re experiencing any of the frustrating warning signs outlined above, reach out to FPUAnet Communications and its friendly and resourceful representatives. They’re happy to help you determine if upgrading to fiber is the right move for you, and to help you select a package of services that will greatly enhance your internet connection!
Parenting in the 2020s comes with complications that did not exist less than a two decades ago. And technology—especially smartphones and tablets—add to those complications.
From the distractions of texting and gaming to “addiction” to social media and the constant concern over inappropriate online content, today’s tech can be very problematic.
At FPUAnet Communications, we understand that technology can raise parents’ eyebrows and blood pressure. But it also makes life more efficient and easier.
To address some of your concerns, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help parents navigate tech use to keep kids safe online and manage time on smart devices.
These resources provide valuable tips on using tech to monitor your kids’ devices and online use. It also includes advice for talking to your children—and fellow parents—about the risk of tech oversaturation.
Read below to learn more about resources to promote digital wellness in your family.
waituntil8th.org
waituntil8th.org is an outstanding resource to start learning more about how early exposure to smartphones and tablets can impact your child’s life.
It features helpful information about excessive tech use that is easy to share with fellow parents and others in your community.
waituntil8th.org encourages parents to delay purchasing their child’s first smartphone until they are at least 14 years old.
In addition, waituntil8th.org offers tools and support for parents trying to limit and monitor their kid’s tech use.
Two Books by Experts on Today’s Digital World
Social scientists and psychologists have been studying the effects of digital technology use on humans, especially younger people.
As new data becomes available, experts publish their findings and offer advice for navigating the digital world.
We recommend two books to parents wanting to help keep their kids safe and productive while on their devices, without completely disconnecting them from their tech either: Screenwise by Devorah Heitner, and The Tech Diet for Your Child & Teen: The 7-Step Plan to Unplug & Reclaim Your Kid’s Childhood (And Your Family’s Sanity) by Brad Marshall.
Each book recognizes our modern digital world’s virtues but also acknowledges the need to cultivate a healthy, sustainable relationship with technology through limited screen time and a proper balance of off-device activities.
They also suggest strategies parents can employ to improve online safety and—perhaps just as helpful—for talking with your kids about responsible and limited tech use.
Parental Controls and Monitoring Software and Apps
In addition to those resources, there are many excellent software programs and apps to help parents monitor and control their kids’ devices and online activity.
We recommend Bark and Norton Family. By monitoring or blocking social media content and websites, these programs’ parental controls can ensure that you’re in charge of your children’s devices and what they can access.
Bark is particularly ingenious because of its ability to perceive and identify problematic or even dangerous content in social media usage instead of just outright blocking it.
This way, Bark fosters more practical online use while simultaneously giving parents peace of mind.
Norton Family includes powerful web content filters that can help keep your kid out of online trouble before it strikes.
It also includes settings that enable real-time access to previously blocked apps or websites as needed. Norton Family also tracks how much time your children spend on their devices, so you can better limit their screen time.
The above resources are a great start for parents wishing to teach their kids healthy online and digital habits while limiting their screen time.
By learning and sharing these strategies and tips, you can be more confident that your children will be savvy, conscientious tech users without being overly dependent on those devices.
And for more advice about how to make the most of FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber internet while keeping your family safe online, follow our social pages!
