The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to dust off those beloved classic Christmas movies from decades past that warm our hearts and bring back nostalgic memories. Whether you’re a fan of animated flicks from your childhood, timeless tinsel-tinged comedies, or heartfelt melodramas, there’s a streamable movie to bring out the holiday spirit in all of us.
Below, we present a guide on where to stream 10 of the most cherished, must-watch Christmas films. And you can enjoy all these holiday favorites in pristine picture quality with FPUAnet Communications’ state-of-the-art high-speed fiber internet—and without a cable subscription!
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
This Frank Capra film is the very definition of “classic.” Indeed, for many families, watching It’s a Wonderful Life and Jimmy Stewart’s magnificent performance as George Bailey is an annual holiday tradition in and of itself. You can find It’s a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Scrooge (1951)
The 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens’s timeless tale, A Christmas Carol, is a Yuletide must-watch. Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from a villainous miser to a kindly humanitarian is simply iconic. Scrooge is available on Tubi.
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This heartwarming and funny story of a man claiming to be Santa Claus has charmed audiences for generations. Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and a young Natalie Wood star in this original 1947 version. Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Disney+.
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
An animated fav for several decades, this short gem features Charlie Brown searching for the true meaning of Christmas amid its contemporary commercialism and stress. The unforgettable Vince Guaraldi musical score is just as beloved as the Peanuts characters themselves! You can catch it on Apple TV+.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Jim Henson’s Muppets bring a delightful twist to Dickens’s story in this musical adaptation. With catchy songs and loveable characters, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a fun choice for the whole family. Stream it on Disney+.
6. Home Alone (1990)
Holiday hijinks abound in Home Alone, where Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) defends his home from bungling burglars. It’s full of laughs and the Christmas spirit while being surprisingly touching. Home Alone is available on Disney+.
7. Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is a romantic comedy weaving together multiple love stories during the Christmas season in London. Over the years, it has become a perennial favorite for many fans of both rom-coms and holiday-themed movies. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video.
8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a stop-motion film from the 1960s, has been a holiday tradition for families for 60 years. Follow Rudolph and his fellow misfits as they save Christmas and teach valuable lessons in open-mindedness, tolerance, and appreciation for those who are different. Stream it on Apple TV+.
9. Jingle All the Way (1996)
This family comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger showcases the frantic last-minute shopping experience of a father trying to secure a popular toy for his son. While typically noted for his action hero roles, Schwarzenegger’s comedic turns are always fun, as is the comic genius of his costar, Sinbad. You can view Jingle All the Way on Disney+.
10. The Santa Clause (1994)
Last on our list is The Santa Clause. Tim Allen stars in this family favorite about an ordinary dad who is compelled to become Santa Claus and carry out his extraordinary present delivery duties each Christmas. The Santa Clause streams on Disney+.
From enjoying a quiet night in to taking a break from shopping or even hosting a festive viewing party, these films are sure to bring warmth and cheer. So, grab your cocoa, snuggle up, and let the holiday magic—and streaming—begin! And be sure to keep up with FPUAnet Communications’ social pages for more streaming entertainment recommendations throughout the year.
From chestnuts roasting to bells a-jingling, it’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season! And that means it’s time to start thinking about who’s getting what gift this year. If you’re already scratching your head about what to buy everyone on your list, fear not! Below, we present FPUAnet Communications’ curated list of practical, innovative, or just-plain-fun tech gifts for 2024.
From cutting-edge smart home devices to must-have accessories and quirky stocking stuffers, we’ve got even the pickiest gift recipients covered. Whether your loved ones are into gaming, fitness, productivity, or entertainment, there’s a tech gadget out there for everyone. And with FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network, you can enjoy your gift with ease and lightning-fast speeds.
Smart Home Gadgets
We begin with some of our favorite smart home devices. With these smart home gadgets, connected to the power of FPUAnet Communications’ fiber, your loved ones’ homes will be more comfortable and efficient.
A smart speaker with a rotating screen, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is great for video calls, smart home control, and entertainment. The rotating screen moves to follow you around the room, making multitasking and conversation much easier.
Perfect for those looking to make their home smarter, the Google Nest Hub smart display offers voice controls, video calling, and even sleep tracking. It’s ideal for controlling smart home devices, checking the weather, or streaming videos.
The Philips Hue Ambiance Starter Kit helps transform any ordinary space into a well-lit wonder that’s sure to be the talk of the neighborhood. Its customizable, color-changing smart bulbs from Philips work well with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
Streaming Devices
Next, we highlight streaming sticks and similar devices. Perfect to add to non-smart TVs or to enhance options and apps for existing smart TVs, these streaming devices are worth a look.
Apple TV 4K is a streaming box that provides the sleek and sophisticated interface and features that Apple aficionados adore. This third generation from 2022 includes a Siri-Remote, which can be voice-controlled.
Compact but powerful, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max supports 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos audio for streaming all your favorite content.
Fitness and Wearable Tech
Of course, good tech doesn’t need to be confined to the couch at the end of a long day! The wearable tech below can help you track your steps, monitor key health metrics, and stay active throughout the day.
A great option for fitness enthusiasts, this sleek fitness tracker keeps tabs on your overall activity levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns. The new “Health Metrics” dashboard also gives deeper awareness into wellness trends.
Ideal for a subtler but stylish look, this health monitoring ring tracks sleep, heart rate, body temperature, and activity. The Oura Ring offers insights into recovery times and overall wellness, too.
For an all-inclusive smartwatch option, this entry in Apple’s wearable lineup features enhanced health tracking, including heart rate and sleep monitoring, along with a faster chip and improved battery life.
Audio On-the-Go
To stay connected to your favorite music apps or to block out (most of) the sounds of the outside world while out and about, check out these portable audio options.
Sony’s award-winning noise-canceling headphones provide superior sound quality and up to 30 hours of battery life. They’re perfect for commuting, traveling, or deep work sessions.
This portable Bluetooth speaker offers Bose’s signature deep bass and clear sound in a rugged, water-resistant design, perfect for outdoor use.
Gaming Gear
Gamers are always on the lookout for tech that gives them an edge against their opponents! Below are three gifts to help elevate their game and improve their online gaming experience.
A top-tier gaming headset with advanced noise cancellation, hi-fi audio, and dual wireless modes for PCs and consoles, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset is a splurge gift that’s sure to please.
A mechanical gaming keyboard that features Razer's new linear optical switches, RGB backlighting, and programmable macro support for peak performance in any game, the BlackWidow V4 is a stellar keyboard.
For PC gamers, Corsair’s gaming mouse is a true game changer, featuring extensive battery life (around 50 hours), eight programmable buttons, and a comfortable textured grip and ergonomic design for long sessions.
Quirky Gadgets and Useful Accessories
Our last set of gift ideas runs the gamut from practical stocking stuffers to eccentric but meaningful surprise gifts.
Combining the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with the ordinary wonder of nature, the Masdio Smart Flowerpot enhances your plant care routine while letting you uniquely engage with your houseplants through its 49 AI-animated expressions.
The Ember Smart Mug 2 keeps your coffee or tea at the perfect temperature, which can be controlled through the Ember app. It’s ideal for fussier folks who like their drinks just right!
Help your loved ones keep track of their keys, bags, or other belongings with this compact Bluetooth tracker. It also syncs well with Samsung’s SmartThings app.
Anker’s 3-in-1 wireless charging station charges your phone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all in one convenient place with a sleek design that fits just about any space.
Perfect for writers, students, or those who love taking notes, the Rocketbook makes a thoughtful gift. This reusable notebook syncs with cloud services and lets you wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Whether you’re shopping for someone who’s always on the cutting edge of tech or someone who loves practical, everyday gadgets—or even looking to indulge yourself—these gift ideas are sure to bring joy this holiday season. And for more tech suggestions this season or any time of the year, be sure to follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages!
Consumers today face an abundance of choices for high-speed internet. And since you're already paying for a data plan with your cell phone service provider, you may also wonder if you should use that company for your internet service.
In this article, we explain what cellular internet is and why fiber is far and away the better choice for most consumers.
Your neighbors at FPUAnet Communications are proud to have the fastest and most reliable internet you can get. And we're especially thrilled that our internet speeds can keep up with major metropolitan areas around the country, helping our communities compete in the global economy.
With all the high-speed internet options available today, it's not surprising that customers need clarification when choosing an internet provider.
And it's not only the technology that's complicated—even the names of different internet-related products and services can be so similar and complicate things further!
So what is cellular or wireless/5G internet? Let's start with what cellular or wireless internet is not. First, wireless internet is not the same thing as Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi disperses internet signal throughout a home or office so that all your devices—smart TVs, laptops, tablets, cell phones, smart speakers, etc.—can be connected to the internet without a wired connection.
Thus, just like other kinds of internet (cable, satellite, or fiber), cellular or wireless internet enters the home or business and is distributed by Wi-Fi through the Wi-Fi router or related technology. Most customers will still use Wi-Fi and a router unless they plan to hardwire every connection to every device, which is highly uncommon.
Cellular or wireless internet, also known as 4G or 5G internet, is delivered by cell phone towers. Instead of being delivered by a hardwired connection like coaxial cable or fiber, cellular or wireless internet is transmitted “through the air.”
While it can often deliver decent speeds, wireless or 5G internet is notorious for service interruptions due to obstructions from other structures. And because cellular/wireless or 5G internet is totally dependent on the number of cell phone towers dispersing signal—and even more crucially, the distance a customer is from a cell phone tower—their speeds and quality of the connection can greatly vary.
What is Fiber Internet?
Fiber internet's advanced materials and technology make it the fastest and most reliable form of internet on the market today. Short for “fiber optic” internet, fiber utilizes fiber optic cable, which consists of hundreds of densely packed strands of glass inside the cord.
The fiber optic cable connects directly to your home or business before being dispersed to your devices. Pulses of light transmit internet data along these glass hairs at near light speed!
Due to fiber's impressive components and infrastructure, it has a vastly greater capacity to handle and transmit all the online data that you use daily—from social media, documents, and emails to music, gaming, and television.
Fiber also has higher upload speeds, which is used when your device sends information back to the server (or other internet users). Higher upload speeds are essential for stable and clear video calls and conferences.
Only fiber can power a household full of devices at once without causing slowdowns on any of them—making it the #1 choice for modern households.
So, What's the Difference Between Fiber Internet and Cellular/Wireless (5G) Internet?
The connection-type is the first key distinction between fiber and cellular/wireless internet.
Importantly, fiber is “hardwired.” Its internet signal enters your premises through physical wiring, not cellular or wireless 5G signal sent through the air.
This distinction means that obstructions like trees and other buildings can't stop fiber's excellent speeds from delivering internet to your home or business. Fiber internet also has far greater bandwidth capacity than cellular/wireless internet because its materials can carry much more information than wireless signal can.
There are other significant disadvantages to cellular/wireless/5G internet service.
Remember that cellular service prioritizes its originally intended purpose—providing mobile phone service. That one function takes up most of cellular's capacity to transmit data. Thus, cellular internet services lack the power to consistently provide the data you need to enjoy the online activities you love, like streaming movies and TV, video calling and conferences, online gaming and so much more.
But it gets even worse. To deal with the ever-growing demand for data, cellular companies reduce the speed and quality of their internet service to prevent internet users from gobbling up too much of their data capacity.
That's why cellular companies enforce data caps on their internet services, which significantly limit or even outright prevent you from doing the online activities you've come to enjoy.
They also employ “throttling,” another annoying practice that slows down bandwidth—and your entire internet performance.
While some companies only do this after you've reached a certain pre-determined amount of data usage each month, others throttle your broadband anytime and for any reason. For countless customers, these restrictions are extremely frustrating.
On the other hand, fiber internet never has data caps or bandwidth throttling because its superior technology doesn't get overwhelmed like cellular/wireless internet. Fiber's high bandwidth capacity and fast upload (as well as download) speeds can handle just about everything online without data caps, throttling, or other intentional slowdowns.
Fiber's Superior Security
But fiber's advantages over cellular/wireless internet extend well beyond fiber's superior speed and reliability (as essential as they are). Better data security is another reason to choose fiber.
Because cellular/wireless internet requires a signal to transmit “over the air,” it is susceptible to being intercepted.
Wireless internet is especially prone to a particular cybercrime known as a DDoS Attack—short for “Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack.” DDoS attacks overwhelm servers and slow down traffic, even jeopardizing sensitive data. And DDoS attacks are unfortunately on the rise.
Fiber, on the other hand, is hardwired straight to your walls—its internet flies through fiber optic cable without needing to disperse signal through the air. Thus, fiber's advanced technology provides a layer of protection and security from hackers, scammers, and other criminals that cellular or wireless internet simply cannot.
From faster speeds to more reliable signals, a more secure connection, and greater capacity to carry out more online activities from multiple devices simultaneously, fiber internet stands ahead of cellular/wireless 5G internet.
For more information on fiber internet and why it's your best choice for high-speed internet, feel free to reach out to the knowledgeable support team at FPUAnet Communications. We’re local and here to serve you!
With the days growing shorter and the leaves turning auburn, there are sure signs of autumn in the air—and, of course, the return of football! From exhilarating college ranking upsets to record-setting NFL action, the 2024-2025 football season promises to be one of the most thrilling in years. And as many football games are now available to stream through FPUAnet Communications’ reliable and fast fiber network, it’s easier than ever to catch all the action from the comfort of your home—and with pristine picture quality, too.
But with the dizzying number of streaming apps and channels available today, navigating the various streaming options can get somewhat overwhelming. Our guide will help you find where to stream college and NFL football this season, so you can watch every big play live as it happens!
Selecting a Live TV Streaming Service
Your first step to enjoying live college and NFL football without a cable cord is to choose a live streaming TV service. While there are many apps that will showcase top games or even contests from a particular conference, to watch the most number of games, you’ll first need a service that provides live game coverage.
Of course, there are several live TV streaming services you can pick. Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV are two excellent, all-around live TV options, each with their own perks. However, for reasons we lay out below, die-hard football fans, especially of the NFL, might want to choose YouTube TV.
YouTube TV offers college football coverage through channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN. It also comes with an unlimited DVR, giving you all the storage, you need to record games and watch them later. Be sure to check out all the live TV streaming services and pick out the one that best meets your needs—just be sure the app you ultimately decide on offers the major networks in your service area!
Streaming College Football
As the college football season kicks off first, we begin with the apps and channels that stream games this year. You’ll want to make sure to add at least some of these apps to get the most amount of coverage. Apart from a live TV streaming app, the three apps and channels below are particularly useful for college football fans:
ESPN+ streams a variety of college football games, including those from smaller conferences and non-primetime slots. It also has a surprising amount of on-demand content and exclusive shows for thoughtful and entertaining analysis.
Paramount+ is key for fans to watch games broadcasted on CBS. As several marquee games are broadcasted regularly on CBS, Paramount+ may be another essential app for many college football fans.
Peacock livestreams games from NBC, including the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Similar to what Paramount+ does for CBS’s college coverage, having Peacock helps fill-in coverage of network-broadcasted college games.
Streaming the NFL
For NFL fans, selecting a live streaming TV service is critical, as most Sunday day games are broadcast on CBS and Fox. To round out the corners, however, you need other apps.
For example, if you haven’t gotten your fill during the Sunday day games, you’ll need Peacock, home to Sunday Night Football games. Similarly, for Monday Night Football, check out ESPN, which streams most Monday Night Football games (other than certain occasional match-ups available only ESPN+ or ABC). And because fans need football four nights a week, Amazon’s Prime Video hosts Thursday Night Football, as well!
However, by far the most complete coverage of Sunday games is NFL Sunday Ticket, available exclusively on YouTube TV. While on the pricier side, NFL Sunday Ticket lets viewers watch every out-of-market NFL Sunday game of any team. So, if you’ve relocated from your home team’s TV market to another state or region, you’ll be able to enjoy every minute of your team’s Sunday games, just as you did before you moved!
With numerous streaming options available, catching every college or NFL game this fall is easier than ever. By choosing the right package of apps and platforms, you can enjoy all the excitement of football season without missing a single play—or needing to keep a clunky cable box around!
Just contact FPUAnet Communications today to get the reliable internet you need to stream all your favorite games this football season and beyond!
