Latest News Archives | Page 2 of 8 | All West Communications

Author: builtbygcommerce
March 23, 2021

Which of the 4 Types Of Internet Users Which One Are You? Do you use the internet for surfing the web or social media? How about working from home? Or even streaming your favorite TV entertainment? There are limitless ways that you can use your internet. We’ve narrowed down the different types of internet users into four categories and our speed recommendations. Which type are you?

The Geek

If you can name every Star Wars character or if you know what Wi-Fi 6 is, you may be an internet Geek. But, that’s not a bad thing. The internet Geek knows their way around technology and are an expert in using the internet. For all the Geeks out there, we recommend having 1 Gig speed, but you already knew that, didn’t you?

The Social Butterfly

Do you like to surf the web or talk to your friends and family on Social Media? You may be a Social Butterfly. Social Butterflies know the latest in celebrity gossip and have mastered creating the perfect TikTok dance. They are novice internet users and like to use their internet for the basics, such as social media, sending emails and shopping online. For all the Social Butterflies, we recommend having 100 Mbps for streamlined internet use.

The Entertainment Buff

You may be an Entertainment Buff if you always have a fresh bowl of popcorn on hand and love to watch the latest movie releases from the comfort of your home. The Entertainment Buff always has more than one device streaming their favorite TV entertainment, and snacks are never too far away. They are an intermediate internet user and know enough about technology to be comfortable with it. For this user, we recommend 500 Mbps for all your streaming entertainment.

The Worker or Learner

Is the internet your lifeline to work and school online? Do you consider yourself a Zoom call expert and know how to turn the cat filter off and on? The Worker and Learner are continually using their internet connection to upload and download documents, email, and stream calls. They are an intermediate internet user and know a little more than your average user. For all Workers or Learners, we recommend 200 Mbps for all your needs. Fiber internet is also an excellent choice for Workers and Learners, as it provides a stable connection with minimal disruptions, perfect for video conferencing and large file transfers.

Do you have questions about your internet? Our Customer Care team is standing by to help at 866.255.9378 or help@allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
February 24, 2021

One of the most common questions we get at All West is, “What can I do if my internet is slow?”. Many variables can impact your home’s internet speed, but one of the best places to start is with a speed test.

An internet speed test is a test you can run on your home network to find your maximum device speed. The test mimics your online activity to give you an approximation of your upload speeds and download speeds. The test is not 100% accurate, but it will provide you with a very close approximation.

What is the difference between device speed and plan speed?

When running a speed test, there are two different measurements to consider: 1.) the plan speed, which is the internet connection to your home, and 2.) the device speed, which is the speed that reaches an internet connecting device.

Your plan speed is the speed brought from All West’s server directly to your home’s router.

Your device speed is the speed from your router to your internet connecting device.

A speed test measures the speed connecting to your device. This is why the test may show speeds slower than your plan due to external factors such as your router choice and placement.

(How to choose the right router for your home)

How to run a speed test on Plume

Click on the Gateway pod image on the home page of the App.
Selecting this icon will bring you to a history of your ISP Speed Tests.
Tap on Check Speed Now. This will trigger a speed test off of your gateway pod and provide you with the latest results.
You can turn off the Auto-run ISP Speed Test using the toggle switch. On iOS, the toggle is found in the More menu.

Why are there missing Speed Tests?

The most likely reason there would be a gap in the ISP Speed Test history is that your network was busy at the time the automatic test was scheduled. By default, Plume runs an ISP Speed Test every 6 hours. If your network is busy at the scheduled time, that test will be skipped.

The Automatic ISP Speed Test will not run if your network is offline or if the speed test servers are temporarily unresponsive. If this is the case, please check your connection and try running the test again at a later time.

How to run a speed test with Ookla

Although you can run a speed test wirelessly, the best way to run an accurate speed test is to directly hardwire your device to your router with an ethernet cable. All West recommends to run your test on a laptop and not from your smart phone, tablet, gaming system, or any other wirelessly connected device.
Once your device is connected, close out all apps and programs that may disrupt your data. Make sure all other devices in your home are not downloading or running background applications, including Dropbox, Netflix, Photoshop, updates, VPN connections, etc.
There are many speed test applications out there, but we recommend Ookla to run your test.
Run a few tests throughout the day to make sure you are getting accurate results.
Looking at your results.
- You should look at three things after you run a speed test: ping, upload, and download speeds.
  - Ping – Your ping refers to your latency or how long it takes for your signal to travel to an All West server and back into your home. Your ping should be a small number. If it is a large number, make sure you are connecting to an All West server. You can do this by adjusting your server selection. The farther away your server connection is, the worse your speeds will be.
  - Upload and Download Speeds- Your upload and download speeds should be fairly close to the service you signed up for. Not all speeds will be symmetrical, so make sure you know your upload and download speeds on your plan.

Is your speed test results not what you expected?

Many factors can influence your results, from the number of devices in your home to what router you’re using. If you didn’t get the results you wanted, give our customer service team a call at 866.255.9378. They can help you upgrade your speed or troubleshoot your connection.

Author: builtbygcommerce
February 16, 2021

At All West, our job is to make your internet better, which is why we trust Plume. Not only is Plume easy to use, but the sleek air freshener-sized pods give you uninterrupted connectivity throughout your home with a boost of benefits delivered through the Plume app, HomePass. This dynamic duo brings an enhanced experience with complete control of your internet.

Here's how to get started with the Plume system:

How to install the Plume system
Navigating the home screen
Setting up user profiles
Managing your devices

How to install the Plume System

Download the Plume app Home Pass to your phone.
Open the app and sign up to start setup.
Disconnect your router or GigaCenter from the modem cable and reconnect your SuperPod to the modem cable.
Set up your new wi-fi name and password.

*When setting your pod password, we recommend using the same password as your router or GigaCenter, so you don't have to reset all of your devices with the new password. Make sure the capitalization of letters is consistent.

Plug additional pods in different rooms and follow app guidelines.
Connect your devices.

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE GUIDE

If you have questions or need help with your install, our Customer Care team can be reached at either 866.255.9378 or help@allwest.com.

Navigating the home screen

From the home screen, you can see your home network and access the special features that HomePass has to offer:

1.Pod – By selecting the pod, you can see your internet connection's health, including upload and download speeds, run a speed test, and see which devices are using the most bandwidth.

2. Network – By selecting the network icon, you can see all of your Plume Pods and devices connected to your network

3. Person – By selecting the person, you can see all of your user profiles and the devices assigned to their profile.

4. Device – By selecting the device, you can see all of the devices on your network and why type of network access they have: Home, Guest, or Internet Only.

5. Motion – See any physical activity alerts in your home.

6. Dropdown Menu

DropDown Menu

Adopt -Adopt allows you to see your whole home network. You can find what devices are on your network by selecting each pod

Access -In Access, you can set passwords and assign special access for your family, guest, and internet only.

Guard -This is where you manage your internet security. Set up your Online Protection, Adblocking, Advanced IoT protection and see how many cyber-attacks Plume protects you from.

Sense-Plume takes home security an extra step with motion detection. Now you can track if there is someone unwanted in your home while you're away.

Setting up user profiles

Tap on the People or Devices button on the Home screen
Tap on Add a Person
Add a photo, enter the name, and select the devices used by this person. Assigning devices to the person will allow you to monitor and manage wi-fi settings for that person.

**Please note that adding a person does not give them access to your app account or passwords. It just allows you to monitor and manage wi-fi access for that person.

Managing your devices

Go into the profile of the device owner by selecting the person icon on the home screen.

1.Time out in upper right – To time out this user and freeze all their devices, select the time out button. You can set the time out for 15 or 30 minutes.

2. All User devices

3. Access and security setting for the person's profile.

To manage device settings, select a device in the person's profile.

1.Schedule an internet freeze:

Tap on Schedule Internet Freeze.
Select Until End of Day, School Night, Bedtime, Indefinitely or Custom.
Set the start and end times using the slider if you selected School Night or Bedtime.
You can set a different duration on each day when you choose the Custom scheduling option.

You will be able to interrupt the internet freeze by either choosing Unfreeze Until End of Day or Clear Internet Freeze to reset the freeze internet schedule.

2.Setting Content Access

Plume's content access feature will allow you to restrict content for a device or person.

When setting up content filtering for a person or device, you can enable any of the four content filtering categories:

No limits: You can access all types of content.
Kids appropriate: Content that is tagged as NOT appropriate for kids will be filtered and inaccessible.
Teenager friendly: Content that is tagged as NOT appropriate for teens will be filtered and inaccessible.
No adult content: All content tagged as adult content will not be accessible.

Please note that all devices associated with a person will inherit the content access settings assigned to that corresponding person. Likewise, applying content access restrictions to a device assigned to a person will apply the same settings to that person. However, if the device is unassigned, the rule will only apply to the device.

Author: builtbygcommerce
January 19, 2021

Wondering about apps and how to use them on your mobile devices and smart TV? We'll show you the in's and out's of apps and how to use them

What Is An App and How to Use Them?

It’s a type of software that can be installed onto a variety of mobile devices and smart TVs. There are also computer desktop and web apps. Apps appear on your mobile devices as a small square or circle with a name or logo.

For example, All West.tv’s app looks like this:

On a smart TV, the All West.tv app looks like this:

Mobile apps may or may not require internet connectivity—as most can be used via your phone’s data plan or a Wi-Fi hot spot. Smart TV apps do require an internet connection.

What Kinds of Apps Can I Download?

Mobile apps were originally created to help keep personal and business information organized—through email, calendars, contact databases, phone lists, and the like. As consumers demanded more from their mobile devices, app development expanded into other areas such as gaming, shopping, order-tracking, and GPS and location-based services. There are now millions of apps out there—in an endless array of categories. Here are just a few categories and available apps:

TV/Entertainment All West.tv, HBO Max, Netflix
Health/Wellness Ten Percent Happier, Google Fit, Peloton
Music Music Choice, Spotify, Pandora
Food/Dining Open Table, DoorDash, GrubHub
Travel/Adventure Fly Delta, AllTrails, Visit a City

Apps for social sites, stores, and useful tools can all be found in app stores.

Do Apps Cost Money?

Most apps are free, but some require a small purchase price. Some apps also require a subscription to run. For example, the All West.tv app will only work if you have an All West.tv subscription.

Where Can Find Apps?

For Android devices, go to the Google Play Store or the Amazon Appstore. For Apple devices, check out the App Store.

Did You Know You Get Several Apps With Your All West.tv Subscription?

Yes, you read that right. With your All West.tv subscription you can also use network provider apps to watch your favorite content. Simply download the app on your device, log in using your All West.tv username and password and start streaming.

Apps are a great, convenient way to access entertainment—at home or on the go. Apps let you directly connect to the channel, content or subscription you want without having to go to a website or logging in each time.

If you have questions about how to download the All West.tv app to your mobile device or smart TV, contact our Customer Service team at 866.255.9378 or help@allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
January 15, 2021

There are a lot of components that make up your internet connection, including your internet speed and bandwidth. It’s easy to see how this can be confusing, and they are often talked about together, so let’s break down what they are and how it is important to your internet connection.

Internet speed

The number associated with your internet plan is your internet speed and is usually displayed in either Mbps or Gig speeds. This number refers to the speed at which data can be uploaded or downloaded from your internet connected device(s).

(What is the difference between upload and download speeds?)

Bandwidth

We usually refer to bandwidth as a water pipeline because it is the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded from your internet connecting device(s). Bandwidth controls the amount of data that can flow from your internet service provider (ISP) and your devices simultaneously.

How does your internet speed and bandwidth affect your internet?

The more speed you have, the bigger your bandwidth pipeline is going to be. This is important because the size of your pipe and the number of devices you use will influence your internet speed. The more devices you have connected at the same time equals more data trying to be pushed through your pipeline, and if your pipeline isn’t big enough, your data will be funneled through more slowly.

For example, if you are on an internet plan with lower speeds, your bandwidth pipeline is going to be smaller. If you try to push a lot of data through the pipeline with multiple devices, your speed is going to slow down because the data can’t fit through the pipeline at the same time.

Our friends at ArvingHQ have an excellent example of how this works:

Do you still have questions about your internet speed or do you want to upgrade your speed for more bandwidth? Talk to one of our experts by either calling us at 866-255-9378 or emailing help@allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
December 29, 2020

Did you know the average person has more than ten internet connecting devices in their home, and this number is projected to gown to 13.6 by the year 2022? We are using more technology than ever, and by bringing more technology into the home, your chance of being exposed to a cyber threat increases.

According to the 2020 Comcast Cyber Health report, the most vulnerable devices in your home include laptops, computers, smartphones, and tablets, networked cameras, networked storage devices, and streaming video devices. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you and your family are protected:

Use a router with AI Security

The landscape for cybersecurity services for the consumer is very focused on anti-virus, but technology has evolved so much that it’s not enough. The average home has so many more types of devices now, and each device has many attack surfaces, so securing the home requires new thinking. This is why All West trusts the Plume Superpod and app system.

Plume managed wi-fi is designed to adapt to all the different types of devices and threats, making it smarter than other security options.

(How Plume keeps you safe)

Keep your router’s software updated

We all live busy lives, and sometimes the last thing you think about is the last time you updated your router software. Updates are important because it prevents hackers and new evolving threats from compromising your online security. An easy way to stay on top of updates is to choose a router with automatic updates. This way, your router can update and evolve as new online security threats arise.

Create strong passwords and use multifactor authentication

When was the last time you changed or updated your password? Do you use the same password for everything? A few things you can do to make your passwords more secure include:

-Don’t use personal information in your password or information used in security questions.

-Don’t make your password all the same case. Passwords varied with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters are much harder to guess.

-Don’t use the same password for multiple logins. If you do this, it makes it easier for hackers to access more of your accounts.

In addition to a strong password, we recommend using multifactor authentications to strengthen your online security.

Don’t open links that look suspicious

You may have heard this before, but it one of the most common ways hackers can gain access to your information, don’t click suspicious links even if it is from someone you know. If a link looks suspicious, and you know the person who sent it, double check with them to make sure their account hasn’t been hacked.

Do you still have questions about your wi-fi security? Talk to one of our experts to make sure you are protected at 866.255.9378 or email help@allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
December 18, 2020

This year wasn't for naught. Like you, we had a laundry list of projects, travel plans, and goals that went flying out the window faster than toilet paper in mid-March. But, as we reflect on the new year, we are reminded of all the good things that did happen in 2020. And we bet if you look back on this weird year, you've got something to be proud of too.

This is our 2020 year of good things:

Author: builtbygcommerce
November 30, 2020

Did you know that more than 4.57 billion people use the Internet every day? With the growing popularity and demand for a fast, reliable connection, understanding the benefits of managed WiFi and why it matters is essential for ensuring a seamless experience. As more devices like smartphones, smart TVs, and home security systems rely on stable connections, managed WiFi ensures your network can handle multiple devices without compromising speed or security. This is why we recommend pairing your internet service with Plume, All West’s managed Wi-Fi network solution, which optimizes your connection and provides real-time monitoring for ultimate reliability.

What is an unmanaged wi-fi network?

An unmanaged Wi-Fi network is one that the user sets up and then manages independently, without support from an internet service provider (ISP). While this setup gives the individual control, it often lacks the advanced monitoring, troubleshooting, and security features found in managed networks. Performance issues like slower speeds, connection drops, and limited device management can arise, especially as more devices connect to the network. (How to choose the right router for your home)

What is a managed wi-fi network?

A managed wifi network allows both the individual and internet provider to view, manage, and troubleshoot an individual’s wireless network. This type of network gives the homeowner more control over their internet with better device management, highlighting the benefits of managed WiFi and why it matters for both security and performance.

What Are The Benefits Of Managed Wifi and Why It Matters?

Increased reliability and connectivity in your home

Plume SuperPods use what is called a dual-band system. A dual-band system means your router can simultaneously use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals, limiting connection issues and offering more stability. Plume also has a built-in mesh system, which extends your internet signal to every corner of your home so you never have to worry about moving too far away from your router.

(Top 5 Plume features our staff raves about)

Device Management

With device management, you know what devices are connected to your network and control how that device uses your internet network, including guest access, parental controls, internet freezes, online security, and more. Plume also makes it easy to know what’s happening on your home network through the Plume app, which is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Safer home with AI Security

The landscape for cybersecurity services for consumers is very focused on anti-virus, but technology has evolved so much that it’s not enough. The average home has so many more types of devices now, and each device has many attack surfaces, so securing the home requires new thinking. Plume uses artificial intelligence to monitor threats across a growing scale with adaptive wi-fi deployments at more than 15 million homes and half a billion devices. It allows Plume to understand device behavior and spot new threats faster.

(How secure is your home?)

Internet Service Provider insight for better troubleshooting

If issues with your internet arise, a managed Wi-Fi network allows All West to remotely access and troubleshoot your connection from their offices, reducing the need for on-site visits. This remote diagnostic capability enables quicker identification and resolution of common issues like signal interference, bandwidth congestion, or faulty devices on the network. With a managed Wi-Fi network, routine maintenance and updates can also be performed automatically, ensuring that your network is always optimized without any disruption to your service. This proactive approach not only saves you time and money by eliminating the need for technician visits but also enhances overall network performance and security.

Learn more about how Plume can make your internet easy and the benefits of managed WiFi.

Author: builtbygcommerce
November 12, 2020

To bring our customers the best in TV entertainment, All West goes into contract negotiations once a year with channel network providers. In these negotiations, All West works hard to bring you the channels you want at a reasonable price.

Eight giant corporations own most of the networks you watch, as well as many of those you don’t. To continue increasing their revenue, they require us, your TV provider, to carry their less-popular networks as a condition of providing the most popular ones.

In addition, they use their size and market power to continually demand higher fees for their programming.

Since All West is considered a “small fish”, compared to major TV providers such as DirectTV, we have partnered with a third party that brings small telecoms together, which gives us more power when going into negotiations. Sometimes negotiations go smoothly and sometimes they don’t.

What happens when we don’t reach an agreement?

When networks demand higher fees, local cable operators like All West are forced to pass along some of these costs to customers. Our goal is to bring you affordable TV and limit price increases. If fees are too high we sometimes we have to put our foot down and say “no” to programmers.

When disputes occur, programmers will often take high-visibility TV programs off the air to negotiate deals in their favor. For All West and our customers, the impact can temporarily make channels unavailable or go dark. By doing this, they’re using you to put pressure on us to carry the channel but that can lead to higher fees, which only increases your TV bill. Our goal is to come to an agreement before this happens. All West has never had to go dark on a channel before but as the TV landscape changes, it could be a possibility.

We want you to know that our customers will always come first and we will do everything we can to bring you the best in TV entertainment. For more information on how we’re keeping channels on and pricing in check, please visit TVonmyside.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
October 20, 2020

The Amazon Fire Stick is All West’s #1 choice for watching All West.tv. The user-friendly remote and HDMI stick system allows All West.tv subscribers to effortlessly access and watch their favorite tv entertainment.

Here’s how to use your Amazon Fire TV Stick:

Installing

All West.tv works with Amazon Fire TV 2nd Generation and newer, including Fire TV Stick and Cube. To get started you’ll need:

- an internet connection

- an Amazon account (Don’t have one? Visit Amazon to register for an account.)

- a TV or other display with an HDMI port

- an HDMI cable (on 4K capable devices you need an HDMI 2.0 or later)

To install:

Plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, and the Fire TV device into your TV’s HDMI port.
Use the USB cable to connect the power adapter and Fire TV device.
Install the batteries in the remote. If the remote doesn’t automatically pair with your Fire TV, press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds.
Use the Source/Input button on your TV remote to locate the HDMI signal for your Fire TV device.
Follow the prompts on the Fire TV startup screen to finish set-up. To install All West.tv, select the Search icon (left of Home at top of screen) and search for All West.tv. Highlight and select Download. Once finished, select Open to launch All West.tv.

User Guide

Download Guide

Remote Buttons

Voice Button: Control your TV with your voice. No more having to click buttons or filtering through multiple screens to watch your favorite TV.

Navigation: Use the outer circle button to navigate menus and options on your Fire Stick. Hit the area on the circle of where you would like the TV curser to move. For example, hit the top of the circle to move up, etc.

Image of amazon fire stick and hdmi remote on a green woven place mat

Select: Use the middle circle button to select items on your TV screen.

Back: Move to previous screen.

Home: Go to the main app menu on your Fire TV Stick.

Menu: Open more options, based on the item or function selected.

Fast forward, play/pause and rewind.

Volume up or down: Control how loud or quiet your TV program plays.

Mute button: Stop the sound on your TV.

How to use remotes with Alexa

Using the microphone button on your Fire TV Stick you can navigate your TV with your voice. To use this feature, hold down the voice button and ask Alexa a question. She gives helpful information about topics related to your viewing or listening content.

To get started, give some of these a try:

"Alexa, watch [movie title]"
“Alexa, pause"
"Alexa, fast forward [x] minutes"
"Alexa, rewind [x] seconds."
"Alexa, next/next Episode."
"Alexa, turn it down on Fire TV."
"Alexa, show me movies with [actor's name]"
"Alexa, open All West.tv”
"Alexa, show me popular show on [app]"
"Alexa, go to [channel / network] on [app]"

See the full list of what you can ask Alexa

We hope this post has been helpful. Please be sure to see what TV Packages All West Communications offers.

Discover the 4 Types of Internet Users: Which One Are You?