If you enjoy online gaming, surfing the web or streaming All West.tv, you know having the right internet speed matters. But how do you know what speed to choose? If you only surf the web, do you need 100 Mbps? If you want to watch your favorite shows on All West.tv, how many Mbps do you need?
• How does the available infrastructure affect your internet speed?
• General internet speed recommendations
• What internet speed do I need? Internet Speed Calculator
Depending on where you live, there is different infrastructure in place to get the internet into your home. The most common types are DSL, Coax and Fiber. Each of these creates a pipeline for your internet to move through. The more advanced the infrastructure the more opportunity you have to reach faster speeds.
The acronym Mbps stands for “megabits per second.” It is a measure of internet bandwidth that moves through the infrastructure. Bandwidth is the download and upload rate of your internet connection. The higher the Mbps is, the more you can do on your internet connected device.
Your router is what talks to both All West’s modem and your internet connecting device. Having a router that is compatible with your wire infrastructure and Mbps helps your device get the fastest speeds possible. If your router is not designed for the internet you have, you won’t be able to reach your full speed potential. (Read more about how your internet gets on your digital device)
Having a fast internet connection depends on what you use the internet for at home, how many devices are using the internet at the same time, and how many Mbps you have from your service provider. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends minimum internet speeds of 12-25 Mbps for families with multiple internet users or frequent online streaming.
Why would you need higher than 25 Mbps?
The FCC has defined broadband, or fast internet, as internet with download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps since 2015. Download speeds of at least 25 Mbps accommodate many families’ needs, but the best download speeds and upload speeds for you depend on how you use the internet at home.
For example, let’s say you have a family of four, and nine devices split between them that include phones, laptops, iPads, and Smart TVs. When everyone is home at least six devices are being used at once for school, streaming TV, surfing the web and gaming. When you have that many devices in use, you need enough bandwidth to support them all. 25 Mbps distributed six ways is about 4 Mbps allocated to each device. Just doing school work on a laptop could use up to 25 Mbps, resulting in very slow internet, which is why All West offers a minimum of 100 Mbps. The more internet-connected devices you use, the more your speed is distributed amongst them.
Tell us how many devices in your home connect to the internet. (Computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart TVs, smart home devices, etc.)
*Calculations based on the FCC Broadband Speed Guide Next
The new year is a great opportunity to tune up your technology. A well-working piece of equipment makes life so much easier. You spend less time fixing issues and more time enjoying your experience. Here are our top 10 technology tune-ups to start your year off right:
It’s important to update your passwords and keep things fresh to eliminate the chances of your accounts getting hacked. We also recommend using different passwords on every account in case you do get hacked; the hackers don’t have access to your other accounts. For more password tips, look in the winter issue of our InTouch Magazine.
Making sure your anti-virus software is up to date, and current is one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re protected. A good anti-virus program is always coming out with updates to keep your information safe. Some software also expires after a year, so it’s a good idea to find out when your renewal is coming up to stay protected.
When you browse a website for the first time on the internet, your web browser stores information from the site in temporary files. This is the cache.
The next time you visit the same website, it loads directly from the cache copy instead of requesting the DNS server over the Internet. It’s important to clear your cache so that you get the latest version of the website you’re visiting. Clearing your cache also helps protect your temporarily stored data such as login credentials, phone number, and any other personal information you may use.
Have you ever lost your phone or dropped it in the snow without knowing it? Activating the “Find My Phone” feature on your mobile device is a handy feature that allows you to find your phone using a web browser map tracker.
This feature is available on both Android and iPhone devices. Click below to learn how to activate Find My Phone.
Who’s guilty of having a spaghetti bowl of wires coming out of every electronic device you own? Declutter and streamline those cables. Not only will it be more aesthetically pleasing, but the next time you have to change a cord, you won’t be fighting a knotted mess. As a bonus, it reduces the risk of fires by reducing the heat a tangled mess can produce.
We all have them. Yes, we’re talking about that old electronic device sitting in a closet somewhere. We encourage you in the new year to reduce your environmental impact and recycle your old devices at your local recycling center. The manufacturer of your device may also have their own recycling program in place.
Trying new technology can be scary. We like to stick with what we know because it's convenient and familiar, but new technology can open up so many possibilities you didn’t know existed. Get out of your comfort zone and switch over your cable TV to the All West.tv app, upgrade your internet so you can learn that new language you always are talking about, or get that new phone so you can FaceTime your grandkids.
Interactions on Google, Instagram, and Facebook can all too easily turn into name-calling and inappropriate behavior. Remember there’s a person on the other side and they care about you and your experience. Instead of complaining, try complimenting, or giving constructive criticism.
Making sure your Wi-Fi router is up-to-date is one way to keep your connection to the web secure and performing optimally. When you use the internet, all of your information is going to be passing through your router, so if it’s compromised, it can really impact your privacy and the security of your devices. In addition to security, installing a firmware update can solve connection problems. See our Internet vs. Wi-Fi article to learn more about how your router works.
Have you ever dropped your phone, gotten the blue screen of death, or spilled a drink on your laptop? There are a lot of mishaps that can happen to your devices. To ensure you don’t lose important information on those items, we recommend backing them up to either an external hard drive or a cloud drive. This way, you won’t have to worry about something happening to your important files.
Streaming is the digital distribution of video or TV content over the Internet. To start streaming, you need a device that can connect to the internet such as mobile phone, tablet, smart TV, streaming stick etc., paired with a streaming app or service. There’s a good chance you already use some streaming services like All West.tv, YouTube, Netflix, HBO Now, or something else. These are all streaming apps that you can use to get TV or video on your devices at home and on the go. Most streaming services require a paid subscription to use their app.
Mobile Phones:
Tablet:
Smart TV:
Internet Browser:
Streaming Stick:
Streaming Set Top Box:
Looking to cut the cable TV cord? Switching to the All West.tv streaming app is easier than ever! With four packages to choose from and up to 150+ channels that include WatchTVEverywhere and 100 hours of cloud DVR, you’ll never miss your favorite shows. For a limited time, All West is offering a FREE 30-day trial of All West.tv. Call today to start streaming now 866-255-9378.
Click here for more information on how to use your All West.tv.
The Oyster Ridge BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) is a legal entity made possible through an agreement between Western Wyoming Community College and Lincoln County School District #1 to offer educational services not specifically being provided by either of them. The mission of the Oyster Ridge BOCES is to serve the higher education needs of the community through education and skill set training.
Located in Diamondville, it offers continuing education and enrichment in the following areas:
Bridget Stewart, Executive Director of Oyster Ridge BOCES, said, “Our BOCES is designed to provide high school and adult learners with adult basic education and online college-level classes as well as fill any other educational niche that we can handle more effectively than either WWCC or LCSD #1 could do alone. We work closely with both LCSD #1 and WWCC to ensure that our educational programs provide a seamless transition from high school to college and enable people who have been out of school awhile to smoothly transition back into educational or training programs.”
Oyster Ridge BOCES currently gets 100 Mbps fiber internet and Hosted VoIP phone service from All West. (As their broadband needs grow, All West will be able to provide internet speeds up to 1 Gig.) The relationship between the two organizations began in 2016.
Phil Marchant, Corporate Sales Executive, explained, “All West expanded their fiber optic footprint throughout portions of Kemmerer and Diamondville during summer 2016. Later that fall, Oyster Ridge BOCES signed up for high-speed broadband and had their phone numbers ported over to All West.”
He added, “Oyster Ridge originally received their data and voice services over copper lines from the incumbent telco. When I initially contacted Bridget Stewart about All West’s fiber, she was excited to switch in order to get higher internet speeds. In June 2019, Bridget reached out to All West and asked about a new phone system to replace their analog voice service and provide enhanced features such as voicemail to email, music on hold and after-hours auto attendant. After some discussions with her and finding out the needs of Oyster Ridge BOCES, I proposed All West’s Hosted VoIP business phone system. In August 2019, All West installed this system.”
What does Stewart think of the internet and phone services from All West compared to the services previously used by Oyster Ridge BOCES? She replied, “With our previous communications provider, we were always having internet issues which made it difficult to test students and get work done. Now that we have All West’s fiber internet, we no longer have those problems. We also love our new Hosted VoIP phone system. It’s allowed us to work more efficiently.”
Given the vital importance of All West’s services to students and staff, Stewart appreciates the responsive customer service and tech support Oyster Ridge BOCES receives.
“I think All West’s customer service and support is excellent! I know someone will be here quickly if we have an issue. The best thing is, All West will always try and help you over the phone first, which is great,” said Stewart.
Marchant noted, “Oyster Ridge BOCES has been amazing for our All West team to work with. Since it’s an education center, having the fast speed of our fiber internet offers the students and staff the most effective classroom and work environments they can possibly have in rural Wyoming.”
This time of year is a natural opportunity to reflect on 2019’s accomplishments and look ahead to 2020’s goals, and Stewart was happy to share her thoughts on these topics.
“The thing I am most proud of when it comes to the Oyster Ridge BOCES is that we truly are helping people. We want everyone to be successful in what they do, and we are here to assist them however we can. In 2020, our goal is to increase awareness in the community about everything Oyster Ridge BOCES has to offer,” Stewart said.
Did you hear? All West Communications was recently awarded a USDA grant of $4.79M to provide broadband services to residents and businesses in Granger, Farson, and Eden, Wyoming. And while some of the project phases will take three to four years to complete, we are making plans to get the project started in the coming year.
What does this mean for you?
The best part? You will be getting the best the industry has to offer in the way of broadband. Services will be offered over a buried, all-fiber infrastructure—not susceptible to bad weather, faulty satellite dishes, natural obstructions like mountains or a dense grove of trees, or the occasional traffic accident that takes down a utility pole. You can rest easy knowing that your broadband service is protected.
The details. All West will build close to 100 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure connecting approximately 320 homes, 20 businesses, 18 farms, a Granger school, and a K-12 school campus in Farson. We will keep you updated on the plans so check back and watch our Facebook page for more details.
Your connection begins with our commitment.
The internet is a public network that allows you to access various webpages such as Google, or any website such as AllWest.com.
Digital devices and the internet speak different digital signals, so the first piece of equipment you need to connect to the internet is a modem. A modem is the translator between the digital signal of your device and the analog signal the internet uses. It converts digital data signals into radio signals and back from your device to the internet.
When using All West’s internet services our modem is what establishes and maintains a connection with internet service and your device. A connection to our services can be made several different ways depending on the infrastructure available in your area. The most common connections are made through Fiber, Coax (cable) and DSL (phone line). These connections also have different speeds to help transfer the data from the internet to your device.
Once you have established a modem, you will need a router if you are trying to connect to more than one device. The router takes the signal from the modem and distributes it to both wired devices and wireless (Wi-Fi) devices. The router also controls the area in which you can receive a wireless signal.
Not all routers are created equal. Your router signal needs to sync with your modem connection. And your modem and router need to be able to handle the speed you are paying for. For example, if your internet is provided through a Coax cable, your router needs to be compatible with a Coax connection—and if you’ve purchased a 1 Gig plan, your equipment needs to be Gig-capable. All West offers Plume to ensure you have the proper connection. Our routers also ensure your router is protected and allows us to trouble shoot any connection issues.
Having the right modem and router in place gives you a better internet experience.
bringing internet speeds up to 1 Gig, a streaming TV platform and digital phone service
All West Communications is thrilled to announce the launch of lightning-fast broadband, a streaming TV service and digital phone solutions—over an all-fiber network—to the residents of Hideout, Utah.
Construction began on July 8, 2019 in the Rustler area of Hideout and will extend to other developments within the town (on both sides of Route 248) this year and next. The current build has included more than 16,700 feet of fiber and duct which will provide services to current and future residents of the town of Hideout. This is just one of the major buildouts All West invested in this year and we are excited to be expanding our service offerings so close to home.
Internet offerings will include speeds from 100Mbps to up to 1Gig and we’ll also be offering our streaming TV service—All West.tv. This service includes 100 hours of Cloud DVR, HD channels (as available), restart and replay, and the ability to stream three devices at once. The best part? All West.tv is a self-install, app-based platform that does not require a set-top box or additional wiring.
On Monday, September 23 All West brought services to our first customer in Forevermore Estates. In less than three months, micro-trenching more than 3.25 miles of road, laying in fiber and duct work, setting up systems on the backend to providing services to our first customer were all accomplished. A huge success given a project of this size typically takes twice as long. All West will continue connecting as many customers as possible before the weather makes it impossible to do so.
Matthew Weller, President of All West Communications, stated; "The cooperation of Mayor Rubin and his staff have made our ability to provide services a reality. We are very pleased to offer broadband services to the town of Hideout and we are committed to expanding services to new developments in the town, namely Soaring Hawk, Deer Waters, Klaim and Shoreline.”
All West Communications believes in delivering the best possible services to our communities—and investing in all-fiber networks is one way we do this. Fiber provides the ability to offer faster speeds and a more reliable, stable network, compared to wireless or satellite options. As a local company, we treat our customers like more than just a number. Our office in Kamas, just eight minutes from Hideout, welcomes customers in person, over the phone or via email correspondence.
We look forward to partnering with you for your telecommunication needs.
Every fall we experience various channel outages that may interrupt your TV service.
These outages are called Sun Outages and this fall, sun outages are expected during the first week of October, 2019.
What is a Sun Outage?
Sun Outages happen twice a year, they are an interruption of our satellite signals caused by interference from the sun. The interruption happens when the sun is in direct line with the communication satellites and the sun’s radiation overwhelms the satellite signals.
When are the Sun Outages and how long will they last?
Sun outages happen twice a year, in fall and spring, and will last approximately one week each time.
What kind interference should I expect?
During Sun Outages you may experience anything from slight signal degradation to a complete signal loss. This only happens during the day time (no sun = no interruption). You may also notice pixelated pictures, picture freezes or audio distortions when watching TV.
Sun Outages only affect TV Satellites, your All West internet and phone line won’t be affected.
We apologize for any inconvenience a sun outage may cause. However, solar satellite interference is out of our control. Please be patient and everything will get back to normal soon.
Please call our office if you have any questions!
Photo credit: Jordan Wozniak on Unsplash
