May 2016 Connections One Community Customer Service Corner KDMI Program Change KDMI Channel 10 (FiberTV) & 19.1 (analog) is now owned by TCT Network. They changed their programming, which we don’t control. Please contact them with questions or comments at 618-997-4700 or www.tct.tv. Office Closed Our office will be closed on May 30 in observance of Memorial Day & July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Protect Your Electronics Protect your computer, router & other valuable electronics by using an adequate surge protector. Using a grounded outlet & UPS will give you the best protection. Stop by Solutions to pick up yours today! Need Technical Support? Technical support is FREE and available 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling 755-TECH (8324). You may get assistance with your Internet, TV or phone service, including troubleshooting or requesting a service call. See page 2 for details >>> KEY WiFi is Get FiberFast Internet or FiberTV Upgrade FREE for 30 Days Your guide to video streaming; a new way to watch Most customers still subscribe to a cable TV like service, and many of them supplement their TV watching with many types of video streaming. Yet, even what ‘video streaming’ is has changed since Netflix made the term common in 2007. Video streaming requires very fast Internet. A 10Mb MAY let one person stream one show. But, most families today need 25 or 50Mb Internet to support every iPad, game system, smartphone & Roku box people are using. What is certain is that video streaming demands tons of bandwidth and an outstanding router to work effectively for all your devices. Video Streaming Online Our TV Everywhere, network TV websites, NCAA’s March Madness website, and Twitter’s recent deal to stream next season’s Thursday NFL games are examples of this approach. All these options are breaking new ground. Sometimes, you’ll need a TV provider to get access, and in other cases you won’t. Sometimes you’ll have full access to the event or show, and in other cases you won’t. Video Streaming Providers Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Now & MLB TV are just some examples. Their approaches are similar: for a monthly or annual price you have access to content. Most often you subscribe from their website, but then you can watch from a number of devices. Video Steaming Devices An Apple TV, Roku, Amazon FireTV or game system are examples of this group. In this case, you purchase the device, which you connect to your Internet and then to your TV. Each may have their own way to rent or buy content, or you may use Netflix or others mentioned above. Some think streaming will replace cable TV like services - believing it’s how customers will be able to buy channels a la carte at $10-$25 per month per channel. Others think streaming will remain supplemental to cable TV, and cable TV will evolve into a smaller number of core channels.
Transcript
May 2016
ConnectionsOne Community
Customer Service CornerKDMI Program ChangeKDMI Channel 10 (FiberTV) & 19.1 (analog) is now owned by TCT Network. They changed their programming, which we don’t control. Please contact them with questions or comments at 618-997-4700 or www.tct.tv.
Office ClosedOur office will be closed on May 30 in observance of Memorial Day & July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Protect Your ElectronicsProtect your computer, router & other valuable electronics by using an adequate surge protector. Using a grounded outlet & UPS will give you the best protection. Stop by Solutions to pick up yours today!
Need Technical Support?Technical support is FREE and available 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling 755-TECH (8324).
You may get assistance with your Internet, TV or phone service, including troubleshooting or requesting a service call.
See page 2 for details >>>KEYWiFiis
Get FiberFast Internet or FiberTV Upgrade
FREE for 30 Days
Your guide to video streaming; a new way to watchMost customers still subscribe to a cable TV like service, and many of them supplement their TV watching with many types of video streaming. Yet, even what ‘video streaming’ is has changed since Netflix made the term common in 2007.
Video streaming requires very fast Internet. A 10Mb MAY let one person stream one show. But, most families today need 25 or 50Mb Internet to support every iPad, game system, smartphone & Roku box people are using. What is certain is that video streaming demands tons of bandwidth and an outstanding router to work effectively for all your devices.
Video Streaming OnlineOur TV Everywhere, network TV websites, NCAA’s March Madness website, and Twitter’s recent deal to stream next season’s Thursday NFL games are examples of this approach. All these options are breaking new ground. Sometimes, you’ll need a TV provider to get access, and in other cases you won’t. Sometimes you’ll have full access to the event or show, and in other cases you won’t.
Video Streaming ProvidersNetflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Now & MLB TV are just some examples. Their approaches are similar: for a monthly or annual price you have access to content. Most often you subscribe from their website, but then you can watch from a number of devices.
Video Steaming DevicesAn Apple TV, Roku, Amazon FireTV or game system are examples of this group. In this case, you purchase the device, which you connect to your Internet and then to your TV. Each may have their own way to rent or buy content, or you may use Netflix or others mentioned above.
Some think streaming will replace cable TV like services - believing it’s how customers will be able to buy channels a la carte at $10-$25 per month per channel. Others think streaming will remain supplemental to cable TV, and cable TV will evolve into a smaller number of core channels.
Please be aware of a threat we are seeing a lot. The threat can start by email, from a phone call or by following the wrong links on a website. The result is something called ‘ransomware’ where the perpetrator of the scam locks up your computer until a fee is paid to them.
The most prominent threat has been people posing as Microsoft employees calling customers telling them they have detected a problem with their computer. They have not; they just hope you’ll bite and give them remote access to their computer. A similar scam can start with an email to you with a link to ‘help fix the problem’.
If this happens to you hang up or delete the email! Don’t give them access. No one
Alert! Alert! Alert!
can detect a problem your computer might be having without your knowledge, not Microsoft, Google, or anyone else. Contact us for help, if you need it.
Also, keep your family away from websites which promise free access to movies currently in theaters. Those movies have been illegally recorded, and you could get in trouble for watching them. In addition, those sites host many viruses.
To most people, WiFi equals Internet, so the Internet your WiFi is connected to better be GREAT! Panora Telco FiberFast Internet is just that.
Our unlimited and uncapped FiberFast Internet is the best, most reliable and FASTEST Internet in the market, and we can show you how to get the most out of your connection. We will even help you with 30 days of the upgrade on us.
And, while WiFi allows you to have great mobility around your home or office, sometimes a wired connection may be
the best option for some of your connected devices.
Smart TVs, game systems, and streaming devices like Roku boxes or Apple TV are perfect options to connect directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.
WiFi has evolved a lot in the past few years, and if you have not upgraded your router, you could be missing out on a lot of features, security and a lot more speed.
And, now that you have fiber right to your home or office, you don’t want your router
or your devices slowing you down.
Stop into the Solutions Center and we will education you about the new AC WiFi routers, so you can connect ALL your devices and stream, game, and video chat all you want without slowing down.
The key to great WiFi is great Internet. And, we have the key for you!
KEYWiFiis
Upgrade FiberFast Internet or FiberTV and
Get the Upgrade
FREEfor 30 Days
Learn Something New!
Upcoming Classes at Solutions
Windows 10 - What now? May 17 @7pm
Put Smart Technologies to Work for You June 21 @7pm
Pre-registration is required. Call 755-2424. Classes are FREE!
All classes are held in the Solutions Technology Education
Center at 112 East Main in
Panora.See website for full class descriptions.
Offer valid May 1 thru July 31, 2016. Not all services are available in all areas. Offer valid with qualifying services. Excludes surcharges, taxes, fees, service order and/or installation charges. Standard terms & conditions and service agreements apply; see office for details.
Annual Meeting held March 14th The Annual Meeting of the Panora Communications Cooperative was held on Monday, March 14th at the Panorama High School auditorium.
Nearly 75 coop members heard from Manager Andy Randol about company activities and financial information for the past year. Technology Development Director, Curt Thornberry, spoke about our new Solutions Technology Experience Center, as well as the continued growth in broadband demand by our users.
Kiesling Associates, our auditing firm, presented the audited financials to the membership. John Pietilla from the Davis Brown Law Firm spoke about telecommunications regulatory updates.
Re-elected to the Board of Directors, for 3 year terms, were Chris Arganbright & Kelvin Hafner. Attendees enjoyed refreshments after the meeting.
Drawing Winners were:• 32” Samsung TV – Sy Kallhoff• Wireless Weather Station – George
Moore• Vehicle Power Inverter – Joe Weisz• Bluetooth Speaker – Nancy Moore• Google Chromecast – Jim Marwedel• Spring Plants – Lowell Peters, Jim
Sievers, Chris Hastings, Bill Woller & Jerry Suther
you have access to all the information, services and related products as they become available in the years to come, while many of your follow Iowans and Americans will not.
Much like rural electricity in the 1930s, phones in the early 1900s and transportation advances like trains and interstate systems, ultra-fast Internet from our FiberFast network, is the economic engine for years to come. Customers in our region have an advantage. With the Fiber network, people can create jobs, start companies, work remotely and more.
The network also permits us to add on small conveniences, so life is easier or more fun. The most recent examples are: the Weather App, Watch TV Everywhere
We know keeping up with technology is challenging. We also know the language used to describe Internet, TV and the devices sometimes doesn’t make it easier. We started Solutions to solve the issue, but more on that in a minute.
This year Panora Telco was recognized by NTCA, the National Broadband Association, for being “Gig Certified.” Yes, that is more of the confusing ‘tech language’ so please let me make it relevant to you.
Customers of all ages are getting more information from their Internet connected devices. The Gig Certification means
Making technology functional, affordable & approachable!
and the ManageMy TVs app. Check out the stories in this newsletter.
If you have not been into our Solutions Center, please plan to take advantage of this resource. Its sole purpose is to make your life with technology better, and easier. Stop in and let us show you some solutions.
AndrewRandolGeneral Manager
Business Customers benefit from SolutionsBusiness customers, you’re not alone anymore because Solutions is here to help you with your technology and managing it. It used to be that only ‘big businesses’ needed or could afford computer or technology support.
Today every business needs support to make sure your information is protected from loss, viruses and people attempting to harm you, your data or your business.
You need help making decisions about what technology to buy or how to make software and hardware options work together seamlessly.
And you need someone to keep your
Curtis ThornberryTechnology Development Director
Tech Corner
technology up to date – if that is 2 computers, 5 computer servers, a cloud storage system or business continuity plan.
Solutions is here to help every business because no matter your size, you need the affordable protection options Solutions can provide. Solutions has technicians and experts on staff to support your business on a project or contract basis.
We’re here to help you with your needs. Those could include backups for business continuity, networks, WiFi routers, printers & other peripheral devices, as well as computers, laptops & servers.
Call me to get started with a FREE Technology Review. Then we can discuss what you need. Call today!
Clip and return with your bill, drop off or mail by May 25 to: Panora Telco, 114 East Main Street, Panora, IA 50216One winner chosen at random per quarter. Contest open to all Panora Telco customers 18 & over. Applicants can win once in a 12 month period. Other restrictions may apply.
Congratulations to Julia Millhollin who was the February contest winner.
Assistance in paying your telephone bill is available to qualifying low-income Iowans as part of a federal support program called Lifeline.
Lifeline is a plan that assists qualified low-income Iowans by providing a monthly reduction of $9.25 on their local telephone bill.
You may only receive low-
income assistance from one wireline or wireless telephone provider per household.
Iowans who participate in one or more of the following programs are eligible: Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security
Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program,
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
Program or the
National School Lunch Program.
Application forms can be obtained from our office or at the local and county offices of the Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, and the Community Action Program offices of the Department of Human Rights.
To find out more or to download an application, visit our website.
Low income Iowans may qualify for assistance with Lifeline
Construction & digging projects will soon be underway. Remember, there are many underground utilities,
especially fiber, that may present a problem if disturbed, and unmarked services may be dangerous if hit.
It is important to call Iowa One Call at 800-292-8989 or 811 at least 48 business hours in advance, so underground services can be located and marked. If damages occur and Iowa One Call was not notified, you may be liable for related charges. The service is free and available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Call before you dig. You’ll be glad you did.
Call before you dig!Great Features with FiberTV
ManageMyTVs app turns your tablet or smartphone into an advanced remote control for your TV & DVRs.
• View & Search TV program guide
• Filter channels to choose your favorites
• Manage all DVR recordings
• Perform remote control functions including changing channels
• FREE with FiberTV service!
ManageMyTVs Local WeatherGet current weather info right on your TV with FiberTV service
• Local weather, forecasts, radar, etc.
• Press red button on remote to pull up weather screens
• Press corresponding green, yellow or blue buttons for more info
