2023 - FTC-I

May

26

2023

The Benefits of Faster Internet for Videoconferences

Whether at home or in the office, most Americans have experienced the frustration that can come with a slow internet connection during a video call. Frozen video feeds, heavily distorted words and active participants simply dropping off the call are just a few of the problems that can plague a Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Teams or Webex call when internet speeds are slow. Fiber internet for business not only solves these issues but also helps improve clarity, increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance collaboration across the board. In today’s telecommuting business environment, the benefits of efficient video calls cannot be...

May

18

2023

How To Protect Your Home When You Are on Vacation

The best ways to protect a home before going on vacation are first by installing a modern alarm system, and then taking precautionary measures to secure doors, windows and anything of value outside of the house. With the highest percentage of burglaries occurring in the summer months, homeowners can never be too careful. What Should Homeowners Do to Their Homes Before Going Away? Homeowners should think like thieves and assess their property to see how a burglar could avoid neighbors’ eyes and gain access. Motion-activated floodlight bulbs can burn out without the homeowner noticing and just prior to a vacation...

May

15

2023

How Business Mobile Plans Help Companies

With employees increasingly using mobile phones for business calls, emails, software verification and messaging, companies are more at risk. Business mobile plans help reduce cybersecurity risk by keeping all company data on a device that can be adequately secured to prevent data leaks. Decision-makers should also consider adding a business mobile plan to their operations to give their teams the tools needed to perform in a fast-paced environment. What Are the Benefits of Mobile Plans for Businesses? When a company gives its staff access to a business mobile plan, it helps boost communication between employees, enhances security, and, in the...

May

10

2023

What Is the Cloud and How Should Consumers Use It?

The cloud and cloud computing refer to the process of storing computer files and programs on external servers rather than locally on a device’s hard drive and then remotely accessing the files and programs via an internet connection. In this sense, “the cloud” serves as a metaphor for the global network of computer servers that actually houses the files and programs, making them easily accessible from remote distances. And when paired with gigabit home internet speeds, the files can be shared seamlessly without any wait time. What Is the Purpose of the Cloud? The overall purpose of the cloud is...

May

01

2023

How To Boost Work-From-Home Productivity

During the past few years, the number of people working from home has exploded and while some people are going back to the office, remote work is clearly here to stay. Even though a work-from-home environment is beneficial to many, some remote workers continue to struggle to maintain the same level of productivity as they once did in the office. But by choosing a designated work space, establishing working hours, setting boundaries with family and maintaining proper communication with their managers and teams, remote workers can not only maintain the productivity they once had in the office but actually increase...

Apr

28

2023

How Faster Internet Helps Businesses

Faster internet helps businesses by increasing productivity, improving cloud capabilities, allowing for better videoconferencing, enabling quicker data backups, supporting scalability and boosting profits. In a long list of 21st century workplaces, there are few tasks on the daily to-do list that are not aided in at least some way by a faster internet connection. From business-critical activities like communications, research and customer service to vital tasks like marketing, supply procurement and order fulfillment, along with plenty of key areas in between, productivity can take a major hit when the internet slows down. How Does Internet Speed Affect Business? As more...

Apr

27

2023

FTC Television, Wireless and Home Phone Services for Customers With Disabilities

With a coverage area of 3,000 square miles, FTC has been committed to providing cutting-edge communications technology to the residents of Clarendon, lower Florence, Lee, Sumter and Williamsburg counties for more than 70 years. Offering television, wireless and home phone services for customers with disabilities, the cooperative’s dedication to service access extends to all area residents, no matter what type of special assistance they need in accessing. FTC offers a range of accessibility services geared specifically toward customers with disabilities. Home phone, wireless and television services for people with disabilities include Alert Line, Closed Captioning, Speed Dialing, TTY and Video...

Apr

24

2023

What Tools Are Needed for Telecommuting?

The world learned to telecommute on a whole new level in 2020, when many desk jobs moved to home offices. Although the number of people working remotely exploded, many did not have the tools needed to perform their jobs as easily or efficiently as they did at the workplace. Employees who telecommute require the same tools they would need in an office setting, but not all businesses ensure that their work-from-home employees are properly equipped. What Resources Are Needed to Work Remotely? A remote workforce requires broadband; email; a phone line; software for videoconferencing, chat, project management, and time tracking;...

Mar

31

2023

What Is a Managed Firewall and How Does It Benefit a Business?

A firewall is a piece of computer hardware or software that monitors a computer network’s incoming and outgoing traffic, and then either permits or blocks the transfer of data to and from the network based on a set of pre-established security rules. It protects businesses from intrusions and potential liability by preventing outside users from accessing protected data on the network. Firewalls are crucial for safeguarding the flow of sensitive information to, from and on the network, and in a number of industries such as healthcare and finance, they are even mandated and must meet specific compliance standards. For businesses...

Mar

28

2023

Mesh Networks vs. Wi-Fi Range Extenders

Mesh networks offer faster speeds, more options, and more options for customization for businesses compared to traditional Wi-Fi range extenders. The latest technology of mesh networking has replaced range extenders largely where deployment requires multiple access points. In just about every case, a business should consider a mesh network over a range extender for faster and more efficient internet throughout an office where a single extender cannot achieve the desired coverage. Here are five reasons mesh networks are better than Wi-Fi range extenders: 1. Mesh Networks Have More Functionality Wi-Fi Range Extender Functionality Functionality is one of the primary differences...