Used to connect consumers’ smartphones, tablets and computers — as well as televisions, video doorbells, air-conditioning systems, door locks and lots more — to the digital world, the internet has become a near-ubiquitous part of modern life. And while many Americans have heard of Gig internet, which is among the fastest connection speeds offered nationwide, only a select few have ever actually experienced the amazing benefits it can bring. With gigabit internet connected to a home, users can simultaneously stream movies, upload and download large files, play online games, and participate in video calls on multiple devices at high definition...

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For most homes, a good download speed is between 50 Mbps and 250 Mbps, depending on the number of devices simultaneously in use. A 250 Mbps connection allows a family of four to stream TV, movies and games on multiple devices while using video conferencing, like Zoom, all at the same time. A speed of 50 Mbps is better suited for couples or individuals without competing streaming demands. What Is a Good Upload Speed? A good upload speed on an asymmetrical connection, like cable, is 5 Mbps, while a good upload speed on a symmetrical fiber connection is 250 Mbps,...

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While the official peak of the holiday gift-giving season may still be weeks away on Christmas Day, for FTC Digital TV subscribers, a huge present is coming just days from now. This early December gift should be a very welcome one for lovers of award-winning television series and hit movies. And instead of landing under the tree, it will appear on the TV!  So just what is this early Christmas-season offering? Beginning on Friday, December 9, and running through Monday, December 12, FTC will offer a free SHOWTIME preview event. And for the event’s four-day duration, subscribers to FTC Digital...

Read More Free SHOWTIME preview set for December 9–12 on FTC Digital TV

Fiber internet is a broadband internet connection that uses fiber cables, which are more efficient than traditional communication wires, to relay data at increased speeds with reduced lag times. This modern technology allows for internet speeds of up to 1 gigabyte or more, improving download speeds by as much as tenfold over other high-speed internet options. Fiber optics are not only faster (they can send data at 70% the speed of light) but they are also less susceptible to the effects of severe weather, resulting in a more reliable internet connection. Fiber is the single fastest means in the world...

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In the digital age, it is a persistent question for parents, especially among those raising younger kids: How much screen time is OK for a growing child? Most experts suggest that for children it should be limited to two hours or fewer per day with many studies suggesting that more than an hour a day is too much. Classroom and homework is not included in these limitations, which apply only to recreational usage. It is one thing to know how much screen time is too much, but it is another to know when it becomes a problem and when to...

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With Thanksgiving among its highlights, November is already a month that is strongly associated with giving thanks. And this November, FTC is giving its subscribers even more reason to put some gratitude on the menu this fall season! Beginning on Nov. 22 and running for eight days through Nov. 29, FTC Digital TV is serving up a free preview of premium channels HBO and CINEMAX. So, whether those feasting on the “freeview” enjoy action, suspense, romance, comedy, drama, horror or all of the above, they will have plenty of on-screen options to choose from (and reasons to give thanks) during...

Read More Coming soon: 8 days of HBO and CINEMAX for free!

He’s jolly, he’s bearded and he’s coming back! Santa is suiting up to pay a special visit to the FTC stores for Santa Photo Days Nov. 7 – Nov. 22. And this year, he’s bringing Mrs. Claus along with him! Each event day, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will visit a different FTC location from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and customers can have their photos taken with the Christmas-season power couple. So get in the Christmas spirit and bring a big smile because Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to town! Santa Photo Day Dates Nov. 7 Sumter – Wesmark...

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How To Get on the Do Not Call List & What To Do When It Does Not Work By now, many are fed up with incessant and unwanted telemarketing calls and have put their phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. The federal database, which was started in 2003 following the passage of the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003, requires callers making sales calls to personal phone lines to refrain from contacting the individuals on the list. As of 2022, the registry included nearly 244 million phone numbers. So what steps should those people on the list who...

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When young, inexperienced drivers are getting behind the wheel, safety concerns are always paramount for their loved ones. And for today’s teenagers, who are learning to navigate the roads in the digital age, the potential for distracted driving might be higher than at any other point in history. (After all, young drivers in preceding generations did not have to deal with potential distractions such as incoming text messages or emails.) Consider this: According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers ages 15 to 20 accounted for a higher percentage of distracted driving-related fatalities than any other...

Read More How To Prevent Distracted Driving: 5 Tips for Limiting Cell Phone Distractions in the Car