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VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 MAY 2016

The ConnectionOne Community

This ‘N That

KDMI 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?Get FREE assistance with your Internet, TV or phone service 24 hours a day/7 days a week, including troubleshooting or requesting a service call, by calling 332-2225.

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.

The ConnectionMay 2016 l page 2

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

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.

To most people, WiFi equals Internet, so the Internet your WiFi is connected to better be GREAT! Guthrie Center Communications 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

All classes are held in the Solutions Technology Education

Center at 112 East Main in

Panora.See website for full class descriptions.

Pre-registration is required. Call 332-2000. Classes are FREE!

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. You 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

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.

Guthrie Center has the distinction of being one of the first communities in the state to have fiber-to-the-home technology. We installed it in 2001. The FiberFast network to your home or business delivers huge speeds, up to 1 Gig if needed. 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 FiberFast network means

Making technology functional, affordable and approachable!

App, Watch TV Everywhere 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

Curtis ThornberryTechnology Development Director

Tech Corner

Wireless service need wiresDid you ever wonder why communications companies are spending money on fiber when cell phones are now being used so prominently? Interestingly, a call from your cellphone spends most of its time underground traveling on fiber optic or copper cable.

So, the ‘wireless’ portion of the call is really just from your phone to the tower, as well as on the receiving end of the call.

It is the same story with any text messages, email or web browsing you do on your phone. It is important to remember that a wireless call or mobile email/text messages/Internet would not be possible without the fiber that is under the ground.

It’s for this reason we are so concerned about reforms at the FCC because they dramatically change how those facilities under the ground are paid for. Without those underground facilities (fiber & some copper) your wireless phone won’t work.

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

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!

Facebook.com/guthriecentercom

403 State Street

Guthrie Center, IA 50115

Phone 641.332.2000

Fax 641.332.2001

Email gccom@netins.net

Web guthriecentercom.com

Guthrie Center Communications . . .

a partner in your future

Have you setup an eBilling account?

eBilling is the fastest, most economic way to view & pay your bills. Set up your free account at

www.guthriecentercom.com

Congratulations!Congratulations to Erla Hawkins

who was the winner of our February newsletter contest.

Complete the form at left, send it in and you could be

the next winner!

Hav

e w

e go

t a c

onte

st fo

r yo

u! We know you love contests and this one is especially for our loyal newsletter readers. Answer all these questions correctly and you will be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $10 bill credit.

Name a Solutions service offered to businesses. ___________________

Video Streaming providers typically charge a monthly fee. p True p False

What service can you get FREE for 30 days? ______________________

Cellular services need ‘in the ground’ fiber. p True p False

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

Phone ____________________________________________________

Clip and return with your bill, drop off or mail by May 25 to: Guthrie Center Communications 403 State Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115One winner chosen at random per quarter. Contest open to all GCC customers 18 & over. Applicants can win once in a 12 month period. Other restrictions may apply.

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!

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• FREE with FiberTV service!

Great Features with FiberTV

TV Everywhere is available wherever

you have an Internet connection!

Register. Log-in. Watch & Enjoy!

Must be a GCC TV subscriber. Visit our website to learn more & register for TV Everywhere.

Never Miss a Game!