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Verizon Wireless Buying XO Communications’ Fiber Optic Network

Last Updated: March 28, 2016

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While many technology pundits feel future Internet access will be primarily delivered over wireless networks, there’s no denying the extra bandwidth provided by fiber optic cable. It remains the primary reason why many cities hope Google Fiber and AT&T GigaPower come to their town soon. One gig Internet service is simply the current gold standard for home customers.

One company largely left out of the residential Fiber game so far is Verizon. Their FiOS service hasn’t seen significant expansion in a few years. But it looks like things may be changing as Verizon announced plans to buy the fiber optic network of XO Communications. Read further for more details on Verizon’s strategy and how it may affect the Internet providers in your city.

XO Purchase Gives Verizon More Than Fiber

Diving more deeply into the details of Verizon’s XO fiber optic network purchase reveals the move doesn’t necessarily mean Big Red is planning on increasing its residential fiber footprint. In fact, most of XO Communication’s fiber network serve businesses.

With the wireless market becoming increasingly saturated, Verizon is simply looking at other revenue sources to better compete in all markets. The existing XO network gives Verizon valuable fiber and Ethernet connectivity it can now market to business, as noted in Fierce Telecom. But there is another reason behind this XO acquisition.

Verizon Gains Access to Wireless Spectrum for 5G Testing

Part of Verizon’s XO Communications deal gives them the ability to lease LMDS wireless spectrum in the 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands with an option to buy. LDMS stands for Local Multipoint Distribution Service. If that seems overly technical, simply understand that Verizon wants access to those bands to facilitate testing of its 5G wireless network technology.

In fact, this is arguably the news from Verizon’s XO purchase with the greatest potential to affect how you get your Internet access. The company plans to ramp up testing of 5G with an eye at getting the technology into customers’ hands within the next 2-3 years. Verizon’s Vice President of Network Technology and Planning, Adam Koeppe commented on Big Red’s big plans.

“We see enough innovation today that’s occurring that’s going to turn into 5G to act now, and to act fast. Personally, we don’t want to wait for 2020, or even 2018. And we don’t think we need to,” said Koepp. “We don’t think we’re going out on some crazy limb here.”

In short, Verizon expects to be the first major carrier with 5G service. Needless to say, both T-Mobile and AT&T raise doubts about Verizon’s claims, worrying about network fragmentation and other issues. Stay tuned to this battle over a new wireless standard for the next two years. Maybe you will be able to test your Internet speed over a 5G network isomer than you think.

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Comcast One Gig Internet Service Coming to Atlanta

Last Updated: March 21, 2016

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As AT&T steps up the pace with its rollout of their GigaPower 1 Gbps Internet service across the country, another giant service provider — Comcast — is dipping their toes into this highest tier of consumer-level broadband. Atlanta is slated to be the first city for Comcast’s new “One Gig” service, with a catchy brand name apparently to be named later.

There’s no doubt the status of Atlanta as a Google Fiber city also played into Comcast’s choice of the city for its own offering. Are you a local resident curious about whether or not Comcast’s Internet service makes sense for you? Read on for more details.

A Closer Look at Comcast’s One Gig Internet Service

Comcast’s new service tier will be available for customers at a price of $70 per month, essentially matching the going rate for GigaPower and Google Fiber. But customers only get that price by agreeing to a three year contract with an up to $350 early termination fee. The contract-free monthly rate is $139 and comes with a 300 GB data cap.

Needless to say, the presence of a data cap on a gigabit Internet service is already earning Comcast ridicule among technology pundits. Comcast also offers a cap-free and contract-free option for $174 per month. Interested Atlanta residents need to agree to the contract for the most cost savings or simply wait for Google Fiber and/or GigaPower to become available at their location.

For the customers’ sake, here’s hoping additional competition forces Comcast to do away with an obsolete data cap policy, especially when considering 1 Gbps Internet speeds. The company has said it will offer more pricing options as the service expands its footprint across the country.

Comcast’s Plans for Future Expansion

Comcast considers Atlanta to be essentially a test rollout of its new 1 Gbps service. After the Georgia city, the company plans on expanding its offering first to Nashville; followed by Chicago, Detroit and Miami. Not surprisingly, most of those cities are also targeted by Google and AT&T for their own Internet offerings.

The technology behind Comcast’s gigabit service is called DOCSIS 3.1. The major advantage of this framework is that it allows for 1 Gbps speeds over existing network infrastructure. This could be a big plus for the technology giant in its battle for customers with AT&T, Google, and other smaller providers.

DOCSIS 3.1 limits upload speeds to around 35 Mbps, while fiber generally works at gigabit speeds in both directions. This is a point worth considering if a customer regularly hosts their own 4K video streams.

With Comcast’s entry into the gigabit Internet service fray, expect competition to get fierce. In fact, one of the reasons for Comcast’s contract-based pricing structure is to gain captive customers while AT&T and Google are still putting fiber in the ground. Stay tuned!

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Google SkyBender and the Future of 5G Wireless

Last Updated: February 15, 2016

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Google — or Alphabet if using the moniker of their parent company — continues to shake up how Internet service is delivered to your home. In the past, we’ve talked extensively about Google Fiber and even mentioned their nascent Project Fi wireless product. Now, the technology giant brings us Google SkyBender, a 5G wireless service delivered using solar-powered drones. Pretty cool.

With business reasons steeped less in profit than showing the big players in the market a potentially different path, Google SkyBender probably isn’t going to directly compete with Verizon, T-Mobile, et al. Expect the research to help bring 5G technology to the market a bit faster, though. Let’s take a closer look at Google’s latest foray into Internet services.

5G Wireless Using Solar-Powered Drones

There’s no denying the hipness factor of wireless Internet delivered by solar-powered drones — it sounds like something straight out of Blade Runner. It’s doubtful Ridley Scott is working next to Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google’s offices, but obviously the latter two employ some innovative minds. The stuff of science fiction is now becoming reality in the 21st Century.

Google is currently testing the SkyBender technology in New Mexico. The prototype drones — also designed and built by Google — sport a wingspan of 164 feet, and are covered by solar panels, giving them a futuristic sheen. The tests are being held at the space terminal originally slated for use by Virgin Galactic.

Millimeter wave technology is being used to transmit the wireless signals which theoretically offer 40 times the speed of current 4G. In essence, this would be around 500 Mbps, probably enough bandwidth for most household uses. While millimeter waves carry copious amounts of bandwidth, they suffer in range compared to current technology — this is probably the biggest problem Google needs to solve.

SkyBender is being developed by the same Google team who worked on Project Loon, a similar concept for global Internet service, but with high-altitude balloons in the role of the drones.

Worldwide Internet Delivered by a Fleet of Drones

Ultimately, Google envisions Internet delivered worldwide using their fleet of high-altitude drones. Whether they are the company providing service or their proof-of-concept research inspires other commercial entities to enter the fray remains to be seen.

SkyBender is definitely a research project more akin to Google’s self-driving cars than a consumer ready product like Fiber or Project Fi. Still, the company’s vision offers hope for seamless Internet access no matter your location all over the globe. We’ll be there to help check your speed as well!

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The FCC Looking at Sponsored Data Plans

The FCC recently became interested in the major ISPs use of sponsored data plans, also known as “zero-rating,” which exempts certain content from a user’s monthly data allowance. As noted in the linked article from December, Comcast, AT&T, and T-Mobile were requested to talk about the issue with the FCC by January 15th.

FCC Chairman, Tom Wheeler commented on their request, “This is not an investigation. This is not any enforcement. This is to help us stay informed as to what the practices are, as we said we would do in the Open Internet Order.” The Commission simply wants to understand how the services operate while still providing for a “free and open” Internet.

The three mentioned companies exempt data in different ways. Comcast uses it for its own “Stream TV” in-home streaming service. T-Mobile’s Binge On service doesn’t count against a monthly data allowance, but the company reduces the quality of the video for users who don’t opt out of the exemption. AT&T charges advertisers a fee to deliver their content without it counting against someone’s mobile data cap.

What Should the Average Internet User Do?

Most Internet users needn’t worry about taking advantage of a sponsored data plan if it becomes available. If the video or music content in question is of interest to you, by all means enjoy it without any worries. The FCC is responsible for enforcing Net Neutrality regulations, and since this practice is a borderline violation, obviously they need to find out more.

Stay tuned for any further news about Net Neutrality in the coming year. In the meantime, check your Internet speed regularly to ensure your ISP is keeping up their end of the bargain!

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Is Your ISP Gaming Your Internet Speed Test?

Last Updated: February 3, 2016

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When you run an Internet speed test, you want to know the results reflect an accurate representation of your current streaming capability. Maybe you are trying to watch a 4K video or take part in a graphics-intensive MMORPG? If your ISP knew how to manipulate the test to make your service appear faster than reality, who can you trust?

It was recently discovered that an ISP was inflating speed test results by running the test on Internet port 8080, which is relatively free from traffic compared to ports 80 and 443 used for most Internet traffic. This causes the test results to be inflated by a factor as high as 200 percent. Unfortunately, you are generally unable to use port 8080 for typical Internet activity.

What Internet Speed Tests Should Reveal

Making sure your ISP is providing the service level you pay for remains a major reason for running an Internet speed test. If you subscribe to a 50 Mbps tier, a speed test should verify that fact. In this situation, running a test on port 8080 usually gives an accurate result.

On the other hand, if multiple users are accessing your home Internet simultaneously, this tends to eat up bandwidth, causing buffering when viewing HD video content. If your speed test still returns close the same result, it’s probably due to using port 8080 for the test. That port doesn’t take into account the extra activity all competing for its own slice of bandwidth.

It is important for your speed test to return meaningful results relevant to your current Internet usage patterns. This way you are able to make any changes to your home network to improve performance. Sure, an ISP needs to know they are meeting their end of the bandwidth bargain, but many speed tests don’t take into account the real world situation on your network.

A Useful Internet Speed Test

A truly useful speed test considers all the other activity fighting for bandwidth — either on your home network or when accessing a public WiFi network while on the go. Techniques like testing over port 8080 or using multiple threads during the test only serve to inflate the results and confuse users. While there is some value to know your Internet service reaches 50 Mbps speeds, it doesn’t matter as much if separate devices on your network barely reach 10 Mbps when used simultaneously.

In short, when choosing a speed test during heavy Internet activity, be sure to choose wisely.

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How do WiFi Extenders Work and Do they Really Work?

Last Updated: February 2, 2016

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How do WiFi Extenders Work and Do They Really Work?

Depending on the layout of your home and the location of your wireless router, you may encounter difficulty maintaining a strong Internet signal throughout your residence. This problem becomes obvious when you’re trying to stream videos or other types of data-rich media far away from your router. You’ve probably come to expect copious buffering and poor resolution whenever you’re a bit too far from the source of the signal.

In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of WiFi extenders: what they are, how they work, and how to use them properly to optimize the WiFi signal in your home. There are also a number of other tips and tricks that you can use to increase the range of your router and ensure full coverage. We’ll cover those too.

Take a look at the list of topics and select the one you want to read most. Or, simply read through for a full guide on everything you need to know about WiFi extenders and home internet coverage.

What is WiFi?
Why is my WiFi signal weak?
What is a WiFi extender?
Do WiFi extenders work?
How do WiFi extenders work?
Setting up your WiFi extender
The benefits of WiFi extenders
Tips & tricks: How to place a WiFi extender

What is WiFi?

WiFi is a type of radio signal that uses radio waves to transmit a signal from your router to your device. WiFi is unique in that it is made to be compatible with ethernet cables, which are the wired counterpart to the wireless WiFi signal.

Contrary to popular belief, “WiFi” is not short for “wireless fidelity”, though the term’s similarity to the words “hi-fi” and “lo-fi” (short for high fidelity and low fidelity, terms from music recording) have led many to think so. The term was actually coined by a brand agency in the late 1990’s and is surprisingly meaningless. The agency simply needed a better, more consumer-friendly name than the technical term for the sort of signal protocol that WiFi actually is: IEEE 802.11.

So, what do you really need to know? Basically, WiFi is a radio signal. That means, like other radio signals, it can be blocked by certain materials, and certain locations and geographic positions can make it harder to transmit. Have you ever tried driving through a parking garage while listening to AM radio? The concrete obstructs the waves, making the signal break up or drop out entirely. WiFi is similarly susceptible to obstruction (though not quite as sensitive as AM radio), and because it’s a fairly concentrated signal, can only be picked up within a smaller range. That can lead to some headaches.

Why is my WiFi signal weak?

A weak WiFi signal can be caused by a number of factors which can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Before you spring for a WiFi range extender (more on that next), it’s smart to first figure out what the cause of your WiFi troubles actually is.

Does your router affect internet speed? Absolutely. If it’s not simply that you’re too far from the router—if there’s actually something else going on—then getting the extender won’t solve your connectivity issues. If you keep losing connection, experiencing videos buffering, or simply can’t connect to your network, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

First, determine whether the problem is with your WiFi or your device. Try to connect using a different device. If the WiFi won’t load on your laptop, for instance, but loads just fine on your phone (and your phone is connected to the WiFi and not using your data plan), then the problem is likely with your laptop.
If the problem is with your device, one simple solution is to turn it off, then turn it back on again. Cycling the device’s system is a good way to refresh any blockages that may be keeping it from connecting to the WiFi. You may also need to check your device’s network settings and ensure that WiFi connectivity is switched on.
If you determine that the problem is not with your device, then it may be time to consider your router. As with all things, your first troubleshooting option is to reboot the router. Depending on your model, it may have a clearly indicated power button. If it does, simply press that, wait, then press it again. If not, you can unplug the router, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in.
If that still doesn’t work, some routers do have hard reset functions. This usually requires using an unfolded paper clip or pin to press a small button in a small hole somewhere on the back panel of the router. Press it, then simply let the router restart itself. (Be sure to look up your specific router model to ensure you don’t need to take any further actions after the hard reset button has been pushed.)
Finally, if none of those measures work, it may be time to give your internet service provider a call. You may need a repair technician to come out and fix it.

If your WiFi seems to be functioning properly but becomes weak the further you get from your router—this is especially likely if you live in a large house or property—then the problem is most likely that your router is not strong enough to reach where you need it. In that case, a WiFi extender may be just what you need.

What is a WiFi Range Extender?

A WiFi range extender is a device that repeats the signal emitted by your router. Think of it as a little booster for your router’s signal, pushing the WiFi connection out over a broader area. WiFi range extenders offer a relatively inexpensive way to spread your wireless signal throughout your home.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $150 for a decent model. They typically plug directly into a wall socket, so you are able to place the unit closer to where you do your most bandwidth-intensive internet activity. So, what does a WiFi extender do differently from a router? Not much; they extend the same signal further along.

Many models support dual band routers, so you’ll be able extend the signal of both networks at your home if your extender allows it; many people have both a 2.4G and 5G network. If both your router and the range extender support WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) technology, a simple button push on both devices transfers the network password information to the extender. That makes it simple and easy for someone trying to get onto your network using the extender, provided they know the password.

Look for your network name on your streaming device, usually appended with an “EXT,” log on with your password, and commence viewing. Additionally, be sure to perform a quick speed test to verify the internet speed through the extender is good enough for high quality video. In most cases, the improved wireless signal strength makes a noticeable difference in internet performance.

Do WiFi extenders work?

Definitely—they’re designed to pick up the signal transmitted by your WiFi router, then boost it so it can be picked up in a wider area. Do note that WiFi extenders don’t speed up your internet connection, or add Mbps to your internet speed. Those aspects of your internet connection are determined by your router and your internet service plan.

Note: A WiFi range extender is also not the source of your WiFi signal, and cannot be used to connect to the internet without a router and internet service provider. WiFi extenders solely extend the router signal; they do not create an internet-connected signal of their own.

How do WiFi range extenders work?

WiFi is a type of radio signal, and like any radio signal, it can be repeated by the right kind of device following the right protocol. WiFi routers’ signals can be repeated by using a WiFi range extender, which simply receives the WiFi signal, then using its own broadcasting abilities, sends it out to a wider area centered on the location of the WiFi range extender.

How do WiFi range extenders work? Basically the same way routers do, just without being the origin of the WiFi signal.

Setting up your WiFi extender

The setup for your specific model of WiFi extender will depend on the brand and model of the specific device. However, there are some general similarities you can expect to find in most WiFi range extenders. Follow these general setup rules to help your extender work as efficiently as possible.

After you purchase the device, the first step you’ll have to take is to unbox it and plug it in. You should see indicator lights turn on at this point, showing that the WiFi extender is functioning.
Usually, the extender emits a default signal; usually it’s just the name of the brand, plus EXT or some other abbreviation indicating that the signal is coming from the extender.
By following the instructions on the box or within the setup manual, you should be able to find the website that allows you to interface with the extender. Using a code, you can then set up your administrator credentials.
Once all that is set up, most models allow you to connect your extender to the main source of your WiFi through the administrator end of the setup site.
This should create a new network based on your original WiFi network.

The benefits of WiFi extenders

Now that you’re familiar with WiFi, WiFi extenders, and how they both work, you’re probably wondering if you need one. There’s no simple answer because it is highly dependent on your personal situation, the size of your home, and where you feel that you need WiFi. There are, however, a number of benefits to outfitting your home with a WiFi extender.

Check out these advantages to help you decide whether a WiFi extender makes sense for your situation:

WiFi extenders boost your network, creating a larger area of signal coverage.
Larger homes with many rooms and floors may experience fewer connectivity issues.
Move from room to room knowing that you won’t lose signal.
Having a wider signal decreases the chances you’ll experience dead zones.
Those with back houses, separate guest suites, or granny flats can extend the range of their WiFi to accommodate the space.
Backyard WiFi access is faster, improving outdoor work from home sessions and leisure browsing.

Another benefit that WiFi extenders offer is that they make it possible to connect many devices all across your house. If you fully embrace the Internet of Things at your residence and encounter difficulty controlling the devices residing the farthest from your router, purchasing a range extender or two needs to be considered. They can definitely help optimize the performance of your digital smart home.

Most of the major companies producing routers, like Linksys and Netgear, also manufacture range extenders. Research the various models online or at a brick and mortar store to determine which model offers the best performance for the price. If you live in a large house, a range extender may be your best option to improve your home network performance.

Tips & tricks: How to place a WiFi extender

Once you’ve decided to purchase a WiFi range extender and are ready to set it up, it’s smart to follow a few tips and tricks that will allow you to fully enjoy the benefits of your extended WiFi. Finding just the right spot for your router and extenders can take a bit of work, but it’s worth it in the long run. When you’re getting ready to set up, check out these tips:

Place your router in or near the rooms in the home where the internet is most often used. For instance, if you do a lot of work from home, your home office may be the ideal place to set up your router. If you’ve got a comfy home theater setup where you stream 4K HD movies, that’s probably the room to put the router.
Once your router is set up, it’s time to think about where you’ll put your extender. The key is to find the sweet spot: close enough to the router that it picks up a solid signal, but not so close that there’s barely any reason to have it in the first place.

Most routers can reach between 150 and 200 feet, depending on the walls in your home and a few other factors — there may even be a time of day when internet is fastest. Ensure that your extender is within that range for best results.

WiFi range extenders are expensive devices, so it’s wisest not to place them in rooms where they might easily be damaged. If you do have an extender in the kitchen, plug it in far enough away from the sink and frequently-used counters space that it won’t be splashed. If it’s in a garage, keep it away from tool benches and power tools.
Make sure that your router and WiFi extender are password protected. With the extended range, your network will become detectable to many more devices than before. Choosing a secured password that includes a mix of capital and lower-case letters, numbers, and unique characters is ideal for a WiFi password that won’t easily be hacked.

Once your WiFi extender is set up, you can use a WiFi speed test to ensure that the signal broadcast from the repeater is about as good as the one broadcast from your router. Small differences in speed are expected, and often caused by other factors. But if you notice that the speed on your extended WiFi is much slower than the speed on your router’s network, something may have gone wrong during setup — most likely, the extender was simply placed too far from the router.

Having fast, responsive internet can massively improve your quality of life, making work more productive, and entertainment more enjoyable. Don’t sacrifice for less; use Bandwidth Place’s WiFi speed test and informative blog content to help you ensure you’re getting the internet service you deserve.

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Google Fiber Looks to the North and Southeast

Last Updated: January 26, 2016

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As other ISPs — most notably AT&T and their GigaPower offering — continue to expand fiber-optic one gigabit service across the country, Google Fiber approaches things at a more deliberate pace. At this time, Kansas City, Austin, and Provo are the only cities where Fiber subscriptions are actually available.

Recently, however, the technology giant announced that two cities in the upper half of the U.S. — Chicago and Portland — are being considered for the service. This is the first time Google has looked northwards for Fiber expansion. What other cities are slated for Google Fiber? Read further to see if your town could be next.

The Southeast On Google Fiber’s Short Term Docket

Despite considering two Northern cities as future possibilities, the Southeast is Google Fiber’s expansion focus for the short term. It’s been about a year since Google announced Fiber was coming to the Nashville, Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, and Charlotte metro areas; covering many of the major cities of the Southeast. San Antonio is also slated to join Austin as Texas cities with the service, while Salt Lake City is being added to Provo in Utah.

A glance at Google’s Fiber expansion map reveals potential cities other than Chicago and Portland being looked at over the long term. These include Jacksonville and Tampa in Florida, Oklahoma City, Louisville, and a variety of locations in California, including San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Seattle is one of many cities applying to Google for Fiber consideration.

Considering Google Fiber installations take a lot of heavy lifting — both physical and political — if you live in one of those locales, don’t expect Fiber to be available for at least one to two years. Some cities, including Houston, New Orleans, Hampton Roads, and Atlantic City were actually eliminated from consideration — on a temporary basis — due to climate and other terrain issues.

What Is Google’s End Game for Fiber?

Many technology pundits wonder about Google’s ultimate reasoning for entering the ISP market with Fiber. Are they only hoping to shake up the scene, forcing existing players to change their pricing models, as with their wireless initiative, Project Fi? According to Time Magazine, Google’s motives appear to be ultimately altruistic, hoping to increase average Internet speeds across the U.S.

Considering the country’s relatively poor standing worldwide when it comes to overall Internet speed, Google’s efforts are to be lauded. According to the Akamai Internet speed rankings, the U.S. moved from 33rd in 2013 to 12th in 2014, showing an increase in average speed from 6.0 Mbps to 11.5 Mbps. It looks like the search giant is making a positive impact.

Whether or not Google Fiber is coming to your neighborhood in the near future, be sure to regularly check your Internet speed to ensure your ISP is providing you with the bandwidth you deserve.

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Could a Mesh Network Router Boost Your Home Wi-Fi?

Last Updated: January 12, 2016

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If your household takes full advantage of its Internet service with simultaneous multiple users and hearty bandwidth consumption, you may notice some devices aren’t able to maintain a strong connection to your router. It’s possible your residence is too large with multiple walls adversely impacting the wireless signal strength. And if you live in an Internet of Things-powered digital smart home, its imperative the myriad of devices connect to your home’s service.

Both scenarios have led to the development of mesh network routers — also known as Surround WiFi — a newer technology that enhances your home’s wireless network by using these smaller routers to broadcast the network signal throughout your residence. If this sound like something your home might need, read on for more details.

A Closer Look at Mesh Network Routers

A mesh network router usually comes in a dual band format, which allows you to segregate more bandwidth-intensive traffic onto the faster of the two network bands. The system ups the ante by working in concert with a series of routers (up to 10 per network) serving as access points for the network. Typically sold in packs of three, the mesh network allows you to essentially spread the wireless network signal across your entire residence.

This should serve nicely in a situation where your family’s home entertainment center is located in the opposite part of your house from your Internet modem. Simply place one mesh network router with the modem, and place another one in the room where you do a lot of video streaming. Be sure to run a quick speed test to ensure your bandwidth is sufficient for HD or 4K streaming.

Luma and eero are Early Players in the Market

Luma and eero are two companies earning praise for their mesh network products. Both are available at a price of $199 per unit, or you can purchase a pack of three for $499. Buying only one won’t give you the full advantage of multiple network access points.

The Luma is currently available for pre-order with an expected delivery date of early March. The eero units are expected at the end of January. Both devices feature an attractive design suitable for conspicuous placement throughout your home. Enterprise-level security and simple network management using a mobile app are promised by both manufacturers.

Their initial price is high, but you can expect the cost to fall once more companies enter the market. If you are an early adopter who depends on your Internet service for most aspects of your digital life, mesh-network routers offer the chance to truly optimize your home network usage. Expect this technology to truly take off in 2016.

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Google’s New Chromecast Ups the Ante for Cord Cutters

Last Updated: December 10, 2015

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With Cupertino upping the video streaming competition with their new Apple TV and its tvOS operating system offering a platform for games and apps, Google naturally counters that action with an enhanced Chromecast. As more users take advantage of fast Internet speeds to watch TV shows and movies, the market for video streaming devices continues to grow.

Does the updated Chromecast 2 offer enough new functionality for current owners to upgrade or interested cord cutters to make the leap? Let’s look more closely at its new features.

The Chromecast Offers an Inexpensive Entry Point into Video Streaming

The best feature of the Google Chromecast is quite possibly its price, assuming your Internet provider offers unlimited bandwidth. (If not it’s always imperitive to watch your data usage when streaming rich media content over the Internet.) At only $35, the Chromecast 2 ranks at the lower end of the price range compared to similar devices, like the Roku or Apple TV.

The Chromecast allows you to “cast” rich media content to your TV at 1080p resolution from your iOS or Android mobile device or your laptop running the Windows, OS X, or Chrome operating systems. The new model supports dual band routers (2.4 and 5 GHz), including Google’s own OnHub. You also have the option to use a wired Ethernet connection for streaming, which is probably only useful if your entertainment center is close to your modem.

To initiate streaming you access an app or browser on another device, but you are then able to use that device for other activity while the Chromecast streams the content uninterrupted. It also offers built-in support for Google Play content, YouTube, a photo browser, and the Chrome web browser. The new Chromecast model sports a small HDMI cable, offering added flexibility when connecting it to your TV or AV receiver.

Chromecast Support on a Wide Array of Apps, Including Sling TV

Many streaming media apps offer support for the Chromecast. In fact, Sling TV just introduced support in early November. The company is even offering a free Chromecast device when subscribing for three months of Sling TV at $20 per month — a deal worth considering if you are new to either product.

The updated Chromecast app provides a neat feature that allows you to download any app that supports casting to the device in one fell swoop. This new app is even available for the original Chromecast, so be sure to update yours if you haven’t yet. The new cross platform search feature lets you look for content in any compatible app using either text or voice.

Ultimately if you already own a Chromecast you probably don’t need the new model unless you want to take advantage of a dual band router. Support for the routers does ensure a great streaming experience providing your Internet speed is good. But if you are interested in an easy to use and inexpensive video streaming device – music too – the Chromecast needs to be considered. Its compatibility with nearly every mobile and desktop operating system makes it a smart choice for many.

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Sling TV — Valid Alternative for Cord Cutters?

Last Updated: November 18, 2015

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With more people eschewing their digital TV subscriptions to take advantage of an Internet connection to stream movies and TV shows, new services hope to attract these potential customers by bundling some of the more popular Cable channels under one offering. Sling TV site, a subsidiary of the Dish Network, is a notable example of this new kind of television service.

Sling TV is available by using an app for nearly every computer and mobile operating system. It is also compatible with the Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast — three of the most popular TV/Video players. If you are planning on joining the ranks of cord-cutters, here’s a closer at Sling TV’s programming and subscription options.

Many Popular Cable TV Channels Found on Sling TV

A basic Sling TV subscription costs $20 per month, and you also get a 7-day free trial period to see if the service meets your viewing needs. It is generally easier to unsubscribe to streaming services compared to Cable and Satellite TV providers, so be sure to take advantage of any free trials coming your way. Sling TV typically offers free or discounted video players (Roku, Chromecast, etc.) for new subscribers, so check out those deals when subscribing.

For the $20 monthly fee, Sling TV provides over 20 channels covering a wide range of subjects — sports, food, news, and more. ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and the Travel Channel are some of the channels included with a basic package. HBO — both live and on demand — runs an extra $15 per month — the same price as an HBO Now subscription.

If your television viewing tastes are focused on a specific subject, a variety of add-on packages are available for an extra five dollars per month. A Sports Extra package includes the SEC Network, Universal Sports Network, a host of smaller ESPN networks, and others — nine in total. Other extra packages focus on kids, lifestyle, and a variety of foreign channels.

Sling TV tries to aim for the a la carte channel model desired for years by many Cable and Satellite subscribers.

Make Sure your Internet Bandwidth supports HD Video Streaming

Speed test to ensure your Internet service is able to handle streaming HD video from Sling TV without buffering or other problems. Anything over 5 Mbps should be good enough, provided no one else on your network is also consuming bandwidth. In that situation, consider investing in a Router review to optimize your home network performance.

If you are looking at streaming services to use with a video player, Sling TV definitely belongs on your short list. Be sure to take advantage of any special deals if you haven’t yet purchased a device.