Sep 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Our team has been hard at work hanging, pulling, splicing and testing. And now, we’re very excited to be officially releasing our first Zion, PA service footprint for full-scale customer signups.
This footprint includes Deerhaven Road, Archers Glen Road, Trophy Way, McNichol Lane, Ralphs Lane, Harter Lane, Wilson Lane, Serenity Lane, and portions of Zion Back Road. You can have the fastest speeds available, and get support from real humans who live in the area and care about your service.
Home phone and TV available too.
Sep 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides discounts of up to $30 per month for broadband service to eligible households. Established by Congress in 2021, the ACP is a now-permanent program, replacing a similar but temporary program launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, then known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program.
If your household qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you qualify for our FREE 100×100 Mbps internet package or you can apply your $30 discount to one of our other internet service packages. To learn more and see if you qualify, visit www.affordableconnectivity.gov.
Sep 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
In the wake of COVID-19, more people than ever before want to work, learn, and access tele-health applications from home. Modern lifestyles require modern internet powered by a fiber network—and homebuyers know it.
In fact, a 2015 study showed that fiber-delivered internet access could increase a home’s value by up to 3.1%. And that was before a pandemic increased the demand for fast, reliable home internet.
What’s the Data Saying?
The 2015 study, conducted by experts from the University of Colorado and Carnegie Mellon University, was based on national real estate market data collected between 2011 and 2013. It found that fiber internet could boost the value of the average American home by as much as $5,500—a payout on par with adding a brand-new fireplace.
Beyond that, there is an ever-growing body of research linking the investment in broadband networks with accelerated economic performance. Communities with fast and reliable fiber networks often exhibit higher rates of per capita GDP.
The Online Superhighway
Because cable internet can be significantly slower and far less reliable than fiber, remote workers who depend on a fast, reliable connection are looking for fiber internet.
Cable internet speeds typically range from 10-250 Mbps for downloads and 5-50 Mbps for uploads. Fiber internet, however, can provide 250-1,000 Mbps each for download and upload—a critical benefit for those looking to use video conferencing tools at home.
The 2015 study found that in homes where 1,000 Mbps (equivalent to 1 Gbps) broadband was available, real estate sale prices were over 7% higher than homes with available speeds of 25 Mbps or less.
The Future of Fiber
Again, it’s worth noting the time frame of this study, which was conducted almost ten years ago now. Over the past decade, residential internet access has only become more critical and considerably more valuable.
With more than half of Americans working remotely as of January 2021, fast, secure, and reliable internet has become an invaluable asset. Not only is the internet a prime source of communication and entertainment, but it’s also essential for the American white-collar workforce.
Even those who don’t work from home are more likely to want high-speed internet for telehealth applications than they were ten years ago. Data show that utilization of online medical services is now a staggering 38 times higher than it was at the beginning of the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, better broadband equals more opportunities for remote work and the delivery of digital services. And, of course, better opportunities yield subsequent innovation, including job creation, upward mobility, entrepreneurship, expanding local businesses, and attracting new ones.
Fiber brings massive benefits to communities, so it’s no wonder fiber increases individual home values, too! To learn more about fiber availability at your home, contact Black Bear Fiber today at 844-320-FAST (3278) or by emailing contact@blackbearfiber.com. We’d love to get you connected.
Sep 12, 2022 | WiFi
When it comes to the dependability and speed of the internet service in your home, a lot depends on your WiFi router―specifically its location in the house.
At Black Bear Fiber, we’ve already got you covered with the area’s fastest and most reliable internet service. Now here are a few tips on getting the most from that service throughout your home.
Make Sure You Have Enough Coverage: If your home is less than 2,200 square feet, one router should provide enough coverage for your whole house. However, if your house is larger, you may want to look into creating a mesh network. A mesh network is a series of access points that communicate with each other to blanket your home with the WiFi signal. They optimize the speed of your connection and reduce “dead zones.”
Consider Where You Spend the Most Time Connected: If you have key locations in your home where you spend the majority of your time online, such as a home office or family room, take that into consideration when placing your router.
Look for a High and Uncrowded Space: Placing your router on a high shelf will help distribute the signal more widely and evenly through the house. It’s also best to avoid placing the router behind any large objects or closed up in a cabinet.
Give the Signal a Clear Path: While the WiFi signal can do a pretty good job getting through the walls and ceilings in your house, the one thing that can stop it cold is metal, including shelving, metal desks, and large appliances.
Contact our team for questions regarding WiFi in your home at 844-320-3278 (FAST) or by emailing contact@blackbearfiber.com.
