News

Since most homes are now using wifi routers, speed checks to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth is not as simple as it used to be. The router may not give you the same bandwidth as what you’ll get with a hard-wired connection. Also, the speed may vary based on usage in the home. Here are some things you should know coming from experts in the field.

It should be clear that you cannot check the speed of your broadband using wifi. When you buy a broadband service from an ISP (Internet Service Provider), they are only responsible for the service delivered to your premises or, at best, to the router. Also, if you buy a service that offers “up to” a certain speed, that’s basically the best case. It only guarantees that [some] of the users of that service get that speed. Most people will get less. (more…)

Broadband availability is given high priority and likely the most common topic among legislatures, and industry professionals.  However, broadband availability and speeds remain positive according to reports.

About 96 percent of Americans had at least one wired broadband option by mid-2016 and 84 percent had two options, according to a new analysis of Federal Communications Commission data by USTelecom and consultant Telcodata CensusNBM. (more…)

Internet service provider TalkTalk throws down with its rivals by offering packages that are more customer centric – can BT and Sky answer with their own?

Internet service provider (ISP) TalkTalk just announced changes in its broadband packages, to compete stronger against rivals such as BT and Sky, and bringing itself in line with upcoming changes to advertising rules. (more…)

Behemoth Comcast has had a great run, but its growth is beginning to slow. Instead, check out this cable company, which is packed with potential.

(more…)

London: It has been suggested cops be stationed near ‘hot spots’ following robbers targeting keen gamers.

COPS should become “Pokémon plod” to catch real-life monsters who target players of the popular mobile phone game, politicians demanded last night.

The calls come after a reported spate of crimes has seen crooks mugging or attacking Pokémon Go players, who travel to real locations to collect items and catch monsters. (more…)

Symantec is one of the most popular security tools protecting government, corporate and personal computers.

But the program has so many critical holes — which could let hackers into computers — that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a stern warning to the public this week.  Symantec may actually help hackers, feds warn. (more…)

HughesNet® High-Speed Satellite Internet Service Reaches 85 percent of Population in South America’s Largest Country

Jun 29, 2016, 10:00 ET from Hughes Network Systems, LLC

GERMANTOWN, Md., June 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), an EchoStar company and the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today announced the launch of HughesNet^® high-speed satellite Internet service in Brazil, the company’s first international deployment of its award-winning consumer service outside of North America, beginning on July 1. (more…)

Can a computer game train your brain to resist sweets?

That’s the question Drexel University researchers hope to answer with one of two new studies launching this month. They have developed a computer game and smartphone app to help people control unhealthy eating habits and ultimately lose weight. (more…)

This month Symantec Corporation began the first round of layoffs as what they call “Project Ascent” gets underway.  Ascent is nothing more than cutting costs –  beginning with some of it’s labor force.   The unlucky first-rounders will be only the first of what they announced as 1700 employees to get kicked out the door.  However, it seems Symantec has more problems this week than bad PR from disgruntled ex-employees. (more…)