Blog Archives - All West Communications

Author: Emma Stitzer
December 5, 2023

Did you know the average American spends more than 7 hours looking at a screen every day? When was the last time you looked at your phone’s weekly screen time report? Was it higher or lower than you expected? You can spend a lot of time glued to a screen with internet-connected activities such as social media, TV streaming, gaming, and even working. Being online has become the norm for most people, which is why you should be taking the time to create healthy internet habits.

Limit Notifications

You can limit notifications in a few different ways to give yourself a break from the constant stream of distractions. Your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” settings allow you to choose when notifications can or cannot reach you. This is great for when you are trying to get work done or trying to spend time unplugged. On iPhones, you can schedule notification summaries. These are specific times in the day when you get a summary of all the notifications you received since the last summary. You choose what apps you want to include in the summary and what app notifications you want to receive immediately. You can even turn off push notifications for apps that aren't important or delete unnecessary apps, so you won't be bothered by them. Go through all the apps downloaded on your phone to decide what app notifications are important to you and what apps you don’t need anymore.

Designate Device-Free Zones

Setting device-free zones in your home can ensure your family spends time each day unplugged. This is important for both adults and children. When it seems impossible to escape technology, these zones of relaxation and recuperation encourage healthy internet and lifestyle habits. Device-free dinners allow everyone to talk to each other and share about their day without scrolling through social media. Family game nights also let you have fun and create memories without technology to distract you. Keeping smartphones, tablets and even TVs out of bedrooms helps promote healthy sleep habits, while also giving everyone a much-needed timeout from constant stimulation. The best thing to do is set device-free zones and times that make the best sense for your family.

Monitor Internet Use

One of the best ways you can create healthy internet habits is by monitoring internet use. As mentioned above, there are more than enough internet-connected activities to keep you in front of a screen for an excessive amount of time. Set age-appropriate internet limits for your family or set specific times for your Wi-Fi to be turned off. With the Plume Wi-Fi system, you can set internet freezes for specific times of day, for indefinite amounts of time or for custom timeouts on any profile or device. Just like with designated device-free zones, monitored internet use and timeouts allow your family to take breaks to participate in non-connected activities.

Good habits come with time! By practicing the healthy internet habits listed above (and so many more), you can take a timeout from the internet and connected devices. Always remember: The internet is a tool. Don’t let it take control of your life and always strive to have healthy internet habits.

To learn more, visit allwest.com.

couple looking at computer monitor confused

Author: Emma Stitzer
December 5, 2023

Does your internet feel slower than normal? Has it become frustrating to deal with an unstable connection? Fast, uninterrupted speeds are more important than ever with working from home, virtual school, streaming and so much more. As your demand for lightning-fast internet grows, check out some of the most common issues that can affect your connection.

Not Enough Speed

If your internet speeds are constantly slowed down, you might not have the right plan for your household. Think of your internet as a water pipe. You might have had enough water moving through the pipeline previously. However, if you are using the internet more, it’s like turning on more faucets, and you may see less water pressure than usual. If that is the case, then it’s time to upgrade your internet plan. Unlike other internet service providers, All West’s internet plans include unlimited data without any data caps, so you won’t have to worry about data use causing outages or slow internet speeds.

(What Internet Speed is Right for You?)

Your Router and Its Location

Have you ever heard your router referred to as “the heart of your internet connection”? Your router plays a big part when it comes to your connection’s strength, speed and reliability. It is what sends wi-fi signals throughout your home. That’s why it’s important to choose a router that fits your needs. But it’s not just your router choice that matters – the location matters too. Walls, TVs, furniture and other objects can block the wireless signal from your router. To improve your connection, move your router to a more central location in your home. Doing this will help spread your wi-fi signal throughout your whole home, which can improve your connection.

(Router Placement and How It Can Make Your Internet Better)

Number of Connected Devices

The number of devices you have connected to your network might surprise you. From smart home devices to laptops and gaming systems, there might be more than you think. The more devices connected to your wi-fi network, the more your bandwidth is split among them. This is what causes slow speeds if you don’t have enough bandwidth for all the internet usage going on at a time. If too many devices are connected to the same network, it becomes overcrowded, and your devices compete against each other to connect to your router’s antenna. This results in buffering, slow speeds and latency. We suggest only keeping the most important devices connected or upgrading your speed to one that can handle them all.

(Are internet speed and bandwidth the same thing?)

Having a slow internet connection is annoying, and unfortunately, it can happen to any network at any time. When you have enough speed, a good router and keep an eye on the number of connected devices, you will be able to get the most out of your internet connection.

To learn more, visit allwest.com.

mom, dad, and child sit on couch with laptop on lap open.

Author: Emma Stitzer
December 4, 2023

When it comes to online gaming, surfing the web and streaming All West.tv, you need to have the right internet speed. But how do you know what speed to choose? If you only surf the web, do you need 100 Mbps? If you want to watch your favorite shows on All West.tv, how many Mbps do you need? We’re here to answer all your questions about what internet is right for you, and more!

How Does the Available Infrastructure Affect Your Internet Speed?

Depending on where you live, there’s different infrastructure in place to get the internet into your home. The most common types are DSL, Coax and Fiber. Each of these creates a pipeline for your internet to move through. The more advanced the infrastructure, the greater your chances of reaching faster speeds.

The acronym Mbps stands for “megabits per second.” It is a measure of internet bandwidth that moves through the infrastructure. Bandwidth is the download and upload rate of your internet connection. The higher the Mbps is, the more you can do on your internet-connected device.

Your router is what talks to both All West’s modem and your internet connecting device. Having a router that is compatible with your wire infrastructure and Mbps helps your device get the fastest speeds possible. If your router is not designed for the internet you have, you won’t be able to reach your full speed potential.

(Are internet speed and bandwidth the same thing?)

General Internet Speed Recommendations

Having a fast internet connection depends on what you use the internet for at home, how many devices are using the internet at the same time, and how many Mbps you have from your service provider. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends minimum internet speeds of 12-25 Mbps for families with multiple internet users or frequent online streaming.

The FCC has defined broadband, or fast internet, as internet with download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps since 2015. Download speeds of at least 25 Mbps accommodate many families’ needs, but the best download speeds and upload speeds for you depend on how you use the internet at home.

For example, let’s say you have a family of four, and nine devices split between them that include phones, laptops, iPads, and Smart TVs. When everyone is home at least six devices are being used at once for school, streaming TV, surfing the web or gaming. When you have that many devices in use, you need enough bandwidth to support them all. Distributing 25 Mbps six ways is about 4 Mbps allocated to each device. Just doing schoolwork on a laptop could use up to 25 Mbps, resulting in very slow internet, which is why All West offers a minimum of 100 Mbps. The more internet-connected devices you use, the more your speed is distributed amongst them.

(Internet vs. Wi-Fi)

What Internet Speed Do I Need?

Here’s a general rule of thumb on how to choose the correct speed for you:

100 Mbps	300 Mbps	1 Gig
Average	Fast	Very Fast
Stream on 1-4 devices Run multiple smart devices or appliances Download big files Attend video calls with minimal buffering Enjoy multiplayer gaming	Stream 4K on 5+ devices Run 5+ smart devices Download big files quickly Work from home Have 4-5 users connected at the same time with no slowdown	Stream Ultra HD on 8+ devices Run 10+ smart devices, including home security systems Download and upload large files at top speed Use the internet on multiple devices at the same time

Keep in mind that the plan you choose ultimately depends on the needs and devices of your home. You can take our SPEED ANALYZER to help you find out which speed works best for you.

Your speed matters! The internet speed you have sets the parameters of what you’re able to do online. By choosing the correct plan for your needs, you’ll be able to stream, game, work and surf the web without worrying about long loading times, buffering or an inconsistent connection.

To learn more, visit allwest.com.

Author: Emma Stitzer
October 19, 2023

“I feel the need, the need for speed.” The demand for faster internet is greater than ever before. As an internet service provider (ISP), we are here to provide you with the best services possible, which is why we offer multi-gig fiber internet plans to our customers*. In order to take advantage of multi-gig internet (5 Gig and 8 Gig), you will need to have compatible hardware to take advantage of the speeds. Here is a list of things to consider:

Ethernet Cables: Not all ethernet cables are equal. You'll need Cat 6a or Cat 7 Ethernet cables to ensure the signal integrity and speed over the wired connections. These cables are designed to handle Gigabit speeds and beyond. Don’t know what type of cable you have? Most cables will have their category written on the side.

Computer Hardware: When hardwired into All West fiber internet, devices will need the following:

Device needs to be 10 gig capable
A 10 gig port in the motherboard

You can find out if your device is 10 gig capable by checking the manufacture specifications.

Router: The router is the equipment that takes the signal from your modem and distributes it to both wired devices and wireless (Wi-Fi) devices. A high-performance router** is crucial to manage and distribute the high-speed internet connection to various devices in your home, so you’ll want one that supports Gigabit Ethernet ports and has the processing power to handle multi-gig speeds.

Switches: If you plan to connect multiple devices through Ethernet, a Gigabit Ethernet switch will allow you to do so efficiently. A switch is a piece of hardware that connects multiple devices on a single network. Devices connect to the switch, which connects to the router so they can communicate with each other. This is particularly useful for devices like gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktop computers.

Wi-Fi Access Points: To accommodate for wireless devices, you'll need Wi-Fi access points that support high-speed 802.11ac or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standards. These will help ensure that your wireless devices can also take advantage of the high-speed internet.

Network Interface Cards for Wireless Devices: Devices that connect wirelessly also need to have Wi-Fi adapters that can support the high-speed connection. Make sure your laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices are equipped with modern Wi-Fi technology. Devices that support Wi-Fi 6 will let you use your multi-gig connection to the fullest potential.

Your family can enjoy streaming, gaming, working from home and more with no interruptions with a multi-gig plan. By making sure your hardware is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and speeds up to 8 Gig, you can get the most out of your internet.

CHECK INTERNET AVAILABILITY AT YOUR ADDRESS

*Service availability and internet speed will depend on location. Multi-gig internet plans are not available in all areas.

** At the time, Plume routers do not support 5 Gig or 8 Gig speeds. Compatibility is in the works and set to release in 2024.

Author: builtbygcommerce
March 31, 2021

New reusable and renewable resources is one small step towards building a better community

KAMAS, UTAH | April 19, 2021 - All West shows how sustainability and green practices can help communities thrive with their e-billing, recycling and Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky programs. These initiatives are estimated to divert enough renewable energy and resources to reduce All West’s carbon footprint by over 1.8 million pounds of CO2 collectively in Utah and Wyoming.

These efforts to help keep the local communities, where their employees live and work, thrive is just one step forward for All West and its ongoing commitment to make every connection count. Along with All West’s redundant broadband network and unparalleled customer service, they are committed to supporting their neighbors through community giving and sustainability practices.

All West customers can also contribute to making difference by participating in All West’s E-billing and Autopay program, which reduces paper waste through electronic billing. When customers sign up through All West’s service portal, SmartHub, they are given a one-time $5 bill credit as a thank you for their efforts. Currently, over 42% of customers have chosen to go green.

All West will be doing their part by recycling any old or outdated equipment as well as paper items and offsetting their power use with renewable resources. “We are proud to support our local communities and create a more sustainable future for all,” President Matt Weller stated. “This is a milestone in our ongoing journey to connect people to what matters most and being proactive towards making a difference.”

This transition will contribute to All West’s commitment to continuously work for the communities it serves and deliver solutions that make a positive impact.

All West Communications is proud to bring broadband, TV streaming and phone services to northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming. To learn more about All West, please visit www.allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
March 24, 2021

We would like to extend our sincerest thank you for choosing All West, and welcome you to the family!

We’re Here To Serve You

We look forward to serving you and your family with all your communication needs by providing exceptional local customer service. We’re neighbors serving neighbors, and we’re here to help. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about your service.

We can be reached at:

866-ALL-WEST (255-9378)

Help@AllWest.com

Stop by any of our offices

Here’s what you can expect for your service installation:

If you signed up with us over the phone, you should have a scheduled service drop line and install date. If not, give us a call.
If you signed up online, one of our Customer Care team members will give you a call to schedule your install service and verify your information.

The install process happens in two phases: 1.) Installing the outside of your home with a Service Drop Line. 2.) Installing the inside of your home by setting up your modem and router.

Service Drop Line

If we haven’t previously serviced your address, to get your services up right away, we will schedule a time to install a temporary service line to your home above ground. Our construction team will then come back at a later date to permanently bury this line. When it’s time to install or bury the line, you will be notified, but you do not need to be present for us to complete this process.*

*Our construction crews have landscaping backgrounds and are trained to leave no trace. This includes complete repair of any landscaping that is altered during the burial process of your line.

If you already have a service line to your home, we will schedule for a tech to come out as soon as possible for your in-home install.

In Home Install

Once your Service Drop Line is in place, we will send out a technician to complete your home installation. The install time will be within a two-hour window, and we will need someone over the age of 18 years to be present. Your local service technician will call before their arrival.

Items you need for your install:

Router – With your All West services, you have the option to choose your own router or use Plume, All West’s managed wi-fi system.

TV Streaming Device– For your All Wes.tv service, you will need a compatible TV streaming device. There are many options to choose from, but we recommend the Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you have an AV company that helps you with your home theater or other entertainment set-ups, we recommend having them get in touch with us before your install.

The technician will start by activating the Service Drop Line to your home. Once that has been completed, they will get your modem started and connect your router. When this is finished you will then have access to the internet and can set up your home network, including passwords, security, and more.

Internet vs. Wi-Fi

Every install is a little different based on the age of your home and how it was designed. On average, your in-home install should take an hour.

Thank you for choosing All West, and we look forward to serving you and your family.

Author: builtbygcommerce
March 23, 2021

Do you use the internet for surfing the web or social media? How about working from home? Or even streaming your favorite TV entertainment? There are limitless ways that you can use your internet. We’ve narrowed down the different types of internet users into four categories and our speed recommendations. Which type are you?

The Geek

If you can name every Star Wars character or if you know what Wi-Fi 6 is, you may be an internet Geek. But, that’s not a bad thing. The internet Geek knows their way around technology and are an expert in using the internet. For all the Geeks out there, we recommend having 1 Gig speeds, but you already knew that, didn’t you.

The Social Butterfly

Do you like to surf the web or talk to your friends and family on Social Media? You may be a Social Butterfly. Social Butterflies know the latest in celebrity gossip and have mastered creating the perfect TikTok dance. They are novice internet users and like to use their internet for the basics, such as social media, sending emails and shopping online. For all the Social Butterflies, we recommend having 100 Mbps for streamlined internet use.

The Entertainment Buff

You may be an Entertainment Buff if you always have a fresh bowl of popcorn on hand and love to watch the latest movie releases from the comfort of your home. The Entertainment Buff always has more than one device streaming their favorite TV entertainment, and snacks are never too far away. They are an intermediate internet user and know enough about technology to be comfortable with it. For this user, we recommend 500 Mbps for all your streaming entertainment.

The Worker or Learner

Is the internet your lifeline to work and school online? Do you consider yourself a Zoom call expert and know how to turn the cat filter off and on? The Worker and Learner are continually using their internet connection to upload and download documents, email, and stream calls. They are an intermediate internet user and know a little more than your average user. For all Workers or Learners, we recommend 200 Mbps for all your needs.

Do you have questions about your internet? Our Customer Care team is standing by to help at 866.255.9378 or help@allwest.com.

Author: builtbygcommerce
February 24, 2021

One of the most common questions we get at All West is, “What can I do if my internet is slow?”. Many variables can impact your home’s internet speed, but one of the best places to start is with a speed test.

An internet speed test is a test you can run on your home network to find your maximum device speed. The test mimics your online activity to give you an approximation of your upload speeds and download speeds. The test is not 100% accurate, but it will provide you with a very close approximation.

What is the difference between device speed and plan speed?

When running a speed test, there are two different measurements to consider: 1.) the plan speed, which is the internet connection to your home, and 2.) the device speed, which is the speed that reaches an internet connecting device.

Your plan speed is the speed brought from All West’s server directly to your home’s router.

Your device speed is the speed from your router to your internet connecting device.

A speed test measures the speed connecting to your device. This is why the test may show speeds slower than your plan due to external factors such as your router choice and placement.

(How to choose the right router for your home)

How to run a speed test on Plume

Click on the Gateway pod image on the home page of the App.
Selecting this icon will bring you to a history of your ISP Speed Tests.
Tap on Check Speed Now. This will trigger a speed test off of your gateway pod and provide you with the latest results.
You can turn off the Auto-run ISP Speed Test using the toggle switch. On iOS, the toggle is found in the More menu.

Why are there missing Speed Tests?

The most likely reason there would be a gap in the ISP Speed Test history is that your network was busy at the time the automatic test was scheduled. By default, Plume runs an ISP Speed Test every 6 hours. If your network is busy at the scheduled time, that test will be skipped.

The Automatic ISP Speed Test will not run if your network is offline or if the speed test servers are temporarily unresponsive. If this is the case, please check your connection and try running the test again at a later time.

How to run a speed test with Ookla

Although you can run a speed test wirelessly, the best way to run an accurate speed test is to directly hardwire your device to your router with an ethernet cable. All West recommends to run your test on a laptop and not from your smart phone, tablet, gaming system, or any other wirelessly connected device.
Once your device is connected, close out all apps and programs that may disrupt your data. Make sure all other devices in your home are not downloading or running background applications, including Dropbox, Netflix, Photoshop, updates, VPN connections, etc.
There are many speed test applications out there, but we recommend Ookla to run your test.
Run a few tests throughout the day to make sure you are getting accurate results.
Looking at your results.
- You should look at three things after you run a speed test: ping, upload, and download speeds.
  - Ping – Your ping refers to your latency or how long it takes for your signal to travel to an All West server and back into your home. Your ping should be a small number. If it is a large number, make sure you are connecting to an All West server. You can do this by adjusting your server selection. The farther away your server connection is, the worse your speeds will be.
  - Upload and Download Speeds- Your upload and download speeds should be fairly close to the service you signed up for. Not all speeds will be symmetrical, so make sure you know your upload and download speeds on your plan.

Is your speed test results not what you expected?

Many factors can influence your results, from the number of devices in your home to what router you’re using. If you didn’t get the results you wanted, give our customer service team a call at 866.255.9378. They can help you upgrade your speed or troubleshoot your connection.

Author: builtbygcommerce
February 16, 2021

At All West, our job is to make your internet better, which is why we trust Plume. Not only is Plume easy to use, but the sleek air freshener-sized pods give you uninterrupted connectivity throughout your home with a boost of benefits delivered through the Plume app, HomePass. This dynamic duo brings an enhanced experience with complete control of your internet.

Here's how to get started with the Plume system:

How to install the Plume system
Navigating the home screen
Setting up user profiles
Managing your devices

How to install the Plume System

Download the Plume app Home Pass to your phone.
Open the app and sign up to start setup.
Disconnect your router or GigaCenter from the modem cable and reconnect your SuperPod to the modem cable.
Set up your new wi-fi name and password.

*When setting your pod password, we recommend using the same password as your router or GigaCenter, so you don't have to reset all of your devices with the new password. Make sure the capitalization of letters is consistent.

Plug additional pods in different rooms and follow app guidelines.
Connect your devices.

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE GUIDE

If you have questions or need help with your install, our Customer Care team can be reached at either 866.255.9378 or help@allwest.com.

Navigating the home screen

From the home screen, you can see your home network and access the special features that HomePass has to offer:

1.Pod – By selecting the pod, you can see your internet connection's health, including upload and download speeds, run a speed test, and see which devices are using the most bandwidth.

2. Network – By selecting the network icon, you can see all of your Plume Pods and devices connected to your network

3. Person – By selecting the person, you can see all of your user profiles and the devices assigned to their profile.

4. Device – By selecting the device, you can see all of the devices on your network and why type of network access they have: Home, Guest, or Internet Only.

5. Motion – See any physical activity alerts in your home.

6. Dropdown Menu

DropDown Menu

Adopt -Adopt allows you to see your whole home network. You can find what devices are on your network by selecting each pod

Access -In Access, you can set passwords and assign special access for your family, guest, and internet only.

Guard -This is where you manage your internet security. Set up your Online Protection, Adblocking, Advanced IoT protection and see how many cyber-attacks Plume protects you from.

Sense-Plume takes home security an extra step with motion detection. Now you can track if there is someone unwanted in your home while you're away.

Setting up user profiles

Tap on the People or Devices button on the Home screen
Tap on Add a Person
Add a photo, enter the name, and select the devices used by this person. Assigning devices to the person will allow you to monitor and manage wi-fi settings for that person.

**Please note that adding a person does not give them access to your app account or passwords. It just allows you to monitor and manage wi-fi access for that person.

Managing your devices

Go into the profile of the device owner by selecting the person icon on the home screen.

1.Time out in upper right – To time out this user and freeze all their devices, select the time out button. You can set the time out for 15 or 30 minutes.

2. All User devices

3. Access and security setting for the person's profile.

To manage device settings, select a device in the person's profile.

1.Schedule an internet freeze:

Tap on Schedule Internet Freeze.
Select Until End of Day, School Night, Bedtime, Indefinitely or Custom.
Set the start and end times using the slider if you selected School Night or Bedtime.
You can set a different duration on each day when you choose the Custom scheduling option.

You will be able to interrupt the internet freeze by either choosing Unfreeze Until End of Day or Clear Internet Freeze to reset the freeze internet schedule.

2.Setting Content Access

Plume's content access feature will allow you to restrict content for a device or person.

When setting up content filtering for a person or device, you can enable any of the four content filtering categories:

No limits: You can access all types of content.
Kids appropriate: Content that is tagged as NOT appropriate for kids will be filtered and inaccessible.
Teenager friendly: Content that is tagged as NOT appropriate for teens will be filtered and inaccessible.
No adult content: All content tagged as adult content will not be accessible.

Please note that all devices associated with a person will inherit the content access settings assigned to that corresponding person. Likewise, applying content access restrictions to a device assigned to a person will apply the same settings to that person. However, if the device is unassigned, the rule will only apply to the device.

Author: builtbygcommerce
February 1, 2021

We encourage everyone to continue wearing their mask and stay healthy while Covid numbers are still on the rise. We know everyone can't wait for things to turn back to normal - we're with you- but here are some ways you can safely enjoy local art, crafts, and culture this February:

Park City | Kamas | Oakley | Coalville

Virtual Cinema

Park City Film

Films and availability vary, please check parkcityfilm.org for details.

During our Covid-19 closure, Park City Film has created a Virtual Cinema so that our film loving community can continue to watch our curated selection of Independent Films from the safety of their homes.

Historic Park City Snow Globe Stroll

Main Street, Park City

Daily through Sunday, January 3rd, 2021

FREE!

The Historic Park City Snow Globe Stroll features nine interactive life-sized Snow Globes designed to represent everything there is to love about Park City. The Snow Globes will be placed throughout Park City’s Historic Main Street to allow for social distancing as visitors interact with the Snow Globes.

Water/Ways

Swaner EcoCenter

December 19, 2020 – March 27, 2021

Fridays - Sundays, 10AM to 4PM

Admission complimentary, thanks to our sponsors

Our world is made of water and so are we. Water/Ways, an exhibition from Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, takes a deep look at this essential component of life on our planet, which powers the environment’s engine, impacts climate and helps shape and sculpt the landscape.

Water/Ways is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Utah Humanities council, and was adapted from an exhibition organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Heber

Ice Castles

Midway

11:00 am – 10:30 pm, Monday – Saturday thru February 16

Tens of thousands of people visit Ice Castles Midway location each winter. Artisans spend 4,000 hours combined dripping and shaping icicles while embedding them with color-changing LED lights to create life-size fairytale playgrounds.