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Humans of Execulink: Ian Stevens

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Execulink’s mission to provide an awesome telecom experience is something that is deeply woven into the fibre (get it?) of the business, and that is part of the reason why Execulink has thrived for over a century. The other part may be this family-owned company has maintained consistently strong leadership whose adaptability and laser-focus on living our vision, mission and values has borne a local success story.

Ian Stevens has been CEO of Execulink since 2006 after working as VP of Operations for several years. As his position changed over the 20 years of working in telecommunications, he has come to recognize the importance of continuous improvement. This improvement is always based on what is best for all stakeholders – the company, its staff, and most importantly, its customers. When we asked Ian how he determines what the right moves are for the company, he said, “Maintaining contact with customers is a big part of it. It allows me to get a better understanding of their needs and make those key decisions, which is why I love talking to customers at our community events and information sessions.”

Ian answered a few more questions for our blog below, providing deeper insight on his outlook for the future of Execulink, what he is proud of and what he has learned.

Ian Stevens congratulating a customer on winning a prize at an Execulink customer appreciation event in Thedford in 2014

What projects or recent changes excite you about the future of Execulink?

Staying innovative is a core value of Execulink, this means there are always new initiatives requiring creativity and collaboration internally and with partner organizations.  Recently we were thrilled to announce upcoming Fibre projects in Turkey Point, Long Point, Kettle Point, Rural Bosanquet & Lake Shore with the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology initiative (SWIFT).  Throughout the history of Execulink, we have always advocated to bring big city services to our roots which is small towns and rural Ontario. We have been expanding our network the best we can on our own in Norfolk, Middlesex, Oxford and Lambton counties.  Establishing a partnership between Execulink and SWIFT is extremely beneficial to the residents in these markets.  As this project unfolds, I hope the organizational learnings we gain from it will become a template for future Fibre builds in rural areas that are high cost to service.

How would you describe our company culture? How do you see the vision, mission and values in your work on a daily basis?

Over the 100+ years Execulink has existed, the values have not changed and are a written document of the values I was raised with.  By writing them down, the organization has a bar we can be measured against that we can use to test ourselves in moments of consequence.  I use them and I see evidence of my colleagues using them to make better decisions about our customers, our community and our people.

How do you think your leadership style has changed throughout your time as CEO?

As a company grows, your leadership style must evolve as you challenge those that work for you to take on more responsibility.  Embracing pragmatic accountability, creating a vivid description for the future and a concise leadership structure all help deliver on our vision, mission and values.

Ian Stevens at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover with Executive Director Nicole Campbell, Left, and Artistic Director Derek Ritschel in 2019.

What advice would you give to a new hire of Execulink?

We are proud to support and invest in local employees in Woodstock, Thedford, Delhi, Port Dover and soon Tillsonburg!  Welcoming a new member to our team is an exciting opportunity for both the company and the new employee.  Many members of the Execulink team have worked here for years and their careers have developed successfully.  For new hires, I want them to know – you are part of a team that wants you to be successful.  Your ambition and ability to deliver a personalized customer experience will benefit your career development.

What makes you proud to be CEO of Execulink?

I am most proud of the people I am lucky to work with on a daily basis.  Watching our team achieve great things for each other and for our customers is extremely rewarding. Every member of our team is important to our success and I am grateful for everyone’s hard work.   In the last couple of months, as our team quickly adapted to working remotely, I have been reaching out using video and through our company chat rooms to stay connected.

During these interviews we like to ask about the TV channels our employees recommend. Which do you enjoy the most?

I usually watch TV by using our Video-On-Demand or Cloud DVR service.  We offer so many awesome movies and TV shows. I appreciate the ability to watch them according to my schedule.  I enjoy sci-fi and UK police dramas the most.

Ian Stevens with Execulink employees in July 2019 enjoying ice cream in front of the Woodstock office.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

We appreciate Ian taking the time to answer these questions about his experience as CEO of Execulink. He is passionate about his work and enhancing the lives of the customers we serve.  In his spare time, Ian enjoys being outdoors with his family and skiing in the winter.  Staying in touch with nature allows him to reflect and unwind.

If you would like to join our team check out our careers page to learn more about the open opportunities.

The Future of Voice Operated Technology

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

When telephone services were invented, the world became infinitely more connected.  The ability to hear the voices of friends and family across great distances still holds tremendous value in society.  Over the past several years, our voices have been revolutionized once again.  Tech giants are recognizing the power of voice and have launched a new cohort of voice operated technology, like smart speakers and virtual assistants.  You know them well: Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, the Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana.  These voice assistant have quickly become household names that we rely upon in our daily routines.  We are living in the Age of Voice.

What is Voice Technology?

Voice operated technology enables users to multi-task by speaking directly with their smart devices.  It can be used for all types of daily tasks; from making calls to reciting grocery lists and searching the Internet to mapping our travel routes.  Voice operated technology is pushing the limits of what we once expected from machines.  People can simply talk to their devices instead of using more time-consuming standards like buttons, keyboards, and interfaces.  Some of the most commonly used features of smart speakers include listening to music, checking the weather, and setting alarms. So what is the future of voice technology? Could it become even more widely accepted and improve our lives further?

1. Shopping

Using a smart speaker for online shopping is becoming part of the buyer’s journey.  People may not necessarily make purchases using voice technology, but they will create lists, do price comparison or conduct general research on products.  As of now, smart speaker and voice assistant companies are not taking full advantage of the opportunity for growth in online shopping through voice.  This could be due to recent scandals of mistaken purchases.  However, an article from technology news site Tech Crunch discusses recommended shopping developments, like price monitoring and comparison, that could be coming to smart speakers. These new features could impact the future of commerce by alerting buyers to new arrivals, out of stock items, and even notifications on sales and price reduction (e.g. The item you were watching is now $50 off, the new price is $100, would you like to purchase?).

2. News

Adobe conducted a study on a group of smart speaker users over a period of time and found that news consumption is quickly becoming a widely used feature of smart speakers.  When first surveyed, 46% of people used voice technology to check the news.  When they were surveyed again some time later, it was discovered that 77% now checked the news daily.  This growth demonstrates how people become more accustomed and reliant on voice technology over time.  This could revolutionize the broadcast industry, making it more conversational and personalized to the user.

Both Google and NPR are working to develop news experiences specifically for the voice.  They believe users are interested in endless feeds of information customized to what is important in their area and what they have already encountered on other platforms.

Like in all other mediums of news, ensuring the information provided via smart speakers is accurate is of vital importance in voice technology.  Algorithms will have to be capable of properly sourcing information from credible sites.  It may depend on the user questioning the virtual assistant on where the information is coming from.  Developing trust between the user and the device is always a hurdle in emerging technologies.

3. Games

An exciting area of development is voice operated games.  With more people using their smart speakers in their living rooms, using them for family game night is becoming more popular.  More games are likely to become available as developers seek new opportunities to engage with consumers, expanding an already large market.

4. Voice Used to Prevent Transmission of Germs

Voice has made significant progress in its ability to control many household devices.  As the world changes due to COVID-19, using your voice to avoid touching common areas could become more common.  An article by Tech Xplore discusses how the pandemic is providing incentive for voice control in the home and workplace. Given the current state of voice technology, you can avoid touching your smartphone, TV remotes, light switches, thermostats, and more! Discussion is also in the works around how voice control devices and artificial intelligence can improve the delivery of medical advice that keeps doctors and patients safer.



Comtrend WR-6895

5. More Voice Compatible Products

As more people become comfortable with voice controlled technologies, more household appliances and devices are expected to be compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant.  This could be a large home appliance, a TV, or even the lights in the rooms of your home.  As more of these devices become controlled through voice, they will require Internet access to function. Ensuring your router is capable of supporting many devices is of vital importance!  The Comtrend WR-8695, offered as a rental with Execulink, is awesome for homes with 8 or more connected devices and ideal for people with smart home devices.

In terms of your TV service, Smart TVs are undergoing an upgrade to keep up with voice trends.  LGs latest AI TVs are integrated with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to improve your TV experience.  For example, if you want to watch a show but you’re not sure of the channel, you can simply ask the TV to put on the hockey game and it will appear.  Integrating your TV with your smart home presents new opportunities to stay connected.

6. Literacy and Voice Assistants

Google has recently developed a kid-focused voice assistant called Diya on its new app for Android called Read Along.  It is designed to teach kids how to read and comes with a diverse set of stories from around the world in many different languages.  For Google, developing speech technology to recognize how kids talk presented new challenges since children speak differently than adults and many virtual assistants have difficulty registering children’s voices.  Google says Diya will guide children with positive feedback just like a parent or teacher.  Kids will also be able to tap Diya for help pronouncing a word. This has the potential to transform the way children learn and interact with educational activities.

7. Real Time Translation

Another exciting development with voice technology is the creation of real-time translation systems.  Google has introduced a translation feature into its Pixel earbuds connected to the Google Translate platform, which also available on your smartphone.  This would be useful if you are on a business call with a supplier who speaks a different language as the system will translate directly into your ear.  For now, this technology is in the early stages with long pauses and mistranslations, but the opportunity for this development may have a powerful impact on our globalized economy.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

As the world becomes more comfortable with voice technology, the influence on our daily lives will evolve in ways that are hard to predict.  Many believe voice technology will revolutionize our lives similarly to how smartphones changed the world in the 2010s. To keep your smart home connected, consider our Internet plans to receive reliable and affordable Internet.

Why Fibre Internet is Awesome for Gaming

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to learn more about Execulink’s Fibre services

Whether you are a professional competitor or just play for fun, a strong Internet connection is vital to support your gaming endeavors.  Your network’s reaction time can be the difference between life or death for your avatar. If Fibre Internet is available where you live and you’re an active gamer, then it is the right Internet choice for your home!  Execulink Telecom’s Fibre to the Home service is spearheading the next generation of Phone, Internet and TV services and you deserve to enjoy the benefits that come along with Fibre technology.

Faster Downloads

These days, buying new games is done easily by downloading them online.  According to Statista, in 2018, 83% of new video game sales were made digitally rather than physically. Every year this statistic is rapidly growing.   Gamers prefer instant access to the latest releases rather than waiting until they can get their hands on a physical copy.  If you decide to go with a Fibre Internet plan with 1 Gbps download speed, you could have a new game in just 7 minutes.  If you were on a 10 Mbps connection the same download would take over 12 hours.  The benefit of a faster speed is obvious.

Fibre to the Home means the Internet connection is delivered directly to you, 24/7.  Whereas, since Cable services are shared within local areas, your Internet speeds can be impacted by your neighbour’s usage.  If you are using DSL services, Internet slowdowns can happen if you live far away from one of your ISP’s access points.

Reliable Connection

The weather in Canada is unpredictable to say the least.  A key benefit of Fibre is the cables run underground, so they are not impacted by rain, snow or high winds.  As well, Fibre cables are made of glass which are not affected by lightning.  This makes for a more stable connection that is vital for your gaming experience.  Fewer interruptions means you can stay on track to beat the next level, the next end boss, or your savvy opponents.

Upload Speeds

When playing online games your device is in constant communication with the game’s server.  The requirement for this communication is the upload speed. Having a higher upload speed will improve this communication.  Our 1 Gbps plan currently offers 30 Mbps upload speeds which will give you rapid constant contact with the server and keep your game running smoothly.

Lower Latency or Ping

Latency is the time it takes for data packets to reach your device from a server.  Ping is the time it takes a data packet to leave your device, reach a server and return.  For gamers, latency or ping has a big impact on your game performance.  It could be the delay between your action in the game and its display on the screen.  High ping makes multi-player games more difficult if you do not coincide with the other players.  Their moves might register first, putting you a step behind your competitors.

When it comes to latency with Fibre, since it is made of glass cables the speed of data transfer is faster but there are points in the transfer that do cause some form of latency.  This includes when the signal is converted from optical (light transferred through the glass cables) to electrical (what is interpreted by your modem/router).  Fibre cable offers lower latency for the whole network and can be the optimal choice to reduce this delay.  Having Fibre to the Home reduces lag because it provides you with a direct connection to Execulink’s Fibre infrastructure, rather than passing through intermediary connection points where delays could take place. Latency is difficult to measure across an entire network and can vary from area-to-area.  Transmission interference is more common with services that use coaxial cable, copper and wireless technology.

Wired Versus Wireless Connection

Using a wired connection is a relevant for any connection type, not just Fibre.  Our installers can set up your home gaming station using a wired connection rather than using Wi-Fi.  Having a direct ethernet connection to your router will reduce interference and improve your connection speed.  Wireless connections may be more convenient if you use a laptop but the other devices in your home will cause interference.  As well, the distance you sit from your router can impact the speeds you receive.

Fibre is a Convenient Choice

If Fibre to the Home is available in your area, making the switch will simplify your set up.  Our Fibre services will improve your gaming connection and our bundling options make adding TV or Phone services extremely easy.  Getting all three services from Execulink means having just one bill and getting the same awesome 24/7 local customer support.

Click here to learn more about Execulink’s Fibre services

Fibre Internet is the best choice for your home if you’re an avid gamer.  The blazing-fast speeds, reliable connection and unbeatable customer service make it easy to switch.   Consumer demand for fast Internet and Fibre’s ability to provide virtually unlimited bandwidth across large distances makes Fibre the future of Internet services.  Learn more today by visiting our Fibre page or reach out to our Sales team at 1-866-706-1992.

How to Watch TV Through Your Internet

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

The Internet can be used for many different purposes from entertainment to business and everything in-between. But what about watching TV through your Internet? Many people have chosen to do just that!

While cable continues to be an option, the rise of streaming services and other products are giving people the opportunity to watch TV on their own terms. Whether it’s catching up on the latest episode on your commute to work or in the comfort of your bed, streaming services can offer flexibility that isn’t bound to your TV set.

At Execulink Telecom, we often receive questions about the best ways to watch TV through your Internet connection. We help people understand how to get set up to watch shows or movies on the streaming device they choose. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the relationship between TV and the Internet, so that you can seamlessly binge-watch your favourite shows or movies.

What can you use to watch TV on the Internet?

There are a few considerations to make if you want to use your Internet to watch TV:

High-speed Internet

In order to watch TV on your Internet connection, you will need the right Internet package. Many streaming video services will have a recommended Internet speed. This helps to ensure that you can watch your content without disruption. There’s nothing worse than waiting for a show to buffer that you were looking forward to watching. A slow connection can put a damper on your binge routine.

For example, Netflix recommends a download speed of between 3-5 Mbps. While, Disney+, on the other hand, recommends a speed of at least 5 Mbps.

Use an Internet Speed Test to determine what speed your internet is currently running at.

Also, depending on the number of people in your household who are using the internet connection, this may affect the strength of your connection. Choosing an appropriate plan that can accommodate the number of users will help to run your TV streaming more effectively.

Keep in mind that if you’ve upgraded your streaming service package to an HD or 4K plan then you’ll likely need a faster Internet connection to support this activity.

Smart TV

Imagine a TV that has many of the same functionalities as your smartphone or computer, bring on the smart TV! A smart TV is different from your regular TV set in a few ways. It doesn’t just allow you to watch cable, it also uses your WIFI connection to run built-in applications and browse the Internet.

A smart TV can also be used to access your favourite streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. It’s important to note that not all smart TVs are the same, they can have different features depending on your make or model. For example, Apple TV may operate differently than a different smart TV model.

The good news is that if you don’t have a smart TV, there are still ways that your regular TV can adopt some of the same features. You can access your WIFI connection on your regular TV by using devices such as the Amazon Fire TV stick, Chromecast, etc. These devices are easy to install, simply plug them into your TV’s HDMI port and synch to your internet connection. The devices allow you to enjoy the benefits of a smart TV on a regular TV, such as browsing the internet or running applications.

Streaming services

More and more people are relying on the internet to watch their pick of shows and movies. Streaming services such as Netflix, Crave, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more can be accessed using your Internet connection.

These services offer curated content that you can watch on-demand. There is limited set up, since all you need is an account, subscription and the streaming service downloadable app. This makes it easy and convenient access to content that may not be available on your regular cable plan.

You can stream these services on your TV, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or another device. These subscriptions usually have a low monthly cost but provide access to a bunch of popular TV shows and movies. People usually keep their regular cable plans but have these subscriptions for additional content.

Execulink Link TV

A completely personalized TV watching experience is what you get with Link TV. You can choose from a variety of different channels in any package that suits your needs, such as our Theme Packs, Pick Packs, Single Pick. Some packages even include HD programming.

Link TV also has added features such as Cloud DVR, Restart TV, and Catch-Up TV:

  • Cloud DVR enables you to record, pause, rewind, and fast forward any program. Record as many shows you want at the same time. All of our Link TV packages come with 5 free hours of recording time and you can add 100 hours to your package if you want.
  • Restart TV allows you to restart a show if you wanted to start it from the beginning. This is a great feature if for instance, you are 10 minutes late to watching your favourite show and need to rewind a little to catch up.
  • Catch-Up TV enables you to watch a live show up to 24 hours after it originally airs.

With the Watch TV Anywhere service, you can watch shows or movies on other devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.) from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. In addition, you have the flexibility to watch TV or movies on multiple platforms at the same time. Now you don’t have to miss the big game just because your partner is watching a movie.

Choose Execulink

With over a century of experience in the telecommunications industry, Execulink has been serving Ontario proudly since 1904. Our team is extremely knowledgeable about our products and plans and happy to help in any way we can. We offer several Unlimited Internet options that are straightforward and easy to understand.

If you’re noticing that your Internet connection is buffering while you are watching TV, it may be time to upgrade your package.  Consider our Internet plans, contact us at 1-877-393-2854 today to learn more!

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Why the Internet is vital during a pandemic

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

As the world copes with COVID-19, the Internet is possibly more important than ever before.  Experts have determined that our online behaviour is changing in really interesting ways. In Europe when self-isolation policies were at their peak, Internet traffic surged as high as 70%.  CBC has recently reported that Netflix has obtained almost 16 million new customers. A global pandemic at this scale is something most have never encountered in their lifetimes and the impact is shifting how we spend our time online.

A recent article by the New York Times explored how our Internet usage has shifted.  A key finding was people are turning away from their phones in favour of TVs and computer screens.  With more time spent at home rather than “on-the-go”, we are choosing larger screens to access content from YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, Facebook and many other platforms. We decided to explore the most popular tools and websites people are using to stay connected and entertained during this unprecedented global event.

Staying Connected

These days, Video Chat services are the forefront of personal connection to friends, family and colleagues.  App downloads for services such as Zoom, Google Duo, Nextdoor.com and Netflix Party have skyrocketed. We are looking for ways to elevate our connections, rather than utilize the traditional phone calls or text messaging avenues. These services offer video connection, games and community building.

Nextdoor.com

This app is especially useful for connecting people to their local community.  You can get assistance with grocery shopping with their Neighbourhood Help Map.  Additionally there are ways to virtually connect with your neighbours with Nextdoor Groups.

Netflix Party

Many people are having Netflix watching parties together using the chrome add-on Netflix Party.  This service allows you to chat with your friends as you watch a TV show or movie.  This is a fun way to enjoy a virtual “night out” at the cinema without compromising any social-distancing restrictions.

Staying Entertained

Aside from shifting how we communicate, COVID-19 has changed how we stay entertained. Netflix, Facebook and YouTube have all seen increases in website traffic.  More interestingly, with the absence of the regular NBA and NHL seasons, E-Sports have rapidly increased in popularity.  Today, people worldwide tune in to watch professional gamers play their video game of choice and compete in tournaments. E-Sports are a perfect form of entertainment right now because of how resilient the set up is and how tournaments can be operated from anywhere with a strong Internet connection.

A member of the Execulink team is a retired E-Sports player who broadcasted World First Run.

Twitch

Twitch is currently the most popular streaming platform.  It is among the most popular game streaming sites where viewers watch others play games, sporting events, or TV shows.  In March users spent over 1.2 billion hours watching content, and as of April 20th, we are at 1.1 billion hours watched.

Amid coronavirus fears, the rise in video game playing and stream broadcasts could be attributed to the sense of control playing a game provides the user.  For many, playing video games is a way to cope with increased anxiety.  Watching people play video games providers viewers with a blend of comedy, games and podcasting.  Broadcasters will discuss anything and everything unscripted.

A member of our Execulink team provided some insight on why broadcasting is so fulfilling.  He appreciated the fact that you could take broadcasting very seriously and turn it into a business or treat it like a hobby for family and friends.  At first the platform is daunting, but it becomes easier to use as you choose your content and develop your creativity with graphics, video editing and targeting different audiences.

Many Twitch broadcasters have enough star-power to sign contracts and stay on the platform for multiple years. A famous streamer, Doctor Disrespect, has shown interest in starring in TV shows or movies.

As more people draw their attention to live streaming more competing platforms are entering the scene. Microsoft has created Mixer, Google connects with gamers on Youtube and Facebook Gaming.  All are becoming increasingly popular.

Live streams appealing to all audiences

This increase in viewership has brought a new flourish of creativity to the platform.  The genres of streams greatly vary; a subsection of Twitch includes a category called “in Real Life” or IRL, which basically means anything that isn’t gaming.  This section includes cooking, yoga, amateur comedy, call-in shows, musical performances, arts and crafts tutorials and so much more!  Live-streaming is having a moment because the tools required to create a live-stream are so accessible.  The volume of streams means that there is something available for everyone, even if you are not a gamer.

Live events hosted by celebrities – Instagram Live and more!

Many celebrities have opted to use live streaming platforms to entertain their fans. Instagram live is thriving!  For instance, P. Diddy has been hosting Instagram live dance parties to raise money for charities.  Miley Cyrus has been hosting a daily show called “Bright-Minded” where she interviews celebrity guests on her Instagram.  If you want to see more of the must-see shows, check out this article from Glamour magazine.

As we all learn to cope with these global changes one thing is for sure, a strong Internet connection is a vital necessity. If you are looking to explore your options, check out our Internet page to learn more about what packages are available in your area. You too can start your own live-stream on Twitch, video call your family and friends, or watch your favourite movies with the blazing fast speeds you deserve.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Going Green: Small Changes with Big Impacts

Posted on by Kelsey King

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Happy 50th birthday, Earth Day!

Founded in 1970, Earth Day has become an annual event designed to bring global communities together to create a positive impact on our world through minimizing resource consumption and to use our collective voice to demand change.

This year, Earth Day is moving to the digital world with 24 hours of action in which people around the globe can participate. With tons of resources available online, like quizzes, toolkits, tips, and live streams, there’s plenty to keep you busy this Earth Day.

But what about the rest of the year?

With these tips on going green, you can practice more sustainable living all year round!

Go Paperless

Virtually every business offers electronic receipts, billing, and payment options, which means it’s never been easier to go paperless. From telecom and hydro providers to video and music streaming services, everyone is looking to the digital future.

Gone are the days of having to wrestle with bursting filing cabinets or toppling stacks of bills and envelopes! Misplacing a bill or a receipt can be nerve-wracking, but electronic options eliminate that worry. With e-billing and online payment options, you’ll always have a record of your documents and activities that can be easily and neatly organized in your email folders.

Of course, going paperless isn’t just better for the environment; it helps support physical distancing practices during this time to keep both you and essential workers safe.

Execulink is proud to offer its customers options for viewing and paying bills online: visit MyExeculink, make payments through your personal online banking, or contact our Customer Care Team to pay with your credit or debit credit card and/or set up pre-authorized payments. We also recommend e-billing as an eco-friendly solution that prevents unnecessary face-to-face contact for you and our postal workers. It’s so easy, you can make the switch today!

Eliminate Energy Waste

Energy waste is what it sounds like: a waste of electrical energy. If you stop and think about all the different appliances and electronics you have plugged in at home, it may surprise you. Chances are that a lot of these things aren’t used every day, which means leaving them plugged in slowly zaps the electrical charge.

Alliance to Save Energy lists leaving electronics plugged in as one of the 10 biggest energy-wasting habits at home, stating that appliances and electronics use energy even when they’re off! Saving energy and money can be as easy as unplugging these devices – like phone chargers, game consoles, and food processors – when they’re not in use.

Let There Be Energy-Efficient Light

Electricity is a game-changer. We use it to light our homes, businesses, and recreational spaces all the time, but we’re not always using the most efficient types of lighting to get the job done.

The traditional incandescent lightbulb has been the go-to for ages, but newer and more energy-efficient bulbs are paving the well-lit way to greener living.

Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are ENERGY STAR certified and use between 25% and 80% less energy. They also have lifespans of up to 25 times longer than the standard incandescent bulbs, according to Energy.gov.

Better yet, these energy-saving alternatives are available at your usual hardware and home stores or even online, making them an easily accessible solution! You’ll buy fewer lightbulbs in the long run and enjoy paying for 25% to 80% less energy consumption while creating a positive impact on our environment.

Okay, Let There Be Light, But Not TOO Much Light

Electricity allows us to do so much and has become so integral to our daily routines that sometimes it may be taken for granted. If you forget to turn the light out in just one room when you leave for two hours every day for a month, that’s an additional 60 hours of light and energy that’s been wasted and paid for!

It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible to break the habit of leaving the lights on.

For those living with others, you can make a game out of turning off the lights. Maybe it’s as simple as having to put money into the Energy Jar if you’re caught leaving the lights on, or perhaps the person who remembers to turn them off most often gets a prize. Whatever you choose, a team effort is the best effort!

If you’re really struggling to remember to turn off the lights, you could use a Smart Home monitoring system to control the lights in your home from your smartphone, computer, or voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Home.

Go ENERGY STAR

Did you know that appliances can account for 20% of your electric bill on average? That’s a lot of usage over a lifetime!

Switching to energy-efficient appliances where possible cuts down on energy consumption by 10% to 50% depending on the appliance. With electric rates increasing year over year, ENERGY STAR appliances are an investment in long-term savings. There are even rebates in place to help you make the switch!

It turns out going green for the planet can also mean a little more green in your wallet!

At Execulink, we strive to live by the Keep it Simple principle by removing all complexities and waste. You can learn more about our Values here.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

10 Awesome TV Shows You Should Watch on Crave

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to learn more about Link TV!

With extra spare time on everyone’s hands, deciding which TV shows to stream can be a difficult with lists of endless possibilities.  Check out what is available on Crave and you are sure to be satisfied.  There are so many awesome TV shows and these are just a few of them! You can easily add Crave + Movies + HBO to your Link TV package to binge watch until your heart is content.  Crave content is also available on your phone or tablet through Watch TV Everywhere!

Insecure

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%

IMDB Rating: 7.8

Insecure is a show that was born from a 2011 Youtube web series by creator Issa Rae called Awkward Black Girl.  Rae moved on to work with Larry Wilmore a writer and comic from the Daily Show with John Stewart to create Insecure.  A show that is critically acclaimed, Rae has received two Golden Globe nominations for her acting.  Now on its fourth season, the show explores friendship between two black women as they cope with everyday uncomfortable experiences.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%

IMDB Rating: 8.7

Co-creator of Seinfeld, Larry David continues to bring hilarity with his deadpan delivery and awkward comedic scenarios.  In Curb Your Enthusiasm, he plays a version of himself handling everyday annoyances.  He means well but frequently ends up with his foot in his mouth.  Curb is now in its 10th season, having been on the air since 2000! The latest season brings many celebrity cameos including Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Sean Penn (Mystic River). It’s pretty good. Prettttty good.

Big Little Lies

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%

IMDB Rating: 8.5

If you are interested in a show featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest movies stars, then Big Little Lies is for you!  Stars include: Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoe Kravitz.  Big Little Lies is about people whose lives seem to be perfect but are secretly a bit more disastrous.  Gripping and suspenseful this show will leave you on the edge of your couch.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88%

IMDB Rating: 8.5

Based on the classic novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is a terrifying story of a dystopian future where women are forced into defined roles that match the patriarchal values of a totalitarian government.  As the show’s seasons continue more is added to the novel’s original plot. It is terrifying but the portrayal of strength and determination is inspiring.  Since the show has aired, Atwood has written and published a sequel novel, The Testaments, after being inspired by Ann Dowd’s performance as Aunt Lydia.

Ray Donovan

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 72%

IMDB Rating: 8.3

Set in the lavish lands of the rich and famous, Ray Donovan works as a mediator for a law firm that handles celebrities and wealthy clients.  This show stars Liev Schreiber in his first lead television role.  The show is now in its 7th season and final season, giving lots of content to catch up on if you have never seen this one!

Star Trek Picard

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%

IMDB Rating: 7.7

This is a follow up to the series Star Trek: Next Generation but focused on Captain Jean-Luc Picard played by the great Patrick Stewart. It’s a throwback to the classic series but tackles new issues and makes for an exciting exploration into the mystical world of Star Trek.

Sharp Objects

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%

IMDB Rating: 8.2

Sharp Objects has received a lot of buzz for its visuals, dark atmosphere, direction and acting.  It’s based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn who also wrote Gone Girl.  The show follows a reporter played by Amy Adams as she investigates the murder of two young girls.  Its gripping and mysterious perfect for when you are in the mood a dark and twisted tale.

Succession

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%

IMDB Rating: 8.5

A story of a high-stakes family media business.  Many are drawing comparisons between the Sulzberger family which has run the New York Times since 1896.  In the show, the dysfunction and between family members comes to a head as the health of the family’s patriarch becomes uncertain.  A story of wealth, trauma and family dynamics, this show is sure to entertain and thrill.

The Wire

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%

IMDB Rating: 9.3

The Wire is a classic show on many “must-watch” lists for good reason. It’s an exploration of law enforcement in Baltimore, Maryland with subject areas focusing on: drug trade, the seaport system, government, bureaucracy, education and print news. The show was written by a former police reporter, David Simon, who had plenty of experience documenting Baltimore crime for the Baltimore Sun for 12 years.  The show demonstrates an excellent perspective of both law enforcement and the criminals being pursued.

Veep

A hilarious show that satirically explores a fictional version of America’s politics from the perspective of Selina Meyer, the Vice President played by Julia Louis Dreyfus.  Each episode is filled with unique and clever profanities, that are sure to delight if you appreciate creative language. Veep is the perfect pairing to Curb Your Enthusiasm with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, another famous member of the Seinfeld team, at the helm.

As we continue to shelter in place over the coming weeks, streaming and watching TV is a welcome distraction and source of entertainment.  With content for all ages, finding the right show for every member of your household is possible on Crave!  Subscribe today through MyExeculink to enjoy all of these critically acclaimed shows and more.

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Humans of Execulink: Samantha S.

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to learn more about Link TV!

As one of the winners of our 2019 Sales Excellence Awards, Samantha is a committed member of Execulink Telecom’s Growth Sales team.  She has been with Execulink for almost 2 years and finds a new challenge each day.  She makes every customer feel like a member of the Execulink family by finding the best package for their needs. She loves building a customized bundle for every customer she interacts with.  We thought it would be fun to detail the day-in-the life experience of what it is like to work at Execulink.  See her activities below!

7:45 AM

I arrive to work and enjoy coffee #1.

7:55 AM

Qualify online orders that came through overnight.

8:00 AM

Sign into our call queue system. I review emails, web leads and voicemails that have come through overnight. When I have finished catching up on our overnight calls I begin answering incoming phone calls.

8:45 AM

Work through the tasks assigned to the Growth Sales team that have come into our CRM system overnight or in the early morning.

9:15 AM

Coffee #2. Caffeine is my saving grace!

9:30 AM

Outbound calling for sales campaigns to let customers know we can offer them faster speeds! As well, I continue to take inbound calls. Every customer’s situation is different and with all of the different services we offer, building a custom solution is so satisfying.

11:15 AM

Coffee #3, inbound calls, live chats and qualifying online orders.

12:00 PM

Lunch Time.

12:45 PM

Enjoy coffee #4 while reviewing quotes for businesses and following up with interested leads. When I can find a package for a customer that saves them on their monthly bills, I feel like that’s a success.

2:15 PM

No more coffee. I decide to make the switch to water as I accept inbound calls, tasks, online orders, live chats and any remaining follow ups. For an extra boost of energy I will also sometimes eat some gummy bears in the afternoon. My colleagues love to visit my desk for this snack!

4:30 PM

I pack up my things and head home for the day, feeling good about all the customers I assisted! At home I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. My favourite TV shows are anything true crime related such as Live PD. It’s not often my TV is set to anything but Investigation Discovery or Crime and Investigation!

Samantha works tirelessly to ensure our customers are satisfied with their Internet, TV, Phone and Mobility packages.  She is an extremely valuable part of our team and loves drinking coffee!  Check out our career page to see if there are any opportunities open in the Growth Sales team where you could have a chance to work with Samantha too!

Click here to learn more about Link TV!

How to Have a Safe and Hoppy Easter at Home

Posted on by Kelsey King

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Easter is around the corner, and with Premier Doug Ford officially designating the Easter Bunny as an essential worker, children from all over Ontario can look forward to a visit from their chocolate-bearing friend.

The Easter weekend looks a little different than in previous years, but that doesn’t mean the celebration can’t continue. Here are some tips and tricks that you can utilize to make this Easter a hoppy experience for the whole family!

Hunt for Treasure

Perhaps the first thought that comes to mind when thinking of Easter is about all the delicious chocolate eggs that are hidden for little ones to find on Easter morning. If your family usually goes to a community egg hunt or gathers with extended family to put on an Easter hunt, fear not. You can create the same magic in the comfort and safety of your own home!

There are two important factors when planning and eggs-ecuting an egg hunt: the mystery and the treasure.

The Mystery

Part of the excitement of Easter egg hunts is that the treasure was left by the mythical being known only as the Easter Bunny. Like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny has rarely been seen by human eyes and pays a visit to households overnight in order to leave a sweet surprise for the families who live there!

As long as the element of surprise is present, the egg hunt is already on its way to great success.

The Treasure

What’s a hunt without a prize? The Easter Bunny is famous for leaving delicious treats like chocolate eggs and other Easter candies, but Mr. Bunny and his assistants may wish to get creative and hide riddles, jokes, small toys, and other fun things along the way.

The Easter Bunny often leaves visible trails of sweets but can also hide them in sneaky places. Sometimes the sneakier the hiding spot, the sweeter the treat!

No matter what’s being hidden by the Easter Bunny this weekend, just remember that egg hunts are about fun. Maybe you’ll even include Golden Ticket eggs – compliments to Willy Wonka – or some Get Out of Chores Free cards as suggested by Good Housekeeping! Whether in the house or safely in your own backyard, at home hunts can be just as good and memorable of a time as any large-scale operation if only you remember to believe in the magic of the Easter Bunny!

Easter, But Make it Fashion

For many of us, Easter means getting dressed up to go to a social function. Just because that isn’t possible this year doesn’t mean you have to forego that fancy feeling!

If you look forward to putting on your favourite pastel spring dress or helping your kids pick out their best spring wear, don’t be afraid to dress up for your time spent together at home.

A fun family photoshoot of everyone all dressed up will certainly create some memories that you and your family can look back on for years to come. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take it a step further and host a fashion show? A hallway makes an excellent runway, or you can create your own runway in any room. Blast some tunes and get the camera ready! Each family member can strut their stuff and feel like a fashion icon while getting their photo snapped.

While you’re at it, you can even include aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other family members and friends by livestreaming your family fashion show using Facebook Live or IGTV or hosting a video conference with FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom!

To bring the whole family together utilizing a streaming or video tool, you’ll need reliable Internet. You can learn more about our best package options for High-Speed Unlimited Internet made for your home by visiting our Internet page.

Get Crafty and Get Giving

There are so many fabulous, fun, and simple Easter crafts that you can create with household materials. The kids will love the sweet little candy jars made to look like chicks and bunnies or beautiful Easter egg suncatchers from Crazy Little Projects and the paper floral bouquets or pompom chicks and bunnies from One Little Project!

A fun spin on the classic chocolaty treasure hunt is the community “egg” hunt, with the Easter Bunny’s helpers leaving painted and decorated stones around the neighbourhood for kids to find. It’s easy to get started! Collect some rocks of choice, paint them like Easter eggs, bunnies, chicks, or however your inspiration strikes you and leave them scattered beneath lampposts, trees, mailboxes, and other staple neighbourhood fixtures. It’s a treasure hunt that everyone can enjoy as both the Easter Bunny’s helpers and the treasure hunters!We may not be able to visit with our friends, family, or neighbours at the moment, but that doesn’t stop us from giving back to the people we care about. Leave a little bunny candy jar filled with sweet treats on the doorstep of a neighbour or drop off a bouquet of eternal paper flowers to the grandparents! A little thoughtful craftiness goes a long way.

Go for the Gold

There are more games for Easter than just the traditional egg hunt!

A great way to celebrate the holiday and pass the time is to have some good old fashioned fun. KidActivities focuses on easy to play games to keep your young ones laughing and entertained while Play. Party. Plan. has you covered for games that you can play with smaller and bigger groups of all ages, so no matter how many are in your family or what age the kids are, there’s a way to play for everyone!

Of course, there’s always the time-tested and true games to play. That’s right. We’re talking about board games. It might be time to dust off Scrabble or Monopoly or explore a new card game or Bananagrams!

Winning can feel great, but as long as everyone is having fun, everyone is winning!

Family Time

At the end of the day, holidays are about spending time with loved ones. Maybe this looks like dressing up and having a video call with the whole extended family over brunch. Maybe it means curling up with a good book or going for a (physically-distanced, no more than four person) nature walk if that’s permitted in your area. Or maybe it’s sleeping in and having a movie marathon in pajamas.

Whatever you choose to do, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate Easter and spring with your loved ones.

From all of us at Execulink:

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What is the Difference Between Wi-Fi and Internet?

Posted on by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

In an increasingly connected world, it’s nice to have options. Having a fast Internet connection is important to most people, but to go one step further, giving people the freedom to experience the Internet on their terms is the ideal. Fortunately, Wi-Fi gives people the flexibility to connect to the Internet at home or on the go, whenever they want. Being tethered to wires to enjoy the Internet simply isn’t necessary anymore.

At Execulink Telecom, we often receive questions about Wi-Fi and Internet. We do a lot of myth-busting to help people understand how these things work together to help get you online. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the relationship between Wi-Fi and Internet, so that you can always get the best online experience possible.

Is the Internet and Wi-Fi the same thing?

Contrary to popular belief, Wi-Fi and Internet are not the same things. Although the terms are used interchangeably in a lot of the media we see, there are distinct differences between the two.

The Internet is a wide area network (WAN) that connects computers from around the world and facilitates the sending and receiving of information to others through many local area networks (LAN), via routers. Using the Internet, your local network is no longer isolated from others but becomes part of one large worldwide network. This connection is what enables you to send an email, play games online, use social media, and overall connect with others online.

Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is not the Internet but just one way to connect to the Internet wirelessly using radio waves. As opposed to using an ethernet cable to connect to your router and create a LAN, you can use your Wi-Fi connection to relay communication to the Internet at your home, hotel, airport, or wherever you are without having to use any wires.

Can you buy a router and have Wi-Fi?

Most people know that you need a piece of hardware called a router, to connect your LAN (personal computer and other devices) to the Internet. Yet, purchasing a router is not enough, although it will give you Wi-Fi access this doesn’t mean that you will be connected to the Internet. You will also require another device called a modem to help secure this connection.



Comtrend VR-3060 Modem & Wi-Fi Router

Can I get Wi-Fi without an internet provider?

A router, hot spot, or other devices that provide a Wi-Fi signal for your personal devices to connect with, will allow you to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Keep in mind that you can almost always connect to Wi-Fi if these devices are close by, but without an Internet Service Provider (ISP) your Wi-Fi will not connect to the Internet.

For example, your Wi-Fi enabled devices may show that you’re still connected to the Wi-Fi network even if your ISP may be experiencing problems and you may not have an Internet signal. This is the case when you try to load a web page and you get an error message, “you are no longer connected to the Internet.” It’s like being tuned into the right radio station, but the station isn’t broadcasting today.

The same goes for your Wi-Fi network, although it may be functioning, there can be no Internet connection available without an Internet service provider supplying the Internet connection to your modem.

You need to have a modem and pay a provider for the privilege to access an Internet connection using Wi-Fi. The speed of the Internet and the quality of the connection depends on the ISP you use and Internet package you purchase from them.

These days there are many wireless devices that need Wi-Fi to operate such as smart speakers, security systems, and more. Some of your favourite devices probably need Wi-Fi to function. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right ISP to handle your Internet demands, so that your Wi-Fi works seamlessly.

What is the difference between broadband and Wi-Fi?

Broadband is a type of Internet connection that has surpassed dial-up as the standard way to connect to the Internet.  This kind of Internet is offered in four different forms, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), Fibre-Optic, Cable, and Satellite. It uses a larger band, so larger amounts of data can be transferred more quickly, compared to dial-up. Many of us remember the days of dial-up when you’d have to hang up the phone before using the Internet and the dreaded dial-up sound. Now broadband offers always-on high-speed Internet, with fewer interruptions.

Wi-Fi is just one way to use your broadband Internet connection. Instead of using a wire to connect to your broadband you can use Wi-Fi and connect wirelessly. Wi-Fi carries your broadband Internet connection to your devices such as your laptop, smartphone, etc.

The main differences between broadband and Wi-Fi are outlined below:

Wi-Fi advantages:

  • Access to high-speed Internet (although can be subject to network interferences)
  • Connect multiple devices
  • Wireless connection

Broadband connection advantages:

  • Always-on high-speed Internet
  • Secure connection
  • Wired connection

Choose Execulink

With over a century of experience in the telecommunications industry, Execulink has been serving Ontario proudly since 1904. Our team is extremely knowledgeable about our products and plans and happy to help in any way we can. We offer several unlimited Internet options that are straightforward and easy to understand.

If you’re noticing that your Internet connection isn’t fast enough for your online activity, it may be time to upgrade your package or find a new internet service provider. Consider trying our Internet service, contact us at 1-877-393-2854 today.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

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