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The Importance of Watching TV with Family: 13 Surprising Benefits

Posted on October 11, 2019December 13, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

According to the Globe and Mail, Canadians watched an average of 30 hours of TV in 2017. Not surprising considering we are in the ‘golden age of TV’. But is all that TV watching good for us? Well, like most things, it’s all about balance. But in case you were feeling bad about your TV binge-watching, let us alleviate some of your concerns. Television is a powerful medium that often brings families together. In this blog, we explore the importance of watching TV with family and the surprising benefits it offers.

1. Educational TV Benefits

Watching Television offers numerous educational benefits for both children and adults. It serves as an effective learning tool, whether in the classroom or at home. With our wide range of TV channels, you can discover the perfect blend of educational programming for yourself and your children. Examples include Book Television, the Science Channel, and the Discovery Channel.

2. Stay Current

Television is not just a source of entertainment; Keeping us connected to the world is a vital part of watching TV. It’s your window to stay informed about what’s happening in your city through local news. Moreover, international news programs keep you up to date with breaking events worldwide. In an age of increasing concern over global warming, the weather channel has become indispensable, providing critical information about tornado warnings, hurricanes, and more. So, whether you are watching TV with family or staying informed on your own, television is your ally in staying connected and well-prepared for what’s ahead.

3. Broaden Your Cultural Horizons

Television is your gateway to the world, offering an affordable means of exploring diverse cultures without leaving your home. It’s a wonderful way to introduce your family to the cultural richness of our planet through the simple act of watching TV together.

Discover the beauty of our world by tuning in to a new season of BBC’s “Planet Earth.” Let the stunning images on the screen transport you to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. This is just one of the many advantages of television, making it a valuable tool for cultural enrichment. So, whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly escape or an educational adventure, television is your passport to a world of cultures and experiences.

4. Embrace the Fun of TV Fandoms

Television has a unique way of making you and your family feel like part of an exclusive group, allowing you to immerse in captivating subcultures. With the rising quality of TV shows, our skills in watching TV have evolved. We’ve become keen observers, noticing intricate details, and showrunners have grown more creative, crafting clever plot twists.

Television fosters a sense of belonging as enthusiasts gather in fandoms to discuss their beloved shows, forming subcultures that revolve around appreciating favourite shows and characters. As David Carr highlighted in An article in the New York Times “The vast wasteland of television has been replaced by an excess of excellence”. It’s a world where keeping up with the abundance of remarkable shows can be both thrilling and challenging.

So, whether you’re exploring mysteries, fantasy realms, or gripping dramas, television brings you together with like-minded enthusiasts, enhancing the fun of watching TV with family and diving into captivating subcultures centred on your cherished shows.

5. Feel the Connection

Watching TV with family offers a unique opportunity to nurture a profound sense of connection. It goes beyond mere entertainment, acting as a bridge that brings you closer to friends and loved ones.

In a study featured in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, viewers reported a significant reduction in loneliness when immersed in their favourite TV shows. Beyond alleviating solitude, specific shows, news events, or sports games possess the remarkable ability to unite people with a shared purpose. A remarkable example is the 2019 Raptors victory when communities joined together to celebrate a common goal.

Embrace the importance of television as a powerful tool for family bonding and shared experiences. It’s a medium that transcends screens, fostering connections that make every moment together memorable and heartwarming.

6. Strengthening Family Ties

Family bonding is one of the remarkable advantages of television. When you come together as a family to enjoy a television program, it’s a precious opportunity for everyone to connect and unwind. Bonding over a favourite TV show creates moments that turn into lifelong memories.

Watching TV with family isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about sharing experiences and creating lasting connections. It’s a simple yet beautiful way to build stronger family ties and cherish the moments that truly matter.

7. Learn a Language

Expose you and your family to new languages you want to learn. A great way to help learn a new language is to watch TV shows in the foreign language you are interested in learning. Many people all over the world learn English through American TV shows. Listening and reading subtitles is an great way to passively learn.

8. Mental Health

There are many health benefits to watching TV. If a certain show makes you laugh there are health benefits to that. Laughter is the best medicine! If you decide to watch TV while you are exercising, this can provide a distraction allowing you to do cardio for a longer period of time. A study from the University of Rochester found that people are more energetic after watching nature scenes.

9. Cost-Efficient Entertainment

Television offers an economical means of entertainment. When you compare it to the expenses of going out to the movies or attending live shows, it’s undeniably the budget-friendly choice.

Watching TV with family isn’t just a source of enjoyment; it’s a wise financial decision that allows you to have a great time without breaking the bank. It’s an accessible form of entertainment that suits various budgets, making it an ideal choice for family fun.

10. Fight Temptation

TV can improve your self control. An interesting study by the University of Buffalo found that watching TV regularly can help maintain our ability to fight temptation. The research psychologist that made this study found that watching a “familiar fictional world” helps people to control their impulses. The social nature of watching your favourite TV show provides comfort which contributes to your ability to control your impulses.

11. Relieve Stress

TV can relieve your stress. According to a study done at the University of California found that watching more TV can reduce your cortisol levels. Cortisol is nick-named the “stress hormone”. It is a cause for concern because it can increase weight gain, cholesterol and depression. So if watching your favourite shows reduces this in anyway then its time to tune in to prime time TV.

12. Get Inspired

TV can inspire you or your kids to try new things or pick up a new hobby. If kids, see their favourite characters engaged in activities they have never tried before they are more likely to want to try those things too! This can create more “unplugged” learning. The same situation can happen for you, if your watching your favourite HGTV show about home renovations perhaps this will encourage you’re to crack open a can of paint and upgrade your home! Shows on HGTV can provide many different ideas to boost your home décor creativity. TV also provides an opportunity to learn about different occupations and can help inspire kids and adults to pursue new career avenues.

13. Inspiring a Love for Reading

Television has a way of igniting a passion for reading. When you come across a show that truly captivates you, it might pique your curiosity to delve deeper and discover that it was adapted from a book.

For instance, beloved series like “Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, and “Big Little Lies” by David E. Kelley all found their roots in literature. Watching TV provides captivating visuals that can enhance your reading experience, helping you visualize the words and stories within these books. It’s an example of how television can inspire a love for reading, turning the screen into a gateway to the world of literature.

In conclusion, the importance of watching TV with family goes beyond entertainment. It’s about connecting, learning, and creating cherished memories together. These benefits certainly opened our eyes and made us feel good about our decision to binge-watch the latest season of Letterkenny on Crave. If you are interested in our TV services check out our TV page to learn more and find the channels that are right for you and your family! So, gather your loved ones and enjoy the benefits of family TV time.

If you are interested in adding TV service to your business check out our Business TV page to learn more!

Humans of Execulink: Rob B.

Posted on October 4, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

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This week we had the opportunity to learn about what being a field service technician at Execulink is like from Rob B. He installs Fibre, Cable, DSL and Hosted Phone solutions for homes and businesses. He also does repairs, locates underground utilities and maintains our cable plant. This broad spectrum of activities provides a challenge and makes him excited to come to work everyday! When he is not at work he is busy coaching his daughter’s ringette team and his son’s hockey team.

1. What is a lesson you have learned while working here?

At Execulink, the company core values and mission statement are top of mind in my daily work. The one that resonates with me the most is “we align the interests of the individual with the interests of Execulink”. What I love about working here is that employees have a voice in creating meaning in their work. Execulink prioritizes the interests of the individual and overall business interests.

2. What is your favourite part of working at Execulink?

Since I started at Execulink two years ago the first thing you notice is the friendly atmosphere. This is my favourite part of working at Execulink. As well, there is always something new to learn to keep the job fresh. With the wide variety of tasks my job entails, I am constantly learning new things and given opportunities for growth.

3. Explain what providing an awesome customer experience means to you?

Providing an awesome experience means making sure the customer is happy. When I finish interacting with a customer, I want them to feel like a member of our Execulink family. Having clear communication with customers ensures I am meeting their expectations.

4. While at work how do you live by the “keep it simple” principle?

Although it is hard to keep things simple all the time, when talking with customers I try to adapt my language to keep the conversation on a level they will understand. I adapt to the individual customer’s understanding of the technology we are working with in their home. There are many complexities to the telecom industry but explaining the technology behind Fibre, Cable and DSL internet in an accessible manner provides a better customer experience.

5. Do you have any memorable customer interactions you would like to share?

I was called to a customer’s home in Ipperwash to repair a cut phone line. While I was there working to repair the line, I noticed the customer was home. I decided to check in with her to ensure she was happy with her services. She mentioned that her set top boxes were not working properly. I was able to repair them for her as well! This was a great opportunity to provide an awesome experience for a customer by saving her time. She no longer needed to book a second service appointment and was thrilled with her TV and phone services.

Thank you Rob for providing these awesome answers. We are so lucky to have a committed member of the team like you. If you are interested in becoming a field service technician like Rob, check out our careers page and the perfect opportunity might be available for you!

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Stressed? Discover the 4 Best Online Relaxation Tools

Posted on September 19, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

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Do the laundry. Pick up the kids from daycare. Get groceries. Buy a present for your nephew’s birthday. Get an oil change. Book a dentist appointment. Reply to those 100 emails in your inbox. This is your to-do list, and as it swims in circles in the back of your brain, you feel your pulse quicken and your teeth clench—you’re stressed.

A little bit about stress…

When we are stressed and our adrenaline kicks into gear, the body releases the hormone cortisol to help regulate the changes that occur in response to that stress. For instance, it helps stabilize our blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Cortisol usually fluctuates throughout the day and night in a nice rhythm, and it’s important that it remain in that nice rhythm. The problem is that with our busy culture, we’re often stressed for long periods of time, and so the cortisol hormone is activated more often than normal, and this can cause negative effects, including:

Impaired cognitive performance
Dampened thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances, such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Sleep disruption
Decreased muscle mass
Elevated blood pressure
Lowered immune function
Increased abdominal fat (cortisol acts on the part of the brain that controls appetite, and makes you want to eat fattier foods)

This is why stress is bad—very bad—and should be managed if you feel it is becoming a constant in your life. Watch this video for a more detailed explanation.

Luckily for us all, we live in a world where we have the resources to manage stress right at our fingertips. There is a plethora of useful de-stresser tools on the internet and your phone, you just have to know where to look. Here are some of our favourites:

1. Relax.li

This website provides both relaxing audio and video to calm your soul. Want to be on a tropical beach right now? Or would you rather be in the mountains? This site has you covered. Our favourite option is the “Relaxed cat”, although its slightly more comical than it is relaxing!

2. Calm and Headspace Apps

The benefits of meditation have been scientifically proven time and again, and it’s obvious how this silent stillness can help decrease stress. But it can be difficult to just sit and not think. These apps utilize both visuals,audio and meditation techniques to help you relax and keep your mind focused. Upon opening the app, you’ll be encouraged to take some deep, calming breaths and the ease will set in instantly.

There are also programs to teach you how to meditate, improve your sleep, reduce anxiety, and build self-esteem. These apps are subscription based and offer free trials – so check them out today and see how they calm your stressful life!

Download Calm on the App Store

Download Headspace on the App Store

Download Calm on Google Play

Download Headspace on Google Play

3. Adult Colouring Books

At some point in our busy lives, we stopped colouring. Suddenly we became adults, and it just wasn’t okay to do anymore. Well, we’re happy to announce that not only is colouring okay, but it’s actually all the rage right now! Adult colouring books are selling off the shelves because not only is it a fun thing to do, but it’s actually a great way to relax and put your mind at ease.

Check out Indigo’s selection of adult colour books here and order one today.

You can find some free, downloadable pdfs to colour here!

Why not try painting a song (seriously cool)? Check it out here!

Or making a beautiful design from digital silk (also very cool)? Check it out here!

4. ASMR

The last relaxation technique that definitely cannot be missed is ASMR, which stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Although the science is out on why it happens, it’s essentially a tingling sensation that occurs on your head, scalp and spine, as a response to different auditory cues. Some people claim to feel “tingles” with certain specific triggers, whether it be from a light whisper in their headphones, to a slight tapping on hardwood. As odd as it might seem to have some stranger whisper in your ear, ASMR has become a popular phenomenon in recent years, which is why you can find hundreds of ASMR channels on Youtube. Even W magazine has a celebrity ASMR interview playlist:

Hopefully one of these methods proves helpful in your search for inner peace in your busy, hectic life. Just remember, our bodies weren’t meant to function properly under constant stress. For the sake of your health both mentally and physically, make the time to relax. You’ll be glad you did.

Why not start right now?

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Humans of Execulink: Cody W.

Posted on September 13, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

This week we had the pleasure of learning about what being an Outside Plant Technician at Execulink involves! Cody has worked at Execulink at our Thedford office for three and a half years. He greatly enjoys his role which involves installations, servicing and maintaining both coaxial cable and Fibre networks. He truly knows what it means to live our company values!

1. How do you work to build a positive team environment?

I think that the best way to build a positive team environment is to always come to work with a positive attitude and be willing to help out my team or another department in any way that I can.

2. What are your favourite things about working at Execulink?

There are many things to love about working at Execulink. I love that I am constantly learning and being challenged in my role. There is a family-like work environment here which makes everyone feel very comfortable. There is always someone to lean on when I need help or have questions about a task or assignment. One thing I love about my specific role is that I get to be outside on a regular basis as I visit homes to set up networks.

3. While at work, how do you live by the “keep it simple” principle?

Keeping it simple can be done by following company procedures. If a coworker has a question I like to help out and provide guidance wherever needed. When I am interacting with customers I try to communicate with them based on their specific knowledge of the technology we are installing. In general, strong communication is key to keeping things simple and streamlining any project whether it be big or small.

4. What are three pieces of advice you would give a new hire in your department about working at Execulink?

The best things you can do to succeed are: work hard and take initiative, don’t be afraid to ask questions and most importantly ALWAYS remember — safety first!

5. What does providing an awesome experience for customers mean to you?

Providing an awesome experience means always ensuring the customer is happy and they are getting the high quality service they deserve. When I am communicating with customers, over the phone or in person, I try to make them feel like they are part of the Execulink family. By providing excellent customer experience, I want the customer to walk away with a positive outlook of Execulink and refer us to their friends, families and neighbours.

6. Could you explain more about the technology you are working with and the steps you take to ensure a safe working environment?

My position involves a lot of roadside work done during the day and night in all elements of weather. My team and I work on construction job sites in new developments and subdivisions. I find myself driving frequently throughout Ontario so remembering road safety is vital. Every home that I work in poses different concerns when it comes to both health and safety. When using a ladder, I ensure that it is secure so I can maintain my balance while working. It is important to take all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe workspace for myself and my coworkers.

This was a wonderful chance to learn about being a field technician at Execulink. Cody exemplifies what it means to prioritize safety and what it takes to create a family-spirited company culture. If you are interested in joining our team, please check out our careers page!

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The Most Interesting Super Mario Fan Theories

Posted on September 12, 2019July 7, 2023 by execulink@creativeone

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Did you know we’ve been playing Mario games for over 30 years!? In that time, there has been a lot of speculation about what exactly is going on in these games. Who are Mario’s parents? Is Mario actually evil? Did any of the events in the Mario games actually ever happen? These are the questions that will be asked today. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your whole Mushroom Kingdom turned upside down. Let’s get started with some outrageous and interesting fan theories!

1a. Mario and His Friends Are Merely Actors in a Stage Play

Apparently this is a rather old theory but it blew my mind when I first read about it. The first two games stand outside this theory (I’ll get to that later), but starting with the third game, everything is just a theatrical performance in which they are reenacting the previous games’ events.

Check out the evidence from Super Mario 3 and make up your own mind:

http://i.imgur.com/MCQB1.jpg

A few more facts that back up this theory:

– There is little to no continuity in the games. Sometimes players are good and work together and sometimes they are evil and work against each other and there is no explanation.

– Each of the levels in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine are called episodes.

– You can see a camera crew in several Mario games.

Mind blown, right? Well, that’s only the beginning.

1b. Super Mario Bros. (1) is the Only Time Bowser Truly Kidnapped Princess Peach.

So let’s say they are just plays, or episodes. That means that the original game is the only actual time Bowser kidnapped Peach. But what about Super Mario Bros 2, you ask? Well, think back to that game. It was completely different from the other Mario games. You plucked vegetables from the ground, killed enemies like “Birdo” (who we never see again), and your goal was not to save Princess, but to kill a bad-guy named “Wart”. Why?!

Well, we looked into it, and apparently Super Mario Bros. 2 was actually based on the game Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (translated as “Dream Factory: Heart-Pounding Panic“), which was a Japan-only video game developed by Nintendo in 1987. The idea behind the game is that it’s all just a crazy dream, which is exactly what Super Mario Bros. 2 is. Now, if you’re like us, you don’t remember anything about it being a dream. But check out the storyline that came in the instruction booklet:

2. Mario is the Real Bad Guy

In all the Mario games, it’s implied that Mario is the good guy, and that Bowser and his “minions” are evil. But when you think about it, what kind of evil actions do we actually see being committed by them? They’re just hanging out, practicing their hammer-throws and fireball skills. Then we have Mario, who rampages from world to world killing hundreds of goombas and koopas, jumping on their heads and kicking their shells at each other. Not only that, but Mario destroys their homes (castles), steals their money (coins), and kills their King (Bowser).

Some might point to the Mushroom people as Mario’s allies. However, this reddit user claims it’s clear that if you look closely at the games, the Mushroom people are slaves and Mario is their overlord. Mario literally eats the heads off Mushroom people to gain strength and more power. Mario is such a destructive force that the Mushroom people constantly move the Princess to different castles to throw Mario off.

3. They’re All Puppets and Peach is the Puppeteer

But what about Peach getting captured all the time and Mario trying to be the hero and save her? Well, some say that she is actually the puppeteer behind it all! She has made a pact with Bowser to make it seem like she is captured, so that Mario will be lured to Bowser and killed by him. Meanwhile, Mario will kill most of Bowser’s minions (and Bowser too, in the end) so Peach can regain peace in the kingdom! Not just a pretty face after all.

4. Donkey Kong Killed Mario and Luigi’s Father

The original at left, sequel Donkey Kong Jr. at right https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-greatest-gaming-rebirths https://www.gamesradar.com/top-7-greatest-gaming-rebirths/

Are the Donkey Kong arcade games a separate series, or are they actually the prologue to Super Mario Bros? Many people have assumed that the hero Jumpman from Donkey Kong is actually Mario, because of their obvious resemblance. But this reddit user explains that the reason for the resemblance is not because Jumpman is Mario, but because Jump man is actually Mario’s father! Not only that, but he was in fact killed by DK Jr.!

A Breakdown of the Facts:

Mario loves Princess Peach in the Mushroom Kingdom, whereas Jumpman loves Pauline and lives in New York City. If they’re the same person, that means Mario left his wife in NYC, and somehow ended up in the Mushroom Kingdom. That’s one big mid-life crisis.

This one’s complicated. Remember Cranky Kong from the Donkey Kong Country games? He outright says that he was the original Donkey Kong, which means his son, DK (the hero), is actually DK Jr. from the 80’s arcade game Donkey Kong Junior. Now, follow me here: in Yoshi’s Island DS, the Yoshi’s get help from many different babies including Mario and DK (Jr.), making Mario and DK Jr. the same age. But in the Donkey Kong Junior arcade game, DK Jr. is featured as very young, while Mario (Jumpman) looks the same age as he was in the first Donkey Kong game, meaning that he must be older than Mario, meaning Jumpman and Mario are two different people! Also in Donkey Kong Junior, DK Jr. is actually the hero, who is trying to save Donkey Kong from Jumpman, who captured him as revenge for stealing Pauline. This does not sound like the Mario we know and love.

Furthermore, Jumpman actually dies at the end of Donkey Kong Junior. He hits the ground with a splat and then you see a halo over his head. THE END. That can’t be our Mario!

What bothers me about this theory is that Mario doesn’t seem to care that DK killed his dad. They still go-kart together and hang out like buddies. It seems Mario has redirected all his inner demons towards Bowser, poor guy.

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/mediawiki/apis.ign.com/smash-bros-project-m/thumb/f/f8/Doc.png/228px-Doc.png

5. Dr. Mario is the Third Mario Brother

Mario has had plenty of professions over the years: plumber, carpenter, boxing official, hero… but where would he find the time to become a doctor?

The reddit user who introduced this theory wrote of his Super Smash Bros character, “He has a similar move set to Mario and Luigi, and while Luigi is a lighter and floatier comparison to Mario, Dr. Mario is a heavier, harder hitting alternative. Dr. Mario’s hair is also lighter than Mario’s, taking an almost blonder or more auburn tint to the plumber’s dark brown hair. Mario also seems to be more athletic than Dr. Mario as he is faster and can wall jump, whereas the doctor cannot.” Reading the comments section I found another alternative to this theory: Dr. Mario is the Mario Bros. father returned! Age accounts for him being heavier and slower, and age also accounts for his lighter hair colour, because it has greyed!

https://giphy.com/gifs/nintendo-mario-nes-GNvWw0pDL6QRW

6. The Coins are Souls

This one’s a little dark, but it’s one of our favourites. You know how you get a coin every time you hit, smash, burn or generally destroy an object or enemy? What you’re actually getting is that thing’s soul.

A user on reddit notes, “The instruction manual for [Super Mario Bros. 1] states that the inhabitants of [Mushroom Kingdom] were turned into bricks (yes, the exact same ones that [Mario] smashed on his journey). If the bricks are [Mushroom Kingdom] residents, then how are there coins inside them? What if Mario was actually harvesting the souls of innocent toads?”

When you think of the coins as their souls, it gives a little more credence to the earlier theory that Mario is in fact the bad guy in the series of games!

http://orig11.deviantart.net/acf0/f/2007/016/c/4/wario_by_warioandwaluigiclub.jpg

7. Wario is a crazed Mario fan.

Like Eminem’s Stan, Wario isn’t inherently a bad guy; he’s just a superfan who’s not sure how to process his feelings of admiration for Mario! Check it out:

– Mario is often established as being incredibly famous. When he meets characters, they always say how glad they are to meet a celebrity like him.

– You know those over-the-top dressed superfans as hockey games? Wario’s outfit is the superfan equivalent of Mario’s: overalls, white gloves, mustache and a cap with an upside down “M”

– Wario has starred in his own Mario-like games. He’s practically copying him.

– In Super Mario Land 2, Wario lives in a castle with a statue of Mario in front. Of course, it’s revealed that this place used to be Mario’s own castle, but still, Wario could have had the statue demolished, right?

Well, those are our favourite fan theories about Mario. Hopefully they got you thinking. They certainly got us questioning our entire childhood!

If you’re looking for more answers, check out this video interview of the creator of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto. He answers a lot of questions, including the one about it all being a theatrical performance! If you are interested in upgrading your video game experience, check out our Internet packages. Execulink offers speeds perfect for streaming, downloading, and gaming.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Sources
Mashable.com
Gamesradar.com
Marion News and Cheats

What Internet Speed Do I Need?

Posted on September 6, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

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If you’re looking to get internet for the first time in your home or upgrade your service, it can be difficult choosing the right package and internet speed. We’ll show you what to look for, review some common options, and help you plan ahead so that you can be better prepared for finding the best package for your home or business!

How is Internet Speed Measured?

Internet speed is measured by how much data your internet connection can download or upload per second. In both download and upload types, the speed is commonly measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

Today, families are doing more online than ever before and having a fast download speed is vital. Downloading content such as television shows, music, and social media are common online activities for families at home.

Fast upload speeds are needed for things like video calls, transferring photos to the cloud, and uploading large files to a server. If you have multiple devices at home, upload speeds can impact how those devices interact with each other.

A good starting point for internet speed is 25 Mbps. Anything lower, and you may experience buffering when streaming video, difficulty connecting multiple devices, and other internet connectivity issues. Knowing how you use your internet at home will help you decide if you need more than a basic package.

What Internet Speed Do I Need At Home?

Internet speed affects a wide range of applications, and understanding what you use your internet for and how many people use their devices at the same time will help determine the speed your home needs to keep up.. Although your internet usage may fluctuate from day-to-day, outlining your basic tasks can keep the whole family happy and connected.

Connecting All Your Devices

With continuing advancements in technology, it’s becoming easier and more affordable for households to have a variety of devices to connect to the internet. Common internet-enabled devices in homes today include:

Smartphones
Tablets
Desktops and laptop computers
Video game systems
Streaming television services such as Netflix, Crave and Hulu
Streaming media like Apple TV, Roku or Google Chromecast
Smart speakers such as Alexa and Google Assistant

Although you might not use all of your devices at the same time, they do require suitable internet speeds to maximize their performance. By taking stock of your inventory, you can be better prepared to know what download or upload speeds your family needs.

Uploading Photos and Data

If you’re sending data between your devices, the cloud helps to store data for uploading and downloading content. The internet speed in your home can determine how quickly photos, data files, videos, and music can be transferred from one device to the other.

Television and Movies

With networks such as Netflix, Crave, Hulu, HBO, and Disney providing video-streaming services, it’s becoming more important to have an internet speed to accommodate the television programming that you and your family enjoy. To illustrate how important speed is, here are a few typical internet speeds to compare:

Netflix: Requires 5 Mbps
Skype: Requires 1.2 Mbps
Facetime: Requires 2.8 Mbps for basic HD viewing

Since television streaming is on the higher end, it’s important to have an internet package that can accommodate your favourite entertainment services. By choosing the right internet speed for your services, you can avoid things like buffering, connectivity issues, and interference from other devices.

If you are interested in adding Crave and HBO to your Link TV lineup be sure to check out our TV page to learn more!

Music

Live streaming music sites are becoming more popular for fans. No matter what genre or artist you love, online streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music are affordable ways of increasing your music library.

Video Games

Whether you like to play online video games on powerful engines or download content onto your favourite system, you’ll need a solid internet connection to maximize your experience. Getting slowed down by a poor connection during your game can ruin your experience, cost you all the hard work you put into it, and make playing less enjoyable.

Education

The internet plays a crucial role in supporting anyone who’s pursuing education. Whatever level of education you or your family members are in, a suitable internet speed can help with:

Researching the web for valuable information
Completing online homework assignments
Sending emails, studying with friends, or streaming group work
Attending online classes and workshops
Applying for higher education opportunities

Most schools expect students to access online resources to complete their assignments and increase their knowledge. By having a reliable and fast internet connection, you and your family can ensure that you have the tools needed to foster your education.

What Internet Speed Do I Need for My Home Business?

If you’re a small business owner who works from home, internet speed can have a major impact on your business operations. Depending on the nature of your business, having the right speed can help you with reliable customer service, process credit card transactions, and run applications through the cloud.

Fast internet speeds in the 100 Mbps range are often the best speed for most home-based businesses, especially if you want your internet connection to support multiple devices and users at once. A faster Internet speed makes everyday business tasks like streaming video, sending documents, and downloading large files much more efficient.

If you work from home, you can take advantage of bundling your services together. Choosing a package that includes landline phones, cable television, and a faster internet connection can reduce the costs of your business while providing your family with everything they need. Check out some of our bundle options today!

High-Speed Internet With Execulink Telecom

Whether you’re looking for higher speed options for streaming and gaming or basic packages for surfing the internet, we have the services you and your family deserve.

With 24/7 support and a wide range of Internet options to suit every lifestyle , we have the awesome services your home or business needs to stay connected to what matters the most! Call us at 1-866-706-1992 today or visit our Internet page to find the Internet package you’ve been looking for!

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

10 Tech Acronyms You Need to Know

Posted on August 23, 2019July 7, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

The world of technology can be confusing with many different acronyms flying around, sometimes it feels like it’s complicated enough, why do we need to abbreviate every word or phrase when it comes to technology? Not to mention, the LOLs or OMGs used when texting. That’s why we developed this handy guide to help you navigate your way through the most common telecom-industry jargon. This will help you better understand the terms we use when discussing your plan, speeds and data usage limits. As well, an explanation of the awesome features we have included in your TV plans.

1. DNS – Domain Name System

DNS (Domain Name System) exists to help us access resources online. It is a collection of network servers that translate website names (e.g. www.google.ca) into IP addresses (e.g. 74.125.226.56.) IP addresses are what computers use to communicate with each other, but people prefer meaningful names. We would much rather type http://www.execulink.mywebpreview.ca than 199.166.6.11. We offer Hosting & Domain services, if you are interested in creating your own domain name for your business.

2. GB – Gigabyte or MB – Megabyte

On a fundamental level:

One Gigabyte (GB) is a billion bytes.

One Megabyte (MB) is a million bytes.

We use this method unit of measurement to quantify the data limits on our Internet and Mobility plans. The technical background of what a byte is can become complicated. It is easier to comprehend when you think of Internet usage in terms of how much time you spend browsing, streaming or downloading and then correspond your plan limits to your internet usage behavior.

In terms of our internet plans, if you choose a plan with a 100GB, 150GB or 400GB data usage cap, it is likely that you have moderate or light usage behaviors and are not frequently streaming, online gaming and don’t have smart home devices. If you choose an unlimited plan, then you are likely a heavy usage internet user or just prefer to never worry about going over your data usage.

In terms of our monthly Mobility plans, if you choose one of the following, this is the equivalent in internet usage behavior, based on this blog’s analysis of mobile data.

250 MB plan: 3 hours of web page browsing or download 50 songs or stream 7.5 minutes of HD video streaming

500 MB plan: 6 hours of web page browsing or download 100 songs or 15 minutes of HD video streaming

1 GB plan: 12 hours of web page browsing or download 200 songs or stream 30 minutes of HD video streaming

4 GB plan: 48 hours of web page browsing or download 800 songs or stream 2 hours of HD video streaming

10 GB plan: 120 hours of web page browsing or download 2000 songs or stream 5 hours of HD video streaming

3. Mbps – Megabits per second

As opposed to MB and GB which denote megaBYTES, Mbps refers to MegaBITS. These are a smaller unit of measurement than the byte, and refer to the amount of bits transferred over your Internet connection. A higher Mpbs plan means faster internet. The higher your internet speed, the faster you can upload and download text, audio and video online.

4. FTTH – Fibre to the Home

A FTTH connection happens when Fibre internet is delivered directly to your doorstep. Other methods bring the Fibre cables to your neighbourhood, from there speeds would be shared, resulting in a sometimes interrupted connection. Fibre to your home provides you with faster internet speeds and more reliable internet. The cables also run underground which makes them weather proof!

5. HaaS – Hardware as a Service

In the context of our services, this refers to when you rent a modem, router or set-top box from Execulink. You are renting the utility of the hardware rather than owning the hardware itself. The biggest advantage of renting devices from us is you are also getting 24/7 technical support.

6. DVR – Digital Video Recorder

Our customers have the choice to rent set-top boxes that are equipped with a DVR, an electronic device that records video in a digital format. As well, many of our DVR devices are cloud-based (aka Cloud DVR) – meaning the shows you decide to record for later are uploaded online rather than on your set-top box. With our Link TV service you get 5 hours of Cloud DVR recording time included with your package, with the option to add more as you please!

Please note Cloud DVR is available isn’t available in all areas.

7. STB – Set-Top Box

An information appliance platform that delivers TV services. he set-top box can also contain a digital video recorder, like mentioned above, that allows you to record your favourite shows for later.

8. VOD – Video ‘On Demand’

A form of video distribution that allows users to watch TV and movie content whenever they choose instead of at a regular broadcast time. Check out our On Demand page here to see what new movies and shows you can catch on demand.

9. HDTV – High Definition Television

This has to do with the resolution of the TV service you are getting on screen. This is becoming the industry standard of television image resolution. HDTV provides about 5 times as many pixels as standard definition television. With a higher number of pixels, this creates a clearer and more detailed picture with more lifelike images on screen. HD also results in less flickering and better rendering of fast motion.

10. ISP – Internet Service Provider

That’s us –Execulink! An ISP is an organization that provides services for accessing the Internet. We provide and create the backbone of your Internet service through our cable, fibre, telephone line, wireless tower and server infrastructure.

These acronyms will hopefully help you figure out what your Internet, TV and Mobility plans are providing you. If you are interested in what our latest plans are, check out our Internet page, TV page or Mobility page. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to our Sales team at 1-866-706-1994 or through live chat on our website!

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

The Ultimate Fall 2019 TV Guide

Posted on August 16, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

Click here to learn more about Link TV!

Back to school also means back to TV. Fall is the time of year when new shows and new seasons start dominating our TV screens, and we have your ultimate Fall 2019 TV guide right here! Enjoy lots of great new shows like W Network’s Nancy Drew and All Rise available on CTV, plus many returning favourites. Be sure to catch the final season of Modern Family!

Sunday

A Little Late with Lilly Singh – Season 1 – Global TV – September 16^th – 1:35am

Kids Say the Darndest Things – Season 1 – Global TV – October 6^th – 8pm

Bat Woman – Season 1 – Showcase – October 6^th – 8pm

Sunday Night Football – September 8^th – CTV and TSN – 8:20pm

Keeping Up with the Kardashians – Season 17 – E! –September 8^th – 9pm

The Walking Dead – Season 10 – October 6^th – AMC – 9pm

The Rookie – Season 2 – Bravo – September 29^th – 10pm

Madam Secretary – Season 6 – Global TV – October 6^th – 10pm

Monday

9-1-1 – Season 3 – Global TV – September 23^rd – 8pm

Bob Hears Abishola – Season 1 – CTV – September 23^rd – 8:30pm

The Deuce – Season 3 – HBO – September 6^th – 9pm

All Rise – Season 1 – CTV – September 23^rd – 9pm

Prodigal Son – Season 1 – Global TV – September 23^rd – 9pm

The Good Doctor – Season 3 – CTV – September 23rd – 10pm

Tuesday

NCIS: New Orleans – Season 6 – Global TV – September 24^th – 7pm

NCIS – Season 17 – Global TV – September 24^th – 8pm

FBI – Season 2 – Global TV – September 24^th – 9pm

This Is Us – Season 4 – CTV – September 24^th – 9pm

New Amsterdam – Global TV – September 24^th – 10pm

Emergence – Season 1 – CTV – September 24^th – 10pm

Wednesday

Survivor – Season 39 – Global TV – September 25^th – 8pm

The Masked Singer – Season 2 – CTV – September 25^th – 8pm

Almost Family – Season 1 – CTV – October 2^nd – 9pm

Nancy Drew – Season 1 – W Network – October 9^th – 9pm

Modern Family – Season 11 – Global TV – September 25^th – 9pm

Single Parents – Season 2 – Global TV – September 25^th – 9:30 pm

S.W.A.T. – Season 3 – Global TV – 10pm

American Horror Story – Season 9 – FX – September 18^th – 10 pm

Stumptown – Season 1 – CTV – September 25^th – 10pm

Thursday

Grey’s Anatomy – Season 16 – CTV – September 26^th – 8pm

Superstore – Season 5 – Global TV – September 26^th – 8pm

The Unicorn – Season 1 – Global TV – September 26^th – 8:30 pm

A Million Little Things – Season 2 – City TV – September 26^th – 9pm

The Good Place – Season 4 – Global TV – September 26^th – 9pm

Legacies – Season 2 – Showcase – October 10^th – 9pm

Carols Second Act – Season 1 – Global TV – September 26^th – 9:30pm

Evil – Season 1 – Global TV – September 26^th – 10pm

How to Get Away with Murder – Season 6 – CTV – September 26^th – 10pm

Friday

Hawaii Five-0 – Season 10 – Global TV – September 27^th – 8pm

Charmed – Season 2 – W Network – October 11^th – 8pm

The Blacklist – Season 7 – Global TV – October 4^th – 9pm

SEAL Team – Season 3 – Global TV – October 2^nd – 10pm

Blue Bloods – Season 10 – CTV – September 27^th – 10pm

Saturday

Saturday Night Live – Global TV – September 28 – 11 pm

Tons of awesome shows are coming to your screens this fall. Click here to learn more about Link TV and all the channels you could add to your lineup!

Click here to learn more about Link TV!

Solutions to 5 Everyday Tech Problems

Posted on August 2, 2019May 30, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Life is hard enough without daily tech problems that cause massive irritation. Removing everyday frustrations can improve your mood and lead to other positive changes in your life. But technology can be very difficult at times! So with that in mind, we have compiled a few different solutions to popular technology problems that if you follow will make your computer or mobile phone run better and hopefully improve your life all around!

1. Saving your phone’s battery

Phone batteries are a source of pain for many people, especially when travelling or being away from home. As your phone gets older, the battery life will begin to degrade because rechargeable technology only allows for a certain amount of recharges before it begins to lose chargeability. You will begin to experience low battery life, even if you had just recently charged the device. Here are a few different ways to conserve your battery’s power:

Lower the brightness of your screen to at least the halfway point on the slider
Avoid using a charger from a different manufacturer, it can mess with your phone’s functionality and cause it to overheat.
Go into your phone’s settings and see if there is an option for “low power mode” to decrease the strain on your battery.
Charge your phone before it hits the >10% point, the lower you let your battery drain, the more it will degrade
Don’t leave your phone charging overnight

2. You have updates on your computer that you ignore

It is extremely beneficial for your computer to actually follow through with updates. They will make the machine run better because they contain bug fixes or security adjustments. However, do not approve updates that pop up when you are browsing on public networks or ones that look unfamiliar to you.

3. You’ve cracked the glass on your phone screen

First it is recommended to reach out to the manufacturer of your mobile phone. Manufacturers typically have a limited time warranty if your phone is less than a certain number of years old. If you have one of our Nokia phones check out their site for more information on insurance and extended warranty plans!

If you have an iPhone and choose to get Apple Care+ you can get coverage for two years from your Apple Care+ purchase date. If you have a Samsung phone, you may want to consider Samsung Protection Plus.

The cost of these insurance plans are worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing your screen will be easily fixed if you ever drop or damage your phone.

4. Forgotten passwords

This is a problem that everyone has struggled with at some point; You thought you knew your password but you keep getting locked out. There are a few tips and tricks that can help you save your passwords in a safe and reliable way, so you don’t have to rely on your memory. You can use plug-ins on your browser if you use Google Chrome. The browser will prompt you to save your password. The browser encrypts the information to keep it secure. You can also get password management systems like Last Pass which stores encrypted passwords online.

5. Tangled headphones

If you constantly find yourself wrestling with the balled-up headphone cord in your pocket when you just want to listen to a podcast or a new album by your favourite band, check out this video learn the best method of wrapping your headphones!

Or better yet – buy some wireless Bluetooth headphones!

These are just a few problems that irk us the most. Finding ways to solve everyday tech problems can help improve the functionality of your devices and not to mention bring you peace of mind!

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

6 Reasons Why Your Home Needs Fibre Internet

Posted on July 26, 2019July 7, 2023 by Meredith Gillin

Click here to learn more about Execulink’s Fibre services

There are many reasons why Fibre to the Home (FTTH) is the gold standard for Internet services. If you are unhappy with your current speeds or find yourself annoyed with constant buffering when streaming the latest shows on Crave, then it might be time to consider switching to Fibre. This blog will outline what the key advantages of Fibre are and all the awesome ways your household could benefit from making the switch!

What is Fibre internet?

Fibre to the Home internet is an internet connection that transmits data by fibre optic cables. Let’sbreak down exactly what “Fibre optic cables” are – Fibre is the thin glass wires inside the larger protective cable, and “Optic” refers to the way the data is transferred – through light signals. Therefore, an internet connection using fibre optic cables delivers data using light signals via small, flexible, glass wires. The light uses an electromagnetic carrier wave to move the information and deliver it to your home.

1. Fibre is the future

Consumer demand for fast, reliable internet is growing at a rapid pace. Fibre has virtually unlimited bandwidth and is able to span long distances which makes it future proof. FTTH connections will be able to handle future technologies we haven’t even dreamt of yet like holographic TV! With Fibre internet expanding its profile across the world, this could inspire new Internet based products and services that could open entire new business sectors. Since consumers are demanding faster internet, having a FTTH connection may also increase the value of your home.

2. Fibre to the Home (FTTH) provides the most benefits

There are many acronyms surrounding Fibre Internet. We offer Fibre to the Home (FTTH) or Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Internet. This just means that the Fibre lines we lay go directly to your house. This provides much faster speeds than if the Fibre cables ran to the node near your house (FTTN) or to your curb (FTTC). These networks use copper cables to transmit data, however,the further your home is located from the node, the more your connection speeds can diminish using FTTN.

3. Speed

Execulink offers Fibre speeds up to 1Gbps, which is a powerful speed of 1000 Mbps! With FTTH services you should not notice any slowdowns during peak periods of Internet demand like you could experience with a regular cable connection.

4. Bandwidth

Thanks to the glass strands that make up the fibre cables, bandwidth is virtually unlimited. This will allow you to have a more awesome streaming, uploading and downloading experience!

5. Reliability – weather proof?

The weather in Canada can be unpredictable. Another key benefit of Fibre is that the cables run underground, so they are not impacted by rain, snow or anything else the Canadian weather systems throw our way. As well, Fibre is made of glass which does not conduct electricity so the cables are not effected by weather conditions like lightening. Fibre lines are much stronger than traditional copper lines.

6. Security

Fibre doesn’t have an electromagnetic field which makes it resistant to surveillance equipment. As well, the lack of electromagnetic field means that Fibre cables are not impacted by proximity to heavy machinery. The only way to interrupt Fibre internet is to physically cut the fibres which would cause the Internet connection to disappear.

What makes your home ideal for Fibre to the home?

Do you actively stream or use video calling frequently?

Do you love to stream using services like Crave TV? One HD movie takes up as much bandwidth as 35,000 web pages. Fibre supports HD videos because of its ability to give you more bandwidth. If you work from home and need to video conference into your office, Fibre allows those calls to be smoother and less stressful.

Do you use cloud based storage services and backup or file sharing services?

Dropbox? Google Drive? These are becoming more and more popular for file sharing and storage. If you find yourself uploading your photos and documents to the Cloud, then you would probably benefit from the faster speeds and more bandwidth associated with Fibre.

Do you have any active gamers in your household?

Do you have members of your household who actively play real-time or multiplayer video games like Xbox Live or PlayStation network? These type of online activities use up a lot of your bandwidth. With Fibre your entire family can enjoy internet surfing without slowdowns!

Do you have many people in your household?

Having many roommates or family members using Internet on all of their respective devices like smart phones, TVs, laptops and tablets creates a large strain on your household internet usage. Fibre has the ability to support multiple users so you never need to worry!

Check out our website to see if you qualify for Fibre to the Home. This exciting technology provides unlimited options for the future and for your household!

Click here to learn more about Execulink’s Fibre services