High-Speed Internet Service
Tell me about high-speed Internet
Do I have to keep my Verizon service to get Becket Broadband’s service?
So… how can I watch TV over my Becket Broadband fiber connection?
Can I view all of the same content over the Internet that I currently watch using my satellite dish?
I could use some more guidance around streaming. Do you have additional resources?
How can I watch local TV channels?
How can I check viability and options for receiving broadcast TV at my home’s location?
Can I get help setting up a connection to my TV and other devices?
Tell me about high-speed Internet.
There are two Internet connection speed options:
- 25 Mbps (megabits per second)
- Gigabit (1000 Mbps)
For current pricing information, please see our Pricing page.
25 Mbps meets the minimum requirements of the FCC’s definition of broadband and is suitable for most basic tasks (email, web browsing, basic video streaming).
Gigabit service provides for faster file uploads and downloads as well as other activities like high-resolution video streaming—and is quickly becoming the standard connection speed across the globe.
A Wi-Fi router is included with your residential Internet service to provide wireless access for computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming systems, and other devices in your home. You should expect speeds over your Wi-Fi connection to be as fast as 450 Mbps or so for a Gigabit subscription, and close to 25 Mbps for a 25 Mbps subscription.
Do I have to keep my Verizon service to get Becket Broadband’s service?
No. Becket Broadband’s service will be delivered on a separate, fiber line. You can either keep your Verizon service or replace it with our fiber service. You could even have both. Verizon’s and Becket Broadband’s Internet and phone services are completely independent.
Offering cable- or satellite-style TV service over our network would be prohibitively expensive. The good news is that with all the TV and movie content being offered over the Internet through free or subscription services, many have found that there is no need for separate cable or satellite service. In fact we expect the volume of Internet-delivered content to continue to increase.
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What is streaming?
Streaming is the continuous transmission of data and video. When you listen to the radio or receive TV signals over the air with a TV antenna or from a satellite dish, the signal that you receive is being streamed to you. These days these streaming transmissions are also sent over the Internet. There are now even some streaming content providers that are only available over the Internet. We expect Internet streaming to become the predominant media content delivery method in the near future—if it hasn’t already.
Most high-quality streaming content is provided via paid subscription services. These services can offer any combination of live broadcast or cable TV programing (including local channels) and on-demand content like TV series, movies, and even exclusive, original productions. Examples include Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney Plus, Hulu, (HBO) Max, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Sling, Youtube TV, and Showtime Anytime. There are dozens more. And you can subscribe to one or many. The choice is yours.
Check out the great Whip City Fiber video all about streaming: whipcityfiber.com/becket/streaming/. And check this info out, too: whipcityfiber.com/pages/cut-the-cord/
So… how can I watch TV over my Becket Broadband fiber connection?
Using any of several available streaming services, you could save hundreds of dollars a year by “cutting the cord” and transitioning from satellite TV to online streaming video, sometimes called OTT (over-the-top) media service.
Here's a fun Whip City Fiber video all about streaming: whipcityfiber.com/becket/streaming/. And there's lots of helpful information here: whipcityfiber.com/pages/cut-the-cord/
You can watch on-demand programs and movies—even live television—without additional hardware on a computer, tablet, smartphone, or Smart TV. Smart TVs are newer TVs that have Internet access through your router via built-in Ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless). There are also third-party devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon FireStick, Google Chromecast, Nvidia Shield) that will allow you to watch streaming content from the Internet on a normal, “non-smart” TV. You can even stream using a gaming console such as Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, or Nintendo Wii connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Many local channels are available through streaming service providers. Refer to each service’s website to review availability. There are also website tools such as suppose.tv/tv and thestreamable.com/matchmaker that allow you to search for the best available packages that include your choice of both TV and cable channels. These streaming packages are usually much less expensive than equivalent satellite or cable TV packages.
One highly regarded option is YouTube TV, which has all the local channels, including NESN (New England Sports Network): tv.youtube.com/welcome. There are many others, of course.
Some streaming services are free, and many paid services offer a free trial period so that you can see if they’re to your liking before you commit. For more information and options, visit wiredwest.net/for-customers/can-i-get-tv.
Depending on your location and elevation you may also be able to receive several local broadcast TV channels over the air for free with an HD digital antenna. Signal strength will vary depending on your home’s geographic specifics and installed antenna height above ground.
We encourage you to do some research, decide on your preferred approach, and complete your initial streaming setup before your Becket Broadband installation so that the install technicians can best assist you in getting things going right away.
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Can I view all of the same content over the Internet that I currently watch using my satellite dish?
Yes, in many cases. For example, Dish offers Dish Anywhere, and DirectTV has a downloadable app, to view their programming on any device.
However, with a fast Internet connection, you aren’t tied to subscribing to a satellite television provider. Much of the same content is available through other, general Internet streaming services, so you can pick and choose to create the television experience that you want, often at a substantial savings.
For more information and options, see What is streaming? and So... how can I watch... , above, or visit wiredwest.net/for-customers/can-i-get-tv.
I could use some more guidance around streaming. Do you have additional resources?
Certainly. Download our streaming step-by-step PDF for a quick overview. And visit the Whip City Fiber Streaming page for all kinds of streaming information including a comprehensive beginner’s guide and how-to video. There's even more info here.
Still not feeling too tech savvy? The Whip City Tech Team can help you out if you get stuck. Call them at 1-833-923-9378.
Once COVID-19-related social distancing practices are relaxed, Whip City Fiber will return to holding regular workshops to help you with your transition to streaming.
How can I watch local TV channels?
You have two options. Either subscribe to a streaming service that offers local channels (go here for more info) or see if buying and installing a digital TV antenna is right for you (go here for more info).
How can I check viability and options for receiving broadcast TV at my home’s location?
You can check your potential signal strength and receivable TV channels at fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps. Enter your home’s full address and click “Go!” to see a list of your potentially receivable TV stations in order of estimated signal strength. Scroll down to the topographical map to check the location pin for accuracy. If necessary, using the zoom feature, drag the location pin to your home’s exact location. For the best accuracy, if you zoom in sufficiently, you may see your home’s outline. After relocating the pin (if necessary), scroll back up to see the results.
There are similar tools at tvfool.com and elsewhere. Using several such tools may help you get the best practical outlook for broadcast TV reception for your home.
Digital antennas range in price from $10 to $150, depending upon how many channels you hope to receive. You can purchase them at brick and mortar stores or online. As you may suspect there’s plenty of digital TV antenna information to be found online, like here:
techhive.com/article/583544/the-best-tv-antennas.html
Can I get help setting up a connection to my TV and other devices?
Yes. Please see the details in our Customer Service section.