Read the entire August JWEMC issue of Alabama Living online
We Can Do It Together!
In our previous issue, we talked about the transformative journey of your electric cooperative venturing into the world of fiber internet. This initiative is not just about providing high-speed internet; it's about strengthening the fabric of our community, ensuring that every member has access to the digital world. As we continue this journey, we aim to inspire you to join us and experience the unparalleled benefits of our fiber internet service.
Why Not Support the Company You Already Own?
One of the unique advantages of choosing our fiber internet service is the power of the local cooperative ownership. Unlike big, faceless corporations, FlashFiber is owned by your own Joe Wheeler EMC that is rooted in this community. Our cooperative has a longstanding history of serving you with reliable electricity, and we bring the same dedication and commitment to our fiber internet service. Every dollar you spend with us is reinvested into improving local infrastructure, creating jobs, and fostering community development. By choosing our service, you are not just a customer; you are a valued member of a cooperative that cares about your needs and well-being.
We Can Do It Together!
We believe in the strength of cooperative collaboration. This fiber internet project is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together. The overwhelming majority of our cooperative members voted in favor of the fiber project, demonstrating a shared vision for a connected future. Your support is crucial in turning this vision into reality. Together, we can create a robust digital infrastructure that benefits everyone.
Unmatched Speed and Reliability.
FlashFiber offers blazing-fast speeds that cater to all your digital needs, whether it's streaming your favorite shows, participating in virtual meetings, or ensuring your children have seamless access to online education. Fiber technology is known for its reliability and stability, even during peak usage times. This means fewer interruptions and a smoother online experience for you and your family.
The Path to Profitability and Savings.
The sooner our fiber internet service, FlashFiber, reaches profitability, the sooner we can start refunding profits back to the cooperative to help defray electric costs. This creates a win-win situation where you enjoy top-notch internet service while also benefiting from potential savings on your electric bills. We have seen similar successes in other regions, such as Chattanooga, where a built-out fiber system has kept electric rates stable for the past several years.
Join Us in Building a Brighter Future.
By choosing FlashFiber, you are investing in a brighter future of your cooperative. You are helping to build a resilient, future-proof infrastructure that will serve us all for years to come. Let’s continue to work together, leveraging the strength of our cooperative to bring cutting-edge connectivity to every corner of our community. Join us in this exciting journey and be a part of something truly transformative. Join the success story of Joe Wheeler EMC, and choose FlashFiber today!
Gene Kanikovsky
JWEMC General Manager and CEO
Peace of Mind, now included for FREE!
At FlashFiber, we think peace of mind should just be part of the package.
That's why we are GIVING all customers with our most popular family packages access to world-class parental controls, ExperienceIQ. FOR FREE!
Starting this month, ExperienceIQ will be installed on your FlashFiber Home app at no cost to you on all residential 1 Gbps and 2 Gbps packages.
So, what is ExperiencelQ?
A service that protects your children or grandchildren from harmful or inappropriate content, limits screen time on devices or applications, and displays online usage through our enhanced parental control app.
How is this going to benefit your family?
- Block inappropriate categories like pornography or violence.
- Block applications that you deem inappropriate (e.g. gaming applications like Call of Duty, or social applications like Snapchat.)
- Set time limits for specific applications, like TikTok, to cap screen time.
- Set Safe Search and YouTube Restriction to block harmful or inappropriate content when searching Google, Bing or YouTube. YouTube Restriction also blocks all comments on videos which often include inappropriate language.
- View usage for all devices to better understand HOW the internet is being used in your home.
- Prioritize application groups or specific devices to ensure the best possible experiences for your most important needs.
To learn how to access your FREE ExperienceIQ, click HERE.
Back to School with FlashFiber:
The Ultimate Internet Solution for Students
As your students gear up for another academic year, one essential school supply you can't afford to overlook is a fast, reliable internet connection. FlashFiber, your hometown internet solution, offers three exceptional packages — 500 Mbps for $59.95 per month, 1 Gbps for $79.95 per month, and 2 Gbps for $99.95 per month — designed to meet the needs of students and their families. Here's how FlashFiber can enhance the educational experience this school year.
Efficient Online Learning
A robust internet connection is critical, with many area schools incorporating online components into their curriculum. FlashFiber's 500 Mbps package ensures your students can participate in virtual classes, access educational resources, and submit assignments without connectivity issues. At just $59.95 per month, this plan offers ample speed for smooth video conferencing and seamless access to online learning platforms.
Collaboration and Research Made Easy
Group projects and research assignments often require extensive online collaboration. FlashFiber's 1 Gbps package, priced at $79.95 per month, provides students with the speed needed to collaborate in real-time on shared documents, conduct extensive online research, and download large files quickly. This package ensures that students can work together effectively, regardless of physical location.
Enhancing Multimedia Learning
Modern education increasingly relies on multimedia content, from educational videos to interactive simulations. The 2 Gbps package from FlashFiber, available for $99.95 per month, is ideal for students needing to quickly access high-definition content. This plan guarantees that streaming educational videos, attending virtual labs, and participating in online discussions are smooth and uninterrupted.
Supporting Multiple Devices
In a typical household, multiple devices—laptops, tablets, smartphones—are often connected to the internet simultaneously. FlashFiber's high-speed packages ensure that all devices can operate without lag, even when several family members are online simultaneously. This is especially beneficial for families with multiple students, each with their own online learning needs.
Reliable Customer Support
Navigating technical issues can be a challenge, especially during crucial study times. FlashFiber's dedicated customer support team is available to assist with any problems, ensuring that students have a reliable connection when they need it most.
As the new school year approaches, investing in a dependable internet connection is more important than ever. FlashFiber's range of residential fiber internet packages offers the speed, reliability, and value students need to excel. Whether it's for attending virtual classes, collaborating on projects, or accessing multimedia resources, FlashFiber ensures that students are well-equipped for academic success. Choose FlashFiber and make this school year the best yet. Visit jwflash.com, or call 256-552-2300 to get connected now.
The Power of Smart Home Technologies
By Anne Prince
Smart home technologies are transforming how we live, making our homes more comfortable, convenient and energy efficient than ever before.
Smart home technologies are devices that communicate with each other to automate everyday tasks and functions around the home, like heating and cooling, lighting and security. In addition to convenience, smart technologies enable consumers to manage and monitor their energy consumption through device scheduling and control.
With just a tap on your phone or a voice command to your virtual assistant (like Alexa or Siri), you can conveniently control many aspects of your home environment. If you’re new to the smart tech world, there are several cost-effective devices you can try as you explore ways to make your home smarter.
One of the best and most inexpensive places to start is with a smart bulb or plug. Smart LED bulbs allow you to control home lighting remotely through a smartphone app or voice commands. You can set schedules to automatically turn lights off or on, which can help you save energy and boost home security.
Smart plugs are another inexpensive way to give electronics and small appliances the smart home treatment. Smart plugs allow you to set schedules and remotely control power to lamps, small appliances and electronics, minimizing standby energy consumption and maximizing convenience. For example, you can sync the timing of your bedside lamp, alarm, speakers and coffee maker to turn on at the same time each morning.
If Alexa or Siri is already part of your household, you can build on your existing “tech ecosystem” by adding a smart hub, like Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod. Voice assistants that are synced to smart devices like bulbs and plugs provide additional options for device management and allow family members to interact with the various devices through voice control rather than individual apps.
Home heating and cooling account for a significant portion of energy use, so one of the best investments you can make in smart tech is a smart thermostat. While traditional programmable thermostats can be set to your schedule and preferences, a smart thermostat takes this one step further by learning and adjusting to your routine and building a schedule around it.
Smart security systems are popular options for homeowners looking for advanced security solutions that incorporate cameras, sensors and cloud-based video recordings. As with other smart technologies, smart security systems provide convenient, flexible ways to monitor homes (and businesses), giving you peace of mind even when you’re away.
If you’re considering smart tech for your home, start by defining your goals. Is saving energy your top priority, or are you aiming to improve home security? Smart home technologies provide great convenience — but remember, they are internet-connected devices. That means you’ll need a stable Wi-Fi connection to ensure devices are working properly, and you’ll need strong passwords for your router and individual devices.
Whether you’re looking to automate every aspect of your home or simply want to try a device or two, smart technologies have the power to transform your living space into a home where comfort and convenience reign supreme.