What is WiFi 6?
The next generation of WiFi is making its way into our lives as faster internet is always in demand. With more people working from home and the amount of videos, apps, and games we use with our computers, phones and tablets, we start to consume more and more bandwidth. WiFi 6 to set become the standard to help alleviate network congestion.
WiFi 6 allows data to be transmitted through multiple frequencies simultaneously at a faster rate of speed providing the best, whole home coverage. We can possibly expect even faster internet speeds like 5 Gbps in the future. Novus is already offering 2.5 Gbps in select buildings and are continuing to add new buildings. A friendly reminder that speeds may vary between devices – you will not be able to expect all devices to be able to handle extremely fast speeds.
Safety and Performance
WiFi 6 will be able to support advanced encryption and authorization systems – Which means your information will be protected and stay private despite being connected to a public WiFi network. This is a great benefit of WiFi 6 since more & more people are connecting to public networks such as coffee shops, libraries, schools etc. The enhanced encryption techniques will allow us to feel safer when connected to public WiFi.
Faster
WiFi 6 as mentioned earlier provides faster speeds. The speeds should be 40% faster with WiFi 6 compared to the previous generation if only one device is connected to the WiFi router.
We’ve always told customers that the 2.4GHz band is less stable and more prone to interference, especially in MDU buildings. However, with WiFi 6, the standard speed isn’t only going to increase, the fact that it still penetrates solid objects better than 5GHz still stands – Plus, as the old cordless phones and baby monitors are no longer as popular, the interference for 2.4GHz will be less as well.
Novus WiFi 6 Routers
WiFi 6 is the future and it’s here today! Novus’ next generation routers are WiFi 6 compatible and we’re confident that they will give you the best experience. Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact our Tech Support at 604.642.6688 or reach us on Facebook/Twitter!
Published: 2:02 pm on February 10th, 2022
Difference Between HD and 4K
Difference between HD and 4K？
As technology continues to advance, we are starting to see more different types of TVs. Today we will be focusing on the difference between HD (High Definition) and 4K.
Before we dive right into it, it is important to understand that all the displays we see such as computer monitors, your phone/tablet, our TVs are all made with pixels. If you have ever had rain drops or water drip onto your phone screen and see the colorful tiny squares, those are pixels. The more pixels you put on a display the higher the resolution is, which means the nicer and more clear the video or image becomes.
HD
HD has become more and more widespread about 10 years ago, usually this meant sharper video or images that were put on a display. There are 2 different types of HD, one is a lower resolution which the display panels are capped at 720p and higher resolution of 1080p.
- 720p started to become more popular with web videos as time progresses, it is 1280 pixels wide and 720 pixels tall
- 1080p eventually became the standard for computer monitors and TV displays. 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall
4K
Nowadays you are probably seeing more and more TVs advertising that it’s in 4K – 4096 pixels wide and 2160 pixels tall. When you are watching something, you’d probably want to see it as clearly as if you were seeing it in person, for example: sports or wildlife. So with technology, we get the luxury of having nicer displays that allow us to appreciate the clear movements or details of videos or images.
Displays that have 4K technology are becoming standard now with newer TV equipment, so if you’ve purchased a TV that allows 4K, go ahead and check to see if it is set on that resolution and play a 4K video from Youtube; Or even better, try out some of the 4K channels that Novus has to offer if you are subscribed to our BeamTV service!
We have several channels including nature, space and sports that are in 4K. If you are interested in seeing which channels exactly are available in 4K, please take a look at our channel guide here. We will continue to add more 4K channels to our Beam TV lineup as they become available to us over time from the content owners.
If you are not subscribed to a specific channel that you’d like to view in 4K, feel free to contact our Customer Service at 604.642.6688 or shoot us a direct message on Facebook/Twitter to subscribe now!
Published: 11:32 pm on September 16th, 2021
Does the CRTC’s Decision About Wholesale Internet Rates Affect Novus Customers?
As a Novus Internet customer, it absolutely does not. As explained below, in order to provide you with the best experience and keep rates low, we own our own network. But first let’s back up a little bit and bring you up to speed in case you haven’t heard about this in the news lately.
Background
In 2019, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ordered that the large incumbent cable and phone companies lower their wholesale Internet rates to independent Internet service providers (ISPs) who piggy back on those companies’ networks to re-sell the Internet service as their own (Novus does not do this). This was a major win for smaller ISPs as it meant that they would be able to lower rates to consumers and be more competitive in the market.
Last week, the CRTC reversed its decision much to the dismay of many independent ISPs across Canada.
The Novus Advantage
So, how does this affect you as a Novus Internet customer? It doesn’t! Since Novus’ inception in 1996, we have invested heavily in building out our very own Fibre Optic network across Metro Vancouver. We do not rely on anyone else’s network to deliver our Internet to you. This is the major difference between Novus and most other, independent ISPs. Even back in 1996, we saw that fibre was the way of the future. We wanted to provide our customers with the best online experience possible and knew that fibre was the only way.
Our headend and facilities are all based right here in Vancouver. We own and maintain them. This has many advantages for you as a customer. One advantage is that if by chance there was an issue with your service, we are able to identify, diagnose and fix the problem quickly and efficiently. Other ISPs who piggy back on major incumbents’ networks are beholden to that company and must wait for them to diagnose the problem before they can even let their customers know what the problem is. Another advantage of owning our own network Is that we can improve on our customer experience by adding new technology and services sooner. We recently launched Western Canada’s fastest, residential Internet – 2.5 GIG as an example. And of course, by owning our own network, we don’t pay any fees to another company. We are able to pass those savings on to you.
As an independent service provider ourselves, we are dismayed at the CRTC’s decision to reverse its decision. We feel that in order for all Canadians (not just our customers) to be able to pay competitive pricing for Internet, the decision to lower wholesale Internet rates would have helped everyone across Canada.
Published: 4:41 pm on May 31st, 2021
How Can Technology Help Me Move?
How Can Technology Help Me Move?
Technology has brought about a great deal of improvement to every sphere of life including moving, which is definitely easier nowadays. Finding recommendations on the best movers in your area, getting help from a moving concierge service or simply being organized are now the norm because of technology.
Technology Can Help You Find the Best Moving Companies
Finding the right company for moving needs can be very difficult. But with technology, it can be done in less than 5 minutes. There are numerous ways by which the best moving companies are accessible, and one way is through online reviews. Online reviews are an excellent approach to finding reputable companies.
A lot of reliable companies always include feedback from their customers regarding their services on their official website. This provides insight into the type of experience customers have received from the company and what you can expect. Comparing quotes from different companies online can help make a better and informed decision when choosing the best moving companies.
How Technology Can Help You Sell Unwanted Belongings
Buying and selling has become really easy with centralized online markets made possible with technology. Using platforms like Facebook Marketplace, anyone can sell their unwanted belongings in two clicks. Several e-markets are also available with little or no cost for the seller at all. If you simply want to donate your unwanted items, there are many charities that will accept your donations before moving.
How Technology Eases Coordination and Organization
It can get messy organizing things when moving. Technology can help ease the process, whether it is managing what has to be done before, during and after your move or doing your budget. You can use a moving checklist for keeping track of everything and helping you prioritize what needs to be done. You can also use mobile apps on your phon to keep a log of your belongings. These apps can help you organize your moving schedule as well as ensure proper coordination.
The Benefits of Technology for Moving Tasks
In recent years, various technologies have been developed to help with moving tasks. Moving concierges are a great example, they accompany you from A to Z in your move. They can do your address changes and even help you find movers and/or storage units.
Before choosing a moving company, it is recommended to get quotes from various companies. A moving concierge can help you with this. If you are looking for a storage unit, they can also direct you to the best storage facility in your area. As for address changes, this task that can normally take many hours to complete but can be done in 5 minutes with their help.
How Technology Helps with Home Staging
With technology, interior decoration and home planning can be done even before getting the keys to your new place. It is now possible by using apps to recreate the interior of your home with the correct dimensions using AI intelligence to analyze your rooms. Once you have the plan for each room, you can get to work with decor and staging.
Conclusion
The importance of technology in the moving industry cannot be overemphasized. It has become a vital part of the moving journey. The evolution of technology will continue to bring more ease to the moving process. If you are moving and would like to transfer your Novus services to your new place, please give us a call and we can assist you in doing that.
Published: 1:34 pm on May 11th, 2021
How to Set Up Your Desk Ergonomically
If you work at a desk for long hours, you want to make sure your desk is set up properly so it’s comfortable and doesn’t bring you neck and back pain! How you arrange your monitor(s), keyboard, the height of your chair/table is crucial to helping your body feel comfortable while working.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you set up your desk ergonomically:
Chair:
Adjust your chair so that your elbows and your legs are bent to 90 degrees. If your elbows are at 90 degrees but your legs aren’t, a foot stool can solve this problem easily!
Monitor:
You want to ensure your monitor is at arms length distance so you can read what is on the screen without having to move from your 90 degrees posture. Not only that, you also want to adjust your monitor height so that the top of the monitor is at eye level. If you are unable to adjust the height of the monitor, you can always add things underneath the monitor to assist with the height.
Working with two monitors? If you work with mainly one screen, it is better to have the primary screen directly in front of you and the secondary screen to the side. If you work with both equally, it’s best that you are in the middle of the two.
Working with a laptop? Look for a stand that can raise it up to the proper height (with other things to raise it even higher if needed) and connect an external keyboard as well as a mouse to keep the 90 degrees in the elbow.
Mouse & Keyboard:
Your mouse and keyboard should be placed exactly where your hands land when you sit down. You don’t want to reach for the things on your desk if you are using them often.
Desk Phone:
If a desk phone is required often, place it on your non writing side to avoid having to talk on the phone with it between your ear and your shoulder, or alternatively look for a headset that you can connect to the phone itself.
Above are basics that you should look out for to ensure your desk is set up ergonomically. Stretches and basic exercises are recommended by experts after 10-15 minutes as we all begin to slouch. Wall Street Journal has some exercises you can do at your desk to keep your posture in check here. (In Step 5 starting at 2:27)
Source: Mayo Clinic & Wall Street Journal