Century Link Merger with Level 3 Raises Stock Market Questions

The Connected Home is Proud to be an Authorized Representative for Century Link Phones and Century Link Internet Services

Today we are sharing some information on Century Links recent acquisition of Level 3 Communications. We are sure this will only build the long term value of Century Link, but we note that it may rock the boat in terms of Wall Street for a while.

In the case of the $34 billion merger between CenturyLink Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and Level 3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LVLT), the deal may have done more than just pressure the acquirer. The initial read a few days after the deal’s announcement could suggest that CenturyLink and Level 3 just ruined their stock charts for some time ahead. Still, CenturyLink did announce later in the week that it is selling its data center business for $2.15 billion in a fresh news announcement.  Read more..

CenturyLink CEO Glen Post addresses shareholders during the company’s annual meeting at the company headquarters in Monroe last year.(Photo: FILE/USA TODAY NETWORK OF LOUISIANA)

CenturyLink, which last week announced a blockbuster deal to buy Level 3 Communications in a $34 billion deal, will help pay for it by selling its data centers and colocation business to a consortium led by BC Partners for $2.3 billion.thetowntalk.com

​But making CenturyLink, Inc. an even more interesting and timely stock to look at, is the fact that in trading on Thursday, shares of CTL entered into oversold territory, changing hands as low as $22.86 per share. We define oversold territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be oversold if the RSI reading falls below 30.

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Is CTL Stock’s Dividend Yield Threatened?
Centurylink Inc (NYSE:CTL) stock has been in hot water for long time, despite paying a market-beating dividend yield. Income investors have been questioning how long this telecom giant will be able to sustain its payout when sales are shrinking.

But this week, CenturyLink surprised investors by announcing plans to buy Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LVLT) for about $34.0 billion in cash and stocks in an effort to grab a share of the heavy Internet traffic market for businesses. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, values Level 3 at $66.50 a share, offering a 42% premium over its stock price being traded before reports of the potential acquisition by CenturyLink. The equity value of the deal, excluding debt, is about $24.0 billion. (Source: “Centurylink To Acquire Level 3 Communications,” Centurylink Inc, October 31, 2016.)

Taking into consideration the immediate market reaction, it seems investors aren’t happy with this deal, as CTL stock plunged over 12% soon after the details of this acquisition surfaced. This happened despite CenturyLink’s statement that it expects to maintain its annual dividend of $2.16 per share.

What ever the near term future of Century Link’s stock price, we are confident that they will continue to offer good value to Minnesota Phone and Internet users.  If you are looking to add change or upgrade your phone or Internet service be sure to contact us at The Connected Home. 612-424-8483  

​We are your source for century link services.

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Is Broadsoft Competing With Their Customers?

Broadsoft announced the acquisition of VoIP Logic yesterday. When I looked over the web site of VoIP Logic all I could read from it is they provide a white label solution to others who want to be carriers. If that's the case, one of two directions are possible following the acquisition.

A) Broadsoft is going to deploy more tools to their customer base so they can do more, and take some pieces of the telephony stack away from others.

or

B) They are going to create an enterprise service in the cloud that any business could easily configure and cut out the service provider.

Given Broadsoft is working with telco giants like Verizon, it's likely that option A is the answer, but at the same time Broadsoft os assembling the pieces that takes them well beyond a switch and app server company, and more of a cloud communications hub that could sell businesses direct, much like Amazon has done with streaming, AWS and EC2..

 

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ESPN’s Numbers Are Down. It’s Time To Rethink Sports Broadcasting

ESPN's numbers are down. Again. This doesn't bode well for the sports leagues as more and more cable subscribers become cord-cutters. Add in the growing number of never corders and this spells trouble ahead for ESPN and parent Disney.

Maybe WWE with their online streaming network, and their ongoing quest to acquire all content that's wrestling, new and old is the right idea. And if you look at the sports leagues, starting with MLB and their MLB@BAT streaming service, the NFL's deal with Verizon and now Twitter, the future of sports rights will be OTT, not simply the usually broadcast rights deals that have been their staple and major source of revenue to franchises for many, many years.

This over the horizon look into the fate of ESPN is really more a harbinger of things to come for the leagues and college conferences who are paid collectively billions each year. ESPN won't be the only network to take a hit from declining subscriber numbers. So will the regional sports networks largely owned by Fox Sports. 

To address this the apps on your mobile device will be the new "channels" to market, and in turn, the tuning in will be managed by Apple and Google, not Comcast, Charter as we know it. It's also why you'll be seeing the mobile operators in the USA, now four, continue to move more into content, as evidenced by the AT&T desire to buy Time Warner.

The era of Content Direct is coming, and sports is going to be at the front of the line as cable churn increases on channels, and the data network demand increases. 

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James Tagg Leaves Truphone

After over 15 years, and ten years since it's formal launch on Nokia N series phones, founder James Tagg has left Truphone reports Telecompaper.

 

The departure, long in the planning, will allow the inventive founder to focus on new technologies. Tagg, who also invented the video touchscreen, came up with the idea of Truphone due to spotty coverage at The Farm in the Kent, England countryside.

He first made the Truphone service work on the Symbian OS for Nokia phones, and demo'd it at VON in 2005. Two years later at DEMO in San Diego, Tagg and co-founder Alistair Campbell demo'd the potential of Truphone's Mobile App on an iPhone, almost a year before Apple opened up the iPhone OS to allow third party apps. Truphone then became the first over the top app to release on iPhone and Android with actual inbound and outbound phone numbers.

Over the next decade Tagg spent most of his time working on the concept of simplifying and streamlining Global Roaming starting with the announcement of Truphone Local Anywhere. The service which debuted in 2009 initially offered phone numbers in the UK, USA and Australia, allowing global travelers in those countries to actually be local with their mobile devices on a single SIM. By 2014 the services was live in seven countries and working in over 60 countries with flat rate calling, texting and data services. During that time, Tagg and his team built a global network that allowed one hop, connectivity without the need for voice and data traffic to have to go back to a mobile network's HLR back home. 

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How to Find the Best High Speed Internet Company: Minnesota

​Get Free Help When Shopping for Internet and TV Bundles in Minneapolis, St Paul or elsewhere in Minnesota.

Getting straight information about your options when setting up a new internet and or TV connection can be difficult.  The companies of course all claim to offer the best service and often toss around technical jargon, few people actually understand.  It is nearly impossible to know who to believe. Complicating things is the simple fact that in many cases the best answer is that, “It depends.”

How will you and your family use the internet. Are you looking for TV as well as online access. Are you a Gamer, do you avidly follow sports or are you more interested in news and information or perhaps old movies. Will you be downloading a lot of music?

Thankfully, there is a place where you can get free unbiased advice on who are your best choice of internet companies in Minneapolis, St Paul and all of Minnesota.

The Connected Home has been working to help people understand their options and get the best deal on internet and TV Bundles. Minneapolis based, they serve the entire state of Minnesota and can help not only with high-speed internet, but also satellite TV, Internet Access, and Home Security offerings around the entire state of Minnesota.

The Connected Home is proud to partner with a variety of companies to offer you high-quality high-speed internet service at competitive rates. Give us a call to learn what company may best meet your needs. 612-424-8483  Read More:

Learn more about The Connected Home here: ​http://goo.gl/N1h7EK

Services offered include advice on

1. Internet in Minneapolis and across the State
2. TV Access – Cable and/or Satellite Options
3. Local Phone Service  (Yes, People still do use landlines)
4. Home Security
5. Bundles of all of the above

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Get Frontier Internet for Minnesota Homes and Cabins

The Connected Home can help you access Frontier Internet if it is available in your area.

The Connected Home represents many different ISPs as well as TV providers in Minnesota. Each provider has its own service area and as such, we often are limited by our customers location. 

So our first step is to determine which services are available at your address.  In Minnesota, many of our rural and suburban communities have access to Frontier Communications services. 

The Connected Home will help you get Frontier Internet Minnesota

Frontier offers phone, TV and internet access.

Among the benefits they offer are a no contract service. As they say in the promotional material, they are confident that you will love their service. No signature is needed.  Compare that to others vendors, some of whom need a two year commitment.

Speaking of two years, they also offer a price guarantee for a full two years. 

Plus they offer a free router, saving you the expense or even worse the rental charges some cable providers gouge their customers on.

And in terms of quality of service, they offer a dedicated connection. That results in more speed for you vs. shared connections that bog down when too many of your neighbors are online the same time you are.

Get a Frontier Landline

Many people have given up their landlines. but if and when you have an emergency, a landline can be a lifesaver. Frontier’s home phone service is reliable and can be used to connect to your security system. Better yet, the voice quality is clear, which makes it easier to hear, especially for persons with less than 100% hearing.

Inexpensive on its own, it is a true bargain when packaged with  internet service.
​

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Frontier Means Business

Frontier Means BusinessWhen you choose Frontier, you never have to worry about connecting with clients. You get Internet that’s reliably fast and phones with a steady, crystal-clear connection. Here’s more of what Frontier can offer your small business:

• Multiple Wi-Fi networks for private use or customers’
• Intuitive phone features, with up to 12 lines
• Private data lines on lightning-fast Internet
• Unlimited Cloud backup

Get a competitive advantage today with Frontier Internet.

Keep in touch with The Connected Home

We invite you to keep in touch with our blog posts and encourage you to visit our Google site: http://ift.tt/2e4BDwn;

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Amazon and Home Delivery -Winds of Change

So if you're an Amazon customer for a few years you likely have been noticing how many times a day a different delivery person shows up with your Amazon delivery. If you dig deep you'll see that the deliveries come via various delivery companies, some of whom are really giant logistics companies. Here in Southern California I've counted no less than five different delivery services who bring my Amazon orders, sometimes on-time, sometimes late, sometimes to my door, sometimes to the building office or sometimes in my mailbox. Let's first breakdown who delivers what (at least here)

• USPS-aka the Post Office. They deliver Amazon Fresh to the door (sometimes or to my building).
• USPS for Amazon Packages that are mailed or via FedEx Smartship and international shipments. Sometimes left in the building office. Sometimes in my mailbox or a key. Never to my door. No real clue a package is here except if I look at Amazon web site or receive an email and then need to hunt around for it.
• On Trac – Packages that usually are fulfilled via a local Amazon Distribution Center (later in the day) To my door when home, to the office when I'm not with a door sticker.
• Amazon Delivery - Packages that usually are fulfilled via a local Amazon Distribution Center-To my door when home or not regardless of signature required or not.
• Amazon Prime Now-an on demand delivery team ala Postmates or Uber
• FedEx-hardly ever.
• UPS-to my door. Signature always. If I'm not home, note on my door, package in left in building office.

Hands down the best experience today is UPS that I've seen over the past year but I see that being challenged by Amazon's own delivery team.

Today with all these companies in the mix Amazon has a consistency problem, and it's what I think they are trying to address more and more with their own Amazon Delivery team. I say that because having conversations with the delivery team from time to time reveals a lot about what's going on. You can see a more UPS like approach evolving, and it's obvious Amazon is learning.

But to grow, Amazon is going to need to create its own infrastructure, not only buy airplanes and drones. This makes companies like OnTrac, a regional delivery company in the western states, an endangered spices, as the level of consumer complaints never seems to quiet down (do a google search). In essence, Amazon could easily hire away executives and a labor force from UPS, OnTrac and FedEx, and create their own supply, logistics and delivery business.  What's more, since Amazon is all about data, they can build one massive "when and how" to deliver to you database better than anyone. If they link up with Uber or Lyft they could even begin to offer "personal" delivery using the micro distribution centers for on demand, something Amazon Prime Now is deploying.

To me, Amazon is a company that really disrupts markets. They know how to do it, and do it with consistency and end up doing it very well, with real world trials, not concepts simply on a white board. I see delivery as their next big frontier.

 

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Incompatabilities In The New Battleground in Telephony-Broadsoft vs. Cisco/Apple

Yesterday I wrote about Verizon's OneTalk, and the very pithy press release put out by Broadsoft to support the move into MUCaaS (mobile unified communications as a service.) After I posted it I did a bit more digging around and realized that Verizon Wireless' sales team is going to have a battle on their hands to get even Verizon's existing PBX customers to add on or switch to One Talk quickly. And that problem is Cisco.

Right now, Verizon has many customers running Cisco Call Manager and Call Manager runs a version of SIP affectionately known as Sip-Skinny for Call Control and, it's proprietary to Cisco so for customers this becomes a rip and replace vs. an add on.

But let's get past the Verizon customer fit, and look at what Broadsoft is really doing. They are. as I hinted in the post, chasing the mobile operators who have lacked an enterprise solution since day one of the first cellular call. Attempts to break into that market have largely been by underfunded startups. What Broadsoft is hoping to do is in essence be the mobile operator's Cisco vs. letting Cisco get into the space.

Cisco, with their Spark initiative is going in a whole other direction, playing the OTT game, and which may be far more cost effective for both them and customers.

My take-Broadsoft can win as long as mobile operators control the handsets. What Cisco and Apple are doing with their "enterprise relationship"with the opening up of the dialer has seriously challenged the ability for the mobile operator to keep that lock in. In turn with LTE becoming so stable, VoLTE has become as high quality for any VoIP provider with an app over the Verizon network. So as Verizon keeps touting their amazing network quality and footprint, they've paved the way for all VoIP providers to be able to ride on their highway at the same quality. 

Apple's CallKit is in essence "equal access" on mobile to any telephony provider. And just as "Equal Access" pretty much changed who we use to make calls, and impacted the likes of Nortel, Lucent, Alcatel and others, providing opportunity for Broadsoft and FreeSwitch, Apple and Cisco's Callkit efforts are going to do the same to Broadsoft.

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Broadsoft Scores with Verizon Or Maybe It’s Just BS

News came out a few days ago from Broadsoft that Verizon is using their Broadworks platform and its bMobile solution set to power OneTalk, so this news falls into the category of a carrier/mobile operator win for Broadsoft.  Congratulations…..

But in so many ways the solution set feels a lot like what Rogers had done a few years ago in Canada (and now cancelled out) with their One Number solution that was powered by Counterpath and Ericsson, but only for consumers. As a matter of fact there's more Deja Vu in this release than in others I have read in a long time, so thanks for the memories and a familiar ring(tone).

So let's start off by calling this what it is, MUCAAS-Mobile unified communications as a service. 

First of this is a pretty pithy news release, which is so full of self serving plaudits, and missing so many facts, that one would have the mucus coming up from the lungs, as you choke over the non news in the release..let's start here:

One Talk delivers advanced business features within the native mobile dialer, BYOD applications for smartphones and tablets, and on state-of-the art desk phones that seamlessly and securely integrate with the Verizon 4G LTE mobile network.

What advanced business features? 

Within the native dialer..UMM that's a function of the iOS and Android API and SDK of the devices. All Broadsoft (BS) did was hook into it. They and pretty much every funded, publicly traded or unfunded telecom startup with an app..Call that sentence what it is BSBS. It's a non – starter.

Already today, Dialpad and Telzio to name two business focused VoIP players, are delivering one number, one service, one bill and call connection to devices the same way but over ANY carrier, and any mobile device without the need to buy more hardware for the desk (oh more about that later). And that's including SMS, voice mail and more.. and they are working with the Native Dialer…….. Call it BSBS….

Seamlessly and securely?  You mean to tell me that calls that business customers make that are not going to be using the Broadsoft Broadworks solution are going to be  insecure on Verizon…OMG, talk about creating customer insecurity…. when Yahoo just did that 500 million times.

Next, the puke inspiring quotes..

“BroadSoft bMobile capabilities are impressive and have been integrated in our custom-built business solution that delivers one service, one experience, one bill and one business number – all backed by America’s largest and fastest 4G LTE network. We believe One Talk is a game changer for businesses of all sizes,” said Mike Lanman, SVP, Enterprise & IoT Products, Product and New Business Development Team, Verizon. 

The statement "all backed by America’s largest and fastest 4G LTE network." is pure self serving hype which VZW's PR team likely insisted on…yes Lowell and team, we all know that. We hear the same line in your commercials. Get over it. This release is not about who is faster or bigger..let's call it what it is..It's message pointing, not detailing what, how or why this is so important for Verizon's business customers. Oh, maybe there's no demand or interest yet….(more on this later) which is why you have to fall back on the tag line..

What are the capabilities? What do they do? Where are those FACTS in the release???..MISSING. PURE BS from BS.

Heck, AT&T had one number service under EasyReach in the 80's and CallVantage VoIP service was doing the one number, one bill and with find me, follow me, allowed users to point their calls to mobile devices stuff ten years ago. So now it can be done in network finally…WTF, FMC (fixed mobile convergence has been a dream of many for over a decade but it was operators like Verizon who stood in the way for years……Oh and let's not forget Google Fi that is also one number, using a GoogleVoice like find me/follow me to…YAWN…..more BS from BS..

Maybe the game changer is really that Verizon themselves have woken up…and Broadsoft, this is not new. Counterpath whom I have advised in the past had this capability up and running for years….Oh wasn't Counterpath a Broadsoft partner? Doesn't Counterpath hold FMC patents that some of this stuff is based upon? Perhaps? Maybe? 

Next is how this is going to be sold in…how?? By who?

“Businesses need a productive mobile experience to succeed in today’s competitive climate, where every call is a missed opportunity,” said Sandra Krief, vice president of sales, BroadSoft. “Verizon’s innovative routes to market, with the ability to serve customers from their business sales teams, their retail stores, and their large partner community, provides a best-in-class sales and support experience for business customers.” —

EXCUSE ME…Innovative routes to market? Verizon's has regional sales teams who Sandra is referring to and they have been disincentivized to sell in new services recently and instead given meeting quotas. In years past they earned commissions and bonuses for bringing new products to market. So with OneTalk the sales team is again being incentivized to get the offering in front of customers, and for the most part they are targeting small business customers and clustered business customers with a few lines in each location. You call that "innovative routes to market"? It's typical carrier sales…MORE BS from BS.

The idea of the VZW sales team helping to get their customers up and running on something new will also take too much time and since making sure meetings are held with customer are how the sales people are ranked and rated and given how long of a sale this will be, do the math on what this means to either company's bottom line. The "innovative route" are now "salary men" and their bonus is they get to keep their jobs. I don't see the sales force jumping on the BS bandwagon but sources do tell me there has been training on OneTalk and Broadsoft recently, but part of this means the mobile sales force to also has sell in desk phones? They have been selling against that for years….How do they now tell that customer they need what last year they told them they don't need…UMMMM…

As for the partners Sandra refers to, unless VZW is going to give away the expensive deskphones, not charge any integration fees, and not charge for training, I don't see the partners jumping on board. As a matter of fact, this feels a lot like the Panasonic Broadsoft announcement from a few years ago. Ironically Panasonic recently told me, Broadsoft isn't part of a recently announced new VoIP based service offering.

Buyers buy on benefits, sellers sell on features.

The release neither outlines the features or the benefits. Maybe there are none to speak of..A missed call isn't a benefit. It's a loss. The benefit is now employees can be more easily reached. That's the benefit. But it's not a new one.

Why this Release?

In essence the announcement also appears to be written more to create pull through. In reality, it's more likely that in exchange for the permission to put out a press release VZW negotiated a better deal…and then VZW PR sanitized the news release down to where it was nothing but an empty piece…

One more quote to choke on..TWICE

Scott Hoffpauir, chief technology officer, BroadSoft, adds: “BroadWorks is a top IP-Multimedia System (IMS) Business Application Server differentiating itself by combining a full range of business services with direct mobile access. We are thrilled BroadWorks’ bMobile software capabilities are integrated in the nation’s first Business 4G VoLTE offering by Verizon – helping to deliver communications mobilization to Verizon customers.”  

"helping to deliver communications mobilization to Verizon customers"–what the….??? VZW customer weren't already mobile? Talk about another misaligned quote.

MORE SELF SERVING BS from BS…Business phone service buying customers don't know or care about IMS or an App Server. They want to know how are you going to save them money, give them better service and allow them to integrate into their company wide phone system.  Case in point, you need to go to the Verizon OneTalk web site and there you find…

"*One Talk-capable desk phone capable desk phone must be purchased from Verizon to support this feature."

So if the desk phone is to be used, it's not about using what is already in place, it's about buying another new phone, for more money, when in reality the hipster in the photo would never be caught dead using that phone when his or her life is all based upon the smartphone, tablet and PC…

Seriously….someone at Verizon really approved this release. No wonder T-Mobile is winning more customers. Legere gets it…and so does his marketing team.

Also missing from the news release was the customer quote from a company that was actually using this new Broadworks powered service..I guess none of the VZW customers have tried this yet…or wanted to comment..thus expect one of those next (likely with more silly quotes.)

And if this release was meant to attract other mobile operators, missing from it is the benefits for them too.

Oh, and what about the price? It was omitted…

Some digging reveals that the service costs an addition $25/month per user over the mobile plan, and that the customer needs to be on a business phone plan from Verizon. I wonder how that will spur adoption. It also seems that there's only some Verizon mobile plans can have OneTalk added:

One Talk can be added to lines on the following plans: The MORE Everything® Plan For Small Business (up to 10 lines) Small Business Plans (up to 25, 50 or 100 lines) The Verizon Plan (up to 10 lines) The new Verizon Plan (up to 10 lines) The Verizon Plan for Business (up to 25 lines) The new Verizon Plan for Business (up to 25 lines) Flexible Business Plans Nationwide for Business Plans (supported later in 2016)-THIS MEANS NO ENTERPRISE SALES FOR NOW.

 As someone who remembers and participated in th the Polycom-Broadsoft-Telesphere news from a few years ago, I've seen this script with Broadsoft before, and as the Led Zeppelin album is named, "The Song Remains the Same."

 

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Why Vonage Would Want To Sell Their Consumer Voice Biz

Yesterday I speculated that Vonage's Consumer Business is up for sale. A post that immediately triggered reaction from those in the know, including some who claimed to have had access to the exploratory talks that are already going on. 

What is leading to this speculation? A couple of factors.

1. Recent statements by Vonage execs emphasizing the focus towards unified communications for business.
2. The hiring of Chiat Day (as mentioned)
3. The fact that cable providers in the USA now have 31 million digital voice subscribers and are bundling in voice as they increase cable rates but basically give away phone service.
4. An increase in cord cutting. No cord. No way for Vonage to connect.
5. Wi-Fi Calling. For those who still have the cable cord, Wi-Fi and a mobile phone capable of Wi-Fi calling (which are increasing). Now that all 4 major U.S. mobile operators offer Wi-Fi calling the ability to use the mobile inside the house, have E911 capabilities and a single number all the time, means less need for a "landline."

In many ways Vonage wanting to get rid of their consumer business makes good sense. Just as it did for Verizon who sold off a chunk of their landline and DSL business to Frontier.

The last tell though is the reported layoff of 110-120 consumer focused employees. It's a regular tactic of companies that are going to sell off a division to lower the headcount, streamline costs a few quarters before you unload the business. This makes the numbers look better, increases profitability, so given Vonage's tone on things, this all makes sense to be selling the division.

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We Can Help You Get the Best Deals on Century Link High Speed Internet & Phone Service for Minneapolis and St Paul Businesses and Residential.

​Internet Service:

​The Connected Home is an authorized sales agent for CenturyLink® High-Speed Internet. We can help you identify the connection speed that meets your needs for a competitive price:

Century Link Internet Minneapolis, St Paul or elsewhere in Minnesota can be a spotty thing.  At the Connected Home, we can help you identify the level of service available where you live or work and help you determine whether or not it is your best option for internet based on your needs.

Where it is available, Century Link can offer tremendous speeds which is a huge asset if you are a business and or an active gamer or have multiple users within your household.

One added benefit with Century Link is the included Norton AntiVirus backup.

The big issue for many is its availability which is still spotty within the Twin Cities metro area.  Give us a call at 612-424-8483 to see what level of service is available to you.

Phone Service:

​The Connected Home is an authorized sales agent for CenturyLink® Home Phone service. For a competitive price, get unlimited local calling and your choice of eight features, including call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail.

CenturyLink® Home Phone also offers domestic long-distance options. CenturyLink® Plan Latino allows you to make international calls to most Latin American countries. 

While many people have given up their land lines for their cells, there are still many others who prefer to keep their land lines for voice clarity and other reasons.  For these people, Century Link offers many features and benefits. We can help you set up and understand your phone service as well as explore other options with you as well.

The Connected Home is About – Choice!

More than anything else, what The Connected Home offers people is a choice. We work with all the major providers. The service we provide is honest advice to users to help them break through the marketing Mumbo Jumble, and bored employees working in the majors call centers intent on meeting up selling quotas.  

Available services vary by location. As such, we can first identify which options are available to you and then help you understand your options.  At this point, the key is to understand how you will be using your service(s.)  Are you a gamer, needing tons of bandwidth? Or do you merely want to follow the family on facebook from time to time. These differences in use patterns are key to understanding how to get the best options for your money.
​
 

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Is Vonage Selling Their Consumer Biz?

If one reads the tea leaves and listen to the rumble in the VoIP jungle, takes to heart questions from investment strategists and connects the dots from people one trusts who know who is asking what or being asked what to ask and where to look, one may conclude that Vonage is about to sell their consumer business off.

Here's why. Over the past few years, since firing JWT (J. Walter Thompson) much of what Vonage has done marketing wise and acquisition wise, has been to build up their business product line, including buying Nexmo earlier this year following four business/enterprise VoIP buys (Telesphere and SimpleSignal are two former clients of mine so start there). Their commercial for business communications from this past summer, produced by a former agency I had the good fortune to work with while at Upper Deck and later on as part of the Apple Think Different Campaign, where I represented Civil Rights icon, Rosa Parks in her negotiations with the agency and Apple, Chiat-Day, is an agency you hire when you want to move from one place to another, not simply to produce another spot. Plenty of agencies can do that, but Chiat is where you go when you want mind shift, as part of a strategic shift, and that as they say in poker or in the world of con artistry, "a tell."

Add in that most recent rumors that Vonage has laid off 110-120 consumer side staff, that family office investors are calling around asking about the consumer VoIP space, that others who have backed some roll ups in the VoIP infrastructure space are asking the kinds of questions that can only point to Big V or MagicJack, (or both) and you have to think that some Private Equity player (or players) see the cash cow value in Vonage and are ready to take the consumer biz away so Vonage can focus on the more predictable business market. 

So this begs the question…is Vonage's consumer biz on the block?

Update-Shortly after posting I'm hearing rumblings that Vonage approached Lyca Mobile or Lebara, both mobile players who want to find ways to sell cheaper phone service than the incumbents. There are few secrets in VoIP.

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Sign Up for Best Xfinity TV Packages Minneapolis, St Paul Minnesota Here

Get Help Choosing the Best Packages When Signing Up for Comcast Xfinity Service.

Whether you have just moved or are about to, or perhaps it is time to make the switch to Comcast’s Xfinity Service, you will need to make some choices. 

You have two choices before you make your call. Do you want to talk to an anonymous voice in one of Comcast’s Calling whose paycheck may well depend upon how well he or she can upsell you – or – do you want honest advice on the content and price option available to you from an impartial source.

And what if a third choice might be even better for you.  There are alternatives to Xfinity that may be more appropriate, depending on where you live.  Would you like to know of better options if they exist?

Sure you would. As long as it was simple, honest and accurate.

And that is just what The Connected Home offers to Minneapolis, St Paul and all Minnesota residents.

The Connected Home is an independent authorized reseller for all the major TV and Internet service providers in the area.  We get paid by the vendor, not you when you sign up for service. That means we are free to suggest a better alternative if we think it will better met your needs and interests.

And how do we do that? We listen…to you.  And as we do, we are in a position to help you choose not only the best service for your needs, but also the best packages.

We have built our reputation on our honest effort to serve our clients fairly and impartially. We consider that our USP or unique selling proposition, other marketers refer to.  Imagine that, trying to build a business on offering people honest advice.

We know signing up for TV and Internet packages can be confusing. It can be difficult comparing apples to oranges.And that is where we excel. 

So if it is time for you to sign up for new TV or Internet service or both, give us a call. 612-424-8483

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Safeguarding Public Safety Communications from Cyber Security Threats

The increased use of IP communications and mobile platforms however also makes public safety more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.  Agencies must take steps to protect sensitive operations and confidential data. 

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Nucleus Life calls itself the "Anywhere Intercom" and from the web site and some information supplied by the company, it looks impressive. The tablet also looks to be the first product made by a third party that includes the Amazon Alexa voice control language.

Aimed to be almost an almost no effort, single touch communications and information retrieval device that works room to room, it actually works "room to any room" anywhere, as a room can be down the street, across town, the country or even around the world. Nucleus life reminds me of the Jetson's videophone or a desktop version of the Dick Tracy wristwatch as it allows simple and easy communications with a lot of other functionality that's as simple as a touch of a button. 

What's more, apps for iOS and Android devices exist to. This means simple and easy direct to home communications to any "room's" Nucleus Life tablet. With a technical potential limit of 128 Nucleus devices connected, the company told me that Nucleus is designed to accommodate 20 comfortably. 

The Nucleus uses Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service, to play music, get the news & weather, control smart devices and more. It also connects Amazon Prime Music, iHeartRadio and TuneIn via Alexa, and with Alexa it can control dozens of compatible smart home products through the Alexa app. Currently though, Nucleus does not support Spotify, Pandora (because of licensing issues), nor does it manage the Belkin WeMo and Philips Hue but since it supports Alexa, and Alexa supports IFTTT the latter two can likely be worked around.

The Nucleus requires that it's connected to the Internet either via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. You can even connect to the 'net using a mobile device that's become a personal hotspot as long as it's producing a strong signal. This means families partially on vacation, a working parent on the road, or with kids away at camp can stay connected the same way they are used to talking at home.

 

While I have not yet had the opportunity to test the Nucleus, I am impressed with the concept, simplicity, approach and it's capabilities. Given  I had this same feeling about the Echo, and became a first round beta tester, I'm as excited at what the Nucleus Life can be.

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The Connected Homes Google Site

Our Internet, Phone, TV, Home Security and Bundle Options are now displayed on a new Google Site

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The Connected home has just initiated a new Google site in addition to our regular website: http://ift.tt/1KHE9Z3

This new site is built off of our original site and largely makes use of some of the same items, but in a different format.

For Example we explain how our service works and why it is FREE!

Q: I don’t get it—how does this work?
We provide you with a one stop shop for your Internet, TV, phone, and home security services. The Connected Home partners with many different providers to offer you a wide array of products. We are your also one-call connection for installation services.
1. Call or fill out the “Request for a Quote” form below.
2. We research offers and services for your specific address.
3. We come up with a list of options customized for you.
4. If you like any of them, you can sign up through us for free. If not, you will at least know what your options are.
Q: How much do you charge for comparing these services for me?
A: We do not charge any fees. The companies we represent compensate us when we sign up customers for their services.
see: goo.gl/zVC5LR

One of the many things it features are how we are able to assist people who want more informati0n about Xfinity TV Packages.  We cut the confusion and don’t add the upsell and misdirection that occurs at times in the call centers. 

We invite people to come to our small South Minneapolis Storefront office where they can see first hand a comparison between Comcast TV, Dish TV and Sling TV on two side by side identical TV’s.

Here at our retail store on Minnehaha Ave we thought it would be fun to set up a few different TV
services, and do some side by side comparisons for ourselves. It would also give our customers a 
chance to look and play with different systems when they came into the office.

We set up a Comcast X1 HD box, a DirecTV Genie and a RoKu Player with SlingTV and Netflix.

We might also set up DISH TV and Centurylink PRISM in the coming weeks if our customers want to 
compare those services.

Its hard to say if one is “better” than the other, but each has their own pros and cons, that will 
appeal different customers.

Want to check them out and compare them? Come down to our store, and you can play with the
remotes and give them the “eyeball” test yourself.  goo.gl/7bduAH

Where to find The Connected Home?  We are in South Minneapolis right next to Parkway Pizza  on Minnehaha Ave and E 44th
​4357 Minnehaha Ave S.   ​Minneapolis, MN 55406

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The Connected Home can help you where ever you live in Minnesota.  While our primary focus in on the Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities area, we can help you connect with your best choice of service options where ever you are.  If you have a cabin – even if it is in Wisconsin we can help find service for you.

CABIN AND LAKE HOME SOLUTIONS

Whether you are looking for Internet, satellite TV, phone or security systems, we can 
find a solution that will fit your needs.
We are experts at:

Satellite Internet
Locating broadband options in rural areas
Saving money by having satellite TV in two locations for one low price
Portable satellite TV
Local phone service
Remote video cameras. Check on your cabin from your smartphone.

Call us and get all the details to make your cabin connected.  (612) 424­8483
goo.gl/HTFiZY

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Who Is Best Internet Provider in Minneapolis St Paul Area?

Who Are You Going To Choose?

 Who are the Best Internet  Service Providers (ISP)  in Minneapolis and St Paul area?  Call the Connected Home to Find Out.  612-424-8483.   Because it depends! On where you live and how you use the internet.

The Connected Home provides honest FREE advice on providers based on your needs. 
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High Speed Internet in Minneapolis is primarily provided by Comcast’s Xfinity Service or Century Link with a portion of people also going with satellite vendors such as Dish TV. US Internet Corp also provides Fiber access.

If you do a Google search for Internet providers you will get even more suggestions, but they tend to boil down the those listed above, but sometimes with different names.

As a general rule, we generally recommend people avoid satellite access to the internet, unless that is their only choice. In the Twin Cities Metro area, you have alternatives.

The Connected Home is the one place that was best able to make sense of the matrix of choices. Rather than try to guess as to the best internet providers in Minneapolis & St Paul, they helped me focus on what I needed and wanted from my connections.

Gamers have different needs than does the occasional blogger or someone who just wants to keep up with family photos on Facebook.

If all you want is a Minneapolis ISP for your internet access they can help you.

If you want to understand the different packages offered by the cable companies in Minneapolis – they can help with that as well.

They are even the go to folks if you want to do a home theater installation Minneapolis, St Paul or anywhere in Minnesota.

Now you could go it alone, but warning. If you are into reviews you will quickly see that customer support from all the biggies call centers tends to suck.

That is where the folks at The Connected Home shine.  Unlike the rapidly churning staff for the corporate biggies, the Connected Homes staff will walk through your needs, not their call centers need to meet their daily sales quota.

That means you get a quick and clear understanding of your best choice, be it for just isp service, a cable or satellite TV package that fits your budget and viewing interests or a whole hog system with all the bells and whistles.

Even better, they schedule the work for you, and virtually always get it right. Check out their website at http://ift.tt/1KHE9Z3

Toward the bottom of their page they have real reviews, and recent ones. Not always 5 star but mostly. More importantly, real reviews from real people who used their service.

If you are looking for your best choice of internet providers, save yourself some time and hassle, and call The Connected Home  612-424-8483.
 
 

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The NFL Is Available on Xfinity, Dish TV and DirecTV

The Connected Home Can Help You Pick the Right Choice for Your Viewing Enjoyment.
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If you want to catch the game, you can do so on Xfinity, Dish TV or DirecTV. The choice is yours. The packages may vary however.

Each service offers a robust effort to bring the game to you. But just what you want to see may differ from what they offer. How do you choose?  Well, you need to take into account your other viewing desires as well, but that said, if it’s Football you are interested in, you will want to familiarize yourself with the options you have.

In the Minneapolis St Paul Metro area for most people that means making a choice between. Satellite and Cable TV.  The folks at The Connected Home can help clarify your choices, and their service is free, so it is well worth a call if you are in the process of setting up a new home or apartment and want to know your best option. Let’s Look at what DirecTV has to offer first…

DIRECTV San Antonio – It’s Peyton on Sunday Mornings Phone Call NFL SUNDAY TICKET – YouTube

​Now that Peyton’s retired he has nothing but time. Time to make calls and watch DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET. Get every game, every Sunday all in HD included at no extra charge. Only on DIRECTV San Antonio http://ift.tt/2cIOE3w…

Enjoy every live out-of-market game, every Sunday with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, only on DIRECTV. Watch all the action on your TV, laptop, tablet, phone, or game console. Get the 2016 season included at no extra cost when you subscribe today. Or up your game to NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX to get the exclusive FANTASY ZONE™ and the RED ZONE CHANNEL®.
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​DirecTV has six packages which run from $50 to $125 for the first 12 months, but it requires as 24 month subscription.  This may be a good choice for you, but to get the full skinny on the second year, it is a good idea to check again with the folks at The Connected Home, if you live in Minnesota. They will give you the straight talk and access to any existing specials at the time of your call.

Dish Loses NFL and Then Gets It Back

​Dish TV had but then lost its deal with the NFL back in June, However the good news is…
 

Enjoy every live out-of-market game, every Sunday with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, only on DIRECTV. Watch all the action on your TV, laptop, tablet, phone, or game console. Get the 2016 season included at no extra cost when you subscribe today. Or up your game to NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX to get the exclusive FANTASY ZONE™ and the RED ZONE CHANNEL®.  http://ift.tt/2b1iBGW​
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​Dish TV’s Major Football offering is its RedZone and NFL Network offerings. These are available on DISH with a subscription to their 120 Plus and above packages at a $13 a month additional charge. If you are into more sports than Football they also feature Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball, Boxing and Rugby focused packages. Prices vary by package.

You can dig around on their site at http://ift.tt/2ca4HCq or better yet call The Connected Home and let them help you decide if you want Dish TV at all and if so, which packages would be best for your choice of sports and other viewing interests.

And don’t forget to ask about the new Skinny Bundles they call the Flex Pack.

Comcast’s Xfinity X1 is trying to change the way you experience TV

​Is it hype or real?  Comcast is betting heavily on its Xfinity X1 service and expects it to shine for sports fans.

It has produced a nearly 20 minute YouTube Video Featuring Chicago Bears Legend Dan Hampton to promote the service.

One of the most in-depth TV sports companion tools in the country, the app provides real-time data and statistics on the right side of your screen so you can watch a game and get everything you want.
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The new app comes free with the XFINITY X1 TV service. It also includes fantasy stats, player match-ups, an out-of-town scoreboard and more right on your TV. In this interview, we are also joined by Preston Smalley, an executive director at the Comcast Silicon Valley Innovation Center.
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​Now if you want to get a quote on the Xfinity website you need to give them your street address, which is okay, but if you are still just shopping and looking for information, the better course of action may well be to contact The Connected Home or just call them in the Minneapolis St Paul metro at 612-424-8483.

They can help you get Xfinity X1 or any of the other services you choose. 

Century Link Prism TV is also an option

​Century Links Prism TV also offers access to  NFL Red Zone for $8.99 a month for subscribers who have the Essentials Package or better from among their four major package choices.

Again, Prism is not available in all areas, so you need to submit your address to determine availability on their website, or again you can contact the people at The Connected Home.  They will get you the info you need, without the constant upsells and typical of the call centers.

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