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Confused about streaming quality? Learn exactly how much bandwidth (in Mbps) you need for flawless SD, HD, and 4K Ultra HD streaming, plus why fiber internet is the ultimate solution for multiple devices.

What Is A Net Promoter Score? Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a tool used to gauge customer loyalty and satisfaction with a brand. It’s based on one straightforward question: “How likely are you to recommend us to friends and family?” Responses to this question reveal valuable insights, showing how many customers are loyal advocates, how many are on the fence, and how many are dissatisfied. The scale ranges from 0 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely). What Does A Net Promoter Score Of 74 Mean? A NPS of 74 is exceptionally high and indicates that our customers are extremely satisfied and loyal. NPS range from 0 to 100, with the telecommunications industry averaging a score of 30 according to CustomerGauge.com. This not only puts Empire Access miles ahead it its competitors, but inside the final tier of the NPS range described as “world class.” To put things into perspective, Apple’s NPS is 72, Netflix 64, and Amazon 62, meaning Empire Access has built trust with our customers that exceeds that of some of the largest companies in the world.   How Did We Get This Score? Wondering What World Class Internet Feels Like? Make the switch to Empire Access and experience for yourself what world-class internet feels like. Enjoy fast and symmetrical download and upload speeds, easy and free installation, transparent billing, and 24/7 local customer support. Make the switch and see what so many people are already talking about. Visit our website and sign up today. We’ve always got exciting special offers for new customers.

Our e-commerce portal makes managing your plan easy. Never worry again about missing a payment, keeping track of your payment history, creating a trouble ticket, and more. The best part is, signing up is so easy! *Please note: Log in to the Empire Access Customer Portal is available after your first billing statement  To sign up for the customer portal, follow these steps:  How To Set Up Your Account How To Login In To Pay Online If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-338-3300. Our customer service team is available 24/7

Erie, Pennsylvania, a vibrant city with a rich history, is embracing fiber optic Internet to support its residents and local businesses. Broadband Internet has rapidly become an essential service in today’s digital age, significantly impacting communities by enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth, and improving quality of life. Understanding the importance of reliable Internet access is crucial for communities that welcome its transformative power. Moreover, partnering with a locally-based Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as Empire Access, further enhances the benefits of fiber optic Internet due to the deep understanding and connection they maintain with the communities they serve. The Impact of Broadband Internet Economic Growth Broadband access is a foundational driver of economic development. Communities with robust Internet infrastructure can attract new businesses and be better equipped to support existing ones. High-speed Internet enables companies to operate more efficiently, access broader markets, and innovate by facilitating the adoption of new technologies and enabling creative solutions to emerge, such as access to cloud-based services and real-time collaboration tools. For Erie, this means that local businesses can thrive and create more job opportunities for residents. Not only does broadband allow businesses to grow, its adoption has shown to increase income levels. According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business School, broadband Internet leads to an average wage increase of 2.2 percent in communities that choose to welcome it. Enhanced Online Experiences With the rise of digital entertainment and remote work, the demand for high-speed Internet has never been greater. Fiber optic services aim to elevate online experiences for residents. Whether it’s streaming movies in HD, engaging in buffer-free gaming sessions, or ensuring that remote work is seamless and productive, the benefits of reliable Internet access go far beyond traditional methods. For example, Empire Access, a locally-based fiber optic Internet provider available in Erie, provides symmetrical speeds to residential customers of up to 2 Gigabits per second (Gbps), which is significantly faster than cable Internet. These high speeds ensure the best Internet experience commercially available, giving it the power and versatility needed to fit the demands of each user. The Importance of Local ISPs Locally-based ISPs provide greater value to local communities above the larger players, including: Empire Access: A Commitment to Erie Empire Access is a growing ISP that is currently rolling out its fiber optic services in Erie, with more than 6,000 addresses already with available access. With Empire Access, residents can expect a significant boost in their online experiences thanks to its high speeds, symmetrical residential plans, and enterprise business options services. The company’s commitment to local service is exemplified by its presence in the community. By maintaining a local office in Erie, Empire Access ensures that its customer support teams are not only accessible but deeply familiar with the unique challenges and requirements of local residents and businesses. A local touch means that customers can expect personalized service that prioritizes their needs, ensuring they have access to affordable and reliable Internet. The benefits of broadband access extend far beyond mere connectivity; it fosters economic growth, enhances quality of life, and increases opportunities for local businesses and residents alike. By choosing a locally-based ISP like Empire Access, Erie’s residents are not only gaining access to reliable Internet but are supporting a company that is deeply committed to their community’s prosperity. To learn more about Empire Access’ services, visit: www.empireaccess.com.

In the world of gaming, where milliseconds can determine the outcome of a match, having a reliable and fast internet connection is crucial. As gaming has evolved, so too have the demands on our internet infrastructure. Fiber internet, with its high-speed capabilities and unparalleled reliability, is becoming an essential choice for gamers around the globe. Let’s explore why fiber internet is important for gamers. Blazing Fast Speeds One of the most significant advantages of fiber internet is its incredible speed. Download speeds clock the time it takes to transmit data, files, and other information from an online server to your device. Conversely, upload speeds refer to how long your device takes to share data, files, and additional information to an online server. These speeds are simply fundamental to any use of the internet, and they’re especially vital to gamers, whose every reaction and decision is made in just milliseconds—and often determine whether you win or lose! . For gamers, this means: Higher Bandwidth While faster downloading and uploading speeds are important, they are almost useless if not combined with greater bandwidth capacity. In simplest terms, bandwidth is the maximum capacity any particular internet connection can have. Copper-based wires in basic coaxial cords used for cable internet are limited. Cable’s older technology cannot handle too much internet data at any moment; thus, its bandwidth is lower than fiber’s. This leads to more frequent freezes and delays—often in the middle of a gaming session—and the crashes and drop-offs dreaded by gamers everywhere. Fiber internet bandwidth is substantially higher than traditional cable. Even in larger households with several simultaneous internet users, fiber’s bandwidth shines. So, the higher the bandwidth, the more data can be sent to and from your device for superior gaming performance—with enough bandwidth remaining to stream your games with friends. Low Latency Latency, or ping, is the time it takes for data to travel from your computer to the game server and back. Usually measured by the millisecond, the lower the lag, the shorter—and the better—the response time. So, latency is your internet connection’s response time for processing requests and delivering data back and forth. Low latency means that your device and the game’s server better capture your agility, quick decision-making, and choices that can make all the difference to gaming outcomes. Fiber internet provides low latency, which translates to: Stable and Reliable Connection Fiber internet offers a stable and reliable connection that is less susceptible to interference and congestion. This stability is crucial for gamers who require uninterrupted connectivity during long gaming sessions. Benefits include: Future-Proofing Your Gaming Setup As gaming technology continues to advance, the demands on internet connections will only increase. Fiber internet is future-proof, with the capability to handle the next generation of gaming innovations, including: Fiber’s advanced technology can significantly improve your gaming experience-and maybe even give you the competitive edge you’ve been looking for against your friends! With its blazing fast speeds, low latency, reliable connection, and future-proof capabilities, fiber internet provides the optimal environment for gamers to thrive. It’s just one of the many ways that Empire Access keeps you connected and helps you stay ahead of the game.

When you think of the sun, you probably imagine its warm glow and maybe even catching a tan. But did you know the sun can also interfere with your TV signal? It’s due to an unusual phenomenon called Solar Satellite Interference. Solar Satellite Interference, also known as a “sun outage” or “sunspot,” happens when the sun’s solar activity disrupts satellite signals. It’s like a form of eclipse, but instead of a large object blocking the sun, it’s the sun’s radiation overwhelming the satellite’s signal. These satellites, which transmit TV programs, can be temporarily knocked offline when the sun passes directly behind them, allowing solar radiation to interfere with their ability to send signals back to Earth. During this time, affected TV channels are temporarily interrupted until the sun and satellite no longer align. What are sunspots? Sunspots refer to solar activity that interferes with signal transmissions between satellites and Earth, often affecting television broadcasts. But I use fiber, not satellite!  Even though your TV service might come through fiber, many TV channels are broadcasted across the country by satellite. When solar interference happens, the disruption originates from the satellite, affecting the content before it reaches your fiber network. Can this be fixed?  Unfortunately, there’s no solution to prevent solar satellite interference—it’s a natural event caused by the sun’s position in the sky. How long does it last?  This interference typically occurs in the mid to late afternoon and can last anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes per channel. Not all channels are affected simultaneously, and the issue resolves itself once the sun and satellite are no longer aligned. When does this happen?  Solar interference usually occurs around the equinoxes, during late summer and early fall (September and October) and late winter to early spring (February and March). In the northern hemisphere, outages happen before the March equinox and after the September equinox, while in the southern hemisphere, they occur after the March equinox and before the September equinox. In summary, a sun outage is a temporary interruption of geostationary satellite signals caused by solar radiation overwhelming the satellite’s ability to transmit. Although it’s a rare and brief event, it’s something to keep in mind when your TV signal is suddenly disrupted!