Community Updates from Jersey County, IL

For any GTItv customer who currently subscribes to GTItv, TVE or TV Everywhere is available to you at no charge. Think of it as "mobile tv" at no cost to you. To activate your free subscription, click the Products and Services link above. Then click TV. Under TV Everywhere, click Register Account. You will need your GTI account number to proceed. This can be attained by calling the office at 618-639-4841. Once you have registered, go back to Products and Services, then click TV, then TV Everywhere. On this page, you will see all of the GTI TVE channels available. Click the channel you wish to watch then sign in with your credentials. Each channel is a bit different when logging in; look for an option to Sign In, Log In, Account or something of that nature. You will have to locate from the list of providers, Grafton Technologies, Inc or GTI. Once this process is complete, you will be able to watch your favorite programs on your mobile device. Should you need assistance registering, please call the office at 618-639-4841.

If you have been shopping lately for a new wireless router, you've seen the store shelves loaded with models marked AC (WiFi 5). Further marketing information on the router box goes on to describe frequencies 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This is the range (coverage) and bandwidth (speed) that the bands provide. The longer coverage range, 2.4GHz, transmits data at slower speeds while the 5 GHz band providing less coverage, transmits data at faster speeds. Because the range is lower in the 5 GHz band, higher frequencies cannot penetrate walls, floors or other solid objects. Notwithstanding, the 5 GHz band allows you to upload and download files faster as opposed to the 2.4GHz frequency. As Interference from other devices in your home on a particular frequency can play a part in the connection, your connection could be faster or slower. For instance, microwaves, garage door openers, cordless phones and other household devices as well as many WiFi-enabled technologies, use the 2.4 GHz band. As multiple devices attempt to use the same 2.4GHz radio frequency space, the connection suffers saturation and becomes overwhelmed. Considering fewer devices use the 5 GHz band (for the time being), the 5 GHz tends to have less congestion than the 2.4GHz band. Additionally, the 5 GHz has 23 channels for devices to use, while the 2.4GHz band has only 11. In the event you are experiencing buffering, internet drops or other internet issues, consider using the 5 GHz band.

**UPdate: Several WiFi Hotspots are now available!! GTI has installed several FREE wifi hotspots throughout the county. These hotspots can be found in the following locations. **Jerseyville Public Access- Jerseyville Donor Pool Jerseyville City Hall Jerseyville Public Library **Grafton Public Access- Grafton Grove Park Grafton Downtown Grafton Redhawk Park **Fieldon Public Access- Fieldon Park

In the technology world of "data", GTI does not sell broadband with data caps. GTI sells broadband by speed in Mb increments. If your internet usage includes checking email, research, streaming on one device, it is likely the 5Mb entry level of broadband is a sustainable plan for your internet use. Should your household include gaming consoles, smart tvs which stream, security camera systems, digital door bell, robotic vacuum, Google Home, Alexa, tablets or iPads, numerous cell phones, digital thermometer and the like, a generous amount of broadband is required for a viable connection to support these products. Think of broadband as a highway. Take Rte 109 for example. It's a two line highway. Two vehicles going the same direction cannot travel side by side. Broadband works the same. The more devices added to the home, the more broadband bandwidth is needed to support the activity.