Past Issues: August 2001 | September 2001 | October 2001 | November 2001 | December 2001 | January 2002 | February 2002 | March 2002 | April 2002 | May 2002 | June 2002 | July 2002 | August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November/December 2002 | January 2003 | August 2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005 | January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July 2006 | August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | January 2007 | February 2007 | March 2007 | April 2007 | May 2007 | June 2007 | July 2007 | August 2007 | September 2007 | October 2007 | November 2007 | December 2007 | January 2008 | February 2008 | March 2008 | April 2008 | May 2008 | June 2008 | July 2008  |  August 2008  |  September 2008  |  October 2008  |  November 2008  |  December 2008

August 2005

Inside this issue: VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol, Spam, Citynet Wholesale and Storm Advice

Late summer greetings from Citynet!

Full Service Provider

If you are a business owner, Citynet has some exciting products that can make you more efficient, productive and get you in an expansion mode while giving you state-of-the-art capabilities in Voice, Data and Video. To learn more about Citynet business voice service, give us a call at 800.903.8906. We'd love to discuss this with you. Just one more way Citynet can help grow your business.

VoIP

You have probably heard a lot lately about Voice over Internet Protocol service. Citynet is a leading provider of VoIP service to our West Virginia business customers. VoIP service allows any business to deploy this technology, which provides for quick and easy expansion into new areas. With VoIP a business owner efficiently controls their voice, data, and video capabilities. It also allows you to provide expanded services to your customers. Recently Citynet completed VoIP installations in two businesses. One was a 6 location healthcare organization, the other a 6 location financial institution. Both are reaping the benefits of being able to provide better and faster services to their clients. If you would like to know more - call Citynet Sales Department at 800.903.8906.

Spam Info

Did you know that Citynet email spam filters catch and dump an average of 4.5 million spam messages each day? On a heavy email day, that number climbs to 6 million! Consider that we deliver an average of about 350,000 email messages and know that many of them are actually spam, as well. Why then can't we eliminate 100% of the spam that hits our email servers? Well, the truth is that if we crank down the filters any finer, we would begin to eliminate many viable and meaningful emails which may contain messages from a long lost friend or a business that is sending you valuable information that you've been waiting to receive. We work hard each day to protect our customers. Please know that we don't like getting spam any more than you do.

News from Citynet Wholesale

Citynet's Wholesale division recently contracted with Infinera (www.infinera.com) to provide next generation fiber switching equipment for deployment along parts of our Citynet Fiber Network. We use this fiber network to provide service to many of the nation's largest LD providers, wireless companies, and other very large national and international customers. The new equipment will allow us to more quickly provide service to our large volume customers - in a way that no competitors will be able to provide. This is exciting news for both Citynet and Infinera. Check out our website News/Events section for more information on this new venture! http://www.citynet.net/news.cfm

Speaking about our Wholesale Division, did you know that Citynet now services customers in West Virginia and 10 major cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest? Check our homepage and learn about all products, services, and our network! Go to http://www.citynet.com for all the details. You'll see our line-up of services, network, and our Wholesale Division in light blue.

Late summer/Fall Storms

Can you believe that summer is nearly over? This has been a particularly warm and fairly dry summer, but the late summer and fall thunder storms are coming on fast and can be very damaging to your electronic toys. Here are some things that you can do should a major weather event come your way, so that you are able to stay in touch with loved ones.

Get a good electric surge protector. A surge protector can help in protecting your valuable electronics from destructive forces inadvertently caused by lightning and power surges from electric sources. Don't get a cheap one either - they do not react quickly enough and do not provide the volume of protection necessary. Most "box" stores and nearly all electronic stores sell good surge protectors that will help prevent a meltdown. Remember, nothing is better than simply unplugging your equipment during a storm. And while you are unplugging, remember to disconnect the incoming telephone line too. Lightning can follow both your electric and telephone wires to damage your equipment.

Many people today like the convenience of cordless telephones. Keep in mind that they will not work if your power is interrupted, but an old fashioned corded telephone will. Did you know that telephone companies provide very low voltage over their lines to ensure that your phone works properly? Think of how many times you've been able to call the electric company to report an interruption when you had a telephone that plugged directly into the phone jack. Don't rely on only cordless phones in your home or business. Keep at least one corded phone handy. You can purchase a corded phone for under $10.00. Pretty cheap insurance to help you stay in touch. Of course, if a tree or storm takes out the telephone wires, nothing is going to help.

Finally, don't think that you are completely safe if you have a cell phone! All cellular and PCS phone systems rely on wire line telephone operations to "complete" a call. If phone service is out or if the electric service to the nearest tower is out - you may loose cell service also. If you are lucky enough to have cell service during a major outage it is extremely important that you remember to keep your conversations brief. If too many cell users hit the system at the same time, the system will not be able to handle the volume. Ensure your safety and the safety of your friends and neighbors - keep it short!

Enjoy the rest of your summer. Remember, if you ever need to contact us you may do so by visiting our website or by calling customer service at 800.881.2638.