4G WiMAX Has Arrived in Kansas City

What is 4G WiMAX?

4G WiMAX is super fast mobile Internet. 4G WiMAX is an evolution in high speed Internet access. It won't take you long before you look at traditional high speed DSL or cable modem services like you do dialup. You'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

What does 4g WiMAX cost?

Available for the home, office, or on-the-go 4G WiMAX is not only a revolutionary technology, it's one that's affordable. Starting at just $30 a month and without the need for costly cable or phone service, you'll start enjoy the savings immediately.

The savings don't stop there, bundle home and on-the-go, or home and unlimited phone service and save much, much more!

How fast is 4G WiMAX?

4G WiMAX is fast! Imagine getting 6mbps, burstable to 10 while driving down the Interstate... imagine sitting at the Chiefs game and watching your Internet enabled DVR* on your laptop or smartphone... Imagine conducting in a video conference from the hotel pool... Imagine the possibilities that 4G WiMAX's speed and mobility make reality.

So, our question to you is, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and experience 4G WiMAX!

Once you go WiMAX, you'll never go back!

Call us at 816.221-4658
or visit us online at www.kcnet.com

*Internet enabled DVR is not part of the 4G WiMAX service and must be purchased separately.

Court: FCC Lacks Authority to Regulate Internet

The giant telecom and cable monopolies that control 99% of U.S. broadband services won a big battle with the FCC earlier today.

A three judge panel in Washington overturned a 2008 FCC ruling that barred cable and phone giants from blocking customers’ access to Internet technologies such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and Peer-to-Peer (p2p) file sharing. The ruling comes as a blow to proponents of Net Neutrality regulations.

In the past AT&T executives have tried to claim that companies like Google, HULU, and Apple are stealing bandwidth from them by allowing their customers to get email, perform web searches, and and stream audio or video without paying AT&T special access fees.

Currently the Internet is modeled in a peering system where consumers pay Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for access to the Internet and Internet services companies like Google pay ISPs for access to the Internet enabling companies and consumers to reach each other. Now that the FCC ruling has been overturned, proponents of Net Neutrality believe telecom giants like AT&T will move to begin double billing companies like Google and Apple by making them pay additional fees for access to their customers. Some believe things could get even worse and companies services could be blocked entirely from telecom and cable giants’ networks.

“We’ve run into this very problem with cable providers in Kansas City,” said James Nelson, President of KCnet, Inc. a independent Internet Service Provider that’s been providing access since 1995. “In addition to our high-speed Internet services we offer digital phone service or Voice-over-IP. The cable companies also offer a similar service but at substantially higher cost. As a result we’ve been able to attract many cable Internet customers to our VoIP service.”

“Needless to say, these companies haven’t liked this and have from time-to-time blocked their customers’ ability to access our VoIP services,” continued Mr. Nelson. “Because of the nature of the blocks these companies employ, it is nearly impossible to prove when they are occurring.”

“A lack of Net Neutrality regulation and enforcement has resulted and will continue to result in increased costs for consumers and decreased competition in the access market space,” he concluded.

The U.S once led the world in broadband adoption, today the country ranks 15th and is sliding rapidly largely due to monopoly control of the Internet infrastructure and the pipes that deliver next generation speeds to consumers.

Proponents of Net Neutrality now believe the only option the FCC has is to force cable and telecom giants to provide wholesale, unrestricted access to their networks in much the same way they currently do with telephone services. Others believe the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division should embrace a national highway or Interstate type system for delivering the Internet to consumers where the government would step in and break up telecom and cable giants by splitting their infrastructure layer from their services layer in order to create one new regulated company that controls all the pipes in the ground and wireless spectrum in the sky and leaving all other companies to compete in the free market for the services delivered over those lines.

Until the FCC or congress acts, companies like Comcast and AT&T will be able to block and/or restrict the sites and services their customers can access on the Internet.

Now Hiring: Satellite TV Installer/Sales Rep

KCnet, Inc. a local telecommunications firm founded in 1995, is seeking Satellite TV installers/sales reps. Immediate openings!

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Satellite TV Installer / Sales Rep spearheads the sale, installation, as well as assists with testing and repairing equipment that receives digital signals for residential customers by performing the following duties:

Uses problem-solving and technical skills to install satellite dishes and related equipment
Evaluates job site to assess optimal placement of satellite dish and communicates with customers to review the installation process
Troubleshoots systems to determine the appropriate resolution for reported problems with usage
Provides customer education regarding system usage
Ensures that the highest quality of service is provided to promote superior customer satisfaction
Adheres to safety guidelines and requirements

Skills and Qualifications

Must have own transportation and tools.
Must be willing to work flexible hours, including weekends.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos
Must also be able to write simple correspondence, effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization

Additional Information

Physical Demands:

Employees must frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds
May occasionally be required to lift up to 125 pounds
Must be comfortable working in small spaces and/or various heights
Employees must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and will be required to climb ladders in a safe manner
Employees, including any tools or equipment that are carried, must be able to remain within the weight requirements of 350-pounds

Education and Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and the ability to learn and perform required duties. Working knowledge of satellite/television installation services preferred, but not required. A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is required.

Compensation:

Competitive Commission Based Compensation plan.
Sales bonuses.

Contact us at jobs@kcnet.com or by calling 816-221-4658. Immediate positions available. Sales and Technical training provided!

KCnet, Inc. Joins the Constant Contact Business Partner Program

North Kansas City, MO - Feb, 2010 - KCnet, Inc. today announced it has joined the Constant Contact Business Partner Program to provide its clients with easy-to-use email marketing, event marketing, and online survey products to help them build strong, lasting customer relationships. Constant Contact®, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations.

“Our customers are always looking for effective ways to deepen and strengthen relationships with their customers as an efficient means of growing their businesses,” said James Nelson, President of KCnet, Inc. “The Constant Contact online marketing tools give our clients a valuable addition to our core services. Because of the tools’ ease-of-use and affordability, membership in the the Constant Contact partner program provided a great solution to meet our clients’ marketing needs.”

As a Constant Contact Business Partner, KCnet is able to provide its clients with email marketing, event marketing, and online survey capabilities. With Constant Contact Email Marketing, KCnet’s clients can quickly and easily create professional-looking emails, manage email contact lists, measure email campaign results from clicks to open rates, and review who joined an email list. With Constant Contact Online Survey, KCnet’s clients have an easy-to-use tool to gather feedback that will help them meet customer needs, generate new ideas, and grow their business or organization. With Constant Contact Event Marketing, KCnet’s clients can professionally promote and efficiently manage registrations and RSVPs for their meetings, functions, seminars, and other events. Constant Contact designed these tools specifically to help small businesses and organizations drive increased customer or member participation and strengthen relationships.

“Email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys are proven tools that help small businesses connect with customers and build successful relationships with them,” said Eric Groves, senior vice president, Global Market Development, Constant Contact. “We are pleased that KCnet, Inc. chose Constant Contact to provide its clients with our online marketing tools, and we look forward to working together to help KCnet be an even bigger factor in its customers’ successes.”

About KCnet, Inc.

KCnet, Inc. is one of Kansas City’s longest running Internet Service Providers (ISP). KCnet offers Internet access, web hosting, and voice-over-IP phone services to residential and business customers throughout the Kansas City area and nation-wide. A full list of KCnet’s services can be found on their web site, http://www.kcnet.com or by calling 816-221-4658.

About Constant Contact, Inc.

With more than 350,000 customers, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys for small businesses, non-profits, and member associations. Founded in 1995, Constant Contact helps small organizations grow stronger customer relationships by delivering professional, low cost, easy-to-use online tools backed with award-winning support, education and personal coaching. Constant Contact is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CTCT) with offices located in Waltham, Mass., Loveland, Colo., and Delray, Fla. To learn more, please visit www.ConstantContact.com or call 781-472-8100.

Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

KCnet Celebrates 15 Years of Serving Kansas City

North Kansas City, MO – KCnet, Inc. , North Kansas City’s first Internet access provider, is celebrating 15 years in the Internet services industry. Formed in 1995, KCnet is one of the longest lasting Internet companies in the Midwest.

KCnet was one of Kansas City’s first Internet Service Providers (ISP). KCnet originally began by offering dial-up Internet access, for which it received national acclaim. In May 1998, KCnet expanded into the St. Louis, MO area and today serves thousands of customers nationwide.

Over the past 15 years KCnet has received numerous awards and maintains an ever expanding list of customer testimonials. KCnet has been able to expand their product offerings to rival those of telecommunications giants while still maintaining a local, knowledgeable technical support staff.

In the past 15 years the Internet has gone from being a curiosity to becoming a crucial part of everyday life for most people. Technology has taken giant leaps and there are computers in virtually every home and business. KCnet has been honored to be a part of those changes.

KCnet would like to extend their most sincere appreciation to all the people and businesses they’ve had the pleasure of working with over these 15 years. They’re looking forward to the next 15 and all the new surprises that come along with them.

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KCnet, Inc. is one of Kansas City’s longest running Internet Service Providers (ISP). KCnet offers Internet access, web hosting, and voice-over-IP phone services to residential and business customers throughout the Kansas City area and nation-wide. A full list of KCnet’s services can be found on their web site, http://www.kcnet.com or by calling 816-221-4658.

There's No Broadband 'Price War'

From Broadband Reports:

Again, There's No Broadband 'Price War'
Non-price competition is the benefit of monopoly/duopoly power...

About twice a year, in reaction to even the least exciting price promotions, the media proclaims en masse that there's a "broadband price war." When you look closer, that's never the case -- and in some cases customers are actually paying more. The nation's cable and phone companies operate as monopolies and duopolies, intentionally engaging in non-price competition. Occasionally carriers do offer introductory discounts, or promise savings should you bundle services. But more often than not these efforts are designed to give the illusion of value -- not actual value, and once you crunch the numbers and add all fees, your savings are negligible.

Techdirt directs our attention to a Technology Liberation Front report that claims that price drops are occurring, it's just that you aren't looking at it correctly. According to the piece, costs are falling on the price per megabit level. Citing the new DOCSIS 3.0 tiers we exclusively reported Monday, the website notes that customers are paying the same amount for faster speeds, which could be construed as price savings:

Though we may not be amidst a "price war" among ISPs per se, as Mike Masnick recently argued, there is simply no denying that price per megabit is declining rapidly. This is all thanks to competition, of course, which has pushed providers to invest in newer technologies that allow for faster broadband connectivity.

Of course many customers in less competitive markets often don't see upgrades, and not all carriers are being as aggressive as Comcast or Verizon about DOCSIS 3.0 or fiber upgrades. The piece also doesn't mention a few other markets realities, such as the fact that many carriers quietly raise prices via below the line fees so they can keep the advertised rate the same. Customers have also seen a rise in things like early termination fees and other surcharges (pay more to pay in person for example), while those same users are actually getting less service (newsgroups) and more annoyances (DNS redirection advertisements, the sale of their browsing histories).

And don't forget the growth of caps and throttling, with many carriers considering charging overage fees because the already profitable flat rate industry pricing model apparently isn't profitable enough. And did I mention the endless rate hikes for cable TV, which were supposed to end with the introduction of bell TV but didn't? If we're going to play games of relativity, it helps to look at the whole picture.

According to the latest OECD data, the United States ranks fifteenth in broadband penetration and twenty-first in price paid per megabit, a ranking that's getting worse because of a lack of competition in many areas. While Comcast's speed hikes may be nice, and there are select instances of cost savings for smart shoppers and savvy negotiators, there is no price war. It's more like a price two-step, or a price scuffle if you're feeling generous.

Local Firm Helps Candidates Get a Leg Up on the Competition

Kansas City– During his 2008 run for President, Barack Obama raised more than a half a billion dollars online, forever changing the way campaigns were run in the new digital age.

Now one area firm is helping local candidates shape and execute their online strategies. KCnet, a local Internet Service Provider founded in 1995, is showing candidates and campaign managers how they can take full advantage of e-mail, text messaging, and social networking to grow their base and raise money online.

“When we set out to create our organization, we knew our online presence was going to be key to our success”, said Steve Shute of the nonpartisan political organization, Hope for America Coalition. “KCnet helped us build a professional website that gave us instant credibility, helping drive up membership and fundraising.”

What KCnet does for campaigns goes far beyond the web. During the last election, they hooked candidates up with their 3G mobile broadband service so they could keep in touch while out canvassing neighborhoods or speaking at events.

“We’re able to deliver campaigns communications tools no matter where they are in the city. Imagine being out of the office, going door-to-door getting the word out and some news comes out that is vitally important to your campaign. In the past you’d have to either stop canvassing and head back to the office or wait to respond. Not anymore,” said James Nelson, president of KCnet.

“Simply grab your laptop and within a few short moments you’ve updated your blog and sent out thousands of e-mails and text messages to your supporters, keeping them informed with the latest information.”

A Pew Internet study of the 2008 election found that 46% of Americans used the Internet, e-mail, or text messaging to get news on a campaign and that number is expected to grow substantially this year. The study also found that nearly 1/3 of Americans on the Internet say that it helped them feel more connected to the campaign.

It’s safe to say the campaign that makes the best use of these new communication tools has a distinct advantage over the competition. Nelson believes campaign managers will find no better partner than KCnet for doing just that.

Additional information about KCnet and how they are helping campaigns take advantage of new technologies can be found online at http://www.kcnet.com/html/campaignwebdesign.html or by phone at 816-221-4658.