Wi-Fi – Mosaic Technologies

Public Wi-Fi and Why Your Business Needs to Capitalize on It

Hemil Mehta — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 18:16:15 +0000

At a glance statistics:

47% of people say they use public Wi-Fi regularly.
18% of public Wi-Fi users use it to work remotely.
15% of public Wi-Fi users use it to stream online content.
8% of public Wi-Fi users use it because it’s better than their at-home connection.
53% of public Wi-Fi users have connected to a café or restaurant.
32% of public Wi-Fi users have connected to other types of stores.

How Business is Evolving

It’s no secret that the way business is done has been constantly evolving, especially after the COVID pandemic, but in what ways is it evolving? Customers have always been swayed by the product or service quality, but while that’s remained the same, the customer experience has become increasingly more important. For some businesses, that could mean providing high-level customer service to guide the client through confusing situations, for others it could mean tailored solutions specific to their needs. But one customer experience aspect frequently gets overlooked due to its everyday use: a guest Wi-Fi connection!

The Benefits of having a free guest Wi-Fi

Increased Customer Experience – Customers will be more likely to enjoy their time in your business if they can do what they love most. Whether that means scrolling through social media, streaming their favorite tv shows, or working remotely, you could see a customer up to 71% more likely to return to your shop after being able to surf the web with a Wi-Fi connection!
Increased Customer Loyalty – Customers are more likely to return to a shop regularly when they have a positive experience that provides added value with other free attractions. A free public Wi-Fi connection is an excellent way to add value to your customer’s experience while in your store. According to a survey by Small Business Trends, 62% of businesses with a free Wi-Fi connection see an increase in customer loyalty.
Increased Word-of-Mouth Marketing – By allowing customers to have access to your Wi-Fi, you’re not only increasing the amount of time they will spend in your store but also giving them new opportunities to share their experiences with their friends and family. This could be as simple as posting a picture of your product on social media or even leaving you a review instantly after a positive experience.
Increased Website Traffic and Social Engagement – Having a public Wi-Fi connection offers you a chance to increase your online presence. By setting up a public Wi-Fi connection, you allow your customers to go to your website and view even more products you provide. You can even set up your Wi-Fi to take them to your website as a way to log on to the public connection, similar to the way they do it at airports and hotels!
Increased Sales – Create brand loyalty by offering a free guest network to your new and existing customers. Providing this add-on amenity, will create an increase in foot traffic and enhance the customer experience while shopping. You can even offer specific deals to those who connect to your network or share your product or service with their friends. The number of opportunities for increasing sales with public Wi-Fi are almost limitless.

How you can safely provide a free public connection.

The key to providing free public Wi-Fi is maintaining your safety by setting up a guest network. This allows your customers to enjoy the connection to the internet and protects you from any viruses that their devices may be carrying. Mosaic offers an incredible business Wi-Fi solution that does that and so much more. Our dedicated commercial sales team has the experience and knowledge to help you tailor a solution to your business’s needs so you can start experiencing the benefits of utilizing public Wi-Fi in your store or office. For more information on our business Wi-Fi solutions and how you can partner with Mosaic, your local technology provider, check out our business page here, ExperienceMosaic.com/business-services/.

Sources: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/public-wi-fi-statistics
Calix SmartBiz Blog “Free Wi-Fi and Why Your Business Needs to Offer it”

MosaicEdge™ Managed Wi-Fi Solutions

Mosaic’s Managed Wi-Fi product sets provide customizable, cost-effective, safe, and powerful Wi-Fi coverage for business customers. Utilizing powerful, enterprise-level, Wi-Fi 6 access points and routers, create virtual network segments for security and network traffic management, allowing real-time network analysis and troubleshooting.

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Business Services

What’s a guest Wi-Fi network and why do you need one?

Hemil Mehta — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:49:32 +0000

As most of us are aware, home network security is extremely important. If your Wi-Fi network is not properly secured, it leaves you vulnerable to a variety of security threats. Determined hackers can use your Internet service for free, introduce malware onto your devices, and steal your personal data. It’s even possible for a hacker to hijack your Wi-Fi router and use it, along with thousands of other hacked routers, to launch a large-scale cyberattack on a company, government agency, or other organization. Fortunately, these threats can usually be addressed with some simple measures, like using the right type of Wi-Fi security (the WPA2 security protocol), setting a strong Wi-Fi password, and changing it every few months.

Your house guests may pose a threat to your home network

But there is another type of threat to your home network you may not be aware of your house guests. If your network is not set up correctly, visitors who access your Wi-Fi network pose a potential security risk to your devices and data.
Here’s how. Let’s say that you have two laptops, four smartphones, and a tablet in your home, any of which could be connected to your Wi-Fi network at any given time. Let’s say you also have several smart home devices connected to Wi-Fi, and you have a portable USB hard drive plugged into your Wi-Fi router to share files with other family members. Whenever a guest logs into your primary Wi-Fi network, they will also have access to every one of these devices. While it’s unlikely any of your friends would intentionally sabotage your network, there’s a chance that the device they are using to connect to your network is infected with some sort of malware. If so, there’s a possibility that this malware could be spread to other devices connected to your network.

Why you need a guest Wi-Fi network

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to address this particular threat Most Wi-Fi routers give you the ability to create what’s called a “guest Wi-Fi” network. Unlike your regular Wi-Fi network that you and your family members use, the guest Wi-Fi network restricts what your guests can do in your network. Specifically, it gives visitors access to your Internet connection and nothing else. They can’t see any of your devices on the network and they don’t have the ability to access them. Most importantly, they can’t accidentally introduce malware or compromise your devices or data in any other way.

How does a guest Wi-Fi network work?

Here’s how a guest Wi-Fi network works. Anyone looking to connect to your Wi-Fi will see your primary Wi-Fi network name as well as your guest network name. For example, if your primary network is called “MyWiFi” your guest network might be called “MyWiFi-guest”. Each of these networks has a separate strong password one you share with guests and the other that you only share with family members. When a guest asks you for your Wi-Fi password, you simply give them the guest Wi-Fi password and ask them to connect to “MyWiFi-guest”. Once they’re connected, they can use the Internet and you don’t have to worry about any security threats.

How to set up a guest Wi-Fi network

To set up your guest Wi-Fi network, you need to access the app for your Wi-Fi router. You log into the network and follow the instructions provided by your router manufacturer to create and set up the guest Wi-Fi network.

If you have a MosaicEdge™, you need to log in to the MosaicEdge™ app to set up your guest Wi-Fi network. This involves three steps
1. Turn on the guest Wi-Fi network for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
2. Provide a name for the guest Wi-Fi network (also known as the SSID).
3. Set a strong password that’s also easy to remember for your guests.

Share your guest password with your visitors

Keep a record of your guest Wi-Fi password and make sure it’s the password you share with visitors to your home, rather than your primary Wi-Fi password. And don’t forget to change your primary and guest Wi-Fi passwords every few months.
If you have any problems changing the name of your guest Wi-Fi network or changing your password using the MosaicEdge™ web interface, contact your service provider to get help.

Ask us more about our high-speed internet plans.

Find out more on https://experiencemosaic.com/internet/

Let us make one thing in your life worry-free! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions at 715-458-5400.

Fiber Internet can increase your home value!

Hemil Mehta — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:20:45 +0000

It’s always important to make smart investments when you can so your future self can reap the rewards. There are so many things you can do that can impact the value of your home. But did you know that just having fiber internet can increase your home’s value? Whether you’re looking to sell soon, or you’re just thinking about it, you’ll want to give us a call and see if you can upgrade to Fiber Optics! According to the study released by FTTH, by upgrading your network to fiber, you can add over 3% to your home’s value! That means on a 175,000 home you could add more than $5,400 to your value, and with the current real-estate prices, you can most likely expect even more!

You might be asking, what is fiber internet?

Well, that’s a great question! Traditionally, internet companies use copper cables to bring you internet services. However, with advances in technology, people found out that using glass fibers to shoot light transmitting the data was much quicker and more effective! This means by switching to the fiber you are literally upgrading to the speed of light. Not only does fiber make your connection faster, but it also is more reliable during storms. Since it’s glass instead of copper, electricity isn’t drawn to it, and you can expect your internet to go out less! Even if it does still manage to be knocked out, fiber optics allow us to pinpoint the area causing the issue, so we can fix it and get you up and running as fast as possible.

Do you feel like your family doesn’t use the internet much and think you wouldn’t benefit from making this switch? Well, it’s important to keep in mind that as technology continues to advance, so will the amount of bandwidth your devices require to operate. Fast Internet can mean so much more than just streaming. Fast Fiber Internet can make new technologies more feasible, such as remote working, distance learning, gaming, home automation, and security. You should consider making the switch now before your devices begin to be slowed down by outdated internet connections!

How do I make the switch to Fiber?

Making the switch is not as hard as you might think either. You can visit ExperienceFiber.com and fill out our Fiber to the Home or Business form and we will show all the available services to your home and set up a time to have a technician switch you over if fiber is ready to go in your area!

Our Fiber services are now available in Chetek, Birchwood, Mikana, Turtle Lake, Cameron, Sand Creek, Prairie Farm. It is the perfect time to make this investment! Even if you aren’t ready to move, you’ll get access to the fastest and most reliable internet available provided by your local service provider.

So, whether you’re ready to move or not, give your home the value it deserves and your family the connection they deserve with Mosaic fiber GIGABIT internet! You won’t regret making the switch!

Ask us more about our high-speed internet plans.

Find out more on https://experiencemosaic.com/internet/

Let us make one thing in your life worry-free! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions at 715-458-5400.

What’s the difference between the Internet & Wi-Fi?

Hemil Mehta — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 17:16:29 +0000

Wi-Fi technology is extremely popular and available just about everywhere. Whether you’re grabbing a cup of coffee, shopping for shoes, or enjoying a family pizza night, you’re likely to have a Wi-Fi hotspot available. You may hear people talking about “getting onto Wi-Fi” or not being able to “get onto Wi-Fi”. Most of the time, the issue is that they can’t get their laptop, smartphone, or other device connected to the Internet.

Is Wi-Fi the same as the Internet? No, it’s not. And with home networks getting more sophisticated all the time, with more and more connected devices, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of the difference between the two.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a massive global communications network. In fact, as its name suggests, it’s more than just one network—it’s a series of thousands of interconnected networks.
While no one person or organization owns the Internet itself, each Internet service provider (ISP) typically owns its own network. It buys and installs the specialized networking equipment that makes it possible for customers like you—in addition to businesses, universities, hospitals, and more—to connect to the Internet.
When you connect to your ISP’s network from your home or workplace, you have the ability to connect with other networks, companies, services, and individuals who are also connected to the Internet. For example, you can stream movies on Netflix by connecting via the Internet to computer servers that Netflix owns or read your email by connecting to one of Gmail’s servers.
When you purchase monthly Internet services for your home, your ISP gives you all the physical equipment you need to connect your own devices to the Internet. This includes a physical line, such as a fiber optic cable, that will connect your home to the ISP’s network. Inside your home, this physical line is connected to an electronic device that’s usually called a modem.

How do I connect my devices to the Internet?

With your modem providing the Internet connection into your home, there are two ways you can connect your device to the modem.

Connecting with a physical cable

The first method, which is not very common anymore, involves physically plugging your computer into the port on the back of your modem using what’s called an Ethernet cable. When your computer is plugged into the modem, becomes part of your ISP’s network, along with all the other individuals and business customers who have also connected their devices.

Connecting over Wi-Fi

The second method, which is the most common today, involves connecting your computer, tablet, or smartphone to your ISP’s network without using a physical wire. This “wireless” connection is made possible by Wi-Fi technology; specifically by a second device in your home called a router or sometimes referred to as a gateway. This router is physically plugged into the modem with a cable or it is combined with the modem into a single piece of equipment.
The Wi-Fi router uses radio technology to broadcast a unique name (also known as a service set identifier, or SSID), which you or your ISP chooses when the router is first set up. When you’re on your laptop or other devices, you can see a list of other Wi-Fi routers nearby such as yours and your neighbors’. You can select your router name from the list and enter the router’s password. And just like that, you’re connected to Wi-Fi. Since your router is connected to your modem, you can now access any online service or go to any website using your web browser.

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Is connecting to Wi-Fi the same as connecting to the Internet?

The short answer is no, not technically. Just because you’re connected to your Wi-Fi router does not mean that you are also connected to the Internet.
You might notice from time to time that your computer says you’re connected to Wi-Fi but you are not able to access any websites or send an email. This means one of two things: either your modem is not properly connected to the Internet or your Wi-Fi router is not successfully connected to your modem.
So the next time you “get on Wi-Fi,” you’ll know there’s a bit more to it. You are actually connecting to a router that is then connecting to the modem that is then connecting to the Internet.

Ask us more about our high-speed fiber internet plans.

Find out more on https://experiencemosaic.com/internet/

Let us make one thing in your life worry-free! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions at 715-458-5400.

Mosaic suspends in-person service

Andy Rick — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:23:27 +0000

Here at Mosaic Technologies, we take seriously our responsibility to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As such, we are taking additional steps to safeguard the health of our customers, employees and neighbors, and maintain our superior service to the homes, businesses and facilities in the communities we serve. Now, more than ever, reliable connection is essential. Mosaic is honoring its commitment to both extraordinary service and the wellbeing of our community by taking the following steps:

As a proactive measure, beginning Tuesday, November 3, we will temporarily suspend all in-person customer service activities. While all facets of our business will continue, our office will be closed to the public until further notice.

Customer Service

New service:

To order service, please call 715-458-5400. We will do our best to accommodate service installations for as long as it is safe and reasonable for our team to do so. Please be advised we have implemented protections for both our customers and our technicians. Our technicians have also been equipped with gloves and masks for better protection.

Payments:

Mail payments to 401 S. 1st Street, P.O. Box 664, Cameron, WI 54822
Pay online with e-billing.
Pay with credit/debit card over the phone at 715-458-5400

Deposit payments at one of our dropbox locations:
- Barron office, 611 E La Salle Ave, Barron
- Chetek office, 704 2nd St, Chetek
- Rice Lake office, 103 W. Messenger Street, Rice Lake
- Rice Lake City Hall, 30 E Eau Claire Street, Rice Lake
- Cameron office, 401 S. 1st Street, Cameron

Technical Support: For service-related questions or support, you may contact us 24/7 at 715-458-5400.

Guaranteed internet speed and reliability

As a Mosaic customer, the amount of data you can use over your internet connection is never limited*. Our fiber-connected homes enjoy equal upload and download speeds—ideal for online education and work-from-home scenarios. Please contact us if you’d like to upgrade your internet speed or discuss any changes to your account. 715-458-5400.

* Higher speeds available in some areas. Please contact our sales office for more information on pricing and availability. Some restrictions and service requirements may apply.

Mosaic Fires up Fiber at Turtle Lake Bar & Grill

Andy Rick — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:07:23 +0000

Mosaic continues to bring fiber optic internet to Turtle Lake!

On August 13, 2020, Mosaic fired up another business on fiber in Turtle Lake! Hotel Bar and Grill is now taking full advantage of the unparalleled speeds now offered in the village. Here is what they had to say about this partnership.

“We are so excited to have Mosaic fiber in Turtle Lake’s Downtown Business District! The speed and ease with which Mosaic completed our connection can only be rivaled by the speed and ease of use of the services they provide,” said owner Jennifer Swenson. “In a time when our business needs to be innovative and creative to safely meet the needs of our guests, Mosaic’s fast, reliable fiber technology has been a game changer. Thank you, Mosaic, for understanding and exceeding our business needs! Your services have been the best 100th Birthday Gift the Hotel Bar and Grill has received!”

Mosaic is pleased to work with Hotel Bar and Grill and looks forward to providing years of reliable and fast service to them and the rest of Turtle Lake.

Hotel Bar and Grill is not the only one joining the Mosaic community, nearly 200 Turtle Lake homes and businesses have also signed up for residential services! Fiber internet services range from 250 Mbps up to 1000 Mbps, making this the fastest symmetrical connection available to the public by far. Customers can now stream from multiple services like Netflix™, HBO Go®, Hulu, YouTube, and many other platforms, even if others in your household are also consuming large amounts of bandwidth! Mosaic is eager to connect even more residents and businesses in the Turtle Lake area to its state-of-the-art technology.

The Mosaic team is replacing old copper cables for a more reliable and faster connection provided by fiber. Fiber optic cable uses light instead of electrical currents, meaning not only will your internet be up to 10 times faster, it will also be less susceptible to lightning strikes or storms that roll through.

As Mosaic continues to lay main fiber optic lines in the outer reaches of Turtle Lake, residents are encouraged to take advantage of this build out as we move into the fall season. If you would like more information about Mosaic’s exciting expansion call 715-458-5400 or visit ExperienceMosaic.com for more information.

Customer Speed Enhancements & Community Wi-Fi Locations Announced

james — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 18:37:41 +0000

Now, more than ever, a reliable connection is essential. Mosaic is honoring its commitment to both extraordinary service and the well-being of our community by taking the following steps:

Complimentary Residential and Business Speed Upgrades*

Yesterday, March 17th, we automatically upgraded the Internet speed of every Mosaic fiber-connected** home and by 100-400 Mbps. This speed upgrade is ENTIRELY COMPLIMENTARY and is intended to support any increased demand due to school closures, work from home applications and general Internet usage. The symmetrical capability of fiber (equal upload and download speeds) is ideal for these usage scenarios. This upgrade enables us to confidently support your unforeseen Internet demands while promoting recommended social-distancing practices. As a Mosaic customer, your Internet usage is always unlimited and will not be constrained by data caps.

* These complimentary upgrades will remain in place for the next 60 days. We will reevaluate needs and make any determination for continuation after that time.

**To be specific all customers (res & bus) on 100/100 and 250/250 internet were upgraded to 500/500 where we could accomplish this without making a trip to the customer’s home; keeping the customer and our technicians safe. Due to bandwidth restraints of older, legacy Internet platforms, this complimentary upgrade is only applicable to fiber-connected locations where equipment can manage appropriately.

Community Wi-Fi Locations

To ensure connectivity for all residents, we have opened up public Wi-Fi locations in various spots around the community. Any community member is welcome to log on for free.

These locations include:

Barron office, 611 E La Salle Ave, Barron
Chetek office, 704 2nd St, Chetek
Rice Lake office, 20 North Wilson Ave, Rice Lake
Cameron office, 401 S. 1st Street, Cameron

To connect at these locations choose the “ExperienceMosaic” network from your device’s Wi-Fi settings. When prompted choose to join Network. You will not be asked for a password. Usage is unlimited.

Message to Our Customers

james — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 22:22:35 +0000

Here at Mosaic, we take seriously our responsibility to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As such, we are taking additional steps to safeguard the health of our customers, employees and neighbors, and maintain our superior service to the homes, businesses and facilities in the communities we serve. Now, more than ever, a reliable connection is essential. Mosaic is honoring its commitment to both extraordinary service and the well-being of our community by taking the following steps:

Beginning Tuesday, March 17th, we will temporarily suspend all in-person customer service activities. While all facets of our business will continue, our office will be closed to the public until further notice.

Customer Service

New service: To order service, please call 715-458-5400. We will do our best to accommodate service installations for as long as it is safe and reasonable for our team to do so. Please be advised we have implemented protections for both our customers and our technicians. Our technicians have also been equipped with gloves and masks for better protection.

Payments:

Mail payments to 401 S. 1st Street, P.O. Box 664, Cameron, WI 54822
Pay online with e-billing.
Pay with credit/debit card over the phone at 715-458-5400
Deposit payments at one of our dropbox locations:
- Barron office, 611 E La Salle Ave, Barron
- Chetek office, 704 2nd St, Chetek
- Rice Lake office, 20 North Wilson Ave, Rice Lake
- Rice Lake City Hall,  30 E Eau Claire Street, Rice Lake
- Cameron office, 401 S. 1st Street, Cameron

Technical Support:  For service-related questions or support, you may contact us 24/7 at 715-458-5400.

Guaranteed internet speed and reliability

As a Mosaic customer, the amount of data you can use over your internet connection is never limited. Our fiber-connected homes enjoy equal upload and download speeds – ideal for online education and work-from-home scenarios. Please contact us if you’d like to upgrade your Internet speed or discuss any changes to your account. 715-458-5400.

* Higher speeds available in some areas. Please contact our sales office for more information on pricing and availability. Some restrictions and service requirements may apply.

Mosaic’s Gigacenter

james — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 18:45:44 +0000

Now is the time to get Mosaic’s Gigacenter router free for 3 months. After installation and setup, our technicians can then remote into your router for troubleshooting internet or WiFi issues without a house call. Everyone stays healthy and you don’t lose a minute of streaming. Call 715.458.5400 to get yours today!