Idaho Internet

If you have our DSL service, you have access to these plans:

10 Mbps Upload / 1 Mbps Download – Basic Plan

15 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 1 Plan 

25 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 2 Plan

If you have our Wireless service, you have access to these plans:

10 Mbps Upload / 1 Mbps Download – Basic Plan

15 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 1 Plan 

25 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 2 Plan

25 Mbps Upload / 25 Mbps Download – Tier 3 Plan

50 Mbps Upload / 25 Mbps Download – Tier 4 Plan

If you have our Fiber services, you have access to these plans:

10 Mbps Upload / 1 Mbps Download – Basic Plan

15 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 1 Plan 

25 Mbps Upload / 3 Mbps Download – Tier 2 Plan

25 Mbps Upload / 25 Mbps Download – Tier 3 Plan

50 Mbps Upload / 25 Mbps Download – Tier 4 Plan

100 Mbps Upload / 25 Mbps Download – Tier 5 Plan

Below is a guideline for household broadband speeds directly from the FCC:

Household Broadband Guide | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line):

Description: DSL is a technology that uses existing telephone lines to provide internet access. It’s like having a separate lane on the highway for internet traffic while still using the same road for phone calls.

How It Works: DSL splits the phone line into two channels—one for voice calls and the other for data. It’s widely available in rural areas because it uses existing infrastructure.

Fixed Wireless:

Description: Fixed wireless delivers internet via radio signals, similar to how your car radio picks up stations. Providers install antennas on towers or buildings to transmit and receive signals.

How It Works: The provider’s tower sends signals to a fixed antenna at your location. No physical cables are needed.

Fiber (Fiber to the Premises, FTTP):

Description: Fiber-optic cables use light signals to transmit data. Think of it as a superhighway for internet traffic.

How It Works: Providers lay fiber cables directly to homes or businesses.

Give us a call and we can let you know what services are available in your area and what plan best suites your needs!

No, whether you have DSL, Fixed Wireless, or Fiber it’s the router that will affect your Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. We are currently working on upgrading all of our subscribers to the newest router we provide which provides very impressive Wi-Fi coverage. However, even if you have your own router or one provided by Mud Lake Telephone here is some information and tips/tricks on how to get better coverage from your router:

1. Placement Matters: – Our Field Techs work with you during your install to find the best location for your needs!
   • Ideal Location: Position the router centrally in your home. Avoid placing it near thick walls, large appliances, or metal objects that can block or interfere with signals.
   • Avoid Obstacles: Keep the router away from obstacles like furniture, mirrors, and water tanks.
2. Antenna Orientation: – Mud Lake Telephone provided routers have internal antennas, not external.
   • Adjust Antennas: If your router has adjustable antennas, experiment with their orientation. Sometimes pointing them vertically or horizontally can make a difference.
3. Signal Strength and Channels: – When you call into Tech Support, we check these settings for you!
   • Channel Selection: Routers operate on specific channels. Use tools to find the least congested channel in your area.
   • Signal Strength: Ensure the router emits strong signals. Upgrading to a better router may help.
4. Dual-Band Routers: – Our routers provide both of these bands and automatically assigns your devices to the best band for that device.
   • 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz: Dual-band routers offer both frequencies. 2.4 GHz has longer range but slower speeds; 5 GHz is faster but has shorter range. Use the appropriate band based on your needs.
5. Wi-Fi Extenders and Mesh Systems: – We provide mesh units/extenders that work exclusively with the routers that we provide, this ensures 100% compatibility and allows us a better view at your network to help diagnose and resolve issues
   • Extenders: These devices amplify signals in dead zones. Place them strategically.
   • Mesh Systems: A mesh network with multiple access points provides seamless coverage throughout your home.
6. Security and Firmware Updates: – We help you setup your Wi-Fi password and we have your devices automatically update so you don’t have to worry about upgrading your software manually!
   • Secure Your Network: Set a strong Wi-Fi password to prevent unauthorized access.
   • Update Firmware: Regularly update your router’s firmware for performance improvements.

1. Check Cable Connections: Make sure all your router and modem cables are securely plugged in. Incorrectly connected cables can cause slow speeds, buffering videos, or other issues. Verify your router has power and notate what type of LED’s are showing on your router (i.e. blinking/solid red, solid green, flashing yellow) certain LED’s have certain meanings: red usually means offline, green usually means the device is operational, and yellow usually means software updates.
2. Router Details: Ask yourself:
   • What’s the make and model of your router?
   • How old is it? Routers older than five years might struggle with modern demands.
   • Verify that it can handle online gaming, streaming, and other activities.
3. Range Extenders: If you’re using range extenders to boost WiFi signal:
   • Are there any range extenders on your network?
   • Check for poor connections between the router and extender, as this can cause problems.
4. Device-Specific Issues: Sometimes, the issue is with a specific device. Confirm whether all devices on your network are experiencing connection problems or if it just a singular device.

Upon contacting our office, you will be connected with a Customer Service Representative (CSR). Depending on the nature of your call, the CSR will initiate a Service Order or Trouble Ticket. This request will then be forwarded to a Central Office Technician (CO Tech), who will address your service order or ticket. The CO Tech’s responsibilities include provisioning your equipment, troubleshooting issues remotely, or providing answers to any queries you may have regarding your equipment.

In instances where an equipment upgrade or swap is necessary, or physical troubleshooting is required that cannot be managed over the phone, the CO Tech will arrange for an Outside Plant Technician (OSP Tech) to visit your site to inspect your equipment and cabling for potential issues.

While our standard response time for Service Orders and Trouble Tickets is up to 48 hours, we strive to respond to requests on the same day whenever possible, and similarly aim to dispatch an OSP Tech on the same day if feasible.

We also provide after-hours support for emergency situations. We classify the following scenarios as emergencies:

• Absence of dial tone
• Service disruptions affecting the use of educational services (pertaining to both primary and secondary education)
• Service disruptions affecting the ability to conduct business

Please be advised that if you contact our after-hours support and your situation does not align with one of the aforementioned emergencies, we will create a ticket for your account and place it in our queue to be addressed during regular business hours. Our after-hours support staff are exclusively on-call for emergency situations.