“Is remote work here to stay?” It’s the question on everyone’s minds this year as COVID restrictions slowly loosen.
‘The New Normal’
The past year and a half have been an exercise in patience, adaptability and endurance. In early 2020, employers and employees simultaneously pivoted to remote work, leaving office towers strangely deserted. Crowded rows of cubicles turned into a thing of the past, and yoga pants swiftly became the new work trousers. Weeks turned into months, and we all began to wonder: Was remote work just a phase, or would we embrace this thing for the long run?
Now, members of the workforce have ostensibly settled into the so-called ‘new normal’ – one of the countless buzzwords to come out of 2020. Remote work has lost the sheen of novelty and has become just another routine of daily life. Is it perfect? No, but then again, very few things in this world are. Is it better than 9-5 office work? The answer depends on who you ask. But will it stick around? The short answer is yes.
It’s safe to say that remote work will be around for many years to come. And truth be told, remote work has always existed; it was just far less common pre-pandemic. The great Office Exodus of 2020 has shown that remote work on a massive worldwide scale is feasible, and the world will never be the same.
The Way of the Future
Let’s take a look at the data. Global business consultant McKinsey suggests that the future framework of remote employment is called the ‘hybrid virtual model.’ Just as the name would imply, this strategy involves a combination of remote and office work. McKinsey estimates that upwards of 20% of the current workforce could work 3-5 days of the week from a remote location just as effectively as they could from the office.
A hybrid virtual model could offer the best of both worlds: the flexibility of remote work, plus the collaborative nature of office work. Before the pandemic, many office workers would tell you they were fed up with the humdrum 9-5 cubicle life. Post-pandemic, office employees are chomping at the bit to see their co-workers and have an actual Zoom-less meeting. Too much of anything can lead to employee burnout, so many companies may balance the scales with a bit of each.
Experts believe remote work is here to stay – not for everyone, and not all the time, but we’ll never fully revert to work as we knew it just a few years ago.
If you’re part of the work-from-home revolution, there’s one thing you absolutely need to make it work: high-speed internet you can rely on. Contact Medina Fiber today to get the internet you need to power your career for years to come.
In the wake of COVID-19, more people than ever before want to work, learn and access telehealth applications from home. Modern lifestyles require modern internet powered by a fiber network—and homebuyers know it.
In fact, a 2015 study showed that fiber-delivered internet access could increase a home’s value by up to 3.1%, and that was before a pandemic increased the demand for fast, reliable home internet.
What’s the Data Saying?
The 2015 study, conducted by experts from the University of Colorado and Carnegie Mellon University, was based on national real estate market data collected between 2011 and 2013. It found that fiber internet could boost the value of the average American home by as much as $5,500 – a payout on par with adding a brand-new fireplace.
Beyond that, there is an ever-growing body of research linking the investment in broadband networks with accelerated economic performance. Communities with fast and reliable fiber networks often exhibit higher rates of per capita GDP.
The Online Superhighway
Because cable internet can be significantly slower and far less reliable than fiber, remote workers who depend on a fast, reliable connection are looking for fiber internet.
Cable internet speeds typically range from 10-250 Mbps for downloads and 5-50 Mbps for uploads. Fiber internet, however, can provide 250-1,000 Mbps each for download and upload – a critical benefit for those looking to use video conferencing tools at home.
The 2015 study found that in homes where 1,000 Mbps (equivalent to 1 Gbps) broadband was available, real estate sale prices were over 7% higher than homes with available speeds of 25 Mbps or less.
The Future of Fiber
Again, it’s worth noting the time frame of this study, which was conducted almost ten years ago now. Over the past decade, residential internet access has only become more critical and considerably more valuable.
With more than half of Americans working remotely as of January 2021, fast, secure and reliable internet has become an invaluable asset. Not only is the internet a prime source of communication and entertainment, but it’s also essential for the American white-collar workforce.
Even those who don’t work from home are more likely to want high-speed internet for telehealth applications than they were ten years ago. Data show that utilization of online medical services is now a staggering 38 times higher than it was at the beginning of the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, better broadband equals more opportunities for remote work and the delivery of digital services. Those opportunities lead to more innovation, job creation and business growth.
Fiber brings massive benefits to communities, so it’s no wonder it increases individual home values, too! To learn more about fiber availability at your home, contact Medina Fiber today. We’d love to get you connected.
If you’re like most people these days, you’ve got a lot going on. Whether it’s students learning from home, adults working from home, or some combination of both, we know the last thing you want to worry about is which device is going to connect in which room. That’s why Medina has introduced Premium WiFi, a managed WiFi solution that will provide your devices with reliable and continuous coverage throughout your house.
The term “managed WiFi” is really just another way to say: “We’ve got you covered.” From network set-up and equipment to ongoing monitoring and service, Medina will ensure your home WiFi network works exactly how and where you need it, with no special equipment purchases or maintenance on your part.
The advantages of a managed WiFi network include:
Better Coverage – Premium WiFi from Medina Fiber means you’ll get the best carrier grade equipment available, rather than the consumer grade equipment available on the shelves of your local electronics store. This especially makes a difference when it comes to whole-home coverage – having the right mesh extenders is crucial to effectively covering every room in your house.
Better Support – from the beginning, our trained technicians will ensure that your router is set up correctly and your mesh extenders are optimally placed to push WiFi signals into every corner of your home – or even your outdoor living spaces. Then, on an ongoing basis, that same equipment will give our tech support the visibility and data they need to troubleshoot any issues you’re having with your network, and get you back up and connected.
More Control and Security – our managed WiFi network makes it easier to keep your home network secure from hackers or nosy neighbors, and provides you with best-in-class parental controls to keep your children safe online.
Are you ready for the ultimate WiFi experience in your house? Turn it over to Medina Fiber because we’ve got you covered. Call 330-366-2008 or click here to sign up for Premium WiFi today!
Learn what to expect when Medina Fiber begins installations in your neighborhood.
We have begun construction in several “fiberhoods” throughout Medina County, installing underground fiber so area residents will have a faster, more reliable internet choice.
Our mission at Medina Fiber is simple, to bring world class connectivity to Medina County by building a fiber to home network to all the county’s villages, townships, and cities. Medina County is a beautiful place to live and raise a family, but you may live in an area that must resort to using a cell phone hot spot or a DSL connection, or the connection to your home is likely being supplied by an outdated copper cable. We want to fix this!
Why is the type of cable servicing your home so important?
Fiber-optic Communication is a
method of transmitting information by sending pulses of light through an optical
fiber. It offers significant reliability advantages over traditional copper
connectivity, one being, that it is not susceptible to inclement weather
conditions, which would normally stall data transmission on a copper line. Fiber optic cables transmit data at much
higher speed than copper wires. This is because
the speed of light is greater than the speed of
electrons. Fiber optic cables also have a much larger bandwidth
compared to traditional copper wires.
Did you also know that there are two types of internet speed?
Fiber also allows for lightning-fast symmetrical upload and download speeds, both of which are extremely important for things like video conferences, online schooling, gaming, and smart home applications.
Know the differences with your internet connection and your internet service provider! Don’t fall for the hype!
Is your current ISP offering you free upgrades? Maybe they are promising speeds of 200 Mbps and up? While 200 Mbps may sound great, did you know that this only represents the download speed? What about the upload speed? Have you read their fine print? Did you also know that they can fluctuate your “speed” and that they can lower it during their high demand or peak times? At Medina Fiber, there are no gimmicks. If you sign up for our 1000/1000 Gig Internet service, that is exactly what you get. The prices for our services are NOT introductory, so you do not have to worry about your bill increasing each year.
At Medina Fiber, we are
a Local company, employing local people. We are excited that we were
recently nominated for the Medina County Economic Development Business Award.
This award honors a Medina County business who has had
significant capital investment and that has provided a sustainable increase in
revenue and/or employment by enhancing our community’s appeal, by expanding,
building and/or renovating within the county. We feel very proud to be to be
nominated for this award!
We would be privileged to be your new local high speed fiber optic internet/TV and phone provider.
A true fiber to the home connection will provide better overall performance for all your connected devices! Sign up today! Log onto our website at https://medina.litcommunities.net/residential. Or call to speak with a representative at 330-817-6628.
Lit Communities has formed a public-private partnership with Medina County Fiber Network (MFCN), a partnership that’s necessary in order to tackle the huge problem of inadequate infrastructure for advanced technology resources. Residents simply do not have access to fast and reliable internet, which means no access to technologies and applications that most communities around the country do have. Medina County residents are at a distinct disadvantage because of the lack of broadband infrastructure. Why is broadband infrastructure so important? Consider a few key advantages people and communities have when they have fast and reliable internet:
Communities with proper infrastructure can access telemedicine, which allows for remote doctor visits. Telemedicine is set to revolutionize the healthcare industry, saving people significant time and money (and reducing exposure to other illnesses) by allowing them to access care from home.
Connected communities also have access to improved public safety. Whether that’s smart city technology or a more sophisticated emergency response system, a strong internet connection can quite literally be a lifesaver.
Communities with fast and reliable internet have higher property value, more robust economic development, and improved access to education and other resources that lift a community up.
The families and small businesses in an underserved community deserve what we call digital inclusion. This is the idea that all people have equitable access to fast and reliable connectivity that positively impacts lives. Digital inclusion is a strategy that communities are embracing all over the country, and it takes a partnership to make it happen. Lit Communities and Medina County Fiber Network have done just that. CEO of Medina County Fiber Network David J. Corrado says, “Our partnership with Lit Communities is a great impact to economic development within Medina County and allows us to address the residential and small business entities that we could not previously serve.”
Did you know that high-speed internet is turning from a nice-to-have to a must-have as healthcare technology advances? Having access to reliable, fast internet is not just about watching a funny cat video on your phone–it’s also how many people are beginning to connect with healthcare providers quickly, easily, and at a lower cost.
Medina Fiber has partnered with telehealth provider Docity to help our communities do just that: get medical care quickly, reliably, and without losing hours of your day visiting a doctor. Traditional doctor visits, while sometimes necessary, often require unpaid leave from work and come with the risk of exposure to other sick people in the waiting room.
Docity was founded by James Cowan, a veteran and father four who wanted to find a better way to access healthcare. He says,
“We can order a pizza with an emoji, but the average American still has to wait 24 days for an appointment and lose over two hours of their life to visit the doctor. The economic costs outside of healthcare in lost time, wages, and mental health is staggering. Our kids deserve better.”
Docity, like Medina Fiber, is dedicating to serving our communities in a better way.
Telehealth is a convenient and affordable option that allows you to talk to a local doctor who can diagnose, recommend treatment, and prescribe medication, when appropriate, for many of your medical issues. Docity is a connected health platform that allows doctors to communicate face-to-face through a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Docity allows customers to simply add on affordable telehealth services to your existing Medina Fiber bill at a low monthly cost. Medina Fiber customers can get connected to Docity Health and get started today by signing up here.
