If you follow Facebook and any of the Eagle Mountain pages, you will notice that one of the most frequently asked questions is about who offers internet to the residents of Eagle Mountain. Cedar Valley Sentinel runs a high internet usage model. We are constantly using the internet for articles, research, and keeping the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project webcams up and running during the nesting season. Not to mention that my day job also requires me to have reliable internet as well.
We are located on a dirt road on the East Benches of Eagle Mountain. Our internet options are slim and not the best. We can either do Digital Subscriber Line DSL speed connections with Direct Communications or we have to look into some type of wireless internet. Most residents in the area can connect to Direct Communications via fiber that has been run to their house during construction. But there are a few areas where this is not an option. Where we are located is one of those areas, where Direct Communications can only connect to us via wired copper phone lines. We tried this for a year when we first moved in, but found the speeds a lot slower than we anticipated.
So we then went with Rise Broadband and signed up for one of their business accounts. They do charge for extra usage, so we saved money by going the business route over the residential route. Their service over the years has been great. But we noticed that we were only getting less than 20 Mbps download speeds using speedtest.net.
Then one day on my mobile phone I did a speed test (while my wi-fi) was turned off and discovered that my phone was getting over 200 Mbps when connected only to the Verizon 5G network. That got me thinking. I then looked into Verizon 5G home internet as an option. I found that they were running a special – 5G Home Internet plans starting at $25/month. Check for availability. We already have several Verizon 5G phones on our plan, so I figured we could give it a try. So I signed up for the $35 a month plan with a 3-year fixed price plan. They are even going to throw in a SimpliSafe security system if we stay with them for more than 60 days.
We have now been on Verizon 5G home internet for several weeks and have had no issues with transfer speeds or network reliability. I work from home as well as run Cedar Valley Sentinel, so I am connected via VPN most of the day doing IT-related work. We have had no issues with the service so far.
If you are having issues with your internet and want to try another option, I would suggest that you give Verizon 5G a try. Check for availability and see if it is available at your location.
I also play a lot of online games, my current focus is on the game Escape for Tarkov. I have had no issues playing it while the family is still streaming movies, etc.
I should note: that I am an affiliate for Verizon, and I do get some monetary value from them if someone does sign up for the service. So if you do look into Verizon as your internet provider, please click on the link in this article to check it out. 5G Home Internet plans starting at $25/month. Check for availability.
Future of 5G Cell in Eagle Mountain
Over the last few months, I have been watching as a new cell tower has been placed not too far from my house on Lake Mountain Road. At the beginning of 2022, the City Council approve the plan for the installation of a new cell tower. Atlas Tower 1, LLC is in the process of developing 2,500 sq feet to house an 80′ stealth grain silo telecommunications tower that will have the potential to accommodate up to four wireless carriers. It is unknown at this point if Verizon will be one of those carriers.
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.