LCI NOW HAS REDUNDANT ACCESS TO THE

INTERNET

(....Continued from the CWC Home Page...) Lake Cherokee Internet (LCI) is nearing the end of its first year of operation with approximately 300 homes connected to the service. And with even more customers than anticipated, Community Utilities Group (CUG), the LCI service provider, is continuing to work diligently to make the service even better. A venture of this magnitude presents many unanticipated challenges along the way, but CUG has recognized those and worked continuously to overcome them and provide the service you expect, and the service expected by CWC. LCI is both a service to shareholders and a business venture. The more successful LCI is, the more money CWC has to improve amenities for all CWC shareholders. Below are just some of the improvements that you will see within the next few weeks.

Back-Up Signal Now Installed

The most vulnerable aspect of LCI, and the root cause of most outages, has always been the link between LCI and the system providing the internet access. To reduce the risk of that single link, we have now duplicated that connection with a second internet access portal for the LCI system. If one goes down, LCI will still be operational through the other portal. With that redundant system now in place, CUG is in the process of switching each customer’s radio to automatically move to the active signal. This process will take about two months. Your service may be interrupted for a few minutes while the switch is being made. Typically, a service representative will be on the phone with you while he is accomplishing the task.

You Spoke-CUG Responded

“I do not want to login all the time.” Okay - Now, the subscriber is online at all times! CUG has integrated new technology that allows the subscriber’s outside radio to accomplish a periodic log in process automatically (a Homeland Security requirement). For you techies out there, it is called PPPOE Authentication and makes the experience transparent while still complying with all laws.

“I dislike the payment system. There has to be an easier way, and I need a receipt.” Okay. Now, the subscriber can choose their payment methods from the following options: 1) Continue to use PayPal; 2) Pay by credit card; 3) Mail CUG a check. CUG now has the ability to send emails to the subscribers reminding them of their upcoming LCI bill. The email will be sent 5 days prior to the due date. If you forget to make your payment, an additional reminder will be emailed. Failure to make a payment within 10 days will result in the subscriber’s LCI being disconnected. There will be a $25 reconnect fee. You can still pay monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually. Please decide which payment process is best for you. A CUG representative will contact you for that information. CUG also has the ability to generate invoices for services and charges. These will be sent via email as well. As part of the new billing system changes, the 3 day service option has been dropped.

“I need more speed.” Okay. The current system provides 2 megabytes – up and down. The new system provides options for even higher speeds. You can upgrade to 3, 4, or 5 megabytes!. The upgrades may cost an extra $25 per month per megabyte of speed.

“I have no clue about the routers and other hardware I am supposed to go buy to install my system in my home.” Okay. CUG service representatives will now be stocking a supply of all of these pieces of hardware and carry them handy for installation. Your purchases will be included on your first invoice and you don’t need to do a thing.

“I do not like having to pay for service calls when my system is down.” Okay. Likewise, we don’t like having to send out service trucks when there is nothing wrong with the system. So now, if trouble is located on the customer’s side, a technician will provide a detailed work order invoice that will be emailed directly to you. The trip charge is being reduced from $75 to $50 for the first 15 minutes. Time charges have also been adjusted from $75 per half hour to $1 per minute. CUG is able to check the radio operation and the system operation remotely. Network system problems are no charge. Keep in mind that the outside radio belongs to the customer.

"I have my DSL service and phone service bundled and don’t want to mess with changing that.” Okay. With the new redundant internet access system, LCI is now able to offer Voice-over Internet Provider (VoIP). This is a system similar to Vonage. VoIP will allow a subscriber to have telephone service through their internet for about $14 a month with no long distance charges. And the subscriber can keep their current telephone number. So, for approximately $60 a month, an LCI subscriber can have high speed internet AND telephone service with no charges for long distance anywhere you have access to the internet.

All This Can Be Yours!

Despite the new great upgrades, the monthly fee remains $46 for residential subscribers. Installation is $175 and includes the cost of your outside radio.

LCI is a win-win for shareholders. No other internet provider in this area can equal the service…and your money stays at home! Providing support and funding for ongoing Lake Cherokee community improvements. The system will continue to develop and improve as we grow…thanks to your support and feedback.

Supporting Lake Cherokee Internet benefits all CWC shareholders!

If you are a shareholder and you refer someone to LCI, you will receive a reward check from the CWC for $25 when your referral becomes a subscriber. Just call and let the CWC office know who you have referred.

LCI Helpful Hints

Things to check before calling

Is your outside radio plugged in and powered up? This is the unit installed on your house. The power supply should be plugged into the little box (POE device)

at the end of the wire (Cat5) coming from the radio. If not, plug in the power supply into the top of the POE and the wall socket close by. If it is plugged into power, unplug it and wait 5 seconds before plugging back in. Make sure the Cat5 coming from the outside radio is plugged into the POE on the end labeled “WAN”. Also, make sure your computer or your router is plugged into the POE on the end labeled “LAN”.

If you still cannot connect to the Internet, and you have a router, unplug the power cord on the router, wait 15 seconds and plug it in, then try again. If you are using a laptop computer, and still cannot connect to the Internet, using Cat5 cable, plug your laptop directly into the LAN side of the POE device, described above. Plug the remaining end of the Cat5 into the LAN connection on your computer. It will only fit in one of the holes.

If you have a laptop computer and you are using a wireless router to connect the Internet to your computer, make sure the WAN feature is on. Many laptops allow you to disable the wireless function when not in use. If it is not on and you are using a “wireless” connection, you cannot connect to the Internet.

If none of the above is found or do not correct the problem and you still cannot connect to the Internet, please call the 877-610-9434.

When you sign in, an info box will appear in the lower right corner of your screen. DO NOT CLOSE THIS BOX just minimize it. It has some useful information, such as links to the payment center and the date and time your service expires, and allows you to logout and change your password.