Tag Archive for: City of Loveland

Loveland Pulse launches business service plans

Today, Pulse has launched its local, 100% fiber-optic high-speed internet and voice services for business. 

Service is now available to businesses within current Pulse service areas. Business owners and managers – once network construction is complete and service is available in your area, you can sign-up with Pulse for the security, flexibility, and scalability you require to manage the ever-changing technology needs for your company.

Internet and voice access can make or break a business in today’s economy. We are here to ensure that Loveland businesses have the reliable service they need to thrive. Pulse is proud to be Loveland’s community-owned high-speed internet and voice provider, bringing comprehensive, reliable, and competitive service needed for ultimate productivity.

Pulse Business High-Speed Internet Plans

Pulse standard business internet plans include symmetrical speeds, unlimited data with no caps or throttling, 24/7/365 technical support, and no long-term contracts. Internet plans range from 100 megabits per second for $109.95/month up to one gigabit per second for $449.95/month. For businesses with high-bandwidth needs, one to 10 gigabit-per-second internet options are also available. Find out more at pulsefiber.org/businessinternet.

Pulse Digital Voice Solutions

Additionally, Pulse offers an impressive range of digital voice solutions for businesses of any size or budget, with service starting at $29.95 per month. 

What’s so compelling about Pulse digital voice service is how comprehensive it is for any business need. Service offerings start as simply as a single business phone line and scale up to fully hosted, cloud-based, enterprise solutions that alleviate big upfront costs. We can even offer video conferencing and collaboration tools, providing businesses with the flexibility needed to run a company successfully from any environment. Find out more at pulsefiber.org/businessvoice.

One Step Forward in Supporting Loveland Businesses

Our Pulse business launch is another milestone for the project, further solidifying our utility’s role in economic development for the city. Building a 100% fiber-optic network adds critical communication infrastructure that provides equal access to all – fostering a stable and diverse economic foundation. The internet drives the economy forward, with many of the world’s most successful companies leveraging the ability to share information and connect with customers and clients. 

City of Loveland Economic Development Director Kelly Jones comments that “Reliable internet access is a top priority for both local companies and for those looking to relocate here. Growing employment and business opportunities to sustain a healthy economy is our department’s primary focus. Community-owned internet will allow us to bring more jobs to the city and help more Loveland businesses succeed. We can’t wait to see Pulse business service in action.”

We are 12 months into a four-year project. As an area becomes fiber enabled, we will notify businesses in that area directly. Companies that have signed up using the Early Interest Form will also receive email notifications when service is in their area. 

We encourage all businesses to fill out the Business Interest Form for ongoing service updates and direct notification. 

Six free video apps perfect for connecting with family and friends

The holidays are approaching and thanks to technology, distance is no longer a barrier to being together. With high-quality video chat features on many mobile devices and computers, you can gather with family and friends to enjoy meaningful connections over the dinner table this Thanksgiving and for other upcoming holidays. All you need is a device, cellular and/or WiFi connections, and the right video chat app for your needs.  Just in time for the holidays, the Loveland Pulse team has rounded up details on six video chat apps for you to consider for your holiday celebrations this year.

Zoom

Free and paid options available | 100 max participants on free account

Zoom is arguably one of the most popular video chat apps in use right now. If you work or learn from home, chances are you are familiar with this tool and already have a free or paid account. The interface is pretty simple. You can log in through a web browser, desktop application, or through a mobile app. And this Thanksgiving, you are in luck. Free accounts usually have a 40-minute limit, but Zoom is lifting that limit from midnight ET Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET Nov. 27 so your virtual family gatherings don’t get cut short. 

Skype

Free video chats, paid calls | 50 max participants

Skype is one of the oldest video chat tools available and is known for its ease of use across platforms. Download the mobile app on any mobile phone, or download it to your Mac or PC. Tip: Here is a step by step guide from DigitalTrends.com on how to install and use. 

FaceTime

Free video chats, emoji, and effects included | 32 max participants

Many Apple users are familiar with the FaceTime app and love it for its two-camera capabilities, effects, and ease of use. It is easy, but it only works with other Apple iOS users, so be sure to plan ahead. Use it on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and on a Mac to connect to other uses with an iOS device. 

Facebook Messenger Rooms

Free video chats, emoji, and effects included | 50 max participants

Facebook Messenger Rooms are a great, easy tool to connect with people on and off of Facebook. You just create a Messenger Room on Facebook, invite your friends/ family by sharing an easy link, and start chatting. This also works for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Portal devices. Similar to Facetime, there are built-in effects and emojis to use. 

Google Meet

Free to use for 1 hour | 100 max participants

If you are familiar with Google’s Suite of products like Gmail, Google Drive, etc. then Google Meet is an easy option as you need a Google account to sign up. Similar to Zoom, you can use a web browser or download the mobile app for your video or voice calls.  

Houseparty

Free to use | 8 max participants

Houseparty is a face-to-face social network available to use through Apple’s iOS, Android mobile phones, and Chrome. This app limits the participants to eight people but also allows participants to play group games together while using the app. If you want to enhance your virtual gathering, this is an option. 

 

This list is not exhaustive, of course – there are many ways you can connect with friends and family online. We recommend picking the video chat tool that works best for you and your family. Do you have others you like? Let us know! We want to help Loveland residents better connect through technology when they need it most. 

 

New AIPP Artwork Maintenance Reserve made possible with Pulse support

A much-needed artwork maintenance reserve for the City’s public art collection became a reality this past August thanks to the collaboration between the City’s Arts In Public Places (AIPP) program and Loveland Pulse, the City’s high-speed internet service provider.

Mark Dedecker works to maintain and restore artwork through Loveland’s Art in Public Places program.

AIPP is funded by the 1% contribution from all City of Loveland capital projects of $50,000 or more. The additional revenue from the Loveland Pulse project will support the reserve starting in 2023.

According to Susan Ison, director of cultural services for the City of Loveland, the City has needed a maintenance reserve of this nature for more than 20 years.

 

“The expense of annual maintenance grows as new pieces are donated or purchased,” said Ison. “The additional funding from the Pulse project is significant—and helps confirm that we can finally make this option a reality for Loveland.”

 

In January, the Visual Arts Commission (VAC) approved a proposal from Joe Bernosky, director of Loveland Water and Power, to defer Pulse payments to 2023. This approval allows Pulse to retain the 1% funds during initial construction years so the utility can get further with construction faster, have more flexibility and contingency with the project, and offer additional value-add services to customers.

Pulse will contribute approximately $700,000 to the AIPP Artwork Maintenance Reserve by 2029. The reserve will set aside revenue for the future that is earmarked for maintenance of the City’s growing and diverse art collection, which sits at 513 pieces today. The current maintenance budget is $75,000 per year.

“This is truly a win-win for Loveland,” said Bernosky. “Pulse will bring educational, commercial, and artistic benefits to citizens throughout the community and even greater (and possibly unknown) benefits in the future. We are grateful for the collaboration to support both Loveland’s public art and its trusted new utility.”

The new AIPP Artwork Maintenance Reserve has been created thanks to Pulse support. It will add more funding to maintain the city’s public art collection.

 

One key benefit of this fund – more dollars to maintain and plan for unexpected deterioration or vandalism of the complete collection, including the well-loved and well-used Benson Sculpture Park with 160+ sculptures on display.

 

“Loveland’s public art collection is one of the best in the nation, and thanks to Pulse, we have confidence we will be able to keep up the caliber of maintenance needed on an ongoing basis,” said Maryjo Morgan, Visual Arts Commissioner. “Not only is Pulse supporting our public art collection, but the utility is also adding value to the community by bringing affordable, dependable internet services to our residents and business when we need it most.”