Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you don’t see the information you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Business Office at 719-743-2441.
When is my Bill Due?

Payment Due Dates and Late Penalty

Payments are due by the 15th of each month. A $2.00 late fee will apply to any unpaid balance after the 25th of the month.

 

New Member Activation Information

At Eastern Slope Technologies, we’re happy to share that we do not charge an installation fee. Instead, we have a one-time $40.00 activation fee for all new members. This fee helps cover the processing of paperwork and the setup of your account.

The good news? You can have this fee waived by enrolling in Automatic Payment and Paperless Billing within your first month of service.

Visit our SmartHub page for more details and easy enrollment options.

Methods of Payment

  • Mail Send your payment to: PO Box 397, Hugo, CO 80821
  • Pay by Phone Call us at 1-855-940-4015.  Please have your account number and PIN ready. (If you don’t have a PIN, contact our Business Office to set one up.)
  • One-Time Payment Use SmartHub Pay Now for quick and easy one-time payments.
  • Automatic Payment Set up recurring payments conveniently through SmartHub.

We are proud to offer a variety of benefits to our members, including:

  • Military Discount: Enjoy a 5% discount as a token of our appreciation.

  • Lifeline Support Program: Assistance for eligible members to stay connected.

  • Refer a Friend: Share the benefits and earn bill credits!

See our Discounts and Promos page for current promotions available to you.

At Eastern Slope, we’re proud to be a cooperative—this means every member is also an owner. Capital Credits represent your ownership in the cooperative, based on the services you purchase.

As a non-profit organization, Eastern Slope Rural Telephone allocates its annual operating margins back to members through Capital Credits. If your account qualifies, your Capital Credit check will either be available at the Annual Meeting or mailed to the address we have on file.

Learn more about Capital Credits and how they benefit you.

IT Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Our IT Team has put together some helpful tips for you to try before reaching out for support. Explore our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to find quick solutions and expert advice.

What is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given period of time. Think of it as a highway—the wider the road (or bandwidth), the more cars (or data) can travel through at once. Bandwidth impacts the speed and quality of your online experience, from streaming videos to browsing websites or downloading files. Higher bandwidth ensures smoother, faster connections, especially when multiple devices are in use.

The main difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi lies in their range and speed:

  • 2.4GHz Wi-Fi offers a longer range and better penetration through walls and obstacles, but supports slower speeds. It is also more prone to interference from other devices like microwaves due to other devices using this frequency.
  • 5GHz Wi-Fi provides faster speeds and less interference but has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating walls and obstacles.

Overall, 2.4GHz is ideal for broader coverage, while 5GHz is better for faster connections to devices that are closer to the router.

Keeping software up to date on devices is crucial for several reasons:

  1. Security: Updates often patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers, keeping your data and device safe from cyberattacks.
  2. Bug Fixes: Software updates resolve existing bugs, improving the overall performance and stability of your device.
  3. New Features: Updates can introduce new functionalities or improve existing ones, enhancing the user experience.
  4. Compatibility: Up-to-date software ensures your device remains compatible with newer technologies and applications.

Regular updates help keep devices secure, efficient, and optimized for performance.

Using Your Own Router If you prefer to use your own router, you’ll need to configure its WAN connection type to PPPoE using the username and password provided during sign-up.

Benefits of Using an Eastern Slope Technologies Router:

  • Enhanced Support: Our team offers faster and more effective customer support for ESTech routers.

  • Quick Issue Resolution: If internet problems occur, we can troubleshoot and resolve them more efficiently.

  • Verified Connection: With your own router, we can only confirm that the internet reaches your device. Using an ESTech router enables us to centrally monitor and diagnose connectivity issues.

  • Cloud-Backed Configurations: Our routers communicate their status to a secure cloud platform exclusively accessed by ESTech. Configurations are backed up automatically for seamless restoration.

  • Hassle-Free Upgrades: When upgrading or replacing your ESTech router, all settings are automatically reloaded to match your previous setup.

  • Lightning Protection: If your ESTech router is damaged by lightning or fails, we’ll replace it at no charge.

  • Regular Updates: Our routers receive consistent updates to ensure optimal performance and security.

Troubleshooting: Why is My Internet Not Working?

Try these simple steps to troubleshoot before calling Eastern Slope:

  • Check Power: Ensure the outlet your router is plugged into has power.

  • Battery Backup (Fiber Services Only): Verify that your battery backup is functioning properly. Look for steady lights and listen for any beeping or flashing indicators.

  • Router Lights: Examine the lights on your router. If they are red, unplug the router for a moment and then plug it back in to reset.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, Call the Business Office at 719-743-2441 during the business hours of Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5 PM or call the After Hours Internet Number at 1-877-610-7041

 

Troubleshooting: Why in my internet slow or buffering?

  • Is your internet speed sufficient for your household needs? Ensure your plan provides enough bandwidth for all your activities.

  • How many devices are connected to your network? A high number of connected devices can strain your internet speed.

  • Is someone using more bandwidth than usual? Check if someone in your household is downloading large files, streaming, or engaging in other high-bandwidth activities.

  • Does your device have enough memory available for streaming? Limited memory or a full cache can affect streaming performance. Clearing your device’s cache may help.

Fiber to the Home (FTTH) FAQs

What to expect when Fiber to the Home (FTTH) comes to your area.

Steps to adding Fiber to the Home (FTTH)

Engineering is the process in which routes, permits, and legals are obtained to move forward with a Fiber to the Home project.

Fiber Mainline Installation Fiber mainlines are strategically placed along main roads and alleys, creating a network that connects to individual fiber drops for homes and businesses.

Fiber Drops Fiber drops are placed off the mainline to all businesses and residences

Fiber Splicing To maximize performance, every fiber mainline and drop is spliced together, ensuring a reliable and efficient network.

Custom Fiber Installs are the final step to experiencing Fiber to the Home at your home or business. A customer service representative will call to schedule your install. At your installation, a technician will install all wiring and your programmed router for your convenience.

Eastern Slope Technologies will upgrade your services to fiber at no additional cost to your account.

However, if you choose to upgrade to a higher-speed plan or add extra services, additional charges will apply.

Though we may be required to dig across your yard to bury a new fiber line, our goal is to treat your property as if it were our own. We will always strive to promptly restore your property to a condition as close to original as possible. If you have questions or concerns about getting fiber to your home, please feel free to call us at 719-743-2441 or 888-999-3778.

Once the mainline fiber and fiber drops to businesses and homes have been completed, we will splice and test the fiber to ensure optimal performance.

The final step involves Custom Fiber Installations. At this stage, a customer service representative will contact you to schedule your installation.

Appointments are scheduled within a two-hour window. While some installations may be completed in less time, others could take slightly longer, depending on your home.

Missed Fiber Installation? No Problem!

If you didn’t sign up for Fiber to the Home (FTTH) during initial construction in your area, don’t worry—fiber can still be installed at your home or business. Some additional construction work may be required to complete services.

If DSL services were previously available at your location, we can connect you to DSL until construction can get your fiber drop placed. If you would prefer to wait for fiber services, we can get that scheduled as well.