There are a lot of network variables on the Internet, some of which can be controlled and managed by your local Internet Service Provider, but most of which cannot. When offering such high Internet speeds, it's often that the content you are being served isn't available to be transmitted at the subscribed speed. You may experience bottlenecks from time to time that will make your Internet appear slower than it is. We host an "on-network" speed test server (http://speedtest.citizensfiber.com) that will be able to tell you if you are getting full service through our network. Another variable is packet overhead, which essentially means that the data you are transmitting and receiving has built in transmission information. This extra built in information is required for the data to traverse the network and will slightly lower your speeds. We do try to account for packet overhead by provisioning our Internet packages at about 5% over the advertised rates.

When you connect your router or other gateway device to the Internet, it receives a public IP address from our pool of available addresses. This address is assigned randomly, and it becomes your temporary Internet location. It's how all other computers on the Internet are able to communicate with you. This address is subject to change without notice, and for most customers that is not a problem. Some customers would like to always have the same addresses, particularly in situations where businesses have more involved uses for the Internet. This is frequently seen with customers that may be hosting service locally, such as an FTP server for clients to upload data, IP security cameras, remote desktop access, or other resources that may require remote access. A static IP is useful in these cases so the services can always be accessed remotely. Static address options are included with Commercial 2 level and higher and are available as an add-on to lower levels. We can also offer multiple static IPs, or network ranges, for an additional fee.

Multi-gigabit speeds are also an option. In the rare case that a customer needs more than a 1000/1000 Mbps Internet connection, we can offer a dedicated, enterprise-level Internet service for your business. We are a multi-homed provider with redundant routers and direct Fiber-optic connections to popular Pittsburgh data hubs. We have already done the heavy lifting for you, and we can provide the last mile as well. Enterprise-level connections are billed at various data-rates, so you pay for what you need. We will setup a direct Ethernet connection into our core Internet switch and provide you with public IP space to get your network online. This option isn't as simple as other service options and will require some additional network infrastructure on the customer side, but we can work with your IT team to get your services up and running.

Our services up to 1 Gigabit are delivered through a GPON access network. This means our services are delivered on a 100% Fiber-optic network. We don't use aging legacy copper networks that weren't designed and optimized for high-speed Internet access to supply services; we have built our network from the ground up specifically for ultra high-speed Internet. GPON delivers point-to-multipoint service over passive splitters in the plant. The use of passive equipment means that there are less points of failure on our network, and we won't lose service because of a power failure miles away that would otherwise not impact your business. Our GPON deployment also allows us to grow, as the equipment we have put in place now will be compatible with newer, higher speed technologies as they become available.