Highwood Telecom Services

Highwood Telecom Services We sell and install business phone systems, security systems and cell boosters.

Wired or wireless: which is the better connection?It’s a question we ask ourselves at every job site, because it varies,...
02/23/2026

Wired or wireless: which is the better connection?

It’s a question we ask ourselves at every job site, because it varies, even from cubicle to cubicle. Here are some things we need to consider:

Connecting to a network by plugging in directly is:
1. Secure
Requiring a physical connection to the network makes it significantly harder to gain unauthorized access.
2. Reliable
Connecting to WiFi deals with a lot of moving parts compared to running everything over cable, providing more opportunities for things to go wrong. Even disregarding that, wireless is inherently less reliable than a wired connection.
3. Predictable
The other thing about less moving parts is that if something goes wrong, there are less things you need to test in order to identify the issue. This leads to shorter downtime.

Connecting to a network by using WiFi is:
1. Convenient
While you do see public ethernet jacks from time to time, wireless connections are much easier for visitors and guests to deal with.
2. Mobile
Not all devices are intended to stay in one place. For example, most restaurants will bring the payment terminal right to your table, which they can do by connecting it to WiFi.
3. Scalable
Most WiFi access points can support 100+ connections each. While we always advise running extra connections in a wired network, WiFi will always have the edge when it comes to efficiently incorporating new end devices.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t apply these concepts to the network as a singular entity. Different areas will have different requirements, so you need to look at each piece individually.

It’s not just about what’s best for “the network”. You need to consider what’s best for the people using it.

Here’s one way communication technology has improved over the years that nobody really talks about.A trend over the last...
02/20/2026

Here’s one way communication technology has improved over the years that nobody really talks about.

A trend over the last 25 years with communication systems has seen them become much easier to program.
It's gotten to the point that the onboarding process for many of our systems involves teaching clients how to make changes on their own!

What’s more, telephony is rapidly transforming into a cloud-based industry, allowing us to easily help customers without even leaving the office.

This makes our lives easier, but more importantly, it vastly reduces the time required for a configuration change to be implemented.

No longer do you need to program your holiday hours months in advance, or anxiously wait while calls are forwarded to an employee that isn’t there anymore.

Now, all that’s required is a quick phone call or a little bit of training, as per your preference!

One of the best ways to create a robust system, even outside the realm of technology, is avoiding multiple points of fai...
02/16/2026

One of the best ways to create a robust system, even outside the realm of technology, is avoiding multiple points of failure. If there’s more than one way for something to break, it’s more likely to end up broken.

That’s why PoE (Power over Ethernet) is awesome. It allows compatible devices (phones, WiFi APs, etc.) to receive power from the same cable that they send and receive data on.

By only needing one cable, PoE devices make installs easier and end results look cleaner.

More importantly, PoE also lets you go absolutely hog wild with a UPS system, because the power is all coming from a single centralized point. That’s the main way PoE eliminates points of failure.

Not only does PoE remove the potential for damaged electrical outlets to disrupt individual devices, it also makes it easier to implement protective measures against power outages by centering everything around a single room.

If you want a network that stays reliable when other systems are going down, start on the path to PoE!

P.S; if you’re worried about how the extra voltage provided by PoE might affect a non-PoE device, just know that the inventors of this tech shared your concerns. That’s why PoE devices all have specific mechanisms that tell the output device to provide more power. In other words, you don’t need to worry about frying your PC by plugging into PoE!

It’s Friday the 13th, which means you’re in danger of getting annihilated by a big guy in a hockey mask. That’s especial...
02/13/2026

It’s Friday the 13th, which means you’re in danger of getting annihilated by a big guy in a hockey mask. That’s especially true if you’re Swiss!

You know what’s even scarier than a killer with convoluted intellectual property rights though? A poorly encrypted surveillance system.

The truth is, many camera manufacturers see protecting customer privacy as an unnecessary expense. Data security isn’t something that’s immediately obvious when you’re shopping around, and by the time you realize the hardware you installed to protect your home is doing the exact opposite, it’s too late to get your money back.

Unfortunately, this realization typically comes in the form of a bad actor exploiting this vulnerability to take over your security cameras. Some especially bad examples will even lock you out of your own hardware, giving the hacker exclusive access to your surveillance system.

If you’re looking at putting in a new surveillance system, always make sure to consult with trusted professionals like us.

Otherwise, the security vulnerability will be coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE!!!😱

Have you ever wanted to lock everyone out of your network except for a select few?This feature is called whitelisting, w...
02/03/2026

Have you ever wanted to lock everyone out of your network except for a select few?

This feature is called whitelisting, which a lot of companies charge an arm and a leg for, as implementing it across an entire network is extremely time-consuming and requires constant maintenance.

That’s why we use Grandstream access points. With these devices, you can create a unique whitelist for every WiFi signal. This allows network admins to group connected devices into individual areas instead of dealing with a massive list that changes constantly.

It also makes the network safer by providing the option to control exactly where and how a device can access it.

If you’d like to know more about the security features of our WiFi options, visit our website here: https://www.highwoodtelecom.ca/

12/08/2025

Paranoid about public WiFi? Here's an easy way to know if the network you're connected to is properly secured.

Now, what should you do with this info? While client isolation guards against most common cyberthreats you'll need to worry about in a public space, a dedicated, experienced hacker can get around it.

You're still probably fine for most things, but if anything involves sensitive info like credit card details or important account credentials, it might be best to wait until you're on a private network.

On the other hand, if that ping to device #2 succeeds, disconnect from the network, and don't reconnect without a good VPN. AI has made it so much easier for people to spy on your internet usage, and they don't even need to be there in person to do it!

Looking for help elsewhere? Visit our website at https://www.highwoodtelecom.ca/ to schedule an appointment with us!

It's no secret that connecting to public WiFi is risky business. After all, if it's easy for you to access, the same goe...
11/29/2025

It's no secret that connecting to public WiFi is risky business. After all, if it's easy for you to access, the same goes for hackers looking to steal your information.

At the same time, providing a guest WiFi is often expected for cafes and restaurants, and almost mandatory for hotels and the like.

For these business owners, this might seem like a lose-lose situation. Either they provide easy network access for their guests and risk having them exposed to bad actors, or they don't bother and have customers complain about the lack of service.

This may seem like a painful decision, but we can make it an easy one. Here's 3 reasons to give customers easy access to their own dedicated guest network:

1. Modern demands
Internet access is necessary for so much in our lives. Remote meetings, cloud storage, and WiFi calling/texting are just a few examples, and that's not even considering all the recreational activities that need the internet. This is especially important for hotels, given customers are there for extended periods of time, and also rural/remote businesses, because the cell network may not be strong enough there to work as a viable alternative.

2. Captive portals reduce liability
You may not be familiar with captive portals by name, but if you've ever connected to a hotel's WiFi you're likely already familiar with what they look like. A captive portal is a webpage that opens when a new device attempts to connect to the network. By filling this page with relevant information and disclaimers, you can avoid unpleasant legal matters, although if you want those disclaimers to hold up in court, you'll need to make sure there are reasonable security measures in place. Speaking of which...

3. The guest network isn't the main network
There's a lot of security features that go unused in most networks because of how many systems break when they are implemented. Client isolation, where devices connected to the same WiFi can't see each other, is especially bad for security and payment processing, as those systems often have component devices that link together through WiFi. However, none of these systems are going to be on the guest network, meaning you can implement client isolation and similar measures without compromising functionality for you or your customers. This is especially helpful with public WiFi, because most methods used by attackers hoping to abuse public network access require the other connected devices to be visible on the network.

We can help set up all of the above features and more, but that's just the beginning.

Remember captive portals? Those don't have to be all doom & gloom: you can use them to share the steps you've taken to secure the network with everyone who connects to it.

Because it's not enough for you to know your guest WiFi is safe: your clients should know it too.

If you’re a business owner in High River, you’ve probably heard about the new fiber internet our town is getting. You al...
11/24/2025

If you’re a business owner in High River, you’ve probably heard about the new fiber internet our town is getting. You also might be wondering how it can enhance the way you do business.

Here’s the thing: there’s a lot of different ways to answer this sort of question, most of which are going to be shared by other tech companies once the new infrastructure is operational.

So, instead of giving you the standard spiel you’ll be hearing from a half dozen other companies, we’d like to share one benefit that others in the industry specifically DO NOT want you to know about.

Phone systems have changed significantly over the years. What once was a physical device that managed phones in a single store has morphed into a cloud-based service that can manage calls at hundreds of locations simultaneously.

The foundation behind this massive shift is the switch from analog phone lines to the far more resilient and versatile VOIP, allowing for improved functionality and accessibility.

Taking full advantage of this requires a fast, stable internet connection that many businesses in High River haven't had until now.

HOWEVER, when larger companies approach you about all the benefits of VOIP, the one thing they'll be sure to leave out is this: you DO NOT need to replace all of your phone hardware to take advantage of VOIP.

Large corporations will tell you that the only way to use VOIP is through their own cloud PBX service, but in reality you don't even need a phone system that's compatible with VOIP to benefit from it.

Using analog telephone adapters, or ATAs, you can translate VOIP traffic into analog signals, allowing even the most ancient phone systems to use modern communication standards.

Other companies only provide you with the one option, because it's the option that makes them the most money. Mind you, we also like to make money, and will happily set you up with a cloud PBX ourselves, because those systems are genuinely great for a lot of businesses.

What we don’t like is keeping our customers in the dark for the sake of our profit margins. If your business uses desk phones, you absolutely should be incorporating VOIP to combat analog specific issues like cross-talk, but despite what others might tell you, there are many different ways to do so.

Now, there aren’t quite as many avenues for discovering what those options are, but… there's at least one.

P.S: if you know anyone who works with a company that uses a PA system, please consider sharing this post with them. It’s simple enough to integrate that sort of hardware with an on-premise phone system, but that’s not always the case with a cloud PBX. If they’re looking at moving to a hosted system, they’ll want to be aware of what’s required for it to work with their PA equipment.

Many farmers are wrapping up with harvesting now.This summer has come with some difficulties for them. It's been dry whe...
09/04/2025

Many farmers are wrapping up with harvesting now.

This summer has come with some difficulties for them. It's been dry when they need it to be wet, and wet when they need it to be dry.

Believe it or not, there is an Alarm.com compatible product to mitigate that.

Rain Bird is a manufacturer for irrigation systems of all shapes and sizes. Whether you're watering your front lawn or cornfield, they have a solution built for you.

By pairing their WiFi controller to your Alarm.com account, you can protect your home and monitor your watering system with a single, easy to use smartphone app!

Now, let's get real here: we're in IT, not landscaping. We aren't exactly experts in designing large scale irrigation systems, but that's part of why all these Alarm.com integrations work so well for a company like us.

We believe that the best path to the ideal solution for our customers is through cooperation with other companies, especially in smart home projects.

Having that belief for over 30 years has allowed us to develop an extensive network among other local businesses.

With so many options with Alarm.com, we're able to show that off like never before! 💪

Now that it's had a chance to properly integrate with the industry, it's safe to say WiFi 7 is a massive game changer.Ta...
08/25/2025

Now that it's had a chance to properly integrate with the industry, it's safe to say WiFi 7 is a massive game changer.

Take the GWN7672 from Grandstream for example:

In a perfect environment, the most powerful WiFi 6 device could provide up to 9.6Gbps of wireless throughput.

That's only really present in a laboratory setting though, not actual installs. The highest capacity APs we've installed were 6Gbps.

The GWN7672, in contrast, is 11Gbps.

This turns the networking world upside-down, because now you can get a better connection over WiFi than CAT6A, which has a 10Gbps capacity.

Now, in order to beat WiFi7 with a hardwired connection, you have 2 options:

CAT8: 40Gbps is hard to beat, although WiFi 7 does technically surpass it in a lab setting with 46Gbps. However, CAT8 can only support this speed up to 30m, beyond which it comes back down to 10Gbps.

Fibre-Optic: You are never going to beat fibre-optic throughput. it easily reaches 100Gbps in a real world setting, and becomes (we swear we're not making this up) 10 thousand times faster in the lab. However, not all computers have an SFP port to facilitate a fibre-optic connection.

Ultimately, WiFi 7 is an industry defining innovation that will see widespread use due to its speed, transmission range, and versatility.

You've heard of smart homes, but what about smart care facilities?This week's featured Alarm.com products are these batt...
08/05/2025

You've heard of smart homes, but what about smart care facilities?

This week's featured Alarm.com products are these battery powered bed and chair sensors.

If you're in charge of looking out for a vulnerable person, you'll want a way to consistently monitor them without compromising their privacy.

These sensors inform you whether a person is in bed, seated, or up and about. That means you can know right away if someone has fallen out of their chair or bed. You can also be alerted if they remain on the sensor for longer than expected.

Caring for the sick and infirm is a major responsibility that's often made extremely complicated when multiple charges have unique requirements.

A system from Alarm.com won't change that, but it will ease the burden by dealing with at least one of those challenges.

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419 Centre Street SE
High River, AB
T1V2C2

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