I get asked this question weekly, maybe even daily: "What speed internet do I need? How fast should my internet be? They want to upgrade me , should I?" It is not a "one size fits all" answer but the reality is, we don't need as much as we think we do. Although it's called internet "speed" they should really call it internet "capacity". Think of your internet connection as an interstate highway with multiple lanes and the things you use your internet for as vehicles. Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Zoom, Email, etc. are each a couple of cars trying to make it form Point A to Point B. Let's assume you're in the Netflix car and you're trying to get from Monroe to Shreveport - no matter if there's 1 lane or 500 lanes, it will take you the same amount of time to make the trip unless... you run into traffic! That is when more "lanes" or more "speed" becomes important. Your internet won't necessarily be faster with a higher package, but you will be able to do more things at once with nobody noticing a slowdown. 

The average American Family typically uses about 6 megs consistently. Why do the big name providers push 100, 500, and even 1,000 meg plans? Money! They want more of your hard earned cash! A regular American family should be able to consistently operate with 20-50 megs of connectivity with absolutely no issues. Some remote users can only get 5 or 6 MB and they are still able to stream HD video with no problems. The only time a larger package would be needed is if you're downloading/uploading a lot of large files like large CAD files, Video Game Downloads, or full length HD downloads.  If you are simply streaming Netflix, browsing social media, and using typical web services- you will not really see huge benefit in paying for hundreds of megs of internet.  I have never had more than 50 Mbps at my home and we are consistently streaming music, TV, Outdoor security cameras, and everything in between with no issues. In fact, we had almost 20 people in our house during Hurricane Laura with lots of devices streaming, social media, email, etc. with absolutely no problems! 

2020 has been the year of big changes for everyone. All of our lives have changed in some way or another due to the coronavirus pandemic that has impacted our entire world. I spent several months at home with my (newly married) wife while we both worked remotely during the worst of the pandemic. It was an odd feeling going to bed each night wondering if the tickle in the back of your throat, or that lingering headache, was in fact coronavirus or just our usual spring allergies. As we texted with friends and family, scrolled social media, and kept up with the news - it really had me thinking about how short life can be. Working from home for those months really showed me how much of my life, time, and focus was spent on things related to my "work". 

As we began to transition back into in office work mid-summer I then really started to think more about "work" and what that really looked like for me and my future. What did God really intend for "work" to look like for me? I've spent the majority of my career working in the field of Information Technology with various roles from systems administrator, consultant, to IT Director. As I climbed the corporate ladder and my job title got got fancier, my responsibility and stress level also increased exponentially. 

After several months back into the grind of work I had to step back and look at my life and really put pen to paper on God's intended purpose for me and my career and face some really hard decisions. In reality, I was working in my dream job for one of the best companies and with some of the best people in North Louisiana. On the other hand, I was unfulfilled, unhappy ,and dreading my daily duties while living for the weekends and dreaming about the future. I knew something had to give, but what person in their right mind would give up a steady salaried position with benefits and a ton of other perks? Could we even pay our bills if I made the jump?

After 7+ years with Lincoln Builders and 17+ years in the field of Information Technology working for others I decided it was time to make a change and finally get out of the rat race. For the past 7 years my "side business" of Delta Broadband was merely a hobby that organically grew and fulfilled a need for people in Ruston and North LA. Somehow treating people fair and honest really goes a long way! 

I am super excited to be working full time for myself and being able to really spend time with people building relationships and providing technology solutions. Focused mainly on internet and voice (phone systems) but still providing creative IT solutions when needed. I'm also super excited about our residential offering that is coming soon for certain areas (more on that later). 

If you are unhappy or unfulfilled, I challenge you to make a change. Even if that means changing your role at your current employer, or stepping out and fulfilling a dream. We have one life to live and I'm learning it gets shorter by the day. I may go broke and end up in a van down by the river, but at least I'll be happy and broke in a van down by the river. 

Let's go!!!! 

Brent Causey, Owner
​Delta Broadband, LLC 

When it comes to technology, restaurants are different than any other business we've encountered. Restaurants are hard on equipment, demand high-speed/reliable internet, and require systems that are efficient and easy to use by all employees. We met with the owner of the new Flying Burger early on to learn their specific requirements for this new restaurant concept.
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The owner had very detailed requirements for his business. Reliable internet was a must. He also wanted a phone system that could be customized for his type of restaurant. His third requirement was local tech support that he could count on at any time - even after "normal" business hours. With a long history in the restaurant business, the owner knows what works and what doesn't - so we knew we had to provide systems that were reliable and could withstand the use and abuse of a hot and greasy restaurant environment.

Delta provided Flying Burger with high-speed fiber internet and a cloud-based VoIP phone system customized for their specific needs. The fiber internet is business grade and designed to provide the restaurant with a rock solid internet connection with enough bandwidth for all of their business transactions. The connection will have multiple credit card transactions running at once, camera system access, internet radio streaming, WiFi, and VoIP Telephones all communicating at once. Not only did we provide a fast/reliable connection, we also provide a secure connection with our managed firewall. 

We also provided a VoIP (Voice over IP) phone system for the restaurant. When customers call to place an order, they hear an immediate message so they know that their call is in queue to be picked up. If there is any hold time, the system has voice over music informing the customer of specialty menu items and/or menu specials. The owner was specific about this requirement as he wanted to make sure his customers know they're important to him and they'll pick up the phone as soon as they are able to.

Beyond the internet and phones, we provided other solutions for the restaurant such as a redundant battery solution to keep all of their systems online during a power outage. This allows the in-process orders to be completed and also enables the phone system to continue to operate until the power is restored. Because our phone system is totally cloud based, the main line will automatically ring to a cell phone if an extended internet or power outage arises.

We love doing projects that require us to get creative and build systems that work for very specific business needs. We are not your average "geek squad" we are a technology solution provider. We take the problems of your business and provide solutions that are easy to use.

Brent Causey, Delta Broadband