Getting Started with Plume® SuperPods™ and HomePass™
How much is the HomePass Membership?
The HomePass membership is $5.99 per month and gives you complete visibility into your Plume powered network with full access management including speed checks, parental controls, guest management and more.
Can I set up Plume WiFi at multiple locations using one HomePass membership?
No, you will need separate memberships for each location. Plume SuperPods and HomePass membership are available to purchase with select internet services.
What speeds can I expect using SuperPod routers?
Plume SuperPods have tri-band 5Ghz 4x4 MIMO WIFI radios which are capable of providing speeds up to 850Mbps in optimal conditions. Your wireless device and the layout of your home or business will influence the actual achievable speeds. The Plume SuperPods should be able to provide 400-450Mbps to any recent 5Ghz capable device.
Although Plume SuperPods are capable of delivering WiFi speeds up to 400-450 Mbps and up to 850-920 Mbps when hardwired, actual WiFi speed experienced is dependent on several factors including (but not limited to):
- Customer end point use capability (i.e. computer, tablet, technology, etc.).
- Internet connection speed
- Overall network traffic
- Number and type of hops to the gateway pod
- Type of network application
- Environmental radio interference and signal strength of the connections
- Wi-Fi capabilities of the client device and its distance from a pod
See Plume Support for additional details.
Can I purchase SuperPods without a HomePass membership?
No, Plume SuperPods only work when paired with HomePass membership. They must be purchased together and will require a smart device that connects to either the Apple Store or Google Play to activate your HomePass membership and SuperPods. With a HomePass membership, you can see real-time network insights to show and troubleshoot issues with your WiFi network.
What is the benefit of using Plume?
The benefits of purchasing Plume SuperPods and a HomePass membership are to enhance your WiFi connection throughout your home and give you full visibility and manageability of your WiFi network.
Alaska Communications offers speeds up to 2500Mbps. Your ability to get speeds you are paying for are dependent on the router. For enhanced WiFi speeds throughout your home, we recommend Plume SuperPods as they will provide consistent and superior WiFi speeds throughout your home, up to 400-450 Mbps. If you hardwire your device to a Plume SuperPod, you may experience speeds up to 850-920 Mbps (depending on your device and SuperPod location).
Ultimately, if you choose a high-speed internet package, we highly recommend that you invest in quality WiFi access points such as Plume SuperPods to optimize your network speed across all connected devices throughout your home.
Am I required to purchase Plume with my internet?
No, you may supply your own router however, we highly recommend SuperPods for their ability to provide high-speed WiFi connectivity throughout your home.
Where should I plug in my SuperPods?
When it comes to WiFi performance, the placement of your router is key. We recommend one SuperPod for every two rooms and placing them evenly throughout the home, especially in rooms and common areas where WiFi is heavily used. Typically, SuperPods should be placed about 30 – 40 feet apart through walls and 60-80 feet apart for large open spaces. For additional placement instructions, visit Plume Support.
What app do I need to activate my SuperPods?
You’ll need to download the HomePass app available in the Apple Store or Google Play. From there, open the app and follow the steps below.
How do I set up my HomePass membership account?
Please note, you must have a smart device with access to the Apple Store or Google Play in order to use HomePass and Plume SuperPods routers.
- Download the Plume app from either the Apple Store or Google Play. Next, launch the Plume app.
- Choose “Set up Plume”, then enter your name and email to create your Plume account. Passwords must be at least eight characters.
- Check your email and verify the email account that will be associated with your new Plume account.
- Next, there are a few steps to setup your SuperPod. There is an option for Advanced setup, if needed.
- Enter your WiFi name and password. There will be a series of helpful on-screen tips for additional pod placement.
- If you have more than one pod, plug it in and add it to your network now.
- Be sure to enable notifications. This will help you be aware of your home network activity.
- The Plume app will prompt you to join the new WiFi network.
- Finally, after you’ve allowed Plume to join your network, you’ll be taken to the home screen. Over the next 24 hours, your new Plume WiFi network will optimize to create the best performance for your connected devices.
How can I optimize my home internet speed?
There are a few tips and tricks for optimizing your home internet speeds. However, it is important to note that most in-home, WiFi routers available today do not deliver real-world WiFi speeds of up to 1Gbps. That said, depending on the device, you can optimize your speeds by hardwiring the device directly into your router, relocating your router(s) in your home, and monitoring your network for issues.
How do I change my Plume account email or password?
To change your Password, simply enter your Plume Username and select “Forgot password” link on the Sign In screen in the app.
To change your Username or email, please contact our Technical Support team for assistance as they will need to authenticate your account information.
Does Plume HomePass support more than one user per account?
Currently, only one username (email) can be associated with each Plume HomePass account. To allow more than one user to manage or administer the network, the account credentials must be shared.
Can I cancel my HomePass membership anytime?
Yes, you may cancel your HomePass membership at anytime. However, if you cancel your membership, your Plume SuperPod(s) will no longer work as they require a HomePass membership to remain active.
Can I continue to use Plume with a different Internet provider?
Yes, you may continue to use your HomePass membership and SuperPod(s) with an internet provider other than Alaska Communications. However, the membership itself will not transfer to the other provider. Meaning, Alaska Communications will remain billing you for your HomePass membership. The only limitation is, unlike Alaska Communications, the other provider will not have visibility into your home network, and therefore will not be able to troubleshoot your connection. This capability is only available through Alaska Communications.
