Consolidated "Reach" Winter 2025

P.O. Box 1408 Dickinson, ND 58602

reach

Winter 2025

Our entire staff at Consolidated looks forward to serving you in 2025!

The Great Pumpkin Hunt Winners!

The Consolidated Reach newsletter is a publication of Consolidated Telcom – Robbin Schwindt, Editor –

Contact Us Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (MST)

PROGRAMS

Phone Numbers: Local: 701.483.4000 US Toll Free: 888.225.5282 Main Fax: 701.483.0001 Internet Support: 24 hours, Monday – Sunday 701.483.4638 or 701.483.INET Telephone & TV Support: 701.483.4444 or 800.247.1858 Mailing Address: Consolidated Telcom PO Box 1408 507 South Main Dickinson, ND 58602 www.consolidatednd.com

8

Congratulations to Jadyn Roller, Jayli Roller, Jayce Roller, Kari Roller, Kristi Bast and Gabe Bast of Dickinson! Consolidated and 28 local businesses awarded them a prize package valued at over $2800 for finding The Great Pumpkin. This year’s Great Pumpkin was found in the trees off the Crooked Crane Trail. A huge thank you to the businesses who contributed to the GRAND PRIZE!

See page 3 for information!

Deadlines approaching.

EAGLE AWARD page 2 CONSOLIDATED FIBER page 2 TV COSTS EXPLAINED page 4-5 BATTERY BACKUP page 7

To add your number to the the National Do Not Call Registry, go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It’s free. Registrations do not expire.

COOKING CRAVE RECIPES page 6

Why Consolidated Fiber? ✓ Dependable and Consistent Performance:

In today’s fast-paced digital world, a reliable internet connection is essential. Consolidated's Fiber eliminates common issues like signal interference, physical barriers, and network congestion that often affect 5G services, delivering consistent, high-quality performance you can trust.

✓ Advanced Security and Privacy:

Keep your online activities safe with Consolidated's Fiber.

Our fiber-optic network makes unauthorized access much more difficult, providing enhanced protection for your data.

With Consolidated Fiber, you can enjoy peace of mind and superior privacy.

✓ Weather-Proof Connectivity: Jennifer Wyman Receives The 2024 Eagle Award!

CEO/General Manager, Bryan Personne, presented the Eagle Award to Jennifer Wyman at the Employee Appreciation Social on December 6, 2024.

“Choosing one employee each year for the Eagle Award is always challenging as we have so many exceptional employees that work for Consolidated,” Personne says.

Jennifer has been employed with Consolidated since 2014 as a Service Center Representative.

She is a friendly, trusted voice of Consolidated for our customers as well as our technicians in the field. Jennifer puts our customers first and aids our technicians in providing the best service for the customer. She is always professional, positive, and eager to help. She puts 100% of herself into her work and does it with a smile!

On behalf of the Consolidated management team and board of directors, thank you Jennifer for a job well done!

2

Rain or shine, your connection stays strong. Unlike 5G networks, Consolidated's Fiber system is resilient to disruptions caused by weather conditions like rain, wind, or fog, ensuring a dependable connection no matter the forecast.

✓ Unlimited Speeds and No Restrictions:

Say goodbye to data caps and throttled speeds. With Consolidated's Fiber, you get unlimited data and consistent performance. Unlike cable or 5G internet, we don’t slow your connection during peak hours or make you share bandwidth with neighbors. Consolidated's Fiber delivers a dedicated, interruption-free connection straight to your home or business.

✓ Exceptional Support When You Need It:

At Consolidated, we’re committed to providing exceptional customer care. Our local support team is always ready to assist with personalized solutions and quick responses. Choose Consolidated's Fiber and experience a team that values your satisfaction every step of the way.

The RDFC awards grants in Consolidated’s service area!

Grant Awarded Consolidated Telcom is a member of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). As a result, communities in our service area are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $3000 for community-based projects. RDFC is making these funds available in order that more people become aware of their larger loan program that funds community-based projects and non-profit entities with low interest loans.

RDFC has recently granted $3,000 to the Reeder Fire District. The grant funds will go towards the purchase of building materials and labor for the new addition to the fire hall.

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building.

Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the United States. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives provides support to RDFC. For an application, assistance, or questions concerning RDFC, please contact interim executive director Brenna Ohman at 701-667-6419 or bohman@ndarec.com.

✓ Ready for the Future?

We Are. As technology continues to evolve, your internet connection should too. Consolidated's advanced network is designed to adapt to tomorrow’s demands, giving you a future-proof connection that’s as reliable as it is fast.

REMINDER: Pick up your free 2025 Consolidated Calendar at our Dickinson office at 507 Main Avenue South.

Battery Backup Voice Telephone Services during Power Outages: For many years, your home telephone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. Now your telephone service may be provided over fiber optic or cable modem, rather than the traditional copper-based line. These technologies require backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage. To avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage, and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services, Consolidated provides you with a battery for the backup power for your residential voice telephone service at the time of the initial installation at no additional cost.

What Your Battery Can and Cannot Do for You: The backup battery provided by Consolidated allows you to continue to use your home voice services during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, your residential telephone service will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain use your telephone is by using some form of backup power. Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a voice telephone backup battery.

Proper Care and Use of Your Battery: If you do not place your battery correctly, it may shorten its useful life. Environmental factors such as temperature can shorten the battery's life. We recommend placing your battery above 41°F and below 104°F, and it should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, or when the battery’s indicator light shows that it is low or out of charge. Also, periodically unplug your battery backup from AC power to test the battery/cable modem to verify its condition. Please remember to plug the AC back in after this test.

Provided Backup Power Duration: The backup power duration differs based on the technology that provides your telephone service to your home. For Fiber Optic / Cable Modem, backup batteries are expected to last at least 8 hours.

Replacement Options: As previously noted, a backup battery has been provided by Consolidated during the initial installation. However, the battery provided may need to be replaced every three or five years or when it is no longer functioning. Consolidated will provide and install a replacement backup battery at no cost to you, upon appointment.

A 24-hour battery is available upon request. Call 701-483-4638, 888-873-4638 or email support@consolidatednd.com.

7

Community Involvement Caramelized Onion Dip

Homemade recipes made easy on TV with your chef hosts Laverne & Rhonda!

Hot Hamburger Cheese Dip 1 lb. hamburger, browned 1 lb. Velvetta Cheese 2 cans Rotel tomatoes with green chilies In a large skillet, brown hamburger and drain any excess fat. Add cheese and Rotel tomatoes; occasionally stir until cheese is melted and mixture is hot. Serve with your choice of tortilla chips, or cubed bread. This dip can also be made in a crock pot after the hamburger is browned.

Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip 1 - 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed 2 – 14 oz. cans artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

Note to All Home Cooks!

Send in your favorite recipes by either method listed below and become part of the Cooking Crave TV show! Laverne and Rhonda will share your favorite recipes with their viewers!

1. visit Website at: consolidatednd.com/cookingcrave 2. Mail to: Consolidated/Rhonda Fitterer PO Box 1408 Dickinson, ND 58602

6

1 cup shredded ParmesanRomano cheese mix 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese 16 oz. roasted garlic Alfredo sauce 8 oz. softened cream cheese Pepper, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl; pour into a greased 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

(A crockpot may be used. Heat on high until bubbly and serve when hot.)

3 Tbsps. butter 1 large sweet onion, diced 2 Tbsps. Worcestershire sauce 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 + 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper powder In a large cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often for about 25 minutes, or until onions are caramelized and golden brown.

Add Worcestershire sauce, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits. Let cool about 10-15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir to combine.

Stir in cooled onions until incorporated. Serve onion dip at room temperature with chips, or refrigerate for 2 hours and serve completely cool.

Guacamole Dip 1/2 cup salad dressing 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and mashed 1 tomato, seeded and chopped 2 Tbsp. onion, chopped 2 Tbsp. green chilies, chopped 1 tsp lemon or lime juice Mix ingredients until well blended; refrigerate. Serve as a side to chimichangas, enchiladas or as a dip.

Consolidated Scholarships!

Consolidated has invested in our youth through a scholarship program for over 35 years. Our goal is to help students from our service area to further their education.

– Parents must be customers of Consolidated.

– Judging is based primarily on the essay. Only in the event of a tie are the other items included on the application considered.

– Children of Employees and Directors of Consolidated are not eligible to apply.

Scholarship applications, essay topics, and details can be found at consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship.

— 2025 Consolidated Telcom Scholarship: Ten (10) Scholarships at $1,000 each.

Eligibility Requirements: High school student that will graduate in the year the scholarship is awarded and whose parents receive at least one service from Consolidated.

Must submit the application and the essay by March 1, 2025.

2025 Essay question: What impact has technology had on your life?

— 2025 Dual Credit Scholarship: Eight (8) Scholarships at $250 each. No limit on number awarded to each student. Designed for high school students taking college courses online or in person where there is cost to them.

Eligibility Requirements: Must submit the application, essay, a tuition bill (proof of payment) and a completion report with minimum of a C grade by January 15, 2025 or June 15, 2025.

Essay question options available at: consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship — 2025 Consolidated Tech Scholarship: Two (2) Scholarships at $2,000 each. Designed for college students who have completed their first year with a degree in a technology related field that would be relevant to Consolidated.

Eligibility Requirements: Must submit the application, essay, and transcript showing degree program with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by July 15, 2025.

Essay question: How do you see your field of study benefiting our region?

FRS Scholarship Opportunity!

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with NTCA– The Rural Broadband Association, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America. Through its various programs and initiatives, FRS strongly supports the continuing education of rural youth. The FRS Scholarship is for students who will graduate in the year the scholarship is awarded and whose parents receive Telephone, TV, and/or Internet service from Consolidated Telcom. The scholarship is awarded by the NTCA scholarship selection committee from a nationwide base of students. Visit consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship to complete and submit the online application. Applications must be submitted by the end of day on February 14, 2025.

Coin for a Cause Committee!

Consolidated employees gathered for the annual Employee Appreciation Party not only to celebrate, but to make a difference for those in our communities that may need some extra help during the holidays. The silent auction items were donated by employees, departments, and area businesses.

Consolidated Employees Coin for a Cause Committee was able to donate $4,000 split between the following organizations: • Women Empowering Women • Badlands Ministry • Eldercare • Camp Recreation • St Vincent DePaul • Hettinger Public School (lunch money) • Killdeer Public School (lunch money)

Thank you to all who donated to the 26th annual Toy & Food Drive!

This year, the drive was a huge success!

We were able to distribute much needed household products and supplies as well as toys to the Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center which serves all of southwestern North Dakota. We were also able to contribute to Head Start, Kids Program and local food banks. We appreciate everyone who donated to the drive. Your generous spirit has touched so many and made the holidays brighter. Thank you from all of us at Consolidated!

CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNERS of the Apple iPad and the $100 Cornerstone Gift Cards!

3

Understanding Your TV Bill Over the past decade, broadcasters have abused outdated rules to boost their bottom lines.

To this day, they continue to threaten viewers with blackouts. Retransmission consent fees (“retrans fees”) are the payments that TV distributors (cable, satellite, and other TV providers) make to broadcasters to carry their TV channels. Retrans fees are a relic of a time before the Internet. Consider that: • Retrans fees were established by the 1992 Cable Act • The rules were written at a time when most of us had only one choice for pay TV service • Today, we have multiple TV options, but our video rules are still based on the old model of only one pay TV provider “Reverse Retrans” is a Bad Situation: National broadcast networks are forcing local stations to charge higher retransmission consent fees and demanding a cut of the profits. Retrans fees were intended to support local broadcast journalism, but station owners in faraway places are stripping resources from local communities to fatten their profits. If the demands for higher fees are not met, broadcasters yank their signals from consumers, leaving you without your favorite programming indefinitely. Broadcaster’s blackout their channels until their ransom demands are met. And when they are, it results in much higher prices to you the consumer.

Big broadcasters are paying an army of Washington lobbyists to keep the current retrans fee system in place because they want to continue to charge higher and higher fees for their programming. Despite tremendous changes in how consumers watch TV, the rules governing the video marketplace have stayed the same.

The “Big 4” networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) provide programming such as morning and nightly national news shows, some daytime dramas and prime time and late night shows. That programming is then shown by their owned and operated (“O&O”) stations or their affiliate stations.

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Cable and satellite TV providers already pay more than a quarter billion dollars in royalty fees each year for the programming content carried by these broadcast stations. Retransmission consent fees are charged in addition to these payments, meaning that Pay TV subscribers are essentially being charged twice to watch the same content.

How does Retrans lead to Blackouts?

Who Wins?

Broadcast Networks hold all the cards and win every time. Retrans fees are soaring – the fastest rising part of the monthly Pay TV bill. The fact that there are so many choices for Pay TV (and the same old video rules) enables broadcasters to play Pay TV companies off of one another and jack up the rates. When broadcasters can unilaterally blackout their programming and harm consumers with impunity, they are guaranteed to win.

Pay TV companies want to give their customers the programming they love, but in order to do so, they have to either pay the exorbitant amounts networks demand or put their customers at risk of a blackout.

Who Loses?

The broken retrans system is a lose-lose situation for consumers. Broadcasters abuse retrans rules and blackout innocent consumers until they get what they want. Pay TV subscribers are caught in the middle, they either experience TV blackouts when a broadcaster blacks out programming, or they see higher bills when companies give in to broadcaster’s demands – retrans fees are the fastest rising part of the pay TV bill. Either way, broadcasters are giving consumers the shaft.

On January 1, 2025, Consolidated will implement the following TV price changes:

· Essential Package: Increasing $2.00/mo. · Elite Package: Increasing $6.00/mo. · Premier Package: Increasing $6.00/mo. · Premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, STARZ): No change

· Local Network Retransmission: Increasing from $33.03 to $36.64/mo. Covers the cost of providing ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX.

With so many choices, why choose your local TV Provider?

It’s not complicated. We are your one-stop shop for communication services in your community. We offer a wider variety of services and extended discounted rates when you choose multiple services. We are your friends and your neighbors, and sometimes even your family! As a member of your community, we care about the quality of the service we bring to you, and we appreciate you and your business.

Since 2009, retransmission consent fees charged to Consolidated by local Networks have changed by over 3,426 percent! Consolidated feels that you have been paying TOO MUCH for these channels, which are available for free over the airwaves. To voice your concerns contact North Dakota’s local Congressman Kelly Armstrong and the local affiliates to let them know these price increases are unfair. Note, Kelly Armstrong’s contact information listed below is at the time of this publication.

Washington Office: Congressman Kelly Armstrong 1740 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2611 Bismarck Office: Congressman Kelly Armstrong 220 East Rosser Ave Federal Bldg. Room#228 Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-345-6700 KXMA (CBS, CW) Tammy Blumhagen 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-223-9197 KQCD (NBC, FOX, MeTV) Barry Schumaier 200 N 4th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-255-5757 KBMY (ABC, Xtra, Justice) Joshua Rohrer Phone: 701-241-5338

5

Community Involvement Caramelized Onion Dip

Homemade recipes made easy on TV with your chef hosts Laverne & Rhonda!

Hot Hamburger Cheese Dip 1 lb. hamburger, browned 1 lb. Velvetta Cheese 2 cans Rotel tomatoes with green chilies In a large skillet, brown hamburger and drain any excess fat. Add cheese and Rotel tomatoes; occasionally stir until cheese is melted and mixture is hot. Serve with your choice of tortilla chips, or cubed bread. This dip can also be made in a crock pot after the hamburger is browned.

Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip 1 - 10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed 2 – 14 oz. cans artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

Note to All Home Cooks!

Send in your favorite recipes by either method listed below and become part of the Cooking Crave TV show! Laverne and Rhonda will share your favorite recipes with their viewers!

1. visit Website at: consolidatednd.com/cookingcrave 2. Mail to: Consolidated/Rhonda Fitterer PO Box 1408 Dickinson, ND 58602

6

1 cup shredded ParmesanRomano cheese mix 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese 16 oz. roasted garlic Alfredo sauce 8 oz. softened cream cheese Pepper, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl; pour into a greased 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

(A crockpot may be used. Heat on high until bubbly and serve when hot.)

3 Tbsps. butter 1 large sweet onion, diced 2 Tbsps. Worcestershire sauce 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 + 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper powder In a large cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often for about 25 minutes, or until onions are caramelized and golden brown.

Add Worcestershire sauce, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits. Let cool about 10-15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir to combine.

Stir in cooled onions until incorporated. Serve onion dip at room temperature with chips, or refrigerate for 2 hours and serve completely cool.

Guacamole Dip 1/2 cup salad dressing 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and mashed 1 tomato, seeded and chopped 2 Tbsp. onion, chopped 2 Tbsp. green chilies, chopped 1 tsp lemon or lime juice Mix ingredients until well blended; refrigerate. Serve as a side to chimichangas, enchiladas or as a dip.

Consolidated Scholarships!

Consolidated has invested in our youth through a scholarship program for over 35 years. Our goal is to help students from our service area to further their education.

– Parents must be customers of Consolidated.

– Judging is based primarily on the essay. Only in the event of a tie are the other items included on the application considered.

– Children of Employees and Directors of Consolidated are not eligible to apply.

Scholarship applications, essay topics, and details can be found at consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship.

— 2025 Consolidated Telcom Scholarship: Ten (10) Scholarships at $1,000 each.

Eligibility Requirements: High school student that will graduate in the year the scholarship is awarded and whose parents receive at least one service from Consolidated.

Must submit the application and the essay by March 1, 2025.

2025 Essay question: What impact has technology had on your life?

— 2025 Dual Credit Scholarship: Eight (8) Scholarships at $250 each. No limit on number awarded to each student. Designed for high school students taking college courses online or in person where there is cost to them.

Eligibility Requirements: Must submit the application, essay, a tuition bill (proof of payment) and a completion report with minimum of a C grade by January 15, 2025 or June 15, 2025.

Essay question options available at: consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship — 2025 Consolidated Tech Scholarship: Two (2) Scholarships at $2,000 each. Designed for college students who have completed their first year with a degree in a technology related field that would be relevant to Consolidated.

Eligibility Requirements: Must submit the application, essay, and transcript showing degree program with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by July 15, 2025.

Essay question: How do you see your field of study benefiting our region?

FRS Scholarship Opportunity!

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), in cooperation with NTCA– The Rural Broadband Association, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America. Through its various programs and initiatives, FRS strongly supports the continuing education of rural youth. The FRS Scholarship is for students who will graduate in the year the scholarship is awarded and whose parents receive Telephone, TV, and/or Internet service from Consolidated Telcom. The scholarship is awarded by the NTCA scholarship selection committee from a nationwide base of students. Visit consolidatednd.com/programs/#scholarship to complete and submit the online application. Applications must be submitted by the end of day on February 14, 2025.

Coin for a Cause Committee!

Consolidated employees gathered for the annual Employee Appreciation Party not only to celebrate, but to make a difference for those in our communities that may need some extra help during the holidays. The silent auction items were donated by employees, departments, and area businesses.

Consolidated Employees Coin for a Cause Committee was able to donate $4,000 split between the following organizations: • Women Empowering Women • Badlands Ministry • Eldercare • Camp Recreation • St Vincent DePaul • Hettinger Public School (lunch money) • Killdeer Public School (lunch money)

Thank you to all who donated to the 26th annual Toy & Food Drive!

This year, the drive was a huge success!

We were able to distribute much needed household products and supplies as well as toys to the Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center which serves all of southwestern North Dakota. We were also able to contribute to Head Start, Kids Program and local food banks. We appreciate everyone who donated to the drive. Your generous spirit has touched so many and made the holidays brighter. Thank you from all of us at Consolidated!

CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNERS of the Apple iPad and the $100 Cornerstone Gift Cards!

3

Why Consolidated Fiber? ✓ Dependable and Consistent Performance:

In today’s fast-paced digital world, a reliable internet connection is essential. Consolidated's Fiber eliminates common issues like signal interference, physical barriers, and network congestion that often affect 5G services, delivering consistent, high-quality performance you can trust.

✓ Advanced Security and Privacy:

Keep your online activities safe with Consolidated's Fiber.

Our fiber-optic network makes unauthorized access much more difficult, providing enhanced protection for your data.

With Consolidated Fiber, you can enjoy peace of mind and superior privacy.

✓ Weather-Proof Connectivity: Jennifer Wyman Receives The 2024 Eagle Award!

CEO/General Manager, Bryan Personne, presented the Eagle Award to Jennifer Wyman at the Employee Appreciation Social on December 6, 2024.

“Choosing one employee each year for the Eagle Award is always challenging as we have so many exceptional employees that work for Consolidated,” Personne says.

Jennifer has been employed with Consolidated since 2014 as a Service Center Representative.

She is a friendly, trusted voice of Consolidated for our customers as well as our technicians in the field. Jennifer puts our customers first and aids our technicians in providing the best service for the customer. She is always professional, positive, and eager to help. She puts 100% of herself into her work and does it with a smile!

On behalf of the Consolidated management team and board of directors, thank you Jennifer for a job well done!

2

Rain or shine, your connection stays strong. Unlike 5G networks, Consolidated's Fiber system is resilient to disruptions caused by weather conditions like rain, wind, or fog, ensuring a dependable connection no matter the forecast.

✓ Unlimited Speeds and No Restrictions:

Say goodbye to data caps and throttled speeds. With Consolidated's Fiber, you get unlimited data and consistent performance. Unlike cable or 5G internet, we don’t slow your connection during peak hours or make you share bandwidth with neighbors. Consolidated's Fiber delivers a dedicated, interruption-free connection straight to your home or business.

✓ Exceptional Support When You Need It:

At Consolidated, we’re committed to providing exceptional customer care. Our local support team is always ready to assist with personalized solutions and quick responses. Choose Consolidated's Fiber and experience a team that values your satisfaction every step of the way.

The RDFC awards grants in Consolidated’s service area!

Grant Awarded Consolidated Telcom is a member of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). As a result, communities in our service area are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $3000 for community-based projects. RDFC is making these funds available in order that more people become aware of their larger loan program that funds community-based projects and non-profit entities with low interest loans.

RDFC has recently granted $3,000 to the Reeder Fire District. The grant funds will go towards the purchase of building materials and labor for the new addition to the fire hall.

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building.

Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the United States. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives provides support to RDFC. For an application, assistance, or questions concerning RDFC, please contact interim executive director Brenna Ohman at 701-667-6419 or bohman@ndarec.com.

✓ Ready for the Future?

We Are. As technology continues to evolve, your internet connection should too. Consolidated's advanced network is designed to adapt to tomorrow’s demands, giving you a future-proof connection that’s as reliable as it is fast.

REMINDER: Pick up your free 2025 Consolidated Calendar at our Dickinson office at 507 Main Avenue South.

Battery Backup Voice Telephone Services during Power Outages: For many years, your home telephone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. Now your telephone service may be provided over fiber optic or cable modem, rather than the traditional copper-based line. These technologies require backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage. To avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage, and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services, Consolidated provides you with a battery for the backup power for your residential voice telephone service at the time of the initial installation at no additional cost.

What Your Battery Can and Cannot Do for You: The backup battery provided by Consolidated allows you to continue to use your home voice services during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, your residential telephone service will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain use your telephone is by using some form of backup power. Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a voice telephone backup battery.

Proper Care and Use of Your Battery: If you do not place your battery correctly, it may shorten its useful life. Environmental factors such as temperature can shorten the battery's life. We recommend placing your battery above 41°F and below 104°F, and it should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, or when the battery’s indicator light shows that it is low or out of charge. Also, periodically unplug your battery backup from AC power to test the battery/cable modem to verify its condition. Please remember to plug the AC back in after this test.

Provided Backup Power Duration: The backup power duration differs based on the technology that provides your telephone service to your home. For Fiber Optic / Cable Modem, backup batteries are expected to last at least 8 hours.

Replacement Options: As previously noted, a backup battery has been provided by Consolidated during the initial installation. However, the battery provided may need to be replaced every three or five years or when it is no longer functioning. Consolidated will provide and install a replacement backup battery at no cost to you, upon appointment.

A 24-hour battery is available upon request. Call 701-483-4638, 888-873-4638 or email support@consolidatednd.com.

7

P.O. Box 1408 Dickinson, ND 58602

reach

Winter 2025

Our entire staff at Consolidated looks forward to serving you in 2025!

The Great Pumpkin Hunt Winners!

The Consolidated Reach newsletter is a publication of Consolidated Telcom – Robbin Schwindt, Editor –

Contact Us Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (MST)

PROGRAMS

Phone Numbers: Local: 701.483.4000 US Toll Free: 888.225.5282 Main Fax: 701.483.0001 Internet Support: 24 hours, Monday – Sunday 701.483.4638 or 701.483.INET Telephone & TV Support: 701.483.4444 or 800.247.1858 Mailing Address: Consolidated Telcom PO Box 1408 507 South Main Dickinson, ND 58602 www.consolidatednd.com

8

Congratulations to Jadyn Roller, Jayli Roller, Jayce Roller, Kari Roller, Kristi Bast and Gabe Bast of Dickinson! Consolidated and 28 local businesses awarded them a prize package valued at over $2800 for finding The Great Pumpkin. This year’s Great Pumpkin was found in the trees off the Crooked Crane Trail. A huge thank you to the businesses who contributed to the GRAND PRIZE!

See page 3 for information!

Deadlines approaching.

EAGLE AWARD page 2 CONSOLIDATED FIBER page 2 TV COSTS EXPLAINED page 4-5 BATTERY BACKUP page 7

To add your number to the the National Do Not Call Registry, go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It’s free. Registrations do not expire.

COOKING CRAVE RECIPES page 6