FEATURED FibertheWI-FiSTORY:ForwinFASTtmWi-FI & the Red River Connect APP PAGES 4 & 5 Company News CO-Op MOnth PAGES 8 & 9 PAGE 3 PAGE 6 Grant winners RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME 7 - ISSUE 3 - FALL 2022 CONNECT RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS
“ I kidsandhomesecuresomethingyouyou;andgrandparentsallimploreparents,well,allofmakesurearedoingtoyournetworkprotectyouronline.”
NOTE FROM CEO
PAGES 8 - 9
The Red River Connect Wi-Fi app allows you to manage your home WiFi network from your smartphone. Set your Wi-Fi password, view connected devices, run
And finally, by now, capital credit checks have arrived. Thank you for being member of our cooperative.
2 COMMON
month.cooperativeCelebrating
Summer is flying by, which means it’s back to school. It’s that time of year when students head back to school and increase their time online to complete schoolwork.
Thepresent.great
Download the new Red River Connect Wi-Fi App.
TOM MANAGERGENERALCEO/STEINOLFSON
WI-FI FOR THE WIN
PAGES 4 - 5
ProtectIQ (network security) provides network-level security that works quietly in the background and proactively keeps malicious websites, viruses, and intrusions away from your home 24x7.
When you subscribe to Red River Communications Ultimate FiberFAST™ WIFI, you have access to our Red River Connect Wi-Fi App, plus the added services of ExperienceIQ™ & ProtectIQ™.
- Tom Steinolfson, CEO/GM
I implore all parents, grandparents and well, all of you; make sure you are doing something to secure your home network and protect your kids online. For more information about Wi-Fi and our services, check out pages 4 & 5 of this newsletter. And as always, remember our team of technology experts is only a phone call away!
speed tests, set up parental controls, and Experiencemore.
What’s happening at Red CommunicationsRiver
PAGE UPDATECONSTRUCTION10PAGEMONTHCO-OP6
PAGE NEWSCOMPANY3
PAGE GRANTSCENTS/
IQ (enhanced parental controls) allows you to manage screen time, content, access, and set device priority.
New retirementshires, and work anniversaries.
A LETTER FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Common Cents & RDFC announced.awards
While my wife and I are well out of the “back-to-school” phase of our lives, I am aware of the increased pressures families feel as they try to balance the benefits of technology with the challenges it can
WWW.REDRIVERCOMM.COMRED RIVER 2 CONTENTS / NEWS
news is that you don’t have to be in the dark about what is happening on your home network. Your cooperative offers powerful online parental control and virus protection tools to keep your whole household safe online.
2022 deadlines.updatesprojectand
Ethan Kline joined our team in May as an OSP Network Technician. Over the summer, Ethan has completed much of his hands-on training and proved to be a valuable asset to Red River.
We welcome Ethan, Lindsey, Val and Christian to the Red River Communications team and are excited for the years to come.
Lindsey CustomerJohnsonExperience Specialist
Dennis Mitchell 25 10Matt25DebyearsSyvertsenyearsEricksonyears
Deb Syvertsen - 25 years on Aug. 25th Matt Erickson - 10 years on March 23rd Shonie Christensen - 5 years on Oct. 2nd
Christian Johnson, hired in June, joins us as our GIS Mapping Specialist. Christian brings his mapping and GIS technology education to help us grow and expand our fiber network.
Four employees have reached milestone years of service at Red River DennisCommunications.Mitchell-25
Red River Communications is excited to announce four additions to the team.
RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
SERVICE AWARDS
Jack will retire from Red River Communications on September 30th after working over 27 years as Office Manager and most recently as our Director of Finance. Jack is excited to spend more time with his children and grandkids, and continue his work with the Abercrombie City Parks.
UPSTREAM @ RED COMPANYRIVERNEWS
NEW FACES
Lindsey Johnson & Valerie Sanders started as part of our Customer Experience Specialist team in June. They both were excited about jumping in and learning more about the telecommunications industry.
We thank them for their loyal and dedicated service to the Cooperative and its customers. Congratulations!
We are grateful to Jack for sharing his time and talents with the Cooperative over the years and wish him the best in his future adventures.
All are welcome to join us for an open house on September 29th, 2-4 pm, at the Aber office.
Christian Johnson GIS Mapping Specialist
Jack DirectorPlecityofFinance
Shonie Christensen 5 years
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2022 3 CONNECT
Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Jack Plecity.
years on May 5th
Ethan OutsideKlinePlant Network Tech
Valerie CustomersandersExperience Specialist
Sounds complicated? Don’t worry; we have worked hard to create a simple Wi-Fi solution for you!
Read more about our FiberFAST ™ WIFI on page 5.
WWW.REDRIVERCOMM.COMRED RIVER 4 WI-FI FOR THE WIN
Wi-Fi and the internet are two separate entities that work together to give you the internet access you enjoy daily. So let’s take a look at each.
Wi-Fi BlastGigaSpire6Router
person or organization owns the internet, each internet service provider, like Red River Communications, owns its network. We install specialized networking equipment that allows customers like you—in addition to businesses, universities, hospitals, and more—to connect to the Wheninternet.you connect to our network from your home or workplace, you can connect with other networks, companies, services and individuals who also connect to the internet. For example, you can stream movies on Netflix by connecting via the internet to computer servers that Netflix owns or read your email by connecting to one of Gmail’s servers.
What is the Internet?
The internet is a massive global communications network. But, as its name suggests, it’s more than just one network—a series of thousands of inter-connected Whilenetworks.noone
What is Wi-Fi?
Is connecting to Wi-Fi the same as connecting to the internet?
Wi-Fi and the internet. You hear and see these terms used all the time interchangeably. “Hey, what’s your WiFi passcode?” means the same thing as “Can I get your internet passcode?” doesn’t it?
Wi-Fi is a wireless network that connects your online devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and more to the internet. That means you are free to move your online devices around your home and still maintain an internet connection.
What’s differencethe between the Internet & Wi-Fi?
The short answer is no, not technically. You are connecting to a router connected to a modem connected to the internet.
• ProtectIQ: Home Network Security protects against viruses, malware, and malicious websites, keeping your network and devices safe from cyber attacks.
• Wi-Fi 6 GigaSpire Blast Router
With our premium router powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, get edge-to-edge Wi-Fi coverage and access to the Red River Connect Wi-Fi App which allows you to take command of your connected home. Get the MOST out of your FiberFAST™ Internet with Ultimate FiberFAST™ WIFI which includes our enhanced parental control and network security tools.
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2022 5 CONNECT Search “Red River Connect” in App Store or Google Play. For full directions: redrivercomm.com/internet/wifi The Ultimate Wi-Fi Experience is here! Red River Connect Wi-Fi App (Powered by CommandIQ) Ultimate WI-FI Deserves the Ultimate App DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP TODAY! $6.95BASIC FiberFAST™ WIFI$14.95 mthperULTIMATE FiberFAST™ WIFI
• Worry-free remote technical support
• Red River Connect Wi-Fi App: network control
FiberFAST WIFI can be added to any FiberFAST internet package. Call 701-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com to upgrade your Wi-Fi experience today!
• Wi-Fi 6 GigaSpire Blast Router
• ExperienceIQ: Enhanced Parental Controls provides you with the tools needed to enforce the Internet rules you’ve established for your home. Set up profiles for your children or devices, filter content, websites, and applications, and set appropriate time limits. Also, you can prioritize your bandwidth by what matters to you.
• Optimized equipment placement
• Worry-free remote technical support
mthper All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright their respective owners.
™
• Red River Connect Wi-Fi App: network control
™
• Optimized equipment placement
embracing CooperativetheSpirit
Thank you to all who attended our summer events. We had a blast visiting with you all!
WWW.REDRIVERCOMM.COMRED RIVER 6 CO-OP MONTH
TODAY, MORE THAN 1 BILLION PEOPLE ARE MEMBERS OF COOPERATIVES OR CO-OPS.
You will find co-ops involved in various businesses, from food to hardware stores and electrical companies to telecommunications.
As we celebrate the cooperative spirit this month, please join us as we support other cooperative businesses within our service territory. Watch our website and social media for dates, times and locations for our Co-op Month Community Tour!
Although businesses differ, the mutual goal for every co-op is the same: a commitment to the community and improving the lives of its members.
CO-Op TourCommunityMonthALL MONTH LONG IN OCTOBER Dates, times and locations will be announced on Facebook, Instagram & redrivercomm.com Stop & support local cooperatives | First 20 people at each stop wins a hat!
MOnth:CO-OpOCTOBER
As a member-owned cooperative, Red River Communications takes this principle into every decision we make. From setting our internet speed packages to the locations of our summer customer appreciation picnics, we always look at each decision from the perspective of our members.
7 Does your TV service cover all your favorite LOCAL sports teams? RED RIVER DIGITAL TV DOES! All names, likenesses, and logos are copyright their respective owners. Ball.PlayFall,It’s Learn More: redrivercomm.com/Digital-TV Whether it’s high school football on 3 Border Sports Network & BEK Sports, MN Twins & Timberwolves on Bally Sports North, UND Hockey on Midco Sports, NDSU Football coverage on ABC ND, and the Minnesota Vikings on Fox & the NFL Network, we’ve got you covered. TWO FREE PREVIEW Weeks | NFL Week 3 - Oct 25 & NFL Week 9 - Nov Channel6600Only$52.95/perseason
Community Grants
• $500 to Richland #44 Elementary for playground improvements
• $500 to Lidgerwood-Hankinson Rural Health Clinics for driveway expansion
Harlan Deike, Board of Directors President, presents aN RDFC $1,000 grant to Sharon Bladow of the Richland/Wilkin Food Pantry.
As a result, communities in our service area were eligible to apply for up to $2,000 for community-based projects. RDFC is making these funds available so that more people become aware of their more extensive loan program that funds community-based projects and non-profit entities with low-interest loans.
WWW.REDRIVERCOMM.COMRED RIVER 8
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Lidgerwood-Hankinson Rural Health Clinic $500 RDFC Grant for Driveway Expansion Richland #44 Elementary $500 RDFC Grant
• $1,000 to the Richland/Wilkin Food Pantry
Grants were made to the following organizations
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS IS A MEMBER OF THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (RDFC).
• McLeod Historical Preservation Society was awarded a grant of $750 for metal display signs.
• Richland/Wilkin Food Pantry received a grant for $2,500 for repairs to its building.
Common Cents Program Food Pantry Common Cents Grant
Common Cents board member Andrea Haugen presents the McLeod Historical Preservation Society a $750 Common Cents Grant
Fairmount Park Board $1,000 Common Cents Grant Hauge Memorial Post 9067 $500 Common Cents Grant
DO YOU KNOW OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM A COMMON CENTS GRANT? Download an application form redrivercomm.com/about/common-centsat
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2022 9 CONNECT Richland/Wilkin
• Fairmount Park Board is using its $1,000 Common Cents grant for baseball field improvements.
• Hauge Memorial VFW Post 9067 (McLeod) was awarded a $500 Common Cents grant to replace its kitchen floor.
$2,500
Red River’s Common Cents, the Cooperative’s non-profit entity, awarded $3,850 to four organizations in June 2022.
Common Cents is funded by our customers when they choose to round up their bills to the next dollar. If you wish to contribute to Common Cents, call our office at 701-553-8309 or email support@ redrivercomm.com.
Work continues in Wahpeton Breckenridge!&
Call Red CommunicationsRiver to get on the construction list now if you need fiber installed before freeze up this Requestsyear.received after September 30th may not be completed in 2022.
BUILDFUTUREAREAS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: 2022 Projects Update
Eligible residents and businesses within the 2022 build areas must act soon to take advantage of our three months free of internet connectionTopromotion.guaranteein 2022, visit our Wahpeton Office at 522 Dakota Avenue, or call 701-553-8309 today!
WWW.REDRIVERCOMM.COMRED RIVER 10 CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Go to redrivercomm. com/wahpbreck or scan the QR code below to check out maps of our 2021, 2022, and 2023 build areas. You can also give us a call. We are happy to look up your address for you!
Fall projectsConstruction
Our crews are wrapping up work on Dakota Avenue, Minnesota Avenue, and select andthroughoutneighborhoodsresidentialWahpetonBreckenridge.
When will Red beCommunicationsRiverinmyarea?
Dakota wahpeton,AvenueND
Scan with camera
District 6 - Mooreton
District 3 - Colfax
ABERCROMBIE
TRAVIS BELKA 701-439-2171
If you have information about anybody on this list, please call our office at 701-553-8309 or email support@redrivercomm.com
Produced by the team at Red River Communications
Rhonda Vice-PresidentErbes
Questions? Service issues? Call 866-553-8309
District 4 - Great Bend
MACHINERY MANAGEMENT SERVICE 701-242-7040
WAHPETON
RED RIVER COMMUNICATIONS | FALL 2022
Directory Updates
Jan Schmit
Red River Communications 510 Broadway | PO Box 136 Abercrombie, ND 58001
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAZ’S SERVICE 701-553-8536
LARRY WAGNER 218-937-5594
Jerry Janssen
Follow us On Social Media
MARY JANE KRAUSE 701-538-4501
District 9 - Lidgerwood/ Wyndmere
CreditsCapital
ALAN LIEN 701-439-2277
Tim Viland
Gary Secretary/TreasurerBoutiette
EXCHANGE
Wayne Schindler
Fall Volume20227, Issue 3
WYNDMERE
We’re trying to locate former Cooperative members with capital credits due to them. See a list of unclaimed capital credits at: redrivercomm.com/capitalcredits
11 CONNECT facebook.com/redrivercommunications @redrivercommunications instagram.com/redrivercommunications
Harlan PresidentDeike
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
District 8 - Fairmount/Hankinson
SHARYN BOHN 701-553-8826
District 2 - Barnesville
District 7 - Rollag
NAME PHONE NUMBER
LIDGERWOOD
Joe Pikarski
WYNDMERE
Capital credit checks mailed
RETURNING MONEY BACK TO YOU!
HANKINSON BARNEY HEITKAMP 218-937-5420 HAWLEY
Questions? Call 701-553-8309 or go to redrivercomm.com/capitalcredits to learn more about how capital credits work.
522 Dakota Ave Wahpeton, ND 58075
District 1 - Abercrombie
Ron German
District 5 - Kent
BARNESVILLE
Unclaimed Capital Credits
If you are a cooperative member of the Red River Rural Telephone Association (Red River Communications), you may have received a 2022 capital credit check in August.
The Red River Communications CONNECT newsletter is published quarterly for our members. It is distributed freeof-charge to our members in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
added fees! Online or by phone.
PO
24/7 to help you! 866-553-8309
HELP DESK
Need assistance? We’re here
BILL
Box 136 | 510 Broadway Abercrombie, ND 58001 redrivercomm.comYour FiberFASTTM Internet Provider Mark your Calendar ALL OCTOBER - CO-OP MONTH COMMUNITY TOURWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DATES AND LOCATIONSOCT. NOV. 24TH & 25TH - OFFICES CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVINGNov. The leaves are falling and days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t stop us from having fun! Mark your calendar for the following dates and watch our website, Facebook, and Instagram for more fall festivities! DEC. 1ST - WAHPETON HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE DEC. 20TH - ABERCROMBIE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSEDec.
closed Noon - 1pm) LOCATIONS & OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday (Wahpeton
8:00am to 4:30pm
PAY
No redrivercomm.com855-386-9905
510 Broadway, Abercrombie 522 Dakota Ave, Wahpeton