Bell Ringer March 2016Volume 49, No 11 Clear Lake, South Dakota 57226

Life runs better on ITC. The Business Services Department works daily to make liferun easier for ITC’s business customers. Here are a few examples where an ITCproduct or service can be a solution to keep your business running smoothly.

Tasked with making the monthly reminder calls to the church council?Solution: Sign up for ITC Notify!ITC Notify is an automated messaging service that can deliver phone calls, emails, and even text messages. The service gives subscribers the ability to schedule automated messages for things like meeting reminders, weather cancellations, service changes and outages, appointment reminders, or non-pay reminders.

Want to monitor your business while you are away?Solution: Add an ITC SmartConnect system!ITC SmartConnect is a self-monitoring, automation system. Smart devices will allow you to monitor and control your home or business at a price that works with your budget. Enjoy 100% accessibility from virtually any smart mobile device or Internet connection. You can choose how to receive alerts, whether they are delivered by email or text. ITC has a variety of smart devices to help you monitor your home and business including cameras, smart thermostats, smart door locks, window sensors, water sensors, and smoke detectors.

Are you overwhelmed with managing your company’s Internet security?Solution: Add ITC’s iWitness Managed Firewall!The iWitness Managed Firewall solution provides 24/7 firewall monitoring and management. The SonicWALL security device is available to be purchased or leased. The service level options range from $70 - $160/month depending on the extent of service necessary to meet your requirements. iWitness gives you the information needed to track not only those on your network but outsiders that threaten the security of your data.

Expanding your business and need additional phones?Solution: Purchase or lease a phone system with ITC!ITC provides sales, leasing, installation, and service for various types of phone systems. ITC specializes in the ESI phone system. ITC also maintains legacy Nortel, Avaya, and Panasonic telephone systems. Whether your business has one line or 20 lines, one office, or numerous office locations, ITC can help provide a cost-effective means of communication for the success of your business.

Above are just a few examples of solutions that ITC offers. ITC’s Business Services Department specializes in the communication needs of your business. For more information on our products and services, please call Steve, Mike, or Derek at 1.800.417.8667.

Business to Business with ITC

Steve Mike Derek

Last month Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, and we were told that we would be in for an early spring. As much as I want to believe that, I think it’s rather uncertain, and we are going to have to wait and see.

Another thing that has been rather uncertain for ITC is our rising cable TV costs. ITC takes pride in providing the latest products and services to our members at a fair price. For the most part, we have been able to do that successfully. However, when it comes to television, it has been a struggle and much of it is out of our hands.

Despite our efforts to keep TV prices in line, the companies who provide the programming continue to increase their costs. Not only that but they also demand that their channels be located together and within a certain range. That forces ITC to make changes to our channel line-up. It is apparent that rising costs and other demands will continue. The prices ITC pays for local broadcast networks have gone up over 900% since 2010.

ITC continues to work closely with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), a buying cooperative, and private negotiators. The Coop will, however, experience a significant increase in the wholesale prices that must be paid for the channels you watch. ITC was not forced to turn any channels dark, fortunately, but rising prices make it increasingly hard to keep up with these costs. The result for our members is this: The ITC Board of Directors announces a price increase for TV packages, effective April 1, 2016. See the pricing below.

SD Members MN Members Milbank MembersBroadcast Basic: $ 43.95 $ 45.95 NABest Seat Video $ 67.95 $ 72.95 NA

Best Seat Premium Video $ 78.95 $ 84.95 NA

Expanded Basic Cable NA NA $ 66.95

Digital Cable NA NA $ 81.95

ITC belongs to the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), the American Cable Association (ACA), and NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, all of which are actively working with Congress to address issues like these. If you would like more information on this topic, please go to:

Due to the local rate floor the FCC sets, ITC customers will also see an increase in their dial tone and Access Recovery Charge (ARC) fees. On June 1, 2016, local dial tone rates will go from $17.50 to $18.00 for Coop members. Customers in Milbank, because they do not pay ARC fees, will go from $19.50 to $20.50.

ARC fees will go up as of July 1, 2016. Residential and business single line will go from $2.00 to $2.50. Multi-line businesses will pay $3.00 (ARC is capped at $3.00).

I wish the news were good, like the groundhog who predicted an early spring. Rising costs are always frustrating, especially when many of them are out of our control. The staff at your Cooperative continues to do their best to offer you the services you want at a price you can afford. The good news is as a member; you will continue to earn capital credits for these services. If you have any questions, please call our office at 1.800.417.8667.

Simple, Honest, Clear

By Jerry Heiberger, General Manager

Director Election Time!

312 Fourth St W PO Box 920

Clear Lake, SD 57226-0920http://itc-web.com

1-800-417-8667

* Published monthly for $.25 * Periodicals postage paid at Clear Lake, SD

Bell Ringer

Postmaster: Send address changes to:

Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc.

P.O. Box 920Clear Lake, SD 57226-0920

(USPS # 155-720)

Kathy Weitala, Editor

One of the benefits of being a Coop member is you have a voice. This spring ITC will be holding director elections in several of our districts. This is a great opportunity to represent members in your area.

A Notice of Election will be sent on May 16, 2016, to the members in the districts listed below. Anyone seeking a nomination petition can get one at the ITC office in Clear Lake after May 16. Petitions must be filed on or before June 9, 2016. Ballots and bios will be mailed on June 20. Ballots are due back by July 8, 2016.

An election meeting will be held in Clear Lake on July 8, 2016, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM for members to cast their ballots in person. If you have questions, call Todd Morris at 1.800.417.8667.District 4: Brookings, Elkton District 7: Clark District 8: Bradley, Florence, Waubay, WebsterDistrict 9: Revillo, South Shore, Stockholm-Strandburg, Milbank

This month, ITC would like to introduce you to Julie Holida. While Julie grew up in Polo, South Dakota, she currently lives in Hayti, SD.

She began her post high school education at SDSU. From there she transferred to Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD, where she obtained a degree in Accounting.

Julie has worked at ITC for 18 years. She started as a Customer Service Representative and also worked in the Service Center before she landed in Accounting.

A typical day for Julie would include working with accounts payable. She also deals with capital credits. Julie says, “One of the best parts of working with capital credits is helping families get them paid out as easy and painless as possible when their loved ones pass away.” Julie also says when ITC does a big retirement or payout of capital credits, it is interesting to see all the preparation and printing of checks. It is a big project!

One of Julie’s favorite ITC services is Digital Video Recorder or DVR. She loves to record TV programs so she can watch them when it is convenient for her. With two boys, Julie spends a lot of her time following their numerous activities. DVR or even Whole Home DVR (WHDVR) is a perfect solution for this busy mom.

Julie is active in the Hayti community. She is involved with her Church. Julie has also been a past organizer and promoter of Farkleberry Days, a Hayti celebration typically held in July.

One thing you might not know about Julie is she is a huge supporter of the Denver Broncos. I think you might find a few orange pieces of clothing in her closet. After their recent Super Bowl win, she has been pretty proud of her team and happy to be called a fan!

By Holly Stormo,

Marketing Communications Specialist

CooperativelySpeaking

ITC University is teaching “What’s new with the iPad” this month. The new iOS (Apple operating system) 9 is full of enhancements that you will certainly appreciate. The class will cover everything from the battery life to Siri becoming more proactive!

To get the most out of your iPad experience, first you need to have the right Internet speed for your household. Are there multiple iPads or devices connected? Do you often stream video on Netflix or YouTube? These are the questions you need to ask. If your iPad is on the slower side or it buffers when trying to watch a video, you might need to increase your speed.

One of the fun new things available on the iPad (must have a 64 bit Apple A7 processor), is the multitasking capabilities. You can have two apps open and active at once with a split screen! Or you could be watching a video and answering an email with a picture in picture screen. Imagine all the fun you could have with that!

To learn more about your iPad, sign up for our ITC University class. The Milbank class is on March 9, Clear Lake on March 16, and Brookings on March 23. Times are 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Stay tuned for April’s class on Pinterest!

By Holly Stormo

Marketing

Communications

Specialist

TV EVERYWHERE - WTVE is a service that allows TV customers to view programs on devices other than a TV. Some of these might include a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You can take it with you when you travel; it works anywhere you can receive an Internet signal.

If you are an ITC TV customer, WTVE service is FREE! You should note that if you stream shows on your smartphone, there could be data overage charges.

TV Networks continue to expand the number of shows available. The decision about what to offer is made by the network. You will be able to watch any WTVE program offered as long as you subscribe to the network (channel) on ITC’s line-up. Check out the newly expanded channel offerings to the left.

To sign up, go to www.itc-web.com under Services and Products/Television or go directly to www.watchtveverywhere.com. To register, you will need your ITC account name and number. Once you register, you will only need your email address and password to watch shows.

If you have questions or want to know more about WTVE, please call us at 1.800.417.8667.

What’s New with the iPad

Bills are mailed on the first of each month, and payment is due on the 19th of that month, unless otherwise indicated on the “Due Date” portion of your statement. Prompt payment is required. NO PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE GRANTED.

586, 629, 693, 794,795, 826, 832, 873,874, 876.Apr 7 ------------------------ Disconnect dayfor the following prefixes: 345, 432, 438, 532, 623, 625, 628, 676, 756, 758, 783, 784, 785, 793, 947.

When sending payment to ITC , customers should return the TOP portion of the bill that says, “PLEASE TEAR ALONG PERFORATION AND REMIT WITH PAYMENT.”

Remit Top Portion Of Bill With Payment

Important Dates

Feb 29 ------------------Bills mailed from ITCMar 18 -------------------------Payment dueMar 18 ----------------- Final notices mailedApr 5 -------------------------Disconnect dayfor the following prefixes: 272, 275, 277, 368, 479, 483, 489, 542, 548,

Periodical Postage Paid At Clear Lake, South Dakota 57226

The Internet offers our children and grandchildren an abundance of exciting benefits. These benefits could include everything from conducting online research for a pressing homework project to passing the time by playing fun games or connecting with their peers. Our young people are, by and large, much more tech savvy than most of us ever were at that age. For all the benefits, however, most of these same children do not realize that this very same Internet also has the potential of putting them in danger. They don’t often think of such dangers as viruses, online privacy, or online predators. It’s important that we help them understand some of the online threats that exist. Here are some simple tips you can use to help them stay safe.

- Try your best to keep the computer in a common room in the house. This way, the screen is always within sight of another member of your household.

- Know who your child interacts with online. Kids love to use online social networking outlets as a way to interact with their friends and family. Take time to review your child’s online “Friends” lists. If you’re uncomfortable with any one of these, have him or her remove and/or block that individual.

- Teach your children never to post personal details such as phone numbers, addresses, or other sensitive information. Even though this may seem fairly harmless to them, any online information has the potential to be viewed by more than just the intended recipient.

- Set time limits for your children. According to the FBI’s website, the more time a child spends online, the more prone they are to be the target of an online predator.

- Instruct your children never to interact with someone they do not know online. No matter how sincere or valid a person may appear, there always exists a chance the person is looking to do them harm.

Depending on your situation, sometimes laying ground rules and providing on-going education simply won’t do the job. If this is the case, there are many third-party software applications available for you to use. Parental control software can allow you to put restrictions in place to keep your children safe and monitor their online activities. The prices for this type of software vary depending on which option you choose. The best way for you to learn more about your options is to do some research online. You could also consult with the technical staff at your local retailer.

The Internet is a wonderful thing for your kids, especially if you help them to have a safe experience. As new technologies continue to emerge, parents just need to be more aware of the dangers. If you still have questions, contact our ITC Help Desk at 1.888.217.5718.

Internet 911

By Lonny Dockendorf, Internet Systems Technician

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Chipettes and Characters TM & 2015 Bagdasarian Productions, LLC. All rights reserved. Creed, ©2015 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. In the Heart of the Sea, © 2015 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sisters, © 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, © 2015 Lions Gate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Make it Movie Night!