Announcements

RS Fiber Announces Extension of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge

July 2, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

Gaylord, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RSF) is taking additional measures to protect customers from losing essential broadband services by extending the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

“Many of our customers continue to endure significant financial challenges because of COVID-19,” RS Fiber General Manager Ben Ranft said. “RS Fiber understands that and is committed to helping our most financially vulnerable customers keep their services which have become even more essential in this pandemic environment because of online learning and working from home.”

Extension of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge means:

-Free broadband service to qualified low-income households. Eligible households must have school-aged children enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program or the Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP).

-Temporarily suspending disconnections of service due to failure to pay and waiving late fees for customers.

-Maintaining free access to RS Fiber Community Wi-Fi hotspots.

Since signing the initial FCC pledge in March, RS Fiber has worked with local school districts to make sure each student, their families, and teachers would have access to broadband for both education and working from home through its wired and wireless networks. RS Fiber continues to make its community Wi-Fi access points available free of charge.

Throughout this pandemic, RS Fiber Installation Technicians have been safely connecting and servicing customers while following strict safety protocols. All employees must pass a daily health screening which includes temperature checks, before being allowed to serve customers. Local RS Fiber offices are open by appointment only with customers being asked to answer several health-related questions prior to scheduling any appointment. These protocols will remain in place to protect our customers and employees and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. HBC is proud to report that these precautions have kept all employees healthy and virus free.

According to Ranft, RS Fiber will continue to implement these safety measures as long as they are needed.

“It is important that we do everything thing we can to be able to safely serve our customers and continue to provide them with the tools they need to be successful in both work and school,” Ranft said.

Digital Survival in Self Isolation

April 9, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

Daily life has changed drastically as a result of COVID-19. Our already digital-centric lives have become even more so. That’s why the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has called upon broadband service companies to commit to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to reduce the risk of interruptions to broadband and telecom connectivity coast to coast during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I certainly agree with the designation of broadband service as essential to society. But I also know information overload can take a toll. To reduce that risk, I’m trying to be more mindful about my media consumption and would suggest others do, too.

I remind myself not to believe everything I read or hear. Rumors are being debunked daily about everything from which celebrity has contracted the virus to which home remedies protect against it. Choose outlets you trust to keep up on the latest safety guidance.

Online tools, like video conferencing, are a great way to stay connected. I urge you to use the technology available to stay connected with family and loved ones who are self-isolating in other places. With a little creativity, I have also worked to establish a routine. Bookmarking online resource lists, remote learning options, home workout routines and digital tours keeps me updated, entertained and engaged while avoiding getting sucked into ‘click bait’ that sensationalizes and misleads.

Wearing my work hat, I am focused on keeping our network running and I am proud of the company and all of our great employees for working to bring essential services to the homes, community support services, and businesses of our RS Fiber service area. You can visit our website (http://www.rsfiber.coop) if you would like to learn more about our efforts and assistance offerings.

I hope you and your families are staying safe, healthy and calmly connected.

Dan Pecarina

President

Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC)

RS Fiber Operations

A Letter to Our Customers

March 18, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

To our customers,

With the increase in the number of Coronavirus cases, we want to ensure you we are taking steps to protect our employees and customers. We continue to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to limit the spread of illness.

Staff are following HBC guidelines for:

Hand sanitizers
Clorox wipes for disinfecting work surfaces & electronic devices (mobile phone, laptops)
Other protections such as disposable rubber gloves and face masks when needed
Self-imposed work from home as a precaution for employees who have traveled by air or cruise ship or who have a known exposure

We are following CDC recommendations such as requiring employees to:

Stay at home if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms, fever, and other flu-like symptoms
Wash hands frequently with soap and water and make use of alcohol-based sanitizers
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as telephones, keyboards, and tools

In order to adhere to new social distancing guidelines, HBC is announcing several new protocols.

Effective today, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, RS Fiber offices are being closed to walk-in traffic. An appointment will be required for customers to drop off, pick up or exchange equipment. Customers may contact RS Fiber by calling (800) 628-1754 to set an appointment.

When scheduling equipment related or installation appointments, Customer Care Representatives will be asking a series of health screening questions to access when an appointment can be made. If anyone in the household has been ill, traveled on an airplane or has traveled outside the country, an appointment will be delayed for a minimum of 14 days per CDC quarantine guidelines.

You may notice employees such as installers, in-home repair technicians, and front lobby personnel wearing gloves and/or masks as they perform their day-to-day activities. In addition, service technicians who enter homes are also equipped with disposable boot covers.

With area schools closed and shifting to online learning platforms, RS Fiber is offering low-income families, who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program, 60-days of free broadband service to ensure students have access to the Internet for online learning. Other low-income individuals who qualify for the national Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) can also take advantage of the 60-day free broadband offer. To find out if you qualify, visit rsfiber.coop.

RS Fiber has also made its Community WiFi networks, at both the Gaylord and Winthrop city parks, free for everyone.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation. Protecting the health of our customers, employees, visitors to our facility, and others is our utmost priority. Together, we can limit the risk of spreading illness in the workplace and community.

Thank you,

The RS Fiber Team

RS Fiber Enacts Protocols to Protect Customers and Employees During Coronavirus Outbreak

March 17, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

RS Fiber Cooperative is committed to the health and well-being of our customers and employees during the Coronoavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In order to adhere to new social distancing guidelines, RS Fiber will be implementing the following protocols:

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020, RS Fiber offices will be closed to walk-in traffic. An appointment will be required for customers to drop off, pick up or exchange equipment. Customers may contact RS Fiber by calling (800) 628-1754 to make an appointment.

When scheduling equipment related or installation appointments, Customer Care Representatives will be asking a series of health screening questions to assess when an appointment can be made. If anyone in the household has been ill, traveled on an airplane or has traveled outside the country, an appointment will be delayed for a minimum of 14 days per CDC quarantine guidelines.

RS Fiber is committed to providing the highest possible level of service during these difficult times. Our offices will remain staffed and customers will still have access to 24/7 technical support.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this crisis together.

RS Fiber to Offer Free Broadband Internet to Eligible Families with Students Amid Coronavirus School Closures

March 17, 2020 By Dave Dicke •

For Immediate Release (03/15/2020)

Gaylord, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) will provide two months of free broadband service to eligible low-income households, as a number of Minnesota schools announce closures amid concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Manager of the RS Fiber Network, Winona-based Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc. (HBC) made the announcement Monday morning. HBC President Dan Pecarina said that RS Fiber is taking measures to provide free Internet access to eligible low-income families, who are new customers, and for free community Wi-Fi hotspots.

“RS Fiber will be working with local school districts to accelerate the school system’s referrals of local low-income families to ensure every student has access to vital communications services through the RS Fiber Internet Assistance Program,” Pecarina said. “Families who live in RS Fiber member communities and townships can sign up for the program through the school system.”

“RS Fiber is a strong supporter of K-12 education,” said Pecarina. “It is important to all families, schools, and communities that every child is provided the access to on-line learning offered by local school districts.”

RS Fiber is prepared to move quickly to install broadband service to new subscriber families to ensure students aren’t left behind as schools suspend classes and move to on-line learning amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Free Community WiFi Hot Spots will be located in Gaylord at Gaylord Park and in Winthrop at Winthrop Park to provide additional Internet access for the general public.

RS Fiber COVID-19 Preparedness

March 12, 2020 By Sondra Howard •

To our customers,

Staff are following RS Fiber guidelines for:

Hand sanitizers
Clorox wipes for disinfecting work surfaces & electronic devices (mobile phone, laptops)
Other protections such as disposable rubber gloves and face masks when needed
Self-imposed work from home as a precaution for employees who have traveled by air or cruise ship or who have a known exposure

We are following CDC recommendations such as requiring employees to:

Stay at home if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms, fever, and other flu-like symptoms
Wash hands frequently with soap and water and make use of alcohol-based sanitizers
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as telephones, keyboards, and tools

Thank you,

The RS Fiber Team

RS Fiber receives Blandin Foundation Courageous Leadership Award

October 29, 2019 By Dave Dicke •

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NISSWA, Minn. (Oct. 14, 2019) – RS Fiber Cooperative, Inc. was presented with a Courageous Leadership Award at the 15^th annual Blandin Foundation broadband conference, Innovation: Putting Broadband to Work, held last week at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minn. The cooperative’s board of directors was honored for its commitment, courage and innovative approach that launched a new broadband cooperative providing fiber optic connectivity to residents in ten communities.

”It was a long and arduous process to create RS Fiber,” said Bernadine Joselyn, director of public policy and engagement at Blandin Foundation. “Despite many obstacles, the RS Fiber board remains dedicated to the proposition that the fate of region’s population centers is inexorably linked to the fate of its farmers and their farms. Their persistence and commitment inspire me.” Courageous Leadership Awards were created by Blandin Foundation to recognize and celebrate acts of leadership that have significantly contributed to the vibrancy of rural Minnesota communities.

RS Fiber is a community-owned, community-driven network bringing high-speed, low-cost broadband services to more than 2,200 customers in Renville, Sibley, McLeod and Nicollet counties. In recognition of their accomplishments, RS Fiber previously received the League of Minnesota Cities’ “City of Excellence Award” in 2016 for their collaboration in working to bring high-speed broadband Internet to their communities.

“Local leadership was the essence of this project,” said Dave Rieke, broadband champion and former RS Fiber board member. “Broadband access in rural Minnesota is the lifeline to the world. The community knew this, and local leaders became the vehicle to carry forward our shared vision.”

RS Fiber was honored alongside eleven other awardees who all have taken courageous action to bring the benefits of broadband to their communities. Award winners include: City of Windom, the partnership between Cook County and Arrowhead Electric, PCs for People, the partnership between Lac qui Parle County and Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services, the late Paul Bergman, City of Monticello, Jan Keogh, Nancy Hoffman, and Gary Evans.

“All of these individuals, organizations and communities knew early on many other rural communities are just now realizing – that broadband access, and the skills to use it, are fundamental for strong economies, leading-edge education and healthcare, and a high quality of life,” said Joselyn. “RS Fiber communities already are seeing significant economic growth, like the medical school coming to Gaylord along with education, telemedicine, and precision agriculture benefits.”

Read profiles of each award winner at http://courageousleadersmnbb.org.

About Blandin Foundation: Blandin Foundation works for vibrant rural Minnesota communities by investing in community leaders and working with partners to expand opportunity for all residents. Located in Grand Rapids, Minn., it is one of only a handful of foundations in the U.S. focused exclusively on rural communities and the largest rural-based private foundation in Minnesota. Information on Blandin Foundation grant-making, leadership development programs and public policy initiatives: www.blandinfoundation.org. Information about the Blandin Broadband Communities Program: http://broadband.blandinfoundation.org

(Press released furnished by the Blandin Foundation)

RS Fiber Cooperative, HBC Form Long-Term Agreement

June 12, 2019 By Dave Dicke •

For Immediate Release

06/12/2019

Gaylord, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) has announced the formation of a long-term operating relationship with Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC), giving RS Fiber the opportunity to meet and expand on the original goals for the project.

RS Fiber hired HBC to build and operate the gigabit fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network when the project was launched three-years ago to bring high-speed broadband to Renville and Sibley Counties. RS Fiber and HBC recently struck a partnership agreement where HBC will provide funding for the continued operation and growth of the network.

To build the network, RS Fiber acquired financing through several sources. Many financial institutions deem the construction of broadband networks as high risk, resulting in higher interest rates. After the network is built and customer numbers grow, the lender risk is reduced allowing for more favorable interest rates. This past year, RS Fiber has been working to restructure its high interest loans in an effort to create a longstanding and sustainable Cooperative. The culmination of that work has resulted in an arrangement between RS Fiber and HBC that strengthens their business relationship for years to come and keeps the RS Fiber mission and vision intact.

“We knew we had the right vision and great support from the cities and townships in our project area,” said Kevin Lauwagie, Chairman of the RS Fiber Board of Directors. “We have held strong to the commitment we made to our patrons and residents of our region. This relationship with HBC will help us continue to provide advanced services that rural Minnesota deserves.”

“This network and RS Fiber’s commitment to rural broadband is right in line with HBC’s vision and values” stated HBC President, Dan Pecarina. “We are committed to small town and rural broadband deployment, so operating this network with our RS Fiber friends provides the opportunity to advance this much needed service.”

RS Fiber has completed construction of gigabit FTTP networks in 10 communities located in Renville, Sibley, McLeod, and Nicollet Counties of west central Minnesota. RS Fiber has also used this rich fiber network to connect to tall structures such as towers and grain elevators to provide high speed fixed-wireless services to the rural areas of the region.

RS Fiber currently serves more than 2,200 customers, with plans to rapidly expand its customer base. “Fiber-Optic networks provide more speed, capacity, and reliability and those features will help drive more innovative services to RS Fiber customers,” stated Pecarina.

“We are already seeing tremendous economic growth within the RS Fiber communities, like the medical school coming to Gaylord” added Lauwagie, “along with education, telemedicine, and precision agriculture benefits.”

RS Fiber will soon be announcing several new service options for customers to enhance their video, telephone, and broadband Internet experience. RS Fiber is also looking to expand its network to bring the benefits of the high-speed broadband to more rural residents and businesses in the region.

About us: RS Fiber Cooperative is a community driven effort to deliver a high-speed fiber-optic connection to Sibley County and portions of Renville, Nicollet, and McLeod Counties. The project has brought fiber-optic Internet, Video, and Phone services to ten cities and fixed wireless broadband to seventeen townships. The RS Fiber mission is: “To provide each and every customer with an exceptional service experience that you can only expect to receive from a local business, while providing you with access to the benefits of the most advanced fiber optic network in the US”

Semi-annual Sun Outages to Begin Next Week

September 27, 2018 By Dave Dicke •

Twice each year, the sun is positioned directly in line with the ground-based satellite dish antennas used to receive CATV programing. This positioning causes programming interruptions as the sun’s energy overpowers the signals transmitted by the satellites.

Fall sun outages will begin as early as Friday, October 5, and will last as long as through Sunday, October 14. The length of the signal interruptions will begin at a minute or less, and lengthen to as long as 15 minutes at the peak of the interruptions. The interruption periods will be between the hours of 11:30 AM and 5 PM. Times will vary with the satellite being affected.

During these interruptions, customers will see a blank colored or black screen on the affected channel(s) .

RS Fiber Cooperative Enters the Growth Phase

August 29, 2018 By Dave Dicke •

For Immediate Release 08/30/2018

Gaylord, MN – As the high-speed broadband project enters its third year, RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) customer growth has increased by 62% over the past year.

Phase One construction has been completed with the final four member communities being connected to the Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) Gigabit network in the first quarter of 2018. The company is now in the customer acquisition stage for all ten Fiber to the Home communities. To date, RS Fiber serves more than 30% of the homes and businesses in the ten communities and that number continues to grow at a steady rate each month.

The customer acquisition phase moves RS Fiber Cooperative beyond the high risk of a start-up company in construction mode. This also means that the company financing will need to shift to a model that will support continued growth to not only to a positive cash flow but also to profitability as planned by 2021.

At a recent presentation to the Joint Powers Board, Shannon Sweeny of David Drown Associates, Inc., stated that the subordinated debt payments will not be made for the next two years and that the cities will need to make the GO bond payments. The subscriber growth on the network will determine when RS Fiber will be able to take back the payments from the cities. That determination will be looked at annually.

Kevin Lauwagie, the RS Fiber Board Chair, stated that “RS Fiber was founded due to the lack of interest by existing companies to serve the towns and rural townships in our area. Now that the first phase is complete and more than 2,000 residents have already benefited by the service, we know we’ve done the right thing and look forward to continuing with expansion of the service across our region”.

With the project now in its third year, RS Fiber continues its steady growth trend. The company now serves more than 2,000 homes and businesses and has increased revenue by 65% over the past 12 months.

RS Fiber Air, the fixed wireless solution for the 17 townships served in phase 1, continues to expand wireless broadband coverage to new areas of rural Renville and Sibley counties. Five additional towers have been added in the project area in 2018. These towers will continue to expand the reach of broadband services throughout the area.

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About us: RS Fiber Cooperative is a community driven effort to deliver a high-speed fiber-optic connection to Sibley County and portions of Renville, Nicollet, and McLeod Counties. The project has brought fiber-optic Internet, Video, and Phone services to ten cities and broadband fixed wireless to seventeen townships. The RS Fiber mission is: “To provide each and every customer with an exceptional service experience that you can only expect to receive from a local business, while providing you with access to the benefits of the most advanced fiber optic network in the US”.

For additional information, or to schedule an interview, please contact David Dicke at david.dicke@rsfiber.coop or call 507-474-5884.

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