RS Fiber

Semi-annual Sun Outages to Begin Next Week

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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

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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.

RS Fiber Open House Event Held in Stewart

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For Immediate Release 4/11/18

Stewart, MN –RS Fiber held an open house recently to introduce its high-speed broadband Internet, Video, and Phone services to residents of Stewart, Lake Ally, and Lake Preston.

Around 150 people attended the event, held at Cactus Jack’s II in Stewart, for the opportunity to visit with members of the RS Fiber team and to sign up for services.

RS Fiber operations manager, Ben Ranft, said while installations are currently happening in Stewart, it will be a few more weeks before services are available to those living in Lake Ally and Lake Preston.

“We were really pleased with the turnout. Presently we are connecting homes and businesses in Stewart to the high-speed fiber-optic network. We offer speeds up to a Gigabit and with our Cornerstone program, new customers can upgrade to Gigabit Internet at no additional cost. Stewart residents can also receive their video and phone services from RS Fiber. People living in Lake Ally and Lake Preston can expect to receive services soon.”

The high-speed fiber-optic network is being constructed and operated by Winona, MN based Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC). HBC General Manager, Dan Pecarina, says their mission at RS Fiber is to bring the best services possible to customers.

“Whether that is Gigabit service from the fiber optic network in town or broadband wireless to the most rural areas of the townships we serve, we want to deliver the best possible service and hope that we’re also enhancing their lives with the benefits our services offer.”

In addition to enjoying a catered meal, everyone in attendance was eligible to win several door prizes. The winner of a Samsung 40-inch LED TV was Robert Wilson of Buffalo Lake, Lori Vinkemeier of Stewart won an Amazon Echo Show, and the cordless phone went home with Jan Trohkimoinen from Buffalo Lake.

 

RS Fiber Open House Event Scheduled to be Held in Stewart Next Week

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For Immediate Release 03/27/2018

Stewart, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) is hosting an open house for the residents of Lake Allie, Lake Preston, and Stewart for all who are interested in learning more about RS Fiber high-speed Internet, Video, and Phone services.

The open house will be held at Cactus Jack’s II in Stewart on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Those attending will be available visit with RS Fiber team members to learn more about high-speed, fiber-optic Internet, high-definition Video, and crystal-clear Phone services. Anyone who signs up for services will be eligible for the RS Fiber Cornerstone program. New Customers choosing 100 Mbps Internet service will have the option of upgrading to Gigabit speeds with no increase to their monthly bill. Also, learn more about how you can get a $50.00 credit towards your new RS Fiber account!

There will also be a free meal served from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm. The meal will include pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, chips, cookies, ice cream, and a beverage.

All who attend will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win some great door prizes including a VTech® Cordless Phone, Amazon® Echo Show and at 40-inch Samsung® 1080p LED Smart TV. The prize drawing will be held at 6:30 pm. Winners need not be present to win.

RS Fiber Internet, Video, and Phone services are now available in Stewart and will be available soon in the communities of Lake Allie and Lake Preston.

 

 

 

Attention Video Customers

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Viacom Media Networks has decided that on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m.- 9:17 a.m. all of their linear networks including: BET, CMT, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, CMT, TV Land, and VH1 channels, digital, and social platforms will go dark in solidarity with the National School Walkout against gun violence. All of your favorite Viacom programs will still air, however they may fall outside their normal window and will run within the hour. This is a Viacom decision so no other networks will be affected.

RS Fiber to Host Buffalo Lake Service Sign-up Open House

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For Immediate Release 02/14/2018

Buffalo Lake, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) will be hosting an open house for the residents of Buffalo Lake who are interested in learning more about signing up for RS Fiber high-speed Internet, Video, and Phone services.

The public is invited to stop by the Buffalo Lake Community Center on February 21, 2018 from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm to visit with members of the RS Fiber team to learn more about high-speed, fiber-optic Internet, high-definition Video, and crystal-clear Phone services, and to enjoy a free meal catered by Brownton Bar and Grill.

The free meal will include pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, chips, pickles, cookies and a beverage. Buffalo Lake residents who sign up for services is also eligible for the RS Fiber Cornerstone program. Any customer choosing 100 Mbps Internet service will have the option of upgrading to Gigabit  speeds with no increase to their monthly bill. Also, learn more about you can get a $50.00 credit towards your new RS Fiber account!

All who attend will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win some great door prizes including a VTech® Cordless Phone, Amazon® Echo Show and at 40-inch Samsung® LED Smart TV. The prize drawing will be held at 6:30 pm. Winners need not be present to win.

RS Fiber Internet, Video, and Phone services will be available in Buffalo Lake by the end of the month. Service will also be available in Stewart soon!

 

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 will bring fiber-optic Internet, Video, and Phone services to ten cities and 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.

RS Fiber Open House to be held in Fairfax

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Winthrop, MN – RS Fiber Cooperative (RS Fiber) will be hosting a services open house for the residents of Fairfax on November 8th.

Members of the community are invited to meet with members of the RS Fiber team from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm at the Fairfax Community Center to enjoy a free supper and learn more about Internet, Video, and Phone services which will be available to residents and businesses next month.

Those attending are encouraged to enter the door prize drawing and the chance to win some great prizes including a VTech® Cordless Phone, Amazon® Echo Show and at 40-inch Samsung® LED Smart TV. The prizes will be drawn for at 6:30 pm.

Internet, Video, and Phone services will be available in Fairfax in December.

RS Fiber Brownton Open House a Success

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Brownton, MN – Nearly 200 people from the Brownton area turned out for Wednesday night’s RS Fiber open house at Brownton Community Center.

The event gave Brownton residents the opportunity to meet and visit with members of the RS Fiber team about signing up for services.

RS Fiber general manager, Toby Brummer, said these events are always a lot of fun.

“It’s great to be able to meet with all the people and hear the excitement that this project to bring Gigabit Internet to their community is generating. Everyone seems to be looking forward to getting hooked up and begin enjoying the service.”

The high-speed fiber-optic network is being constructed and operated by Winona, MN based Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC). HBC CEO/President, Dan Pecarina, says their mission at RS Fiber is to bring the best services possible to customers.

“Whether that is Gigabit service from the fiber optic network in town or broadband wireless to the most rural areas of the townships we serve, we want to deliver the best possible service and hope that we’re also enhancing their lives with the benefits our services offer.”

In addition to a catered meal by Brownton Bar and Grill, those attending were also eligible to win several door prizes, including a Samsung 40-inch LED TV, an Amazon Echo Show, and a cordless phone. Prize winners were: cordless phone – Jim Sikkila; Amazon Echo Show–Nicole Templin; and a Smart TV-Audrey Tongen.

Phase One construction will wrap up this year with services being activated in Fairfax, Stewart, and Buffalo Lake.

RS Fiber to Host Service Open House in Brownton

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Winthrop, MN – Residents of Brownton are invited to attend a RS Fiber open house event later this month. The open house will provide residents an opportunity to learn more about RS Fiber RS Fiber services.

The event will be held Wednesday, August 30 at the Brownton Community Center from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm. Area residents are invited to stop in for a free meal catered by Brownton Bar and Grill, and to learn more about RS Fiber.

RS Fiber General manager Toby Brummer said RS Fiber Team members will be in attendance to answer any questions about and assist individuals with signing up for RS Fiber Internet, Video, Phone, and Air services.

Door prizes will be drawn for at the event.

Internet, Video, and Phone services will be available in Brownton in September.

RS Fiber Announces Faster Wireless Broadband Speeds and Expanded Coverage

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Winthrop, MN – RS Fiber has announced it will be offering a second level of broadband speed and expanding coverage area of its wireless broadband service, RS Air.

Company officials say a download speed of 50 Mbps will be available to RS Air customers. This is an enhanced option from the 25 Mbps currently offered for the rural broadband service. The 50 Mbps speed is currently available to 90% of the wireless broadband service area.

Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC), the operator for the RS Fiber Network, has served high speed broadband wireless service of 50 Mbps in its own HBC markets for the past year. Following a period of testing in the RS Fiber network, the service became available in August.

HBC President & CEO, Dan Pecarina, states that this speed increase will be of great value customers.

“Our mission at RS Fiber is to bring the best service possible to our customers whether that is Gigabit service from the fiber optic network in town or broadband wireless to the most rural areas of the townships we serve. With more households using more devices, this speed increase option will make it easier for the kids to do their homework at night and for mom and dad to get their online work done too.”

The coverage area of RS Air will also increase with the addition of several new towers. Toby Brummer, RS Fiber General Manager, said that the availability of RS Air service depends on the signal levels received from the tower to the home or business.  He said anyone interested in RS Air wireless broadband service should call (800) 628-1754 to schedule a site check to see if RS Air service is available at their location.

RS Fiber
PO BOX 326
Gaylord, MN 55334
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