Signal Spring 2020 Newsletter

www.alliancecom.net 11 Cable TV is Still a Struggle, But We Have Some Good News for 2020 We’ve negotiated new deals for programming contracts that expired at the end of 2019. Unfortunately, rising content costs will result in price increases. We are rolling out highly demanded DVR features in 2020, a new look to our interactive channel guide and video enhancements that will improve channel quality and usability. Strategic Partnerships and Investments Put More Money in Your Pocket During the past year, Alliance maintained strong partnerships, product growth and investments in our network and other com- munication services. Our partnerships in regional and statewide networks have given us strategic pathways to larger communica- tions hubs like Minneapolis, Denver and Omaha, and have helped diversify and stabilize revenue streams. These partnerships have aided in growing services and ensuring network viability and reliability, which is crucial as competitive providers move into Alliance areas and threaten cooperative revenues. New Federal Support Ensures Awesome Internet at Affordable Prices Alliance received some good news from the FCC and Congress in regards to rural broadband Internet support. The federal govern- ment added broadband services to its funding mechanisms and provided companies like Alliance with some clarity for the future. This support comes with red tape and extra work. However, for the first time in many years, highly demanded services are receiv- ing federal support, which makes it possible for you to receive high-speed Internet in places where it might not have been eco- nomically feasible before. Thriving Communities Benefit Everyone As you may already know, Alliance has a long-standing commit- ment to the communities we serve. This commitment stems from the fact that we’re a cooperative. We’re owned by our member customers, and excess revenue is returned to our members in their capital credits. The Keep the Change program was a shining example of our dedi- cation to customers in 2019. See page 3 for information on some of our most recent grant awards. Additionally, we awarded $11,000 in college scholarships to graduating seniors, and our employees volunteered countless hours to helping with community projects. Plus, we’ve formed partnerships in some communities to offer free Wi-Fi in public places, and more locations will be added next year. Alliance’s Brandon Office Moved into Our New Location Alliance has moved into our new office location in Brandon at 1400 E. Aspen Blvd., located near the new post office. We spent much of 2019 developing the 5.5-acre Alliance Plaza in Brandon, located north of the McHardy Park lookout tower. We sold the remaining land west of our building to Avera Healthcare in 2019, and we’re excited to see their future plans. Before Alliance developed this land, a gas company used the space to store its large tanks. For more than two decades, Alliance’s business office was located in the Sunshine Lewis Plaza. While we’ll miss our former neigh- bors, we’re thrilled to have a new space for serving our customers. Now that Alliance has moved into our new office location, we invite you to stop by for a visit. By the way, Alliance also has a new online office, too. Visit the new alliancecom.net today if you haven’t already. As always, if you have any questions, please contact us by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service or (605) 582-6311 from your cell phone. Sincerely, Ross Petrick General Manager/ CEO Pictured here are six members of Alliance’s customer service department who work out of our new Brandon office. Starting from the left are Paul, Melinda, Melissa, Shannon, Shirley and Bobbi.