SIGNAL LET’S TALK ABOUT TED TALKS STREAMING SHAKES UP TV INDUSTRY INVITE TECHNOLOGY TO THE PARTY FOUR ALLIANCE EMPLOYEES RETIRED AFTER COMBINED 95 YEARS W I N T E R 2022 VOLUME 27 NUMBER 118 ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS
2 www.alliancecom.net 4 Let’s Talk About TED Talks Brief, inspired presentations put this website on the virtual map 8 Streaming Continues to Shake Up TV Industry By Ross Petrick, General Manager/CEO 11 Exploring the Future of the Internet Expect fewer keyboards and more augmented reality glasses 12 Invite Technology to the Party Be the host with the most whenever you entertain 14 Four Alliance Employees Retired After Combined 95 Years It was bittersweet to see them go Contents Copyright© 2022 by Alliance Communications and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 w .alliance om.net SIGNAL Social icon Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines. Social icon Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines. 8 14 4 11 12 STARING DOWN TOUGH QUESTIONS? alliancecom.net (605) 582-6311 Alliance has an answer for anything* when it comes to tech support. * General Manager Ross Petrick Editor Amy Ahlers Signal (USPS #010-984) is published quarterly for $3.17 a year by Alliance Communications, PO Box 349, 612 Third St., Garretson, SD 57030-0349. Subscriptions are sent to all customers. Periodicals postage paid at Garretson, SD, and additional offices. Postmaster send address changes to Alliance Communications, PO Box 349, Garretson, SD 57030-0349. USPS 010-984 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher. TRADEMARKS – All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Signal magazine is an independent magazine and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation, Google, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. All screen shots are the property of their respective owners. Alliance Communications and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. (the Authors and Publishers) hereby disclaim all warranties relating to Signal magazine or its website, whether expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Although the Authors believe the information provided is accurate, the Authors do not have responsibility for any damage or loss of data to a user’s computer caused by utilizing this information. The Authors will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect, or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason when utilizing information/tutorials from Signal magazine or its websites. In no event shall the Authors be liable for any damages, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the information contained in Signal magazine bears all risk as to the use of the information provided. Alliance Communications and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. are not responsible for the quality, performance, or reliability of third-party tools or software.
Contact us today (605) 582-6311 or visit alliancecom.net/whole-home-wi-fi Customize your connected devices Manage every device in your home with Ultimate Whole Home Wi-Fi Filter: Block entire internet categories, apps and websites. Time Limits: Limit time for individual apps or sites. Notifications: Receive push notifications for various events like time limits or when a new device connects to your network. My Priorities: Prioritize the devices and/or activities on your Wi-Fi to ensure you’re getting the best performance for what matters most. Safe Search: Defaults Google and YouTube searches to remove inappropriate and explicit content from their search results. Pause: Pause the internet for any individual family member, device or the whole house with the tap of a button. Usage: Compare time online today, last week, or in the month while viewing the total time spent online per category, app or website. Schedules: Set schedules for dinnertime, bedtime or schooltime. Schedules shuts off internet access for every device assigned to a profile.
LET’S TALK ABOUT TED TALKS Brief, inspired presentations put this website on the virtual map The conference became an annual event a few years later and has since blossomed into a viral phenomenon that features thousands of videos of live presentations at TED.com. The popularity of TED talks is due to a unique configuration of passionate experts making brief, simple-to-understand presentations about topics for a broad audience. Their appeal is evident in how much the talks are shared on social media and in places where education and training take place, such as schools and businesses. In the following pages, we elaborate on what TED talks are and why they’re so effective. We also recommend specific videos you might want to watch as well as ways to find talks of interest on your own. Because the subject matter of TED talks is so diverse, there’s something for everyone on any day of the week. You’ll find options ranging from the big bang to Brazil, from happiness to humor, and from parenting to plastic. If you enjoy TED, be sure to check out the six websites we found that feature TED-style videos. Meanwhile, it’s time to sit back, relax, and get to know TED. TED — an abbreviation for technology, entertainment, and design — is an organization formed in 1984 as a one-off conference featuring speakers on those three topics. QUICK TIP: Subscribe to the TED YouTube channel to keep track of all the latest talks. 4 www.alliancecom.net
www.alliancecom.net 5 According to its website, TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Its audience is anyone with an interest and an internet connection. Learn About the Organization That Teaches Us All History of TED The first annual TED event was held in 1990. As the conferences grew in popularity, celebrities began to participate, including Nobel Prize winners, actors, and business leaders. Until 2006, the events remained limited to invited speakers and audience members who could afford the expensive tickets. But organizers wanted this information to be accessible to everyone, so they started posting talks online. The website now includes thousands of talks in more than 100 languages, with more than one billion views. On a Mission TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. Its mission statement includes this: “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers —and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long.” The organization has expanded beyond the conferences to include the Audacious Project, which amplifies the ideas of changemakers; TEDx events, which are smaller, local TED conferences; and the TED-Ed lesson series, which supports classroom learning. TED Topics The list of TED topics is long and highly varied (see TED.com/topics). Its scope has widened from the original categories of technology, education, and design to also include other areas. Here’s an overview with examples of topics to give you an idea of what’s available: • Technology – artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robots • Sciences – astronomy, chemistry, and geology • Health conditions – autism, blindness, and cancer • Social issues – bullying, homelessness, and online privacy • Environmental concerns – climate change and pollution • Arts – dance, fashion, and poetry Most Popular Talks At TED.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all, you can find a list of the 25 most popular talks of all time. Topics include body language, motivation, what makes a good life, how great leaders inspire action, and how to spot a liar. What Makes TED Talks So Effective? TED talks stand out for being both easy to understand and impactful, which is why they’re frequently viewed and shared. What are the secrets to their effectiveness? Passionate speakers. While TED speakers may gain recognition for themselves, their organizations, and their work, that’s not why they do it. They’re truly passionate about the topics they present and want to share their knowledge with as many people as possible. Plenty of preparation. Many TED talks may seemsimple and even spontaneous, but a lot of preparation goes into them. The speeches are written, memorized, and practiced well in advance. High-quality visuals. TED talks feature photos, videos, charts, physical props, and body language to help get their points across. Short length. Most TED talks are less then 18 minutes, which forces speakers to stay on topic and present only the most important information.
6 www.alliancecom.net No Time for Self-Help Books? Watch TED Instead! TED talks are typically delivered by one person in a presenter-to-audience format, and they’re designed to help jump-start personal progress for people, one by one. With TED talks, you don’t have to spend hours reading a book about improving your life. Just a few minutes with TED can be a game-changer. Here are a few key reasons to watch these videos. Learning TED talks are brief and easy to understand, which means you can easily learn about something new, even during busy days. Examples include innovations or situations you hear about in the news, things like friendship that can make your life better, and hobbies like gardening or photography. You can also find TED talks on many topics traditionally taught in school, such as government, history, math, and biology. Inspiration Some TED talks may inspire you to do further research, change your habits, or get involved in a cause. For example, a talk about travel might move you to take a trip. One about veganism might encourage you to give up eating animal products. One about poverty might lead you to volunteer for an aid agency. Success Many TED talks are about things that can help you succeed at school, in business, or at maintaining physical and mental health. They include topics like work-life balance, the reasons startups succeed, steps to boost financial health, and how to have a good night’s sleep. Entertainment While most TED talks are meant to be primarily educational, many of them are entertaining as well. Part of the reason is the quality of the speakers, who are frequently as witty as they are smart. For example, comedian Gina Brillon’s talk, When people are “suspiciously kind,” is both enlightening and amusing. TED Talks to Make You Laugh Sure, you can turn to funny TV shows, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and live comedy for laughs. But it never hurts to have one more source for a good giggle. Check out these popular TED talks when you want a laugh, and search for more fun options at TED.com. • Inside the mind of a master procrastinator by Tim Urban, creator and owner of the WaitButWhy (waitbutwhy.com) blog – He encourages viewers to take a hard look at their procrastination and think about it in a new way. • I got 99 problems…palsy is just one by Maysoon Zayid, actress, comedian, and disability advocate (maysoon.com) – She uses humor to share a lifelong journey with cerebral palsy. • Comics that ask “what if?” by Randall Munroe, engineer, author, and cartoonist (xkcd.com) – He humorously provides answers to interesting what-if questions. • The happy secret to better work by Shawn Achor, happiness consultant (goodthinkinc.com) – He entertainingly discusses methods for creating greater happiness at work. QUICK TIP: For a small fee, you can join TED to access member exclusives and support the TED mission.
www.alliancecom.net 7 TED makes it easy to find talks you may be interested in watching. When you go to TED.com, two of the menu items are Watch and Discover, which include links to areas to help you locate what you’re looking for or perhaps consider a topic you hadn’t thought of before. How to Find TED Talks That Speak to You TED Talks. Use your own search terms and filter by topics, languages, and duration, or sort by newest, relevance, or most viewed. TED Recommends. Identify topics you’re interested in, watch and rate videos, and TED will email you more like them. Playlists. Want to take a deep dive into your favorite subject? This section offers lists of talks on the same topic. TED Series. TED series offer multiple talks on the same subject, such as money or work, from the same expert. TED-Ed Videos. These videos from the TED-Ed Project offer short lessons aimed at educators and students. TEDx Talks. These videos highlight talks given at TEDx events, which are local TED conferences. Topics are just as varied as in regular TED talks. Topics. Looking for a very specific subject? You’re likely to find it on this page, which lists all TED topics from A to Z. Podcasts. The TED Audio Collective is a collection of podcasts for listeners who want to get immersed in exciting ideas. Ideas Blog. Think TED-style ideas in a blog format. You’ll find posts in the areas of technology, business, arts and design, science, and humans. Newsletter. Sign up to get personalized TED recommendations or to learn what’s new at TED. QUICK TIP: TED offers four-week courses on topics like taking a life-changing journey and reimagining your career. Explore theWorld of Talks Beyond TED Can’t get enough of TED? You may also want to check out these websites that feature TED-style videos. Talks at Google (talksat.withgoogle.com) It’s no surprise, given Google’s multifaceted collection of products, that it offers expert-presented videos on a wide range of topics. Big Think (bigthink.com/videos) This website regularly reaches out to a network of 2,000 experts to ask them about important ideas in their fields. Ideacity (ideacity.ca) Ideacity is Canada’s version of TED. TheMoth (themoth.org) A bit of a twist on TED-style talks, The Moth features true stories focusing on human experience and connection. 99U (99u.adobe.com) This valuable collection includes talks on topics ranging from creativity to careers. Ignite (ignitetalks.io) Like TED talks, Ignite presentations follow their own specific format: 5 minutes and 20 slides that advance every 15 seconds.
8 www.alliancecom.net Programmers still want more money for TV channels. You may have noticed that content providers are moving more shows to direct-to-consumer apps, which decreases the value of their cable TV channels. This football season, for example, the NFL Network is only carrying seven out of 272 games. Major League Baseball aired some of their games only on Apple TV, and Thursday night NFL games are only on Amazon Prime. Disney’s Mandalorian can only be viewed exclusively online. Monday night football games are shown both on ESPN and the ESPN+ app, which further dilutes the value of the ESPN channel. Additionally, Bally Sports and Midco Sports have launched their own direct-to-consumer apps. I wish I could say that a decrease in TV content has come with a decrease in rates from programmers, but in fact it’s just the opposite. Content providers continue raising their traditional cable TV rates while reducing the programming on their traditional TV channels. Broadcasters are no different. Over the last few years, viewing for local broadcast channels like KELO-CBS, KSFY-ABC, and KDLT-NBC has decreased dramatically while more content is moved to Paramount+, Peacock, etc. However, the retransmission fees they charge to access the local channels have increased by 31 percent, and they’re increasing again on Jan. 1, 2023. Broadcasters are raising your rates to cover reduced viewership and advertising revenue. These higher prices and lack of ala carte options have shifted people’s viewing habits toward streaming. Those who haven’t considered streaming are left paying the bill. Streaming Continues to Shake Up TV Industry By Ross Petrick General Manager/CEO Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, OH MY! As the number and cost of streaming services continue to rise, one thing is certain: Viewers are consuming more streaming content. According to Nielsen data from September 2022, streaming content consists of 37 percent of total viewing, while cable TV is at 33 percent and broadcast TV is around 24 percent.
www.alliancecom.net 9 In general, we’re okay with customers switching to streaming. Over the past few months, we’ve seen a substantial uptick in internet bandwidth usage as viewing habits switch to streaming, and we’re growing our capacity to meet those demands. Our goal is simply to connect our communities and customers to the world via voice, video, and internet services. Alliance TV service transitions to streaming devices. Alliance TV is moving to the streaming world as well. This past fall, we launched AllStream Now, which is an app-based video service. With AllStream, you can watch our TV service on Amazon Fire TV Sticks, Apple TVs, and mobile IOS and Android devices rather than DVRs or set-top boxes. While AllStream doesn’t help with increasing content costs, it gives you five simultaneous streams and eliminates monthly equipment rental fees. We’re not launching AllStream to compete with Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu. We’re moving to app-based services to continue offering Alliance TV services in a streaming world. As our set-top boxes age, they’re not keeping up with technological changes and can’t handle better signals or new features. We’re also finding it harder to purchase custom network components, DVRs and set-top boxes because of supply chain and manufacturing challenges. By moving to a more ubiquitous platform, we can offer advanced services while controlling costs and equipment availability. It’s cheaper and more flexible to move our TV service into the streaming world than to move the streaming world into our set-top boxes. Where can I watch AllStream Now? Due to contract restrictions, most channels on AllStream will ONLY work at your home while connected to Alliance Internet. Even though AllStream can’t be viewed outside of the Alliance network, you’ll have more flexibility within your home. With AllStream, you can watch up to five different devices at one time on any TV or mobile phone within Wi-Fi coverage for only $12/month. So, you could have AllStream running on the living room TV but also watch it on your phone while in the garage. AllStream essentially eliminates multiple DVRs, set-top boxes, rental fees, and the need to run wire throughout your house. But if you’re looking for a streaming service to take with you on the road, AllStream isn’t the service for you. How and where do I install the AllStream Now app? AllStream currently is compatible with Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, iOS mobile and Android mobile, but we hope to expand availability to other devices soon. You should be able to download the AllStream app from the app stores and start watching as soon as you activate service with us. AllStream is meant to be a self-install service, but we’re happy to walk you through the steps over the phone. Please note that AllStream Video Programming and Retrans Costs from 2012 to Jan. 2022 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 220.13% Retransmission Fee (CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox) Basic Line Up Content Cost
10 www.alliancecom.net won’t work well on smart TVs and many Roku devices because they don’t have suitable Wi-Fi antennas or processing power. What’s going to happen to my DVRs and set-top boxes? We’ll continue supporting the boxes that are in homes today, but we’ll transition away from them over the next few years. We understand that streaming may not be for everyone, but Alliance is looking to adapt to the TV industry rather than relying on older technology to work forever. Starting in early 2023, AllStream will be the only option for new TV customers. We won’t install DVRs or set-top boxes for new TV customers. For current TV customers, the pricing for DVR and set-top boxes now in your home won’t change. You can continue using them until they no longer work on our system, or you may want to convert to our AllStream service. If you’re already a TV customer and need to replace your current DVR/set-top boxes after Jan. 1, 2023, the following options will be available: • You can replace your box(es) with a new model for $12/box/ month. The rising costs of providing cable TV along with supply chain problems have caused us to change our pricing for new boxes. • You can switch to AllStream Now. For $12/month, you’ll receive five streams and 80 hours of DVR, plus we’ll give you one complimentary Amazon Fire TV Stick. What other changes is Alliance making to its TV service? Along with these technology changes, we’ll no longer offer paid video on demand or pay-per view as of Jan. 1, 2023. Demand for paid movie rentals has decreased over the years because many titles are available online for free or for a lower cost. However, free local content—such as high school games, church services, or community events—will still be available through video on demand. Additionally, the AllStream channel lineup will be slightly different from the traditional lineup. For AllStream only, we’re repackaging channels in our Elite package by genre to give you more purchasing flexibility and possibly cost savings.We also might consider dropping less-viewed channels to help control future price increases. Making channel lineup changes is difficult due to content restrictions. Change isn’t always easy and often comes with a learning curve. We’re making these technology adjustments to adapt to new viewing habits while navigating higher programming costs and supply chain challenges. If you have any questions about AllianceTV or our other services, please contact us by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service or (605) 582-6311.
www.alliancecom.net 11 A More Virtual World Futurologists believe we’ll be living in an increasingly virtual world. Our digital presence will not be separate from the physical world but ingrained in it. Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will pave the way for a more streamlined online experience. Judith Donath, a researcher for the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University and author of The Social Machine: Designs for Living Online, said, “Within only the next quarter century, the way we now search or use the internet will be considered archaically clunky. Information will be displayed, floating in the air ... the web will appear in the real world, not just on glass screens. Gone will be keyboards, the mouse, and screens.” Activating a Digital Overlay Due to developments in the field of brain-computer interface technology, we should be able to send information and commands through mere brain signals by 2040. Taking that a step further, it’s expected that by 2050, nanobots (robots that are microscopic in nature) may be plugged directly into the brain for fullimmersion virtual reality, and there could be eye implants allowing us to see the digital world without the need for a display. If you’re not crazy about the idea of adding objects to your brain or eyes, “future you” will have the non-invasive option of augmented reality glasses with display capabilities. These glasses will activate a digital overlay with information about your surroundings. Internet Everywhere Leonard Kleinrock, the UCLA professor who networked the first computers in the early packet-switching network, said this about the internet’s future: “The internet will be everywhere, available on a continuous basis, and will be invisible in the sense that it will disappear into the infrastructure, just as electricity is, in many ways, invisible. The Internet of Things will be an embedded world of the Internet of Invisible Things. We will be able to interact with its capabilities via human-friendly interfaces such as speech, gestures, haptics, holograms, displays, and so on.” Prepare for an adventure ahead! Exploring the Future of the Internet Expect fewer keyboards and more augmented reality glasses In the 50+ years since the internet was born, it’s grown from linking a handful of computers to connecting billions of users around the globe. What will the internet look like in another 50 years?
12 www.alliancecom.net Dazzle with Digital Invitations Paper invitations have definite downsides —like the hassle of rounding up street addresses for your guests, the expense of postage stamps, and the time required to address the envelopes. On the other end of the spectrum, you could just send a simple text or email to invite your guests. While those options convey the essential information, they leave something to be desired in terms of building excitement for your party. Luckily, there’s a better way. Digital invitations are easy to order and use, will save you time, and offer these advantages: • Pick from huge selections of design templates. • Animation and background music are possibilities. • Free and low-cost choices help keep party costs down. • It’s simple to track RSVPs. There are a growing number of digital invitation websites out there. Some popular ones to consider are Evite, Paperless Post, Punchbowl, Greenvelope, and Purpletrail. Get Help in the Kitchen Looking for ideas on what to serve at your party? You’ll find plenty of food for thought online, whether you visit cooking websites such as Allrecipes, Food Network, Taste of Home, and Delish or watch recipe videos on YouTube or Pinterest. Invite Technology to the Party Be the host with the most whenever you entertain Parties are meant to be fun for your guests (and for you). So, if entertaining has stressed you out in the past, let today’s smart devices and online resources make the preparations more manageable and the party more memorable.
www.alliancecom.net 13 Once you’ve chosen the menu, you may be able to shop online for groceries and have your order delivered to your front door. If cooking isn’t your thing or you’re short on time, explore the websites of local delis and grocery stores to check out their sandwich trays, desserts, and other party-ready treats. Set the Stage for Drama Technology can help you create a special occasion ambiance in your home. One of the most impactful things to adjust is the lighting, which goes a long way to create the desired mood for your party. For example, you can place smart LED panel lights on walls to add brightness and your choice of colors, and manage them with a remote or smartphone app. Every party needs a playlist, and once again, technology makes it easy to hit the right note. Turn to online resources such as Spotify and Pandora to find a collection of music that fits your music preferences, enhances the atmosphere, and adds energy to the gathering. Play the music on a smart speaker so you can easily adjust the volume with your voice, depending on the number of guests or other factors. Another way to take your party space to the next level is to display a video or slideshow of photos for guests to watch. Let’s say you’re celebrating your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. You could digitize old family photos, add background music, and display them on a large computer monitor or TV screen. Don’t want to tackle putting a photo presentation together on your own? There are companies out there that specialize in these types of projects. It can be well worth the investment to share treasured memories and preserve them for years to come. One last thing: If you have an Amazon Echo smart speaker, Alexa can be the life of the party. Alexa can call the numbers for Bingo or lead a group of up to 20 in the “True or False?” trivia game. You can also say “Alexa, tell me a joke” to get the last of your guests laughing as they head for the door. Tech the Halls for Holiday Parties Smart home devices can reduce the stress of the holiday season by simplifying decorating and entertaining. Festive Lighting Your smart speaker—whether enabled by Alexa, Google, or Siri—can manage your Christmas lights. For example, you can say things like, “Alexa, set a timer for the outside lights” or “OK, Google, turn on the Christmas tree lights and set the colors to red and green.” You can also swap out your regular light bulbs in lamps and ceiling fixtures with smart bulbs. They offer color-changing capabilities to create a more festive mood. Smart Christmas Trees Christmas trees have branched out and joined the Internet of Things. Depending on the brand, you can use your voice (in conjunction with a smart speaker or app) to select the color, turn the tree lights on and off, and more. Connect with Santa This idea will be a hit during holiday parties that include children. With Alexa-powered Amazon speakers and displays, you can say, “Alexa, open Call Santa Claus,” and Alexa will connect you to Santa and some of his friends at the North Pole. You can also ask, “Alexa, where is Santa?” to hear his current location. QUICK TIP: Check out YouTube for a fireplace channel to add “warmth” to the room.
14 www.alliancecom.net Not only are the seasons changing, but the faces around here are changing, too. Four of our long-term employees have entered the next phase of life, retirement. It’s bittersweet. We’re happy for them, but we’re sad to see them go. Alliance was lucky to have such fantastic, dedicated people working here. Edith Karli retired earlier in 2022, and Tom Donelan, Terry Ribstein and Jim Hove retired this fall. Four Alliance Employees Retired After Combined 95 Years It was bittersweet to see them go Edith Karli worked at Alliance since June 1999. She worked out of our Garretson office in the accounting department. She wore many hats in her years here, including working in collections, billing, payroll and benefits. The biggest change she saw was seeing the transition of the landline phone being a necessity to becoming something people rarely use anymore. She said she misses the people at Alliance the most. Edith plans on spending time with her grandkids and kids, as well as traveling during her retirement. Tom Donelan was in the telecom business for 40 years and was with Alliance for 28 of them. In his time here, he said the biggest challenge was changing everything to fiber. Tom worked out of our Garretson office. He played an integral part when Alliance expanded into Rock County, Minnesota, and he covered much of that area in the past six years. Tom said he’s not sure what his plan is for retirement, but he’s taking it a day at a time. He said he’ll miss working with customers and his co-workers. Terry Ribstein worked at Alliance for 19 of his 43 years in the telecom business. He covered Larchwood, Valley Springs, Hills and Steen. Terry said the biggest challenge was the changing technology and the pace in which it changed. He also said he’ll miss working with the people here at Alliance and the customers he has gotten to know over the years. Terry looks forward to not having a plan during retirement and enjoying activities he likes. He’ll be spending time with family and traveling. Jim Hove was in the telecom business for 40 years, and 25 of them were at Alliance. Jim worked out of our Garretson office and was a technician for much of his time here. Jim was also a big part of our Rock County expansion project. In 2019, he transitioned over to our construction team. He helped with the general coordination for our construction projects, worked with contractors and managed our mapping system. Jim said the biggest change and challenge was converting to fiber. You’ll likely see Jim doing some fishing during retirement and enjoying time with friends and family. Our Alliance family misses these four employees, and we wish them the very best. Please help us congratulate each of them. Edith Karli Tom Donelan Terry Ribstein Jim Hove
www.alliancecom.net 15 At Alliance, many of our employees are also parents. We love having the ability to pause Wi-Fi to our kids’ devices using the My Alliance WiFi app, and so will you. You also can create individual profiles and control Wi-Fi access to each device, open a guest network for visitors, and view all of the devices connected to your network. Follow these instructions to connect the app to your Alliance router. Need help? Call us by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service or call (605) 582-6311. You also can send a message to email@alliancecom.net. New app is FREE for our Whole Home Wi-Fi customers. Turn off Wi-Fi to your kids’ devices with this app Let's get started! Make sure your Alliance router is plugged in. Your router needs to be plugged in at least 10 minutes before continuing to the next step. Open the My Alliance App and select "Let's get started." STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Download the My Alliance WiFi app if you haven't already. Search either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for My Alliance WiFi, or scan the applicable QR code below. Then install the app on your device. Point your camera at the QR code found on the bottom of your router. (Your router might be attached to a stand. If it is, you will need to remove the router from the stand to see the QR code.) Enter your personal information. The password you enter here will be used when you access the My Alliance WiFi app. Then select "Create Account" at the bottom. STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Select "Sign Up" (not Login) towards the bottom of the screen. After you receive “Device Setup Complete,” press OK. After you successfully scan the QR code, your Mac Address and Serial Address will auto populate. Press Next. Congratulations! You're all done. Now you can start exploring your new app. For details on how to use specific features, visit alliancecom.net/support/internet-support. STEP 7 STEP 8 STEP 9
Call 611 from any phone with Alliance service or (605) 582-6311 from your cell phone. www.alliancecom.net Baltic Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Brandon Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Garretson Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 612 Third Street / PO Box 349 Garretson, SD 57030-0349 GO FROM MAILBOX TO INBOX WITH PAPERLESS BILLING Choose an online bill and get a one-time $20 credit Receive a $20 one-time credit by choosing to receive your bill only online. Not only will you reduce paper clutter, but you’ll also have extra money in your bank account. Now’s the time to switch to Alliance’s paperless billing, which means you’ll receive your statements via email rather than “snail mail.” After you sign up to receive your bill online, you’ll receive an email from Alliance on or before the first of the month that lets you know your bill is ready to view on Alliance’s website. Then just log in to estatement.alliancecom.net/ ebill to view your bill. Here’s how you sign up to receive your bill online: 1. Go to estatement.alliancecom.net/ebill and register for an account or sign in. 2. Then click on the Settings tab. 3. Next click on the General tab. 4. Under Invoice Preferences, Select Web Bill Only. 5. Click on the Change Preferences button. Then the one-time $20 credit will appear on your bill within two months. If you need help signing up, dial 611 from any phone with Alliance service or call (605) 582-6311 from your cell phone. This is a limited-time offer and is only valid one time per account. Statement of ownership, management and circulation as of October 1, 2022 | Title of publication: The Signal | Publication number: 010-984 | Frequency of issue: Quarterly | 4 issues annually: Subscription price $3.10 | Location of known office of publication: Cornerstone Publishing, 4815 Caravelle Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526 | Location of general business offices: Alliance Communications, 612 Third Street, PO Box 349, Garretson, SD 57030-0349 | Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amounts of bonds, mortgages or other securities: none | Average number of copies published each issue during the preceding 12 months, 13,330; Actual number of copies of single issue published nearest filing date, 13,268; Sales through dealers and counters sales, none; Mail subscriptions: Average during preceding 12 months, 13,230; Nearest filing date, 13,168; Free distribution: Average during preceding 12 months, none; Nearest filing date, none; Copies not distributed, office use, leftovers, etc.: Average during preceding 12 months, 100; Nearest filing date, 100; Returned fromnews agents: none. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Amy Ahlers WE CONGRATULATE TheseWinners from Fall 2022: $30 – Paul or Gail Syverson $30 – Patricia Florey $30 – Doug Hagen WIN CREDIT on Your Alliance Bill Just return this coupon by December 20, 2022. Automatic Bank Payment customers are automatically entered into the drawing. To sign up for Automatic Bank Payment, just fill out the form on the back of your next bill. Name ____________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________ Telephone # _______________________________________
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