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FIBER MOVES D
AND ENHANCES
8
RTC CONTINUES TO BUILD OUT
FIBER IN OUR SERVICE AREA
To make sure our member-owners and
customers—even those in remote areas—
have access to high speed internet and related
services, RTC is proceeding aggressively with
fiber network expansion. We invested over
$20 million in outside plant infrastructure
in 2016 and plan to invest about $10 million
in 2017. These large capital investments are
made possible through loan funds from
Rural Utilities Service, a division of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture that administers
programs providing much-needed infra-
structure or infrastructure improvements to
rural communities.
This year, RTC will build out Fiber-to-the-
Home in rural Makoti, rural Garrison, and
the City of Max as well as work on additional
fiber projects in Keene, Arnegard, andWatford
City. We take pride in knowing our commit-
ment to fiber is making a positive impact on
these small communities. Fiber helps level
the playing field and close the urban-rural
technology gap.
DEMAND FOR RTC SERVICES
REMAINS STRONG
RTC is experiencing increases in the number
of phone access lines and broadband sub-
scribers. This is welcome growth, particularly
in light of the struggles faced by many rural
communications providers in other parts of
the country.
Since our service area offers excellent housing
options at affordable prices, more people are
able to move into new homes or apartments.
This activity can lead to stronger demand
for RTC’s services and the desire for higher
level plans such as faster internet speeds and
premium TV packages. As RTC continues to
expand our fiber network, residents will have
access to evenmore attractive and varied service
offerings.
WELCOME TO RTC’S 66TH ANNUAL MEETING, “FOCUS ON FIBER.”
This theme reflects the central
role of fiber technology in RTC’s current services as well as in our future plans. Get ready to focus on fiber at
tonight’s gathering. You’ll need to look closely, since each fiber optic thread is only about the size of a human hair!
JEANETTE HOFF
Board President
SHANE HART
CEO/General Manager