RTC Networks Spring Newsletter 2024

As spring unfolds, we find ourselves already in the swing of a busy construction season, preparing to plow fiber to our underserved neighbors in northern McKenzie County in North Dakota, as well as Richland and Wibaux Counties in Montana. RTC Networks ability to tackle this project is possible because of grant funding received through federal grant programs.

We’ve been hard at work, not just plowing fiber-optics, but also installing and upgrading business phone systems. We’re thrilled to introduce myRTCvoicePro, a state-ofthe-art phone system solution that’s a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, replacing outdated legacy phone systems. This cloud-based communication platform offers unmatched flexibility, mobility, and scalability, tailored to meet the needs of businesses. Recently, RTC Networks upgraded the phone system for the Rough Rider Center in Watford City, ND. You can read about their experience and the benefits they’ve gained in the upcoming pages of this newsletter.

In other exciting news! Chad Talbott, who served as Data Network Tech III Coordinator, has been promoted to Network Manager. In his new position, Chad will oversee all network-related tasks and technologies at RTC Networks and manage the work of all

Data Network and Video Techs. With over 15 years of experience as a technician and coordinator, Chad has proven his leadership skills and is well-suited for this new role. Congratulations, Chad, on your promotion!

As the class of 2024 prepares to graduate, we’re proud to announce that RTC Networks will award $40,000 in scholarships to 44 deserving high school seniors across our service area. We invest in our community’s future by supporting students’ educational aspirations. We celebrate their achievements and look forward to watching them take their next steps.

As we embrace the season’s warmth and start outdoor projects, we want to remind you to call 8-1-1 before you dig. Nothing ruins a home project like hitting an underground utility.

Finally, I invite you to save the date for our 73rd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 11th, at the 4 Bears Event Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and following the meal, the meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing you there!

RTC NETWORKS SPOTLIGHT

THE ROUGH RIDER CENTER

Connecting the Community

What if there were a place where you could feel the crunch of the ice under your skates in the morning, grab a piping hot mocha with a friend for lunch, float down the lazy river in the afternoon, and end the day cheering on your favorite basketball team? It sounds almost to good to be true, especially if you wanted to stay in the same building for the entire day.

But that variety is par for the course at Rough Rider Center in Watford City, North Dakota–and it’s all under one roof.

Growing with the Community

As a state-of-the-art multipurpose event and recreation facility, the Rough Rider Center is western North Dakota’s premiere spot to host large statewide conferences, sporting events, memorable social gatherings, and more.

Managing the varied nature of the gigantic facility doesn’t come easy–but Events and Recreation Director Joshua Nollmeyer keeps the Rough Rider Center running smoothly, so it can continue to provide visitors and locals various activities and events.

“Being diverse in what we offer means anyone can find something they are passionate about,” Joshua said. “It could be an adult sports league or it could be a youth robotics camp.”

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Rough Rider Center cultivates these diverse opportunities thanks in part to its size. Their 5,300-square-foot convention hall and ballroom can fit up to 500 people for weddings, conferences, and other large-scale gatherings. There are also smaller meeting spaces that are perfect for meetings, youth camps, or community gatherings.

While its programming offerings are varied and expansive, the facility itself is striking too. After all, no North Dakota recreation facility is complete without an ice rink, which the Rough Rider Center has, of course! Equipped with two NHL regulation-sized ice rinks and boasting over 950 seats between the rinks, guests can cheer on the Watford City Oilers. Moreover, adding versatility, during the off-season the main rink can be used for roller skating.

There’s also an aquatic center for the folks who prefer their fitness with a side of chlorine. Guests can swim a few laps or play water volleyball any time of year with their six-lane competition pool, featuring a mid-depth basketball hoop and volleyball net, and an inflatable obstacle course. There’s even a 135’ water slide.

The Rough Rider Center goes beyond rinks and a pool. With a 22,000-square-foot indoor sports arena, the Rough Rider Center has three basketball/volleyball courts, an area for physical fitness programs, and a walking track. Even better, the wood courts are removable, meaning that the Rough Rider Center can place artificial turf for sports like soccer or football. You’ll also find a gymnastics gym with a foam pit. In short, you’ll find just about everything within its walls!

The Rough Rider Center hosts large-scale events like a 20-team hockey tournament or an 80-team youth basketball tournament (and, fun fact, those two events happened on the same days!), but it’s the small-town customer service and hospitality that sets them apart.

“We may have an amazing, world-class facility,” Joshua said, “but it’s the people that make this place what it is.”

After all, the Rough Rider Center is there to bring the community together, whether it’s to cheer for the Oilers or to sip coffee with an old friend at the coffee shop (yes, they have one of those, too!). And it’s not just adults who can benefit from the Rough Rider Center. Parents can cheer for their favorite player during school sports tournaments, kids can discover new passions at various camps that take place in the Rough Rider Center’s classrooms, and families can celebrate birthdays in the pool party room.

“Social cohesion is such an important aspect of what we do,” Joshua said. “ We provide opportunities for people to connect by allowing community members to gather, interact, and build relationships.”

Keeping People Connected

Because they want to keep people connected, the Rough Rider Center has partnered with RTC Networks to ensure that every event, big or small, has top-notch internet and phone service. This collaboration has been a gamechanger, so the center can confidently host large events that demand robust and reliable connectivity.

“Working with RTC Networks has been fantastic,” Joshua said. “In every interaction, RTC demonstrated an unparalleled level of expertise and commitment, making them an invaluable partner in our endeavors.”

The Rough Rider Center’s partnership with RTC Networks is more than technical support; it’s a reflection of a shared commitment to empowering the community. Whether it’s facilitating a statewide conference or a local sports game, the support from RTC Networks helps ensure that every Rough Rider Center event runs smoothly, allowing every participant to connect and engage without a hitch.

The Rough Rider Center, with its vast array of facilities and dedicated support from partners like RTC Networks, is a place where community, connectivity, and celebration come together, creating unforgettable experiences for all.

“We may have an amazing, world-class facility, but it’s the people that make [the Rough Rider Center] what it is.”

Joshua Nollmeyer

RTC NETWORKS TECH TIPS

THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!

SCAMS HAPPEN, BUT HERE’S HOW YOU CAN AVOID THEM.

You’re busy, deeply focused on something important, when your phone beeps at you. Frustrated at being pulled out of your work, you quickly look down at your screen. Great. Yet another issue with your mail. It’s probably that important, time-sensitive gift getting delayed yet again. You sigh as you open the text message and skim through it quickly.

So, you click it, trying to get through the provided form quickly. You give them the info they’re asking for–ugh, they need your phone number and credit card info again?– and then get back to work.

A day or two later, your phone practically blows up with telemarketing calls, swearing they’ve been trying to reach

you about your car’s extended warranty. Or maybe your phone just plain stops working and you get an email with a ransom to unlock it. Or maybe you check your bank account only to find it’s been cleaned out.

The truth is, we’ve all been there. We’ve all absentmindedly clicked a link we shouldn’t have, picked up a call that turned out to be a scammer or opened an email that gave our computer a nasty virus. These scams are so commonplace nowadays that we even joke about them with each other, whether it’s the whole “we’ve been trying to reach you…” bit or jokingly debating sending some far-off impoverished prince a seed fund–he promised to return it ten-fold once he gets back to his palace and invests it, after all!

URGENCY:

Scammers rely on the fact that we’re busy folks. They know that if they inundate you with as many scam messages as possible–and at as many times of day as possible–one will almost certainly fool you. The good news? There are a few tell-tale signs of scam texts and emails.

SUSPICIOUS LINKS:

The message goes out of its way to create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly without giving you time to think or verify the information. This is especially effective if the message catches you when you’re busy or distracted.

GENERIC GREETINGS:

The message lacks personalization, failing to address you by name or provide specific details about the sender that could be verified.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: HOW TO AVOID SCAMS:

THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK:

Take a moment to assess emails, messages, and phone calls before responding. Verify the sender’s identity independently rather than clicking links or using phone numbers provided in a suspicious message.

KEEP YOUR COMPUTER AND DEVICES SECURE:

Use reputable antivirus software and keep your operating system, browsers, and apps updated to protect against malware and other threats.

BE WARY OF REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION:

Many scams rely on creating a sense of urgency to trick you into acting without thinking. Always take your time to verify any requests, especially if they involve sending money, clicking links, or providing personal information.

The URL is shortened or looks suspicious, not clearly belonging to a reputable carrier or company’s official domain. If it does contain words, rather than just a bit.ly like our example message does, they are misspelled or have random punctuation in places that the real company wouldn’t.

GRAMMATICAL AND SPELLING ERRORS:

While not always present, many scam messages contain subtle (or glaring) errors. Re-read our message from before–how many errors can you spot?

REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION:

The message prompts you to click a link or provide information, a common tactic in phishing attempts. This data is what the scammer is after–they want your credit card number or birthday or your mother’s maiden name (or other common security question answers).

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making them easier to fall prey to. Avoiding them requires vigilance and a proactive approach to security. Here are a few ways to avoid falling for a fast one:

REPORT SCAMS:

If you encounter a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam!

USE PROTECTIQ™

ProtectIQ is a network-level security application that works quietly in the background and proactively keeps malicious websites, viruses, and intrusions away from your home’s devices 24/7. By leveraging a large cloud database of known threats in real time, ProtectIQ can terminate the transfer of data before a malicious payload is delivered to any vulnerable devices in the network. As new threats are emerging daily, the threat database is continuously updated to offer protection against the latest threats.

With a few simple steps and new approaches, catching scammers before they catch you will quickly become second nature. Further, with services like ProtectIQ, you can focus on that critical business, knowing that ProtectIQ has your back–even when you’re distracted.

ProtectIQ is included with your RTC Networks internet service on the Gigaspire router. If you don’t currently have a Gigaspire, please contact us to install this upgraded router for free. For more information, please visit our Wi-Fi page.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Congratulations to all 44 of our 2024 scholarship winners! We wish you the best as you start your new adventure. Juniors, keep an eye out for next year’s applications at myrtcnetworks.com/scholarships

Alexander - 828

Leland, V (701)828-3386

Beach - 872

The Hen House (701)872-2569

Cartwright - 744

Asbeck, Harvey (701)744-3300

Finsaas, Darrel & Kerry (701)744-5329

Hutter, John JR (701)744-5308

Johnson, Darwin & Dorothy (701)744-5196

Emmet - 337

Blotter, Chris & Sarena (701)337-2284

Miller, Adriene (701)337-2228

East Fairview - 695

Reichenbach, Beverly A (701)695-2653

Garrison - 463

Little Sprouts (701)463-2035

Nishu Bay Grooming Salon (701)463-2083

Schumaier Concrete (701)463-2218

Homesteaders Gap - 565

Heiser, Evan (701)565-2822

Keene - 675

Hanna, Crystal (701)675-2111

Max - 679

Duckie’s Bar & Grill (701)679-2502

New Town - 627

GIS Water Resource (701)627-4211

Johnson, Kinda (701)627-3551

Young Bear, A (701)627-2690

Parshall - 862

Tomjack, Cameron & Tracey (701)862-4557

Sidney, MT - (406) 478

Castro, Jon & Laura (406)478-5341

Spencer - 848

Bolen, Daniel (701)848-2767

Stanley - 628

Farm Business Management (701)628-2722

The Rustic Bean Ace Location (701)628-2852

Watford City - 444

Ford, Stanley & Gelina (701)444-2766

Rip’n Stitches (701)444-5090

Rogness, Joyce (701)444-4826

Watford City - 842

Essandoh LLC (701)842-6622

Essandoh LLC - Fax (701)842-6946

CHAD TALBOTT PROMOTED TO NETWORK MANAGER

RTC Networks proudly announces Chad Talbott’s promotion to Network Manager. After 15 years of dedicated service, Talbott’s performance as a Technician and Coordinator has demonstrated the leadership required for this role, according to CEO/GM Shane Hart.

In his new capacity, Talbott will oversee all networkrelated operations and technologies, and assume responsibility for managing the tasks of all Data Network and Video Technicians. His extensive experience in the IT industry, spanning 24 years, positions him perfectly to lead RTC Networks into its next phase of growth and innovation.

Read the full press release on our website.

MEDORA MUSICAL TICKETS

We are giving away tickets throughout the summer and there are so many ways that you can get entered to win!

Watch for ticket contests on our Facebook page, enter our weekly drawings on our website, or email us at medoratix@rtc.email for a chance to win!

2025 CALENDAR CONTEST

Submit your name, RTC Networks account number, and up to 10 high-def pictures to rtcteam@rtc.email

Winners receive a feature in our 2025 Calendar and a $20 bill credit. Must be a current RTC Networks customer.

Deadline to submit photos: September 1, 2024

Chad Talbott Network Manager

Lifeline is an assistance program that can help eligible people afford telephone and broadband Internet service. Tribal Lifeline & Tribal Link Up programs for tribal areas help eligible people on tribal lands afford telephone and broadband Internet service.

Stay in the loop with all the latest updates, giveaways, and tech tips! Follow us on our social media platforms for a chance to snag freebies like tickets to the Medora Musical and stay informed about our newest services and promotions.

Join the conversation on:

David Johnson Combination Tech

Nick Behles Cable Locator

Brock Christianson Utility Tech

Russell Dixon Utility Tech

Logan Zuchara CSR l

Savanah Meyer Marketing Rep

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Whether you’re building a deck, planting a tree or installing a mailbox, you must call One Call 48 hours prior to digging. Once you call, utility companies will mark the location of their underground lines to help protect you from damaging them.

Submit your request online at www.ndonecall.com or www.montana811.org, click on homeowners. You can also call in your request by dialing 811 from your landline or cell phone.

Congratulations to these Winter 2023 Communicator Readers’ Contest winners. They will receive a $20 credit on their RTC Networks bill.

For your chance to be entered in the drawing to win a $20 credit on your bill, correctly answer the questions at the right and include with your RTC Networks bill. You can also submit your answers on our website at myRTCNetworks.com/ readerscontest or email your answers to rtcteam@rtc.email.