News

SRT and Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Award Community Grant Funds to Local Motives in Minot

Oct 09 2025

SRT and Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Award Community Grant Funds to Local Motives in Minot

Minot, N.D. – SRT and NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) presented $5,000 to Local Motives at Citizens Alley in downtown Minot Tuesday.

The community grant – comprising $4,500 from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) and $500 from SRT – funded three checker/chess board picnic tables and game pieces for Citizens Alley to enhance passive recreation, foster community engagement, and enrich the public plaza experience.

Citizens Alley opened this summer as a community hub and year-round gathering space offering a variety of summer and winter activities. The public plaza is operated by Local Motives, a local non-profit dedicated to enhancing the vitality and vibrancy of downtown Minot through creative placemaking, public art, and community-driven events. Since July 10, Citizens Alley has hosted more than 30 event days, including the Silobration attended by roughly 700 people in August.

“SRT has been supportive of making this dream a reality for several years,” said Jessica Ackerman, Executive Director of Local Motives. “Minot needed a place to connect with each other and instill pride in our community. We are in the business of connections – a purpose we share with SRT. Thank you to SRT for being a part of this dream and thank you to FRS for having the vision for communities like ours.”

FRS, the philanthropic arm of NTCA, works to sustain and enhance quality of life in America through an understanding of rural issues. The Community Grant Program is offered annually through NTCA members to support local efforts in building sustainable rural communities for residents. Because SRT is a member of NTCA, communities within SRT’s service area can apply for the FRS Community Grant Program.

“I have seen first-hand how NTCA members like SRT partner with their communities to advance economic vitality and quality of their public spaces,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA. “Citizens Alley is a shining example of how these collaborations build lasting benefit for local residents and visitors alike – and what a treat it was for me to see this partnership in action while in Minot this week. I’m proud of the work FRS does to help our community-based providers spread philanthropy throughout their service areas.”

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT built a 100% fiber optic broadband network. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing over 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit www.ntca.org.

SRT Member Service Technician Receives Eagle Award

Oct 01 2025

SRT Member Service Technician Receives Eagle Award

Scott Schmidtgal, a Member Service Technician at SRT, received an Eagle Award for the Month of September from the Minot Area Chamber EDC. The Eagle Award recognizes excellence in customer service, and the recipients must be nominated to receive this award.

The customer who nominated Scott had been experiencing trouble while transitioning from traditional cable TV to streaming with SRT Internet. The nominator stated, “After many years of cable TV, our condo’s contract was terminated, and we were forced to use a streaming service. Scott was one of many SRT employees that installed the service for many senior citizens. He was patient, courteous, and made the transition user friendly. He returned if there was a problem.”

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for taking great care of our customers!

Fiber vs. 5G: Which is Better for Your Home Internet?

Sep 04 2025

Fiber vs. 5G: Which is Better for Your Home Internet?

The option of 5G home internet has grown in recent years. This can be confusing when deciding between fiber internet and 5G home internet. A look at the differences can help you determine which is the better option for your home.

The Unseen Limitations of 5G

The technology behind 5G home internet, which uses radio waves traveling through the air from 5G cellular network towers, is quite different from SRT Fiber Internet, which is delivered via fiber optic cables buried underground directly to the customer’s home. This core difference leads to a few potential issues for 5G users:

Unstable Service: Wireless signals are more apt to be disrupted by weather, physical obstructions, and distance from the cellular tower. This is especially true in rural areas where 5G towers are not as prominent as they are in larger cities. This can lead to frustratingly inconsistent speeds and buffering, unlike our Fiber network that brings a dedicated, fast Internet connection straight to your home.
Deprioritization During Peak Hours: Because 5G is a shared network, your connection competes with other 5G home internet users in your area. During busy times, your service may be “deprioritized,” which means your speeds are intentionally slowed down to ensure a baseline service for everyone on the 5G network. With SRT Fiber, your connection is yours alone, which means no sharing and no slowdown times during the day or evening.
Slower Than Advertised Speeds: 5G home internet promises top speeds, but the speeds a customer may experience in their home are different than those advertised due to network congestion and signal interference. With our Fiber network and a hardwired connection to your devices, you get the service you pay for with matching upload and download speeds, and an overall more reliable home internet experience.

The Advantage of SRT Fiber Internet

SRT invested in building the area’s only 100% Fiber network because we know how important fast, reliable Internet is to your everyday life Whether you work from home, are an avid gamer, or simply have multiple smart devices in your home, SRT Fiber Internet will support everything you do

The only potential downside to Fiber internet is that it’s not available in every corner of the United States. But don’t worry; SRT has you covered. We built our Fiber network to every business, home, school, and farm in our service area, making sure everyone has access to the fastest, most reliable Fiber Internet today.

Don’t settle for the unpredictable performance of a shared 5G wireless connection. Choose SRT Fiber for the stability, speed, and reliability you and your family deserve.

How to Spot a Phishing Email

Jul 31 2025

How to Spot a Phishing Email

Be on the lookout! A lot of phishing is going on (and not the fun kind involving North Dakota lakes in summer). Bad actors are better than ever at making emails seem realistic and tricking unsuspecting people into clicking malicious links or opening infected documents. Often, phishing emails will have a company logo, and at first glance, seem quite realistic. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has also made phishing scams more believable. However, there are some simple things to do when opening an email that can save you time and stress in the long run.

Check the Sender Address

Hover over the from address to see if the email is who it says it is. A quick Google search will often provide you with what the legitimate email address should be.

Look for Grammatical Errors

Legitimate companies are less likely to have grammatical errors as opposed to someone posing as a legitimate company.

Check the Salutation

If you receive an email with a generic salutation such as “hello sir/madam,” or “hi dear,” it is likely to be a scam. Reputable companies will have your name on file and are unlikely to address you in this manner.

Watch for Urgency

If an email is flagged or the subject line includes words like “urgent, time-sensitive, immediate action required,” it is likely not a legitimate email.

Question the Need for Credentials or Personal Information

Rarely will a legitimate company or agency request personal information through an automated email. SRT will never ask you for sensitive information over email, so if you receive an email request supposedly from SRT to provide personal credentials, it is best to call our direct company phone number and confirm the request.

Don’t Click on Suspicious Documents or Links

If there are documents or links within a questionable and unexpected email, it is most likely a scam. When in doubt, it’s best not to click on any links or download documents until you have confirmed the legitimacy of an email.

Think Critically

Some bad actors are trying so hard to fool unsuspecting people that they don’t think to ensure you utilize the service or company they are pretending to be. For example, you receive an email from someone claiming to be from Netflix, you panic, and open the link. However, you didn’t stop to remember that you don’t have a Netflix account. Something as simple as knowing you do not use the service can save you from opening a bad link.

However, if you do have an account with the company that you received an email from, like SRT, it is always best to call the number on their official website and verify. We are always happy to clear up any misconceptions and set your mind at ease. Keeping your personal information secure is our top priority!

SRT Donates $2500 to Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. for Upham Fire Protection District Safety Equipment

Jul 18 2025

SRT Donates $2500 to Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. for Upham Fire Protection District Safety Equipment

Minot, N.D. – SRT presented a check for $2500 to Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. toward purchasing new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) for Upham Fire Protection District’s volunteer first responders.

The SCBAs are critical equipment for protecting volunteers responding to fires or hazmat emergencies. Upham Fire Protection District volunteers described a recent response to a house fire that was “solid smoke” and required entering through the roof and attic, which they could not have done without SCBAs.

Cheston Erdman, Fire Chief for Upham Fire Protection District, indicated that their previous SCBAs reached end-of-life and were no longer viable safety equipment. Each new SCBA setup includes a carbon fiber tank, face piece, harness, and thermal imager for added safety.

“We appreciate SRT’s donation to ensure the safety of our volunteers,” said Kolena Drader, Board Secretary of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc.

Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. is a charitable organization established to support Upham Fire Protection District through financial, educational, safety, and community programs.

Upham Fire Protection District serves more than 260 square miles and seven townships – including the nearby 59,000-acre J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge – with roughly 20 volunteer first responders.

Stanley Vangsness, SRT Board President, said about the donation, “SRT proudly supports first responders in our communities. We appreciate the dedication of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. and Upham Fire Protection District and were honored to help them acquire new equipment.”

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative and a multi-gig internet provider. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT has a 100% fiber optic broadband network. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.