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Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

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Fiber: The Friendliest Internet for Your Community and Planet

SRT Fiber is the most advanced technology you can choose for your Internet connection, able to handle your online activity like no other technology before. But did you know it’s also the most sustainable choice you can make for your home or business?

True to our 75-year History of Innovation, SRT replaced old copper cable with high-performing fiber optics throughout our service area. More than a service provider, SRT cares about your community. Our fiber internet not only works better than any other option; it’s actually better for your home, your town, and our earth!

Big on Speed, Small on Carbon Footprint

Fiber internet, known for its high speeds and capacity, is also a champion of environmental friendliness. The core of this technology uses light to transmit data, which is more energy-efficient than the electrical data transmission used in traditional copper wires of broadband. This efficiency stems from the reduced energy loss in fiber-optic cables, ensuring that data travels longer distances with minimal degradation.

Less Hungry for Energy

A key factor distinguishing fiber internet in its environmental impact is its significantly lower energy consumption. Studies indicate that fiber-optic networks consume up to 70% less energy than conventional copper networks. This substantial reduction is attributed to the efficiency of data transmission and the minimal heat generation by fiber cables, which in turn lowers the need for cooling systems, a major consumer of energy in data centers and network infrastructures.

Longer Lasting, More Durable

Fiber optic internet uses glass fibers capable of transmitting data at speeds up to roughly two-thirds the speed of light. Unlike traditional copper cables, fiber optics maintain signal strength over long distances, ensuring consistent performance. Fiber’s more durable physical composition means it consumes fewer resources and generates less waste. Fiber is also less susceptible to weather and electromagnetic interference, making it more reliable and less prone to frequent repairs or replacements. Other key features of fiber optic internet include symmetrical download and upload speeds, high bandwidth to meet high demand, and future-proof infrastructure that can take on additional data demands and technological advances.

Key to Smart Rural Communities

As a Smart Rural Community (SRC) provider designated by NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, SRT delivers cutting-edge, high-speed fiber so our members can live rich lives in their own communities. Our SRT Fiber internet supports smart initiatives that help communities, large and small, leverage technology for efficient use of their local energy and resources. We are committed to promoting innovative economic development and other important services, and fiber is central to that commitment.

SRT Fiber delivers green, smart service that creates a productive and sustainable environment, whether you’re in your living room, office, school, or the great outdoors! Happy Earth Day.

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

Kevin Cales Joins SRT as Director of Sales

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications welcomed Kevin Cales on April 10 as the cooperative’s Director of Sales. Cales brings more than 10 years of experience driving growth, efficiency, and organizational performance across cooperative, retail, and energy operations.

Previously, Cales served as Vice President of Retail Operations for several years, promoted from Director of Ag Home Retail, with United Quality Cooperative in New Town, ND. He led multiple retail centers, sales in lumber, fuel, and ag, and millions of dollars of inventory across the business.

“Kevin has achieved an impressive track record in sales and operations,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “More importantly, he understands the cooperative model and will reinforce our commitment to member value by strengthening local relationships and optimizing the product mix we offer. We look forward to Kevin’s insights and leadership as we continue to innovate for our members.”

As Director of Sales, Cales will drive revenue growth, lead sales strategy, and build a high-performance culture while advancing the cooperative’s mission-driven, member-first focus. “I am excited to join SRT at this pivotal moment,” he said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in the retail industry to accelerate our strategic growth and deliver innovative solutions that drive value for our patrons.”

Cales and his wife live in Minot and have three daughters. In his free time he enjoys biking, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

He succeeds Dan Roberts, who retired after more than 33 years with SRT.

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 fiber optic broadband network throughout its service area. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security and surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

SRT Voted Best Internet Provider 21st Straight Year in Minot Daily News Readers’ Choice Awards

SRT Voted Best Internet Provider 21st Straight Year in Minot Daily News Readers’ Choice Awards

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SRT is proud to serve the Minot community and, once again, humbled that our valued customers and Minot Daily News readers have voted us Best Internet Provider.  

Your confidence and trust inspire us every day to find new and better ways to serve you.  

The Minot Daily News “Best of the Best” contest gives readers the opportunity to nominate various types of businesses within the region. After the nomination period, there is a voting round. Readers may vote online once per day for their favorite business within the specific categories. Once voting has closed and votes have been counted, one winner and two finalists are announced for each category. 

Thank you to Minot Daily News and your readers!

Scam Alert: Always Think Before You Click

Scam Alert: Always Think Before You Click

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Phishing scams, or emails pretending to be reputable companies like SRT, are making the rounds again. Some of these scams claim there is an upgrade for SRT or SRT webmail, which is not true. As a general reminder, the best rule of thumb is to never click on suspicious emails, watch for misspellings since that is usually a key indicator of spam, and always call SRT directly when questioning if an email is legitimate.

Before you click, check for these 4 Red Flags:

1. The Sender: Does the email address look suspicious or unusual? Check for strange domains (e.g., urgent@SRTalertaccount.net).

2. High Pressure: Does it say, “Urgent Action Required” or “Account Suspended”? Phishing scams use urgent and often threatening language to make customers panic and click.

3. Generic Greetings: Beware of greetings like, “Dear Valued Customer,” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

4. The “Hover” Test: Hover your mouse over any link, but don’t actually click on it. If the URL looks like a jumbled mess or doesn’t match the company’s legitimate website, delete the email.

When in doubt, contact SRT directly at 701.858.1200 instead of clicking any links. Follow our Facebook page for more cybersecurity tips shared each month.

Cybersecurity Month: Tips to Protect Yourself Online

Cybersecurity Month: Tips to Protect Yourself Online

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Feeling intimidated by online security? You don’t have to! Since October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s turn that fear into action. With a few simple steps, your online safety will be more manageable. These easy tips will help you feel safer online:

1.Vary Your Passwords

Many people are guilty of using one password for every login they have. However, it is strongly recommended you don’t use the same password for every account, email, and app. Varying passwords limits the potential for someone to access all your accounts if they have gained access to one. There are reputable password managers available that will randomly generate secure passwords. You are only required to remember one password to access the password manager.

2. Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication

This simple additional step can make a huge difference when protecting yourself online. Multi-factor authentication can require a text or email to be sent to registered contact information that acts as a second layer of defense.

3. Keep Your Software Updated

Software updates aren’t just about new features; they frequently contain security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers actively exploit. If your phone or computer are notifying you of an update, especially one with security patches, it’s best to update as soon as they are available.

4. Limit Information Shared on Social Media

As tempting as sharing personal information with your social network might be, hackers can use the information to gain access to your personal data. Security question answers can often be determined by scrolling through someone’s social media feed, like the name of your pet, your favorite sports team, where you like to travel, or names and/or birthdays of your children. Making your social profiles private instead of public can also help protect the information you share on social media.

5. Be Suspicious

When it comes to your personal data, you can never be too cautious. It is best to always be suspicious of anyone or anything asking for information. If you think it seems suspicious, it probably is. This is especially true when it comes to phishing (emails pretending to come from a trusted source), or smishing (text messages that appear to be from someone you know).