News and Media Room

South Slope offers new high speed Internet service for businesses

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (January 13, 2012) - South Slope Cooperative Communications on Friday announced the launch of a new 55/5 Internet service for business that promises 55 megabit-per-second download speed and 5 Mbps upload speed.South Slope is installing fiber optic cable in North Liberty, Swisher, Fairfax, Walford, Norway, Newhall, and Ely. The fiber network, built out over a five-year period, will allow customers to use bandwidth intense applications such as movie and music downloads, high definition and real time video conferencing, and online data backup.South Slope, in a statement announcing the new service, said it follows the company's mission to provide the fastest mass market internet speeds in the area through its fiber network

"Businesses on South Slope's 55/5 Mbps plan can expect shorter download time, faster upload time, and greater reliability with concurrent online applications," said Sean Maher, South Slope business sales associate. He said each subscriber will have their own dedicated fiber to their place of business, so they won't have to share their speed with neighbors.

 

New High Speed Internet Network

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (December 19, 2011) - South Slope is in the process of migrating internet customers to our new high speed network that includes full failover protection. The migration process has been accelerated and should be completed in the next two weeks. This migration will occur during several maintenance windows from 1:00am to 4:30am. Benefits of the new network include a new edge router with fully redundant interfaces, an upgradeable 400Gb optical internal network, and new multi-homed redundant 10Gb external connections to our upstream provider.

Customers with Static IP assignments can expedite the migration process to the new high speed network by contacting our office at 319-626-2211, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm.

 

Foundation for Rural Service Grant Program

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (October 31,2011) - The application deadline for the new FRS Grant Program is coming up soon on Tuesday, November 15. The goal of this new program is to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. Grants will be concentrated in four major areas: business development, community development, education, and telecommunications. Each grant will range from $250 up to $5,000 to go back into rural communities. Download a copy of the application here.

  

South Slope Adopt-a-Highway Project

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (October 11,2011) - South Slope participated in their Adopt-a-Highway community service project on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. This clean up project is a two mile stretch along Highway 6 between milepost 234 and 236. It is part of commitment to keeping our community clean and Iowa beautiful!

An average of 1,274 groups participate in Iowa's Adopt-a-Highway program each year. These groups help keep approximately 32 percent of the state's roadways litter-free. In 2011, volunteers collected approximately 512 cubic yards of litter, in addition to the 3,573 cubic yards collected by state workers (www.iowadot.gov).

To see photos of the community service project, please visit our Facebook album. 

 

TV Channel Number Change on September 7th

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (September 7, 2011) - Enclosed in August's bills was a copy of the new channel lineup that went into effect September 7, 2011. Supreme, Superior, Standard, and Saver customers, click here for your channel lineup. Some channel numbers changed when the new lineup went into effect. Channels are now organized by categories and space has been left for future channel additions.

Please note: Longtime television customers on Want It All, Don't Want It All, and Just a Little Bit, your package and pricing will not change. Click here for your channel lineup. Call South Slope at 319-626-2211 with questions.

 

South Slope Cooperative to Carry MLB Network

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (September 7, 2011) - South Slope Cooperative announced today it will carry MLB Network, the 24-hour television home for baseball, covering all of baseball year-round. South Slope Cooperative will offer MLB Network on channel 43 and HD channel 443.

"South Slope looks forward to being your ticket for baseball and sports programming. We pride ourselves on our commitment to invest in our products and the communities we serve. We hope customers enjoy this exciting, new addition to their programming lineup," said Justyn M Miller, South Slope Cooperative, CEO.

MLB Network launched in 50 million cable and satellite homes on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in 65 million homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans.

"We are looking forward to launching MLB Network in HD on South Slope," said Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, MLB Network. "MLB Network offers comprehensive coverage, access and an insider's perspective on the sport that has never been seen before. This partnership helps us expand our reach and accomplish our goal of bringing MLB Network to as many fans as possible."

 

South Slope to Upgrade Homes with Fiber Optic Technology 

WALFORD, Iowa (August 25, 2011) - South Slope is preparing to install Fiber to the Home (FTTH) in Walford. The fiber optic technology is the most advanced available and will replace yesterday's copper telephone wire at no cost to you. With fiber to the home, you can look forward to a secure and reliable internet connection, increased bandwidth for faster internet speeds, and extraordinarily clear phone service.

On August 23, 2011, South Slope contractors began installing conduit which they will later feed fiber optic cables through. South Slope predicts it will take approximately six weeks to install conduit throughout the town. There is currently a shortage of fiber due to the earthquake/tsunami in Japan. South Slope hopes to have fiber in stock and begin pulling it through the conduit by late October. Shortly thereafter, crews will arrive to splice the fiber and appointments will be made to convert homes and businesses to fiber during the winter months. Finally, Slope will send crews back out in early spring to make sure all yard cleanup is satisfactory.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the fiber conversion process further, please call South Slope at 319-626-2211 and ask for Mark Ditch.

 

Need Help Paying your Phone Bill?

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (August 17, 2011) – South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company is a telecommunications provider who provides basic and enhanced services within its service territory. Basic services are offered at the following rates and charges:

Monthly Service Charges:

  • Single party, voice grade residential service, including local usage $16.00

  • Federal Subscriber Line Charge – Single Line $6.50

  • Touch Tone Service is provided as part of the local service rate.

Customers have access to long distance, directory assistance, and operator service providers of their choice, at rates established by those carriers.

Toll Blocking is available at no charge for low income customers that qualify. Emergency 911 Services are provided and a surcharge is assessed at governmental rates.

South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company is also a mobile telecommunications service provider that provides basic and enhanced communications services within the iWireless service area. The "MEGAtalk" pay in advance plan offers unlimited local calling for $39.00 plus taxes and fees, in 30 day increments. 911 emergency services are included. Customers have access to long distance, nationwide roaming and directory assistance at additional costs.

Low income individuals may be eligible for Lifeline and Link-Up telephone assistance programs which provide discounts for basic local service charges through specified governmental programs. Applications for Lifeline and Link-Up are available on line at www.southslope.com.

If you have any questions regarding the company's services or you want to apply for low income telephone assistance, application forms can be obtained from the South Slope Business Office located at 980 North Front St., North Liberty, IA. or by calling 319-626-2211.

Justyn M Miller Named South Slope Cooperative CEO 

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (May 1, 2011) – After two years serving as General Manager at South Slope, Justyn M. Miller was recently elected CEO by the Board of Directors.

Before moving to the North Liberty area, Justyn served as the CEO/General Manager of Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company. He has hands-on experience in rural communications services, including traditional telecommunications services, wireless deployment, Internet operations and administration, business planning, sales and marketing operations, and billing.

Justyn has an active leadership role at local and state levels, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at Iowa Network Services (INS)  and Iowa Telecommunications Association. He is a previous member of the Homeland Security Task Force on Communications Interoperability and has served on the United States Telecommunications Association (USTA) Board of Directors.

Justyn was an active community leader in Kalona and he looks forward to becoming more involved in the South Slope servicing areas. Just recently, he has been a part of the fundraising committee for the North Liberty Library Expansion Plan.

"With the great customers and staff we have at South Slope, our future continues to look bright! We are dedicated to sharing our mission to deliver state of the art communication tools to our cooperative members. We work in a highly competitive marketplace and understand the need for differentiation through quality products and superior service. We remain committed to our fiber to the home expansion project, building out the remainder of North Liberty and continuing to Walford and Fairfax yet this year. This is an exciting time to be at South Slope."

Justyn has been married to Angela since 1997 and they have two sons, Maxximus and Michael. He enjoys spending time with his family and outdoor activities.

 

South Slope Wireless and Iowa Wireless Expand Coverage Area

Over the past year South Slope has added towers through-out its exchanges to provide clear digital wireless service to its members. South Slope Wireless being part of the ownership family of Iowa Wireless now offers coverage to a majority of east central Iowa and parts of Illinois as local calling area when using our wireless service. In addition, VoiceStream Networks (a partner in the Iowa Wireless venture) has expanded its coverage area to allow roaming in over 5000 cities across the country. Our Digital PCS is GSM technology and will be able to be used through-out the world once the system is all built out.

South Slope members receive special benefits when they purchase their South Slope / Iowa Wireless Service from one of our South Slope offices. Check out the savings for being a member of your local Cooperative Telephone Company.