Well, here we are three months later and COVID 19 has hit the world like a ton of bricks. Fortunately, Indiana hasn’t been hit as hard as other states (like New York) and we are now coming out of a several month’s long lock down that has seen hundreds of businesses in Indiana and across the US suffer great financial losses. Millions of people are working from home and life as we knew it is a distant memory. This pandemic will forever change how we socialize and do business. Its effect on large events like sports and conventions is still unknown. But, despite the damage done by this tiny virus, life will go on.
NLTC has had to change our ways of doing business also, to protect our employees and our customers. While we have now restarted our installs and cutovers, we are still being very cautious, ensuring that both the employee and the customer are comfortable and safe with the work being performed. As of today, our offices are still closed to the general public and most of our employees are still working from home, to make it easier for those remaining at the offices to “social distance”. By the time you receive this newsletter, this policy may or may not change; it all depends on how things progress moving forward. Hopefully, we will not see a resurgence in new cases.
As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, 2020 has been as predicted; a phenomenal year for completing fiber construction projects. While most of the focus thus far has been on our ILEC (regulated) area, converting from old copper plant to fiber, we are also working on projects in the non-regulated portions of our area. In particular, we will shortly begin construction on the Whitewater project, which was enabled through a Next Level Grant from the State of Indiana. Our original goal is to have it completed by the end of 2020, although several delays have placed that completion date in jeopardy. But it should be completed long before the state deadline in 2021.
Finally, our Streaming Video product is ready for Prime Time. The official launch date is June 29 and we will be taking orders for customers who have either our copper or wireless service today (fiber customers will still get our linear video product). There are going to be two packages available; the Bronze package has 41 channels including all the Indianapolis locals for $36.95 per month and the Silver package has an additional 65 channels (a total of l 06 channels) for $81. 95 per month. Cloud DVR is also available for an additional fee. Our NLBC Streaming TV app will work on Amazon Fire Sticks (regular and 4K -recommended platform), Roku Premiere, and Roku Ultra and some “Smart” TVs. We hope to have it available for the Roku Express very soon, perhaps by the time you read this, so call the office if you have any questions about compatibility with your device. This service has no installation fee and no contract, so you only pay the monthly fee. You can use the device you already have (compatible types listed above), or you can purchase a device from us (we carry the Amazon Fire Stick). Having tested this product myself for several months now, I can honestly say it is better than my Direct TV ever was and at a much lower price. Give our office a call if you are interested in the best in streaming entertainment.
These new businesses have been recently installed as NLBC customers:
• Fiber Internet, telephone, and video service for the Journey Home in Winchester
• Fiber Internet and telephone service for Nettle Creek Hardware in Hagerstown
• Wireless Internet for Randolph County Highway Department in Winchester
• Fiber Internet service for Dr. Kenneth Watkins in Winchester
• Fiber Internet service for New Lisbon Structures
I want to welcome these businesses to the most reliable and customer-focused service available in East Central Indiana. Everyone, please stay safe and healthy.
John E. Greene, Jr.
CEO and General Manager
New Lisbon Telephone Company, Inc. and New Lisbon Broadband and Communications, LLC
