Third Quarter, 1998
Rising Rates for Rural America Part IIBy Steven G. Sanders Universal Service is a social policy which strives to make modern telecommunications services available at reasonable prices throughout the entire country. It is made possible by cash flows from urban to rural areas and from business services to residential services. The purpose of these payments is to allow telcos to price services at a geographically averaged price. High cost areas receive cash and low cost areas pay more than their cost. This approach to Universal Service is upset now by introducing competition into the system because it allows those paying more to find a competitive provider (who is not required to participate in Universal Service support) who will sell the service closer to the cost. Those in rural areas who were paying less must now be charged more to keep the costs covered. In the last newsletter, I pointed out that the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) has recently issued orders which will lead to this rate rebalancing, and Century Telephone was the first company to begin this process. This action was the consequence of an APSC order, which kept the local telephone company from recapturing the intralata toll revenue flows, which were used to hold rates in rural areas down. The APSC knew their decision would have this effect and they suggested that the telcos should raise their local rates to recover what they lost as a result of their order. This was not what the state legislators wanted when they passed Act 77, the State Telecommunications Act. Unfortunately, the APSC wants local rates to rise so long distance rates can be lowered. These changes involve no new money, it changes only who ends up paying the bill. If NATCO is forced to follow Century Teleco's recent rate increase, you can be sure we will attempt to minimize the increases. Century recently spent 47 million dollars improving their facilities for about 40,000 customers. NATCO spent 19 million dollars for 7,000 customers. If Century had high cost areas like NATCO, it would have had to invest $105,600,000 to serve their 40,000 customers. Prior to the efforts of regulators to introduce competition into the telecommunications industry, NATCO's customers would not have had to experience massive rate increases. The previous Universal System would have kept the rural rates at a parity with urban. However, the world has changed and rural telecommunications users will have to prepare themselves for higher rates. NATCO has fought this trend for the last four years. Unfortunately, we have not convinced those in power that the direction they have chosen is not good for our part of the state. |
NATCO
Improves
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Annual
Open House
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South
Shore Foundation
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Bergman |
At Bergman High School, David Lynn Moser, 18, was senior class president and president of the senior Beta Club, and Spanish Club. He was a student council member, played basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, and golf. He took part in TARGET, quiz bowl, mock trial, and model United Nations. Moser was chosen Student of the Year, and he received honors in psychology, physics, computer applications, and was a humanities symposium participant. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas and study computer systems engineering. His parents are John Moser and Myrna Galligan.
Bruno-Pyatt |
At Bruno-Pyatt High School, Misty June Beaver, 17, was valedictorian of her class, student of the month, and on the principal's honor roll. She was a student athlete, playing basketball and softball and taking part in track. She plans to attend either North Arkansas College or Henderson State University and study physical education/coaching. Her parents are Bart and Roberta Beaver.
Flippin |
At Flippin High School, Benjamin Andrew Friend, 18, an Eagle Scout, was valedictorian of his class and was active in 10 clubs and organizations, including Drama Club, FBLA, FFA, FHA, German Club, Interact, Key Club, SADD, Science Club, and Alpha-Omega Christian Club. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was class vice president. Friend played basketball and baseball in which he was named to the 1-A East All-Conference two years. Friend achieved the designation of exceptional student in a total of 12 academic subjects. He was employed part-time and had numerous community service projects. Friend plans to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and study physical education and sports training. His parents are William M. and Phyllis Friend.
Lead Hill |
Lead Hill High School's Eric Peter Scouten took part in FHA, Honor Society, Student Council, track, and played baseball. He was the 1-B Conference track individual high point award winner. He earned the American history and German II academic awards and the Woodmen of the World award for American history. Eric plans to attend Southwest Missouri State University and study anthropology and history. His parents are Mark and Elisabeth Scouten.
Omaha |
Omaha High School's Virginia Kostelac was valedictorian of the graduating class, and received numerous academic excellence awards. She was an all-district athlete. Her extracurricular activities include basketball, softball, FTA, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and Spanish Club. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas and study philosophy. Her parents are Donald Kostelac and Donna Macri.
Yellville |
Lori Butterfield of Yellville, was valedictorian of her graduating class and was also chosen Miss Yellville-Summit High School. She received academic honors in six subjects and was a student of the month in 9th and 11th grades. Extracurricular activities include the sports of softball, volleyball, track, cross-country, and membership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was in band, National Honor Society, LEO Club, was a class officer four years and member of Health Occupations Student Association and Future Nurses of America. She was also in Drama Club, Bible Club, and captain of the flag team. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas and study nursing. She is the daughter of Robert and Charlene Butterfield.
The Foundation trustees are proud of these students and wish them continuing success as they enter college this fall.
South Shore Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Northern Arkansas Telephone Company of Flippin. The foundation's first grant went to the 1997 South Shore Academic Scholarships. It also funds other projects which enhance educational achievement, environmental preservation, and economic development in the counties NATCO serves.
Steven G. Sanders and Jodie Elizabeth Jeffrey, trustees of the South Shore Foundation recently attended the Arkansas Rural Development Conference in Eureka Springs.
Dr. Sanders was a panelist for the Telecommunications Technology Session which focused on the World Wide Web, tele-medicine and other advances in the communications field and how they help rural communities.
Dr. Sanders described how new technology was being deployed in the South Shore with the company's advanced fiber optic network. NATCO provides 45 Mbps data service to Omaha and Lead Hill schools as well as 128 kbps ISDN service to many of their customers. The ISDN is used for video conferencing and Internet access. Internet access is a service provided through NATCO Technologies, NATCO's wholly owned subsidiary.
After describing NATCO's infrastructure and how it benefits Marion and Boone county residents, Dr. Sanders presented maps and data describing the Ozark Migration - the massive migration of people from Kansas City and St. Louis into the rural Ozark Mountains area. He warned that this was beginning to put pressure on all rural infrastructures and that Arkansas needs to be better prepared for this phenomenon which began in the early 1990s and is accelerating rapidly.
As president of Northern Arkansas Telephone Company, Dr. Sanders also presented an update on the Arkansas Universal Service Fund to the Insurance and Commerce Legislative Committee meeting. He worked on the 1997 Arkansas legislation providing for implementation of deregulation of the telephone industry and restructuring of the Arkansas and Universal Service Funds.
"We were glad to be a part of this conference where we share so many interests with others," said Dr. Sanders. "I have believed for many years that technology can enhance the quality of life in a rural area through such offerings as tele-medicine, and doing business by telecommunication. Now, these ideas are becoming a reality."
The Arkansas Rural Development Conference was sponsored by the Office of Rural Advocacy, which is now headed by a Mountain Home area native, Jeff Pitchford, and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.
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Dr. Steven G. Sanders, at left, and Jodie Elizabeth Jeffrey, both trustees of the South Shore Foundation of Flippin, talk with Bill Inman, Executive Director of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce, during the Arkansas Rural Development Conference at Eureka Springs. Dr. Sanders was a speaker at the conference on the topic of technology and telephone deregulation. |
Caller IDKnow who's calling before you answer. For a free demonstration of Caller ID, stop by NATCO.
Title CorrectedNATCO News incorrectly stated the occupational title of Sandy Gilbert in a photo caption in the last edition showing her receiving South Shore Foundation funding on behalf of the Bull Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. Sandy Gilbert is a registered nurse. NATCO News regrets the error. Phone Book Recycling
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Cisco
Servers Help NATCO
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NATCO's On-line Yellow PagesIf you're a NATCO customer with a Web site - with or without a virtual NATCO customers may request a free link by using the addition/change/request form on the Yellow Page http://www.natconet.com/yellowpage.htm. Use the form to tell us your site's address and whether it's business or personal, and we'll see that it's promptly added. Thanks for participating in NATCO Net's Yellow Pages. NATCO
Net Bandwidth
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Long Distance "Slamming"Several years ago, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that long distance providers could not provide local telephone service and local telephone service providers could not provide long distance service. As you may recall, this decision opened the market to new long distance providers. Today, Americans with telephone service have their choice of long distance providers. Companies such as AT&T, MCI, SPRINT, Buyers United, Excel and a host of other long distance providers and re-sellers compete for long distance customers. Each NATCO customer makes his or her own decision about which long distance provider to use. NATCO serves many long distance carriers. NATCO impartially invites all these carriers to participate in programs designed to provide NATCO customers with good service.
Slamming is a term used to describe the unlawful act of one long distance provider switching a customer to their service without the customer's permission. Often NATCO customers call our office with complaints about their long distance carriers. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any assistance relating to the quality of service provided by your long distance carrier. Therefore, when NATCO Customer Service representatives receive complaints, we offer only this piece of advice: Contact your long distance provider by phone and/or in writing about your problem. If the carrier's response does not meet your needs, switch long distance carriers. NATCO takes pride in the high quality local telephone service we provide to the communities we serve. It is our sincere hope that your long distance provider also strives to offer you the high level of quality service you deserve. If there is anything NATCO can do to improve your local service, please contact us at 870-453-8800. We will make every effort to quickly respond to your problems or suggestions. |
South
Shore Trustees
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The trustees of the South Shore Foundation were treated to an information workshop in June where they learned more about the NATCO service area and its needs. Shown in photos are: (left) Entergy facilitator Scott Merrick, at the easel; (below, left) South Shore Foundation trustees Mike Brown, Howard Evans, Phyllis Speer, and David Land; (below, middle) David Bowman, Deanna Latting, John Haley and Ed Coulter; and (below, right) Jodie Jeffrey and Steven G. Sanders. The trustees are entrusted with making grants to NATCO service area nonprofit organizations to fulfill the goals of the South Shore Foundation. Goals include enhancing education, preserving the environment, and furthering economic development. They strive to meet needs that are presented to them by area nonprofit organizations or communities. For more information or for a grant application, contact Deanna Latting at 870-453-3333. |
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NATCO is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which provides local access to the Internet throughout the South Shore, Mtn. Home, and Harrison. NATCO also operates a Bulletin Board System which is an on-line system such as is offered by America Online or Compuserve. With the BBS, NATCO provides community networking services and e-mail free to the users. Software is available on diskettes or as a download from www.southshore.com, the South Shore Web site.
In
addition to the Internet access connection services, NATCO Net, and NATCO
Fast-Net, NATCO Technologies operates servers for individuals to provide
information worldwide about their business and organization. Our charges
for the use of the servers allows us to keep them reliable and operating
24 hours a day, 365 days per year. This service gives you access to an
Internet server without incurring the line connection charges, hardware
costs, and maintenance cost associated with ownership. This gives the
smaller business an opportunity to be an Internet player at a cost tailored
to their business.
NATCO's collection of servers, also called a Server Farm, includes Linux Apache Servers and Microsoft NT Internet Servers, a WorldGroup BBS System, and the Stronghold Commercial Server. Our NT Internet commercial server uses Microsoft SQL.
As a user of NATCO Net or Fast-Net Internet service you have 3 megabytes of server space available for your own home pages at no additional charge. If you are not a customer, space is available at $5 per month for each 3 megabytes of space. We will load your pages for $20 per 10 megabytes. All of the NATCO servers are located in the South Shore and are available to individuals and to Web site designing businesses needing servers to host their pages. NATCO provides the space and connection for modest prices so our area can develop as this new technology develops.
For information and pricing see http://www.natcotech.com/internet.htm, or call us at 1-800-775-6682 or 870-453-8800.
NATCO
Technologies Internet Serves
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A personal computer with 486 processor and Windows operating system OR a Macintosh System 7 or above |
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8 megabytes of RAM (16 or more recommended) |
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15 megabytes of hard drive disk space |
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A telephone line |
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A conventional analog modem with a speed of 14.4 or faster OR an ISDN terminal adapter such as Motorola BitSURFR Pro |
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Internet software
such as Netscape or Microsoft's Internet Explorer Windows
95 includes Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Windows 3.1 and 3.11 users will generally need to purchase an Internet software package that includes a dialer, a browser, and e-mail software. |
NATCO sells registered copies of Netscape for $50. Customers who purchase a registered copy of Netscape from NATCO receive the software on CD and full documentation.
Is ISDN service available through NATCO?
Currently, NATCO offers ISDN service to customers with a NATCO exchange, including: Bull Shoals, Diamond City, Flippin, Lead Hill, Omaha, and Pyatt.
What is included with NATCO Net (dial-up access)?
For $28.95 per month, you receive NATCO Net - a toll-free dial-up access account - that allows your computer to dial-up the Internet anytime you wish.
With NATCO Net you receive:
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Unlimited access |
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One e-mail account (yourname@southshore.com) |
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Personal Web page space (up to 3 megabytes of server space) |
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A free call for Internet access (a local access number is available for all NATCO exchanges as well as Mtn. Home and Yellville |
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Free one-time system configuration for PC owners - If you wish, you may bring your IBM compatible computer to NATCO (by appointment) and NATCO will configure your Internet software at no charge (software not included). This offer is not valid for Macintosh computers. NATCO does offer on-site service for customers who wish for a NATCO technician to travel to their home or office. The fee for this service is $40 per hour. There is a one hour minimum charge with charges beginning from the time the technician leaves NATCO. Time over the initial hour is billed in 15 minute increments. |
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Free over-the-phone technical support - You may call NATCO's Internet Trouble-Shooting number - 870-453-8822 - to report any Internet access problems. Technicians are on duty every weekday from 8 until 5. If you need to report a problem after hours, you may leave a voice mail message and a technician will return your call the next weekday morning. |
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Fast service - Call NATCO today and sign up for NATCO Net and schedule an appointment to bring in your machine. You too, can be on the Web |
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Multiple account discounts - If your business or family requires multiple access accounts, you may qualify for special rates. For more information please call NATCO at 1-800-775-6682 or 870-453-8800. |
How do you publish a Web site?
If you are building your own Web site or have hired a firm to build the site for you, one of your first steps is to secure space on one of NATCO's servers. We will assign your site to a server that fits your needs.
Does NATCO have experience with virtual domains?
Yes. NATCO was the first area Internet service provider to support virtual domains. With a virtual domain, you receive many of the benefits of having your own domain without the hassle of managing a server.
What Web site services does NATCO offer?
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Server space in increments of 3 megabytes |
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Web site address (www.southshore.com/~yourname) |
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Virtual domain/IP address hosting |
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Traffic reports - NATCO's Webalizer report allows you to track the traffic to your site. The on-line reports are available in a straight text or graph format. The information details the server pages accessed and other traffic patterns. |
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CGI bin directory - NATCO will provide you access to a CGI bin directory. |
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File Transfer Protocol - You and/or your Web site builder will be assigned a password that will allow you to load pages to your site via FTP. |
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Daily back-ups - Although we recommend that you or your Web site builder maintain current back-ups of your site at your location, NATCO does perform daily back-ups for all information hosted on NATCO servers. These back-ups would be used for emergency restoration if NATCO servers failed. |
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A free link to your site from NATCO and South Shore On-line Yellow Pages (http://www.natconet.com/yellowpage.htm) |
Who do I call if my site isn't working correctly?
Although NATCO does not build or maintain Web sites we can provide you with a list of businesses who offer Web site building and maintenance services for NATCO customers. NATCO does not assume responsibility for the function and/or maintenance of hosted sites.
Does NATCO offer Web site hosting packages?
Yes! NATCO offers packages or a la carte Web site hosting services. You may choose from one of the packages described below or create your own from NATCO's Web site hosting options.
Economy Web Site Hosting Package
Without Dial-up Access With Standard Modem Dial-up Access With ISDN Dial-up Access*
*service available only in NATCO exchanges |
Standard Modem Dial-up ISDN Residential Dial-up* ISDN Business Dial-up* *service available only in NATCO exchanges |
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http://www.southshore.com/
http://www.priceline.com/
Distance
Learning Meets
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11/06/2007 natc318
When
the new Ozark Regional Telephone Directory arrives, NATCO encourages
customers to recycle their outdated directories. Special collection points
will be available Sept. 1 throughout the NATCO service area where customers
may take their directories for recycling during the month of September.
Barrels for dropping off old directories will be at the following locations
specially marked with the NATCO logo and the universal recycling symbol:
Flippin City Hall, Bull Shoals City Hall, Diamond City Community Center,
Omaha Food & Fuel, Lead Hill Country Market and the NATCO lobby.
NATCO thanks all businesses, city offices, and customers who take part
in the recycling effort.
domain
- we'd like to list your URL on our on-line Yellow Pages at no charge.
However, because some people don't want their sites publicized, we need
you to specifically request the free listing/link.
One
of the larger Web sites hosted on NATCO servers is that of the Ozark
Mountain Region, the tourism association for our five county region (www.ozarkmountainregion.com).
This site has pages for each of the five counties (Baxter, Boone, Marion,
Newton, and Searcy) and each of the five major recreational bodies of
water (Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork, White River, Buffalo River, and
North Fork River). 
NATCO
Technologies offers toll-free Internet dial-up access to homes
and offices throughout the Twin Lakes and South Shore areas.
In addition, NATCO servers can host a Web site for a business
located anywhere in the United States. Below are some of the
most frequently asked questions we receive about NATCO Internet
services. 
