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Company History

On the 1st of July 1972, Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone was formed as a Corporation to provide telephone service to the people of the Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks area as a non-profit organization. Among those founding the company were Duke A. McDaniel (Attorney) and the first Board of Directors, J. Dale Hinkle (Circleville), Jack C. Wilkins (Circleville), Virgil Hedrick (Mouth of Seneca), George C. Trumbo, Jr. (Onego), Russell Lawerence (Riverton), Conda R. Sponaugle (Circleville), Abraham Bennett (Circleville), and Joseph O. Harper (Mouth of Seneca).

Shortly after, planning and development began on the outside plant to build a network to link together potential customers with the outside world. With the completion of the network, the first phone service was installed and utilized in 1976. This would be the commencement of a rapidly growing network of 1200+ lines. Since then, digital technology has made it possible for Internet exploration, modern features, and special circuits, providing residents and businesses in the SKSRT serving area with unlimited and fully customizable service. SKSRT was the last phone company east of the Mississippi to upgrade from a stepper switch. Taking the place of the stepper switch was the Siemens DCO. With the many changes to the outside plant and switching equipment, the company had to upgrade to modern, more efficient ways of billing. Billing went from pen and paper to keyboard and computer.

Here are some key dates in SKSRT's history: SKSRT

• Was incorporated July 1,1972.
• First started offering service to subscribers in 1976.
• Became a member of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) in 1983.
• Offered Extended Area Service (EAS) in 1990.
• Converted from stepper switch to digital in 1992.
• Started offering touchtone service in 1992.
• Implemented equal access in 1992.
• Converted to computerized billing in 1996.
• Implemented E911 in 2000.
• Started offering internet/dsl in 2003.
• Started offering long distance service in 2003.
• Completed additions to building in 2004

Every year, the National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA) recognizes excellence in Telco public relations and marketing endeavors among NTCA members across the nation. The awards are divided into five categories - annual reports, complete marketing campaign, customer newsletters, print advertising and single target print publications. In 2005 Spruce Knob Seneca Rock Telephone's (SKSRT) entry in the single target print publication won first place. Entries were judged on design, writing, creativity, cost effectiveness, and other elements related specifically to each category. The seventh annual NTCA TeleChoice Awards winners were honored during an awards luncheon attended by NTCA members from across the United States. Receiving the award on behalf of the telephone company were Vickie Colaw, Sarah Harper, Patricia Cooper, and Janie Warner.

SKSRT remains committed to providing the best customer service possible. In an effort to upgrade existing equipment and infrastructure and keep pace with rapid changes in the telecommunications industry, SKSRT has undertaken a $7,789,000 project to bring "Fiber to the Home" (FTTH) to all subscribers in its service area. FTTH will provide a timely upgrade to the Company physical plant and enable the Company to deliver digital voice, data, and video services throughout the exchange. This will allow SKSRT to accommodate communications demands envisioned for the 21st century.

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