SRT Communications (formerly Souris River Telecommunications) is the largest

telecommunications Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...

cooperative A cooperative (also known as co-operative, coöperative, co-op, or coop) is "an autonomy, autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned a ...

North Dakota North Dakota ( ) is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota people, Dakota and Sioux peoples. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minneso ...

, serving customers with

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...

Security Security is protection from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercion). Beneficiaries (technically referents) of security may be persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems, or any other entity or ...

Alarm and Video Surveillance, Phone, and Business Phone Systems and services. The company is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors covering four districts. As a

, patronage capital credits are awarded to member customers.

History and milestones

In 1951, the Verendrye Electric Cooperative board of directors established the Souris River Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation to bring telephone service to those living in the rural areas of McHenry and Ward Counties. The first

telephone exchange A telephone exchange, telephone switch, or central office is a central component of a telecommunications system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or in large enterprises. It facilitates the establishment of communication circuits ...

, the town of Martin, was purchased for $500 and had 82 telephone customers. In 1960,

Minot Air Force Base Minot Air Force Base ( ; ) is a United States Air Force (USAF) installation in Ward County, North Dakota, north of the city of Minot via U.S. Route 83. In the 2020 census, the base was counted as a CDP with a total population of 5 ...

became SRT's largest phone exchange, and by 1970

rotary dial A rotary dial is a component of a telephone or a telephone switchboard that implements a signaling technology in telecommunications known as pulse dialing. It is used when initiating a telephone call to transmit the destination telephone numb ...

telephones were replaced with touch pad style phones. In 1980, SRT began to sell cable television service, first available in the town of Westhope. Although telephone cooperatives usually operate within set boundaries, in 1990 SRT reached outside their traditional territory to install telephone wire throughout the 17 floors of the North Dakota State Capitol building. Again expanding their offerings, in 1990 SRT became an agent to CommNet 2000, handling a new cellular phone system in Minot, and in 1992 opened their own long distance company. In 1994, SRT acquired Minot Telephone Company (formerly Northern States Power Telephone), the state's largest independent phone company serving approximately 25,000 lines in Minot, Burlington and Surrey. In the late 1990s, SRT added Internet and Wireless Phones to their services, and in 2007 purchased the Velva telephone exchange from North Dakota Telephone Company in Devils Lake. SRT Communications joined the State of North Dakota in suing telemarketing company WebSmart Interactive in 2003. The company owed SRT over $140,000 in unpaid bills. In 2004, SRT employees James Newman and Dennis Schott were recognized by the Excellence in Leadership Award Program of the National Telecommunication Cooperative Association for their contributions to rural telecommunications in North Dakota. According to general manager Steve Lysne, SRT Communications has built much of the infrastructure for rural broadband in North Dakota and would not need funds from the 2009 Stimulus Package. SRT has worked to expand the number of

9-1-1 911, sometimes written , is an emergency telephone number for Argentina, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Maldives, Palau, Panama, Iraq, the Philippines, Sint Maarten, the United States, and Uruguay, as well as ...

towers in Ward County and was awarded a Community Public Safety Award from the Ward County Emergency Management Department in 2008. Today, as North Dakota's largest telephone cooperative, SRT Communications, Inc. employs over 200 people and serves approximately 99,000 telephone customers in north central North Dakota.SRT gets Active with Zhone deployment.
''Fierce Telecom.'' 28 March 2008.

Products and services

Internet

SRT provides Internet service to rural and city homes through copper and fiber optic cable.

Security systems

Home and business

security system A security alarm is a system designed to detect intrusions, such as unauthorized entry, into a building or other areas, such as a home or school. Security alarms protect against burglary (theft) or property damage, as well as against intruders. ...

s are monitored 24 hours by a UL approved monitoring station. Video surveillance specializing in home, farm and ranch, and small business is also available.

Personal home safety

SRT offers Home Safety systems in which a person can push a button to alert the 24-hour monitoring station to contact family or authorities in case of a fall, break in, or other emergency.

Telephone

SRT offers landline telephone, long distance, and calling features such as voice mail and caller ID.

Business services

SRT provides advanced voice, data and wireless communications systems to businesses of all sizes.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Srt Communications Telephone cooperatives in the United States Telecommunications companies of the United States Cooperatives based in North Dakota Telecommunications companies established in 1951 1951 establishments in North Dakota