NRTC Announces "Rate Freeze" for IPTV Expanded Basic Programming Package

For Immediate Release
DATE: February 10, 2009
Contact: Andrea Cumpston
Phone: 703-787-7156
E-mail: acumpston@nrtc.coop

February 10, 2009 [Herndon, VA]—The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) today announced that it will hold rates for its Expanded Basic programming package for Internet Protocol television (IPTV) at 2008 levels.

“NRTC strongly believes in the market opportunity for IPTV in rural America and its long-term viability. In tough economic times, we want to help rural telcos keep programming rates steady for consumers,” said NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Phillips.

In addition to its Expanded Basic offering, NRTC provides programming packages for residential and consumer accounts, including schools, hotels, restaurants, small business offices and multiple-dwelling units. NRTC provides full contract management services and support to its members. As new services become available, members can sign up easily using NRTC’s password protected online contract management system, which provides real-time access to contracts and allows members to monitor the progress of contracts approvals. The contract management system is contained in NRTC’s proprietary business center that houses easy access to a wide range of programmer promotion, business reports and information.

NRTC has over 70 programming agreements with more than 40 companies, providing NRTC members over 350 video and audio channels. The Cooperative’s distribution agreements include rights for telcos to deliver the programming in Internet protocol and analog formats over copper, fiber or coaxial cable. In addition to the rights to HD services, NRTC has acquired rights to these channels’ video-on-demand services, when available. 

About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full service Internet access and support, advanced metering infrastructure, SmartSCADA, wireless technologies, power quality products, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP backbone services, direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV and programming for Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop.

# # #