News From Rainbow
The Scoop on the Digital Transition
July 2008 - Rainbow cable TV subscribers will not be affected by the transition to digital.
There has been much hype and some confusion concerning the February 17, 2009 deadline given by Congress to television stations to suspend broadcasting in analog. The era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation completes its transition to an all-digital system. While the change will mark the end of the transitional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it won't signal the end of free broadcast television, and your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.
However, people who have TV sets that rely on over-the-air broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected and will need to consider one of the following options:
1. Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider.
2. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $40-$70 are available for purchase at selected retail stores. US households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each to assist with the purchase of the converter boxes.
3. Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
For more information on the Digital Transition and an application for Converter Box discount coupons please visit www.dtvtransition.org
Rainbow Receives Business Excellence Award
June 2008 - This year, 196 companies were nominated for Kansas Appreciation Month Awards in three catagories -Manufacturing/Distribution, Service and Retail. In June, the Kansas Department of Commerce selected one Business Excellence award winner in each category for all seven regions of the state. Rainbow Communications was nominated by the Horton Chamber of Commerce and received this prestigious award for the Northeast region.
Rainbow provides local phone, high speed Internet and cable TV to over 5,000 customers in Brown, Doniphan, Nemaha and Atchison counties. After purchasing a local cable TV provider in 2005, Rainbow upgraded the cable network in seven Kansas towns. This upgrade allowed Rainbow to offer advanced technological services such as digital phone and with it the opportunity for residents to bundle multiple services. Future plans for Rainbow include offering cellular service with nationwide plans.
Rainbow Technician Wins
May 11, 2008 - Rainbow Technician Pat Streeter was the proud winner of Thunderhill Speedway's "Hobby Stock Trophy Dash" on May 11th. The Trophy Dash is a weekly competition between randomly drawn stock cars. Congratulations Pat!
Seneca Tower Must Be Dropped
Everest, Kansas March 7, 2008 (10:00AM) - Due to damage from the December 10, 2007 ice storm, Rainbow Communications will bring down their communications tower located in rural Seneca on March 17th. Cable television services will not be suspended because of the Seneca tower drop.