Press

Vyve’s Vin Zachariah Elected to American Cable Association Board of Directors
Vyve’s Vin Zachariah Elected to American Cable Association Board of Directors 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBAND’S VIN ZACHARIAH ELECTED TO AMERICAN CABLE ASSOCIATION (ACA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vyve Broadband Senior Vice President of Residential Services Vin Zachariah has been elected to the American Cable Association (ACA) Board of Directors.

Zachariah will serve in this role for a three-year term. ACA’s board elections were announced July 22 at the annual ACA Members meeting during the Independent Show, a leading communications industry forum hosted in Boston by ACA and the National Cable Television Cooperative.

“Vyve Broadband is extremely proud that Vin Zachariah has been elected to this important position on the ACA’s Board of Directors,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer of Vyve Broadband. “Vin is an incredibly valuable member of our team, and I’m sure that he’ll be just as valuable in his role with ACA.”

At Vyve, Zachariah is responsible for operations and fulfillment of residential services, as well as programming, billing services and ad sales for the company. Zachariah joined Vyve from Mediacom Communications, where he was senior vice president of field operations and fulfillment.

“ACA continues to advance the agenda of independent cable operators thanks to the hard work performed by the many talented and dedicated people who serve on the Board. I am positive that Vin Zachariah will make lasting and important contributions in the years ahead as we develop plans to convince Washington, D.C., officials to make the right choices,” ACA Chairman Bob Gessner, president of MCTV, said.

 

Vyve Partners With White House and Choctaw Nation On New ConnectHome Initiative
Vyve Partners With White House and Choctaw Nation On New ConnectHome Initiative 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBAND TO PARTNER WITH WHITE HOUSE AND CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA ON NEWLY CREATED CONNECTHOME INITIATIVE

Vyve to provide Internet service at a significantly reduced rate to residents of the Red Oak and Quinton communities in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Vyve aligned with Obama administration’s new effort to bridge the digital divide and bring more Americans online

 

The White House announced today that Vyve Broadband and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will be partners in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome Initiative, a newly launched program that President Barack Obama is promoting as a means to bridge the digital divide in America and bring as many people online as possible.

ConnectHome, which was introduced today by President Obama, is designed to bring communities, the private sector, and the federal government together to expand high speed broadband to more families across the country. The pilot program is launching in twentyseven cities and one tribal nation (the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) and will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households — and nearly 200,000 children — with the support they need to access the Internet at home.

ConnectHome is the next step in the President’s continued efforts to expand high speed broadband to all Americans and builds on his ConnectED initiative that is on track to connect 99 percent of K-12 students to high-speed Internet in their classrooms and libraries over the next five years. ConnectHome will help ensure that these students still have access to high-speed Internet once they are home.

Vyve’s involvement in the program centers on a significantly reduced Internet service rate that the company is offering to residents of the Choctaw Nation communities of Red Oak and Quinton, Oklahoma. This three-year offer includes 3Mbps downstream and 768Kbps upstream Internet service, a 50GB data usage plan and a wired modem.

Vyve has partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for several years, and provides telecommunications services to a range of schools, hotels and administrative offices located within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

“Vyve is greatly honored to play a role in the ConnectHome Initiative along with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer of Vyve Broadband. “The new, reduced-rate Internet offer in Red Oak and Quinton will help provide the residents of these communities with more access to information than ever before, and will empower them with the ability to pursue more education and job opportunities through improved Internet access.

DeMond added, “Our efforts in the ConnectHome Initiative and in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma align perfectly with Vyve’s ongoing effort to bring the best broadband services to rural communities that have traditionally been ignored by other providers.”

For more information regarding Vyve Broadband, please visit VyveBroadband.com.

Vyve Donates $500 To Multiple VFW Chapters
Vyve Donates $500 To Multiple VFW Chapters 150 150 Vyve Broadband

MULTIPLE VFW CHAPTERS RECEIVING $500 DONATION FROM VYVE BROADBAND

As Nation Celebrates 4th of July, Local Broadband, Cable and Voice Services Provider Showing Support for VFW Posts in Several Vyve Markets

In honor of Independence Day and in recognition of the many freedoms that U.S. veterans fought to protect, Vyve Broadband — which provides broadband, cable television and voice services for commercial and residential customers in largely non-urban communities in nine states — is showing its support with a $500 donation to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts in Durant, Krebs and Shawnee (OK),
Ottawa and Atchison (KS), Tazwell (TN), Vinton (LA), Douglas and Waycross (GA), and New Boston (TX).

The $500 donated to each of these VFW posts will go toward fostering community among veterans and will help support VFW programs that reach out to and connect with local veterans. As an organization, the VFW advocates for veterans’ rights and provides a place for them to join together in a spirit of mutual support and patriotism.

“Independence Day celebrates the freedom, pride and liberty that we enjoy as Americans,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer of Vyve Broadband. “We want to give back to the men and women who sacrificed their comfort and safety to protect those freedoms. This holiday week seemed like the perfect time to let local veterans and the VFW know how much Vyve appreciates all that they have done to keep our country strong and free. ”

As part of its company culture, Vyve Broadband strives to maintain close relationships with the communities it serves. Contributing to local causes, like the VFW, ensures that funds stay in the specific communities where assistance is often needed most.

 

Vyve Announces Completion of Internet Speed Upgrades in Tazewell, TN
Vyve Announces Completion of Internet Speed Upgrades in Tazewell, TN 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBANDTM ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF INTERNET SPEED UPGRADES IN TAZEWELL, NEW TAZEWELL, HARROGATE, SPEEDWELL, CUMBERLAND GAP AND OTHER AREAS OF CLAIBORNE COUNTY

System Improvements Provide Customers with a Vastly Improved Online Experience for Better Gaming, Faster Streaming Content and Superior Social Media Experiences

Vyve Broadband announced today that it has completed network upgrades in Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Speedwell, Cumberland Gap and other areas of Claiborne County that include increasing available Internet speeds to 25, 50 and 105 Mbps. Vyve’s enhanced broadband network will provide customers with the fastest Internet speeds available in these areas – enabling customers to experience better gaming, faster streaming content and superior social media experiences.

Current Vyve customers in Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Speedwell, Cumberland Gap and other areas of Claiborne County will receive the Internet speed upgrade to 25 Mbps for free.

The speed increases in Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Speedwell, Cumberland Gap and other areas of Claiborne County are important milestones in Vyve’s plan to provide cutting-edge broadband speeds in rural markets that have traditionally lagged behind in technology offerings. These increases will more than double the average speed of existing customers and provide a quantum improvement to the availability of broadband in these areas.

“Vyve is laser-focused on creating unrivaled broadband experiences in markets such as Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Speedwell, Cumberland Gap and other areas of Claiborne County that are largely ignored by our competitors,” said Lloyd Walker, Vyve Broadband’s system manager in Tennessee. “With a Vyve Broadband connection, our customers will have access to lightning-fast broadband services, and we’re thrilled to be raising speeds for these existing customers for free. Offering faster speeds for free reflects Vyve’s commitment to being the leading technology provider in markets across the country where we operate.”

Speed increases have also been completed in Vyve markets such as Shawnee, Durant and McAlester, OK, New Boston, TX, Fort Riley, Ottawa and Atchison, KS, and Waycross and Douglas, GA. Vyve expects that speed increases for many of the company’s markets in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Colorado and Wyoming will be completed by end of 2015.

Customers interested in additional information regarding Vyve Broadband are encouraged to visit VyveBroadband.com.

 

Vyve Techs Save Burning House & Rescue Pets
Vyve Techs Save Burning House & Rescue Pets 150 150 Vyve Broadband

Amid the Storms and Floods, Vyve Field Technicians Help Save House, Rescue Pets in De Kalb

Like many others in storm-damaged towns in Texas and Oklahoma, Vyve team pitches in to help a neighbor in need.

It’s been a tough few weeks for residents and businesses in Oklahoma and Texas, as torrential, nonstop rains and vicious storms have caused extensive flooding, massive property damage and, sadly, numerous lives lost.

Tragic situations, however, often bring out the best in a community — and De Kalb has been no different in this regard. First responders and everyday people from all walks of life have pitched in to help fight the storms and floods. One such story came to the attention of Vyve Broadband, which provides Internet, cable television and voice services for commercial and residential customers in De Kalb.

Last Tuesday (May 26), Vyve field technicians Justin Bowen, DJ Washburn, Warren Rowe, Jim Harris and Mark Darnel were in De Kalb working to replace a fiber line on new utility poles, which the power company had just installed after the old poles were knocked down due to storm damage. As the Vyve team started their work, they heard smoke alarms and dogs barking from a nearby house.

Upon closer investigation, the Vyve team saw smoke coming from the house. Bowen, Harris and Darnel contacted 911, while Washburn and Rowe went to the front door — yelling and pounding on it to determine if anyone was inside. Washburn checked the door and found it was unlocked. Given the situation, he opened it and several dogs immediately ran out to escape the smoke.

Fearing someone might still be in the home, Washburn entered and started searching. While no one was inside, Washburn found that an electric stove, which was on, was causing the smoke. The stove had been in use by a tenant the prior day, when a storm knocked out the electricity in the De Kalb area. The tenants had forgotten to turn off the stove, which came back on (with no one at home) once the power company restored the electrical service. Washburn quickly unplugged the stove, and soon the local fire department arrived. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the house and pets were safe.

The home is owned by Shenandoah Spivey, who arrived shortly after the fire department. Spivey personally thanked the Vyve crew for saving his house and his tenant’s pets.

“I really cannot say thank you enough to the gentlemen from Vyve for their quick thinking,” Spivey said. “They saved the tenant’s pets and saved my property. There’s no telling what would have happened, but without their intervention, the house could easily have burned to the ground.”

Vyve acknowledged the importance of their crew’s actions, but emphasized that they were just doing their part to be contributing members of the community.

“Vyve is really proud of DJ, Justin, Warren and the rest of the team that was on the ground last week in De Kalb, and we’re all incredibly happy to know that Mr. Spivey’s home and his tenant’s pets did not suffer any injuries or significant damage,” said Joe Shanks, Vyve Broadband system manager, who has responsibility for operations in De Kalb, New Boston and western Arkansas. “Many residents of towns across Texas and Oklahoma have shown what it is to be a good neighbor these past few weeks as they’ve lent helping hands to those in need. Vyve is proud to do its own part to be an equally good neighbor for folks like Mr. Spivey.”

“While Vyve’s main contribution to the communities we operate in is to provide the best telecommunications services possible — which, in the face of these floods, has meant a lot of around-the-clock work to keep our customers connected — situations like the one in De Kalb illustrate that we’re always ready to go above and beyond to help,” Shanks added.

 

Vyve Announces Digital TV and Internet Speed Upgrades in Westlake, LA
Vyve Announces Digital TV and Internet Speed Upgrades in Westlake, LA 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBANDTM ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF DIGITAL TV AND INTERNET SPEED UPGRADES IN WESTLAKE, DEQUINCY, VINTON, MOSS BLUFF AND SULPHUR

System Improvements Provide Customers with a Vastly Improved Online Experience for Better Gaming, Faster Streaming Content and Superior Social Media Experiences

Vyve Broadband announced today that it has completed network upgrades in Westlake, DeQuincy, Vinton, Moss Bluff and Sulphur that include converting all customers from analog to all-digital, high-definition (HD) TV service, and increasing available Internet speeds to 25, 50 and 105 Mbps. The digital conversion will deliver higher picture quality and more than 120 HD channels, and Vyve’s enhanced broadband network will provide customers with the fastest Internet speeds available in these areas – enabling customers to experience better gaming, faster streaming content and superior social media experiences.

Current Vyve customers in Westlake, DeQuincy, Vinton, Moss Bluff and Sulphur will receive the Internet speed upgrade to 25 Mbps for free.

The speed increases in Westlake, DeQuincy, Vinton, Moss Bluff and Sulphur are important milestones in Vyve’s plan to provide cutting-edge broadband speeds in rural markets that have traditionally lagged behind in technology offerings. These increases will more than double the average speed of existing customers and provide a quantum improvement to the availability of broadband in these areas.

“Vyve is laser-focused on creating unrivaled broadband experiences in markets such as Westlake, DeQuincy, Vinton, Moss Bluff and Sulphur that are largely ignored by our competitors,” said David Walker, Vyve Broadband’s system manager in Louisiana. “With a Vyve Broadband connection, our customers will have access to lightning-fast broadband services, and we’re thrilled to be raising speeds for these existing customers for free. Offering faster speeds for free reflects Vyve’s commitment to being the leading technology provider in markets across Louisiana where we operate.”

Increased Internet speeds will allow customers in Westlake, DeQuincy, Vinton, Moss Bluff and Sulphur to more quickly and easily enjoy Vyve Broadband’s WatchTVEverywhereTM application, which gives video customers the ability to watch their favorite shows from participating channels anytime, anywhere and on any device. As a result of the upgrade to digital TV, customers with standard Vyve TV packages will now be able to access the new Vyve HD Guide Experience, Powered by TiVo®, which helps users find the exact programming they want, quickly and easily.

Speed increases have also been completed in Vyve markets such as Shawnee, Durant and McAlester (OK), New Boston (TX), Fort Riley, Ottawa and Atchison (KS), and Waycross and Douglas (GA). Vyve expects that speed increases for many of the company’s markets in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado and Wyoming will be completed by end of 2015.

Customers interested in additional information regarding Vyve Broadband are encouraged to visit VyveBroadband.com.

Vyve Wins National CableFax Tech Award
Vyve Wins National CableFax Tech Award 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBAND WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL CABLEFAX TECH AWARD FOR BEING FIRST U.S. COMPANY TO OFFER CONSUMERS TIVO® DTA GUIDE

Award-Winning Cable Guide is a Key Feature of Vyve Broadband’s Recently Launched All-Digital TV Service in Douglas and Waycross

Vyve Broadband — which provides broadband, cable television and voice services for commercial and residential customers in Douglas and Waycross — has received a prestigious CableFax Tech Award from national trade publication “CableFax“ magazine for its launch of the TiVo® DTA guide, which the company introduced in Douglas, Waycross and other markets as part of its new all-digital TV service. Vyve is the first company in the U.S. to offer this product to consumers.

Specifically, Vyve was recognized with the Tech Partnership Award in recognition of a “unique partnership deal with a distributor and/or programmer that drew special attention to a tech product or service.“

Created by TiVo and Evolution Digital, the TiVo DTA guide — which is branded for Vyve customers as Vyve’s HD Guide Experience, Powered by TiVo — enhances cable TV viewers‘ experience by allowing them to easily order pay-per-view content, set parental controls, and quickly and conveniently search for programming.

“Vyve is extremely honored to receive this award. Being the first company to deploy this new and exciting solution meant that our customers were the first TV viewers in the nation to enjoy this great technology,“ said Mike Kellish, system manager in Georgia for Vyve Broadband. “By partnering with TiVo and Evolution Digital, this new technology has become a cornerstone of our 140-plus-channel, all-digital, all-high-definition video offering, which is available here in Douglas, Waycross and in many other markets across the U.S. where we operate.“

Vyve Broadband has invested significant capital and resources to upgrade the systems serving its customers across Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado. Vyve, Evolution Digital and TiVo worked closely to ensure the successful deployment of this new guide. The first formal launch to consumers was in April 2014 and the TiVo DTA guide is available to the majority of Vyve’s markets, including Bristow, Chandler, Depew, McAlester, Holdenville, Kellyville, Stroud, Shawnee and Durant, Oklahoma; and Douglas, Wyoming.

“This technology represents the best-in-class user interface for customers who want to optimize their entertainment options,“ Kellish added. “We look forward to extending this product to additional Vyve markets in 2015.“

Customers interested in additional information regarding Vyve Broadband are encouraged to visit VyveBroadband.com

Vyve Completes “Tuck-In” Acquisitions in Oklahoma
Vyve Completes “Tuck-In” Acquisitions in Oklahoma 150 150 Vyve Broadband

VYVE BROADBANDTM COMPLETES “TUCK-IN” ACQUISITIONS IN OKLAHOMA

Vyve Acquires Alliance Communications Network’s Buford Media Asset in Pryor, Oklahoma
Continues Vyve’s Strategy of Strategic Consolidation of Non-Urban Markets

Vyve Broadband has completed the acquisition of Alliance Communications Network’s Buford Media asset in Pryor, Oklahoma. This acquisition complements Vyve’s existing footprint in Oklahoma and increases the number of homes passed to 315,000, an increase of 5,000.

Vyve’s aggressive growth plan was first announced through the acquisition of certain assets of Allegiance Communications and James Cable in 2013. This “tuck-in” transaction of Pryor further solidifies the company’s footprint in Oklahoma. The acquired system will be upgraded to deliver broadband speeds up to 105 Mbps, as well as all-digital HD video technology and a state-of-the-art voice platform, consistent with the company upgrade strategy across the country. The Pryor system has been immediately merged into Vyve’s existing operations.

“Vyve is pleased to announce this acquisition. It complements our existing operations in eastern Oklahoma and we look forward to bringing real broadband speeds, as well as cutting-edge video and phone products, to Pryor and the surrounding areas,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer of Vyve Broadband.

Vyve’s upgraded networks providing best-in-market 105 Mbps Internet speeds are already up and running in multiple markets, including Shawnee, McAlester, Durant (Oklahoma), Waycross and Douglas (Georgia), Decatur and New Boston (Texas), Ottawa, Atchison and Ft Riley (Kansas) and Westlake (Louisiana). Network upgrades will be complete in additional communities across the company in 2015.

Increased Internet speeds in these and other Vyve markets are coordinated with other expanded Vyve offerings, such as Watch TV Everywhere™ — which Vyve Broadband video customers can use to watch their favorite shows from participating channels anytime, anywhere and on any device. Also included is the new Vyve HD Guide, powered by TiVo®, which helps users find the exact programming they want, quickly and easily.

Customers interested in additional information regarding Vyve Broadband are encouraged to visit VyveBroadband.com.

Vyve Broadband Expresses Disappointment with FCC’s Decision to Increase Regulation of Internet
Vyve Broadband Expresses Disappointment with FCC’s Decision to Increase Regulation of Internet 150 150 Vyve Broadband

Vyve Broadband Expresses Disappointment with FCC’s Decision to Increase Regulation of Internet

A strong supporter of net neutrality, Vyve concerned that new rules will result in reduced broadband investment and innovation, higher costs for customers in rural areas

Vyve Broadband, which provides Internet, video and phone service to customers across nine states in the midwestern and southern United States, has announced its disagreement with the results of a decision made on Thursday by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reclassify broadband Internet as a public utility. This decision places broadband under stricter government oversight, making it subject to the FCC’s Title II regulation rules.

“Vyve Broadband is extremely disappointed with this decision, as are many other Internet service providers, technology companies and content creators across the United States,” said Jeffrey DeMond, chief executive officer for Vyve Broadband. “We believe that such action is completely unnecessary — and that it could negatively impact the type and amount of innovation that companies like Vyve are able to pursue. We also anticipate that it will adversely affect the quality, quantity and cost of Internet access and content that’s available to customers, especially those in rural communities.”

The FCC claims that Title II regulation is the only way to ensure net neutrality, the concept that Internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, regardless of user, content, site or technological platform. Supporters of net neutrality — including Vyve — believe that no content should be blocked or slowed down, and that no content provider should be allowed to pay for faster speeds. Vyve is wholeheartedly in favor of establishing rules that would ensure net neutrality — but does not feel that heavyhanded Title II regulations are the best way to achieve this.

Vyve also sees unproductive, lengthy and expensive litigation as one of the most harmful effects of Title II regulation. “It’s very likely that this decision by the FCC is going to end up in court for years, which will generate a large amount of marketplace uncertainty as companies like Vyve wait for the courts to make a final decision. This will slow down the pace of broadband innovation — which has always been remarkably rapid in the United States — and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars as the government argues its case,” DeMond added. “Ultimately, this decision will be a losing scenario for Vyve, its customers and for the nation as a whole, which will risk losing its position as the world’s leader in broadband technology.”

Now that the FCC has decided to move forward with Title II regulation, Vyve is assessing its next steps.

“With this decision, Vyve will need to look carefully at the details to evaluate the potential impact on our business in the short term,” DeMond said. “And, regardless of the outcome of the Title II regulation debate, Vyve will continue to play a very important role in the future of the Internet. We remain committed to growing our business and providing our customers the best products and services possible under the evolving regulatory environment.”

Vyve Broadband Offers Oklahomans Tips for Staying Safe Online
Vyve Broadband Offers Oklahomans Tips for Staying Safe Online 150 150 Vyve Broadband

With Cyber Monday and Cyber Week Just Around the Corner, Vyve Broadband Offers Oklahomans Tips for Staying Safe Online

On a typical day, at any point during the year, thousands of Oklahomans will find themselves shopping online, banking via the Internet, making travel arrangements on sites like Travelocity, and connecting with friends and family through social media.

However, Monday, Dec. 1 — and the week that follows — are anything but “typical” days since they mark the arrival of Cyber Monday (the first Monday after Thanksgiving) and Cyber Week, when more than 100 million Americans, and a large percentage of Oklahomans, will start hunting online for the best holiday deals.

On Cyber Monday 2013, more than $2.2 billion worth of online purchases were made nationally, and those numbers are expected to climb in 2014. And while the explosion of online shopping on Cyber Monday and during Cyber Week means there’s considerably less time spent standing in line at the mall and waiting in traffic, it also means that Oklahoma residents will be increasingly vulnerable to cyber fraud, online security breaches and computer viruses, which are all prevalent during the holidays.

“Online holiday shopping is an amazingly convenient and even fun way to way to quickly and easily cruise through your holiday gift list, and social media is a very popular way to share your holiday cheer,” says Dave Harwood, system manager in Oklahoma for Vyve Broadband. “But it’s extremely important to be vigilant and cautious when surfing the Internet and using social media networks during the holiday season.

“Sadly, there are people out there looking to take advantage of you. Fortunately, there are some very easy things that folks can do to ensure that their online holiday experience is a safe and positive one,” Harwood says.

Vyve Broadband, which has customers across nine states — including Oklahoma — using its high-speed Internet service, encourages online shoppers to keep these safety tips in mind during Cyber Week and throughout the rest of the year:

 Make sure your passwords actually provide protection. Don’t choose a common password. Easy-to-guess passwords, like “123456” or “password01,” offer very little protection for your identity and your information. Make passwords uniquely personal, such as the name of your favorite sports team plus your favorite number, or your favorite teacher’s name.

 Limit access to personal information on social media. Many cyber criminals go straight to social media sites to access personal information that most people would never share anywhere else. Be sure to update the privacy settings on your social networking pages so that only family, friends and other followers who you personally know can see your content.

 If a deal looks too good to be true, it just might be. When shopping online, everyone is looking to take advantage of discount opportunities. However, beware of overly great deals. Many times these are links for businesses that aren’t credible (or even real) and may be fraudulent. And sometimes these links have viruses. Always be sure you’re opening a safe and credible link, and if something looks suspicious, it’s best to avoid it.

 Update your security. Make sure your computer has the latest security software to protect your computer against attack from social media hackers, viruses, spyware and other Internet threats.

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