In The News

STRATA Networks announces connect.stratanetworks.com, a new platform that will allow Uintah Basin residents the opportunity to have a say where the next fiber location is built. One of the most frequently asked questions STRATA receives is: “When can I get fiber?” Now, residents interested in getting fiber in their neighborhood can visit connect.stratanetworks.com and register their interest in faster internet speeds. The feedback received through this platform will let STRATA know where there is the most demand for faster internet capabilities and where to prioritize their construction plans. 

The online platform gives customers a snapshot of all the areas, referred to as zones, where the company has plans to build fiber in the near future. STRATA will prioritize a zone in their fiber construction plans when a zone meets its registration goal by having enough residents commit to take gigabit speed internet once it is made available to them. Subscribers are encouraged to register their individual locations to move their zone closer to reaching its goal which could bring fiber to their area sooner. 

“This new platform will give STRATA real-time insights on how to strategically expand our network, directing us to build in areas where the most demand for fiber and faster speeds exist” stated Tyler Rasmussen, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at STRATA Networks. 

STRATA invites residents to visit connect.stratanetworks.com often to check the progress towards their zone’s registration goal and looks forward to including customers in leading the way towards a faster, more connected future. 

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com

Volunteers of Keeping Love in Communities (KLiC), a Uintah Basin non-profit organization who helps individuals who are fighting cancer, were given a great surprise on Friday evening during the Duchesne football playoff game.  During halftime, STRATA Networks presented KLiC with more than $30,000 in donations to help individuals fighting cancer.  

The V6 Media jumbotron was used to honor KLiC volunteers with a personalized video message of thanks and gratitude from members in the community who have benefitted from the KLiC program.  Alisse Coil and Jenny Adams, volunteers of the KLiC organization, were at the game to receive the STRATA donation.

The donation was made possible through STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic, held each year to benefit a local Uintah Basin charitable organization.  Since its inception, the Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $200,000 to support local charitable entities within the Uintah Basin. “We are grateful to the members of our community, that even through difficult times, are willing to support those in need,” stated Bruce Todd, CEO/General Manager at STRATA Networks.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com

STRATA Networks announced the completion of an extensive 68-mile fiber-optic project that now connects schools, health clinics, and communities within Daggett County to STRATA’s fiber-optic network. This project was made possible due to the collaboration of the Utah Education & Telehealth Network (UETN), STRATA Networks, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the Daggett School District. 

STRATA’s core focus for this project was connecting the schools in Manila and Dutch John, but the positive ripple effects of bringing fiber to these rural areas, schools and communities is incalculable. “Utah students and educators, patients and physicians should have access to the best technology no matter where they live,” said UETN CEO Ray Timothy. “Broadband is a necessity to promote growth in communities, business, tourism, education and healthcare.”  

Speaking during the Daggett Fiber Completion Celebration, Lynne Yocum, UDOT Fiber Optics Manager said, “Communities that are connected bring about a world of change in economic development, bring about a world of change in education and will bring about a world of change with what we are doing in transportation.” Yocum explained to the audience that with the new fiber connections, UDOT will be able to install cameras and weather sensors along the route to gather real time information that will aid in public safety and perhaps save lives and “get to our zero fatality goal.” 

The above-mentioned Daggett Fiber Celebration was held on September 2, 2020, honoring the people and organizations who worked together to bring this project to fruition. Due to the coordinated efforts of many groups, the Daggett Fiber Project was completed in an astoundingly short time, ahead of schedule and under budget. Additional benefits from this project include a fiber connection at the beautiful Flaming Gorge Dam and improvements in cellular coverage (4G LTE) along this route due to fiber connectivity. 

During this project STRATA also worked closely with the United States Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Uintah County, and Daggett County to accommodate the many environmental, archaeological, paleontological, and historical requirements along the route. 

Dave Ryan, STRATA Networks Plant Design Manager stated, “The terrain and remote nature of this project provided a challenge that was difficult to overcome.” The majority of the route for this project was mountainous with much of the work taking place above 8000’ elevation. Roughly 40% of the route was in rock or solid rock conditions requiring the use of a 100,000-pound rock saw, cutting a trench roughly 54” deep, for secure placement for fiber conduits. Ryan further stated, “It reminds me of those early cooperative members, forging ahead with the construction of telecommunications infrastructure in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. In the face of significant challenges, both then and now, STRATA’s crews stepped up to connect lives. As an organization, that’s what we do. We connect lives. This project is something our crews can be proud of for many generations to come.” 

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks announced that their Annual Charity Golf Classic will be transitioning to a new format, due to the evolving COVID-19 crisis. This new format will allow teams to schedule tee-times and play anytime during a two-week period starting August 14 and finishing up August 28, 2020. For the past 19 years STRATA’s Annual Charity Golf Classic has raised over $210,000 that has directly benefitted local charitable entities. Although the tournament structure for this year is unconventional, teams can still enjoy a round of golf while continuing to raise funds and support a local charity in need. 

Golf teams will still receive the many benefits they would normally expect from a STRATA hosted golf tournament. Each player will receive a goody bag including a Travis Mathews hat, a $50 ProShop gift certificate, a meal voucher, a registration prize, and the chance to win hole contests and team prizes. Scores will be recorded at the golf course, and winners will be announced on the final day of play. This new format will also allow the community to participate in the tournament’s fundraising efforts by purchasing raffle tickets online or by participating in their online auction. 

STRATA is excited to announce that the proceeds from the Charity Golf Classic will be donated to KLiC (Keeping Love in Communities). KLiC helps individuals in the Uintah Basin who are fighting cancer by providing supplemental assistance including gas vouchers for travel to treatments or doctor appointments, overnight accommodations for treatments, and gift cards for groceries or household utilities. 

“Raising funds to help families and individuals in our community is the main motivation for our annual Charity Golf Classic” stated Tyler Rasmussen, Marketing & Public Relations Manager at STRATA. “Although the format will be different this year, we are grateful for the continued support from our teams, sponsors and local community to help those in need, especially during this critical time.” 

To register a team or become a sponsor, visit undefined; or for more information contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

The annual meeting of the members of UBTA-UBET Communications Inc., dba STRATA Networks has previously been postponed because of Covid 19 guidelines and health and safety concerns. After further review of public safety guidelines, and due to concerns for the safety and health of the members and the employees, as well as uncertainty as to the ability to have a group meeting, the annual meeting has been cancelled for the year 2020.

Other arrangements to provide information to the members, that would have been provided at the 2020 annual meeting, will be made by the Board and management including providing financial and other reports online for member review.

One of the main items of business at the annual meeting is the election of directors. As a result of the guidelines restricting groups from gathering at a meeting, which is required under the bylaws to have an election, the decision has been made to continue the 2020 election in 2021.

The Board of Directors looked at many options to hold the election but all required significant amendments to the bylaws. To make significant changes to the bylaws requires approval from a federal agency as a result of the recent Re-Connect grant and loan¹. That approval could not be obtained in time to go thru the election process in 2020.

One of the concerns about postponing the 2020 election is that it could result in more than a majority of board members being elected at the 2021 election and also upset the staggering of the director terms.

After discussing the issues at a regular and special board meeting the following was decided:

1. A temporary amendment would be made to the bylaws to allow the postponing of the 2020 election, to avoid having more than 4 directors elected at one time, and to not interfere with the staggering of terms. The temporary amendment would add the following provision. This proposed amendment will be voted on at the director meeting on July 30, 2020. Any comments regarding this proposed change should be addressed with the director for your area prior to that date.
   
   Proposed Temporary Amendment:
   
   Add to Section 3.2 of the Bylaws:
   
   In the event the annual meeting and the director elections are postponed and because of safety or health reasons the annual meeting and elections cannot be rescheduled then the provisions of these bylaws regarding the voting for directors, including but not limited to, time lines, procedures, meetings and quorums will be suspended, and the election will be postponed for one year and each director’s current term will be extended for one year.
   
   
2. The Board also approved changes to the election procedures to allow mail in and/or online voting. In an effort to avoid future problems a committee was established to consider other options to provide more flexibility for future elections and annual meetings. Those changes will be significant and will need approval from the federal regulatory agency. It is the intent of the Board to make these changes and obtain approval so that the new voting procedures are available for the year 2021.

To view this year's annual report, click here.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks’ ongoing commitment to support the educational and career paths of our future community leaders includes bestowing annual scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students who are dependents of STRATA Networks Cooperative members. Preference is given to those applicants who wish to pursue advanced training with an emphasis in telecommunications, or any business-related field which would enhance rural development in the Uintah Basin.

STRATA would like to congratulate the 2020 scholarship recipients: Aspen Mitchell (Altamont High), Kaleb Thacker (Altamont High), Dean Thompson (Altamont High), Kelsey Woodhouse (Duchesne High), Torrey Larson (Liahona Prep Academy), Emilee Foley (Uintah High), Miranda Mansfield (Uintah High), Erin Migliori (Uintah High), Halle Olsen (Uintah High), George Thompson (Uintah High), Jonathan Beales (Union High), Shaun Hicken (Union High), Lynlee Labrum (Union High), ZeAnna Bateman (Tabiona High), and Kevin Snow (Terra Academy).

“We are very impressed with the amount of exceptional applications we received this year,” stated CEO/General Manager Bruce H. Todd. “We have a high level of talented students within our community and we feel privileged to provide financial assistance for those students who wish to further their educational goals.”.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

High school and college students across the country have been impacted in major ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Graduates are facing the prospect of a graduation with no ceremony and no celebration. In response to requests made by UBTech and the Uintah and Duchesne County School Districts; STRATA Networks and V6 Media (wholly owned subsidiary of STRATA Networks) have agreed to provide coverage of local graduation events to assist educational partners and the community.  

Director of Marketing for STRATA, Tyler B. Rasmussen, stated that the company “is happy to facilitate a virtual graduation for our community education partners and graduating seniors.  Combining STRATA’s robust broadband network with the video and streaming capabilities of V6 Media is a great way to capture and preserve these unique events and make them available to the friends and relatives of graduating seniors who are not able to be here in person. ”

“Bringing community and technology together is what we love to do. Our local schools and students have been and will continue to be a valued aspect of our programming and storytelling efforts. The opportunity to be involved and assist with the graduations, particularly during this challenging time, is rewarding and a natural extension of our commitment to the communities we serve,” stated Dale Allred, Video Operation Supervisor at V6 Media.

UBTech President, Aaron Weight stated, “Our partners, today’s technology leaders at STRATA Networks and V6 Media, make virtual solutions a reality. As a technical college, we will be utilizing the technology of today to recognize the future leaders of tomorrow.”

“We are overwhelmed with the amount of support from our community members and community businesses. STRATA Networks and V6 Media have gone above and beyond helping Uintah High School celebrate our seniors. We are excited to have them be such a big part of our graduation celebration on May 22,” stated Uintah High School Principal, Sharon Shipton. 

Each graduation ceremony will be available for viewing on channelv6.com and will remain on the site as a video-on-demand asset for viewers to watch anytime in the future.  The schedule of graduation events is listed here:  

• Altamont High School: Friday May 22, 7:00 p.m.
• Duchesne High School: Friday May 22, 6:00 p.m.
• Tabiona High School: Thursday May 21, 7:00 p.m.
• Uintah High School Celebration: Friday May 22, 5:30 p.m.
• Union High School: Friday May 22, 7:00 p.m.
• UBTech: Wednesday May 6, 6:00 p.m.

“We sympathize with our local graduates as they will not be experiencing a traditional celebration of their accomplishments, but we hope that through the support of STRATA and V6 Media the graduates and their families will have lifelong memories of these notable events. We appreciate the opportunity to work as community partners to provide these services to our local graduates and their friends and family and we congratulate them on their accomplishments and wish them the best of luck on their future endeavors,” stated CEO/General Manager Bruce H. Todd.  

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending into a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

V6 Media is a Utah-based video production and media agency specializing in cinematic corporate films, brand development, and marketing strategy. Their passion is bringing your brand’s story to life by creating high-quality videos that are authentic, emotional, and inspiring. V6 Media is located in Vernal, Utah, and their team is made up of visionaries, creatives, and strategic thinkers with a passion for producing high-quality films and marking plans for clients in Utah and beyond. More information is available at http://v6.media/

STRATA Networks announced that due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis and as part of the directive given by Governor Gary R. Herbert on March 25, 2020, several upcoming community events are being postponed or canceled. 

The Board of Directors met virtually on March 26, 2020 and, after reviewing the directives from government and health officials regarding the present pandemic, decided it was in the best interest of the members and employees to postpone the Annual Meeting until it is safe for the members to meet. Section 3.4 of the organization’s bylaws authorize the postponement of the Annual Meeting by the Board of Directors. 

Board Chairman, Kent Peatross stated, “the health and safety of our community, employees, and our members is paramount. We hope that things will be better in June but knowing that our election process is set to begin in April, we felt it necessary to postpone the June meeting so that the election process can move forward unencumbered and operationally sound.  We are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely and we will announce a new Annual Meeting date as soon as it is prudent.”

This also includes the postponement of the election process for directors from the Duchesne, Flattop, Fruitland, and Lapoint districts. The original dates given for individuals desiring to run for director, between April 10 and April 27, 2020, will be updated in accordance with the new date of the Annual Meeting. The Cooperative will notify the membership once a new date has been established.

STRATA has also elected to postpone the 19^th Annual Charity Golf Classic that was scheduled for May 15^th in Roosevelt and May 29^th in Vernal, to a later date. The tournaments will now be held on August 14^th in Roosevelt, and August 28^th in Vernal. 

Each year STRATA also sponsors a group of students who are selected to attend the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Tour in Washington DC and the URECA Leadership Challenge at Snow College. Due to the unfolding coronavirus significantly affecting large events and gatherings, the FRS tour to Washington D.C. and the URECA Leadership Challenge have both been canceled. 

“We look forward to the time we can once again unite with our community through annual events and gatherings to celebrate the resilience of the people here in the Uintah Basin. Until that time, we will continue to do our part to keep you connected to your friends and family,” stated CEO/General Manager, Bruce H. Todd.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 435-622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

We are closely monitoring the news about the public health concerns posed by COVID-19 (otherwise known as Coronavirus).  This message is intended to provide updates regarding STRATA’s efforts to address this threat to our employees and customers, and simultaneously support the efforts being made by our local, state, and national healthcare and disease control organizations to minimize the spread of this illness.

To minimize the current and future spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases we would like to remind our customers of several ways which you can conduct business with STRATA remotely while at the same time minimizing human contact and reducing the likelihood of contracting illness. Here are a few convenient options for you to consider: 

• Utilize STRATA’s 24/7 billing and technical support team by calling (435) 622-5007.
• Set up Online Bill Pay (OBP) for convenient access to billing summary and payment options.OBP can be set up by calling our office at (435) 622-5007.
• Chat live with our representatives online at stratanetworks.com, available 24/7.

Additionally, we are taking necessary steps to prepare for increasing scenarios where individuals may be working or doing schoolwork from home. We are actively monitoring the network, and will augment as necessary, network bandwidth and capacity to meet this growing need and demand.  Our network has geographic diversity to Salt Lake City and Denver and we are ready to shift and adjust traffic as needed.  

We remind employees and customers to follow the directions provided by our local health department:

• If you are well,
  • Wash your hands regularly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid non-essential travel to any impacted areas. 
  • Avoid non-essential contact with people who are sick.  
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• If you are sick,
  • DO NOTgo to work, school, church, or other social gatherings where you can spread your illness. 
  • Cover your cough and sneezes and wash your hands regularly.
  • Isolate yourself as much as possible until all symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) have stopped without assistance from any medications.
  • Get rest and stay hydrated. Most individuals with COVID-19 can recover at home.   
  • If any of your symptoms get worseCALLyour healthcare provider or 1-800-456-7707 before going into any clinic, urgent care, or hospital.

Again, we are aware of the risk being posed by COVID-19 and are working to protect our customers and employees.  We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as necessary. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks announced that the infrastructure has been completed to connect Manila High School and Uintah Basin Medical Center’s Manila Health Clinic to their fiber-optic network, giving those facilities access to gigabit internet speeds and the capacity to grow.

Connecting Daggett County to STRATA’s fiber-optic network has been an extensive project made possible by the collaboration of the Utah Education & Telehealth Network (UETN), STRATA Networks, Utah Department of Transportation, and the Daggett School District. Construction began in 2018 and, once complete, STRATA’s fiber route will extend into Dutch John and will serve the students and staff at Flaming Gorge Elementary School as well.

“Bringing broadband to Manila High School is a milestone in connecting Utah’s most remote locations to the full potential of online education & healthcare,” said Ray Timothy, CEO and Executive Director of UETN. “Students and educators will be able to download high-definition video and participate in live, high-quality video conferencing and other data-intensive applications without interruption or delay. The fiber project also brings needed bandwidth to the Manila Clinic of Uintah Basin Medical Center (UBMC). As a result, Daggett residents and visitors will also benefit. We are pleased to collaborate with STRATA and Daggett School District to make this a reality.”

As part of this project, STRATA’s new fiber path will also benefit others along the route including state and federal entities such as the Utah Department of Transportation, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service, as well as several other private entities. It will also improve cellular speeds and coverage available to wireless customers. STRATA’s core focus for this project, however, has been connecting the schools in the Manila and Dutch John communities; and they anticipate that the fiber build to Flaming Gorge Elementary School will be completed later this year.

“Access to high-speed internet has transformed from being a convenience to a necessity – especially in education and healthcare,” said Bruce Todd, STRATA Networks CEO/General Manager. “We are proud of the partnership that STRATA and UETN have formed in order to make fiber internet accessible to even the most remote areas in our region, and are very appreciative of the cooperation from UDOT, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service who helped with the permitting, allowing the project to proceed within a timely process. We are excited for the new opportunities this will bring to Daggett County and we look forward to seeing the community and economic developments that will come from it.”

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks announced that it has been selected to receive a loan-grant combination in the amount $23.6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect program. The funds will be used to provide new and improved broadband infrastructure to more than 3,000 locations in the Uintah Basin.

“STRATA is very pleased to be selected as a ReConnect loan-grant recipient,” stated Bruce H. Todd, CEO/General Manager of STRATA Networks “These funds will help to further expedite our aggressive broadband build-out plans in the Uintah Basin. The specific locations that these funds will be used to serve are remote and pose significant financial barriers to delivering service. ;We look forward to completing these projects and improving broadband services to these rural customers.”

“Our core mission at USDA is to increase rural prosperity through boosting economic opportunity in rural America,” Secretary Perdue said. “We know that rural communities need robust, modern infrastructure to thrive, and that includes having access to broadband e-Connectivity. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is proud to partner with rural communities to deploy this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

STRATA Networks will use the ReConnect loan-grant funds to deploy a fiber to the home (FTTH) broadband network capable of simultaneous transmission rates of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater. The funded service areas include more than 3,000 households, farms and businesses, and critical community facilities spread over approximately 428 square miles. A map of the locations that will be benefitted by this program can be seen at stratanetworks.com/reconnect.

According to STRATA, the locations that are part of the ReConnect program are in addition to the areas that they already have plans to build fiber to in the coming years. The funding from USDA will be used solely to deliver fiber to the more rural areas of the Uintah Basin that are reflected on the webpage listed above, but the company will continue working towards its goal of delivering fiber to the home to an additional 1,000 locations each year outside of the ReConnect areas.

STRATA is ready to initiate construction as soon as a notice to proceed is granted by USDA. STRATA and USDA are in the process of finalizing and closing on the offer, after which detailed environmental work must be completed before any construction work can begin. The ReConnect program requires that STRATA complete the project in less than five years, and project schedules will be published as details are made available.

Background:

In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “Reconnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.

These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

Last week, twelve high school seniors from around the Basin were sponsored by STRATA to attend a weeklong leadership camp at Snow College. The group was led by recent Union High School graduate, Mailoni Lutui, who attended the camp last summer and was voted to return as the 2019 Youth Director representing STRATA.

The Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge is a student conference that is paid for by participating members of the Utah Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (URECA). Being a telecommunications cooperative, STRATA is an affiliate of URECA and has chosen to sponsor students to attend the camp for decades.

The camp has grown exponentially over the years and now brings together nearly 150 students representing different areas in rural Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. The students who attended with STRATA included Aspen Mitchell (Altamont High), Erin Migliori (Uintah High), Hailey Petersen (Union High), Jade Hopp (Uintah High), Jaxon Miller (Union High), JT Potter (Duchesne High), Krysta Spencer (Duchesne High), Landon Rhoades (Tabiona High), Macee Adamson (Union High), Miranda Mansfield (Uintah High), Tanner Miles (Union High), and Zeanna Bateman (Tabiona High).

The week was spent developing leadership skills, participating in teambuilding activities, and learning about how cooperatives like STRATA function. The group heard from motivational speakers including Paralympics Gold Medalist and author Mike Schlappi, social media activist Collin Kartchner, professional DJ and entertainer Rob Ferre, and the Uintah Basin’s very own Sidney Smith, a double amputee who spoke about overcoming fear.

On the final evening of the camp, STRATA presented two students with scholarships. Mailoni Lutui, STRATA’s returning Youth Director, received a $1,000 scholarship and Aspen Mitchell received a second scholarship for $500.

“There is no better investment than the investment in our youth,” said Bruce Todd, General Manager/CEO of STRATA. “We feel it is a privilege to provide opportunities for our students to develop new skills that will help prepare them for their futures and we hope that they bring those skills back to the Basin to make it a better place.”

High school juniors interested in attending next year’s camp can apply with STRATA next spring when the application period is open. For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

On Saturday, June 29^th, STRATA celebrated their first service day where nearly 100 STRATA employees and family members, gathered to volunteer in different areas of the Uintah Basin. 

In Vernal, one group of volunteers helped to clean up the landscaping at Freestone Legacy Walking Park while another cleaned windows at The Turning Point Homeless Shelter. At the park, four hours were spent clearing out the areas around the walking trail, removing a fence, and leveling the dirt along the sidewalks to make it safer for walking.

Others donated their Saturday to plant trees and place drip systems along the walking trail at Constitution Park in Roosevelt. STRATA’s construction crew spent Friday digging the holes and trenches for the water system and other employees met at the park the following morning to start planting the trees. In total, 48 trees were planted along the south and west sides of the route. These trees, combined with those that were planted by the Rotary and Interact Clubs earlier this spring, make it so that the entire walking path now has trees alongside it. 

Dustin Glines, Parks Supervisor for Roosevelt City, was there to assist with and oversee the project at Constitution Park.

“This was not an easy project but the employees at STRATA made it happen, along with the employees’ families,” said Glines. “It is awesome to have a great company like STRATA to do this project. It says a lot about the company and even more about the employees. It will add so much good to the walking path - both shade and beautification.” 

The final group of volunteers gathered at Altamont City Park to apply a fresh coat of paint to the bleachers and hang up non-smoking signs. They also repainted the curbs along main street and the office building for the town of Altamont.   

“Being a local cooperative, STRATA has always been a big supporter of the community and we try do as much as we can to give back,” Tyler Rasmussen, STRATA’s Marketing & Public Relations Manager, said. “This year, we wanted to celebrate our commitment even further and felt like we were in a position to do more with the help from our employees. We’re very grateful to all of the employees and family members who volunteered their time to help make our community a better place.” 

Rasmussen said that they hope to do more employee service projects in the future and are looking forward to creating a tradition of community service and giving back in new ways. 

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007. 

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA hosted its 66th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 13th at Union High School where an estimated 1,100 people attended. Elections were held for the Randlett, Tabiona, and Vernal districts. The following were elected to serve a three-year term: JoAnn Winn, Randlett District; Max Fabrizio, Tabiona District; and Kelly Dastrup, Vernal District. 

It was reported by Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Shiner that STRATA continues to be a profitable company, while using a significant amount of their profits to reinvest back in to the company and the community. In 2018, STRATA invested over 24 million dollars in network assets to improve its services and donated nearly $120,000 back to its communities through donations, Shiner reported. 

Board President Kent Peatross further emphasized the value that the Cooperative places on community support and recognized the 2019 scholarship recipients and the students who STRATA sponsored to attend the Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge and the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Youth Tour to Washington, DC.  

President Peatross touched on the benefits that STRATA’s subsidiary companies bring & the extents of which they operate, stating that RINA Wireless and Spectra, both subsidiaries of STRATA Networks, are helping to serve businesses located well beyond the boundaries of the Basin, and he praised V6 Media for their high-quality video productions. 

CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd reported on STRATA’s ongoing commitment to deliver fiber optic internet to the Uintah Basin & beyond, announcing that STRATA currently has over 7,200 fiber-fed locations in the Basin and is working to connect more every day. He also talked about the efforts being made to enhance their wireless/cellular network, to build additional redundancy to their network, and to minimize cybersecurity risks. 

Manager Todd stated that technology is evolving faster than ever, and the Cooperative recognizes that fast reliable connections are quickly becoming the foundations of the future, and are crucial to economic growth, quality healthcare, and educational opportunities here in the Uintah Basin. 

Before the meeting adjourned, it was announced that STRATA’s recent Charity Golf Classic raised $20,000 in proceeds that was donated to the Turning Point Shelter in Vernal.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

On Monday, June 10^th, The Turning Point Homeless Shelter in Vernal was surprised with a $20,000 donation which was the result of STRATA’s 2019 Annual Charity Golf Classic. 

Last month, STRATA concluded their 18^thAnnual Charity Golf Classic in which nearly 500 golfers in Roosevelt and Vernal participated. As in previous years, the proceeds from this year’s Golf Classic were to be donated to a local charitable entity in the Uintah Basin. However, unlike past years, the charity was not announced prior to the tournaments. Instead, STRATA kept the recipient a mystery to golfers, the public, and the charitable organization.

Shortly after the tournaments wrapped up, Susy Anderson, the shelter’s director, was surprised when she was visited at the shelter by STRATA employees who presented her with a check for $20,000. Along with the $20,000 donation that was raised, The Turning Point Shelter will also be given an additional $7,500 matched donation as part of CoBank’s Sharing Success program.  

“It is such a big surprise,” Anderson said. “I am so honored and I’m so shocked, but more than anything I am very grateful.  I have no words to express my gratitude. Right now, we are struggling with funding and trying to keep this place open and it’s been very hard, and so this really means so much right now.” 

The Turning Point Homeless Shelter helps families and individuals who have fallen on hard times to get back into society & create better lives. By providing temporary shelter & a structured program, their goal is to help people make positive changes that lead them to permanent housing & becoming productive, taxpaying citizens. The donation from STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic will be used to help with operating costs so that the shelter can remain open and to help supply the shelter so that the needs of the people staying there are met. 

“This is the first year that we have donated the proceeds to The Turning Point Shelter, and we have really been looking forward to presenting them with the donation,” said Tyler Rasmussen, Marketing & Public Relations Manager at STRATA. “The golf and the day spent together is enjoyable but to see how those funds that are generated can be used to help a program or individual that’s really struggling to get back up on their feet is very touching.” 

With limited funding available, The Turning Point Shelter is always accepting and grateful for donations from the community. If you would like to donate to The Turning Point Shelter, please call (435) 781-0045. 

For more information about STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks will hold its 66th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 13th, at Union High School. Members of the telecommunications cooperative are invited to a complimentary dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and a business meeting that will follow.

Prior to the business meeting, those in attendance will be given the opportunity to visit with STRATA employees and view some of the latest trends in technology. Exhibits will include demonstrations of cutting-edge virtual reality systems, smart home devices in action, augmented reality, and more.

One of the many benefits of being a cooperative member is the opportunity to participate in the governance of the company, and the Annual Meeting represents an important part of that because it is where they can elect the open positions for STRATA’s Board of Directors. STRATA appreciates those who take the time to attend the meeting each year and invites anybody who has not attended before to join them in taking an active role in the company that they own.

This year, Board of Director positions for the Randlett, Tabiona, and Vernal districts are up for election. The following individuals have filed to run for available Board seats: Randlett District: Incumbent JoAnn Winn, running unopposed; Tabiona District: Incumbent Max Fabrizio, running unopposed; Vernal District: Incumbent Kelly Dastrup and Joel Brown. To learn more about each candidate, visit stratanetworks.com/annual-meeting.

During the meeting, members can expect to hear reports from Board President Kent Peatross and Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Shiner on the progress of the past year. Members will also hear from CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd who will discuss the ongoing efforts that STRATA is making to deploy fiber and high-speed internet solutions across the Uintah Basin, as well as other plans that the cooperative has in store for the future.

For more information regarding this year’s Annual Meeting or the voting process, please call 435-622-5007.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks will sponsor six local high school students to visit Washington, DC this summer. Anthony McKee (Uintah High), Kamaile Wickel (Duchesne High), Cragun Miller, (Union High), DeLanee Theener (Altamont High), Landon Rhoades (Tabiona High) and Miranda Mansfield (Uintah High) will spend five days in the nation’s capital this summer learning about history, government processes, and the telecommunications industry.

The all-expenses-paid trip is part of the Foundation for Rural Services Annual Youth Tour which is available to students who are sponsored by the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which STRATA Networks is a member. Since it began, there have been thousands of high school students from across rural America who have been given the opportunity for this once-in-a-lifetime experience that is funded by STRATA and other rural NTCA members.

In addition to the Washington, DC tour, STRATA also provides opportunities to local youth through their scholarship program. The company would like to congratulate their 2019 scholarship recipients: Karissa Lemmon (Altamont High), Madison Rowley (Duchesne High), Jayde Moon (Duchesne High), Janessa Jenkins (Tabiona High), Alyssa Bell (Uintah High), Carson Monfredi (Uintah High), Jackson Gardiner (Uintah High), Maren Hopper (Uintah High), Uel John (Uintah High), Hailey Farnsworth (Union High), Kyson Tanner (Union High), and Tiffany Winterton (Union High).

Later this year, STRATA will be awarding another scholarship intended for nontraditional students that are enrolled in a local college. The Charles Crozier Memorial Scholarship was established in 1995 as a memorial scholarship honoring Mr. Charles Crozier, a former president, director, and employee of the company. Applications for that award will be opening up later this year & will be available on the STRATA Networks website.

For more information please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

Local gamers competed in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doubles tournament hosted by STRATA Networks last Friday. Sixteen teams competed in a double elimination style tournament until one winning team emerged, taking home a $300 grand prize. Second and third place teams left the tournament as winners as well, also being awarded cash prizes.

The tournament was held at the STRATA Networks building in Roosevelt and spectators were welcome to come and watch. Those interested in the tournament but not able to attend could also watch via a live stream through Twitch, one of the most popular streaming platforms for gamers. The event drew players of varying levels of experience from all across the Basin, and good sportsmanship was shown by all in attendance. The winning team consisted of William Robertson and Jase Pennock; the second-place team consisted of Benjamin Anderson and Caleb Anderson; and the third-place winners were Zachery Carleton and Derek Powell.

This is the fourth STRATA Gaming Series event that has been held in the Uintah Basin. Their inaugural event featured a Call of Duty: Black Ops III tournament that brought together nearly 400 gamers and spectators from around the area. Since then, the STRATA Gaming Series has hosted gaming tournaments that have included a variety of popular games like Overwatch, Call of Duty: WWII, Rocket League, and Hearthstone.

For information about future events hosted by the STRATA Gaming Series, visit stratagamingseries.com or find STRATA Gaming Series on Facebook or Instagram.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks is accepting applications for their scholarship program and other youth opportunities. The cooperative will be awarding up to $50,000 in scholarships graduating seniors whose parents or guardians are members of STRATA in good standing. Those interested in applying can learn more by visiting stratanetworks.com/YouthOpportunities.

In addition to providing scholarships, STRATA also offers educational & leadership opportunities for local youth through the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Youth Tour to Washington, DC and the Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College.

Foundation for Rural Services Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. – June 1-5, 2019

This spring, up to six high school students, ages 16-17, will be sponsored by STRATA to attend the FRS Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. The tour is an all-expense-paid educational trip that brings together high school students from across rural America to explore the nation’s capital, learn about the telecommunications industry, and hear what is being done to support rural communities. While there, students will visit some of the most historical sites in the nation, attend meetings with members of congress, and visit with the Federal Communications Commission.

To be eligible to apply for the FRS Youth Tour, students must be ages 16 or 17 at the time of this year’s tour: June 1‑5, 2019.

Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College ‑ July 8‑12, 2018

STRATA will also sponsor a group of high school juniors to attend the annual Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College July 8‑12, 2019. This week is full of opportunities to develop leadership skills, build self-esteem, and make new friends from other schools, while also learning about how cooperatives like STRATA function.

Applications for all of STRATA’s youth programs can be found online at stratanetworks.com/youthopportunities or picked up from a STRATA location in Roosevelt or Vernal. Applications are due no later than March 1, 2019.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

On November 13, STRATA Networks received a “Connectivity” award from Uintah Basin Technical College. This award is given to companies and individuals for their industry connectivity and engagement with students and programs at UBTech.

Bruce Todd, CEO/GM of STRATA and Andy Adamson, Chief Human Resources Officer, attended the UBTech board meeting to accept the award. Earlier this year, STRATA partnered with UBTech in three new IT programs which are: IT Support Technician, Network Technician and Security Technician.

“Technology and broadband are some of the driving forces in the ways we communicate with each other, conduct business, and lead our daily lives,” STRATA General Manager/CEO Bruce Todd said. “As we watch this evolution & our dependency on technology grows, the need for relevant training & education in the Basin has become essential if we want to continue living in a connected world and prepare students for a technology-driven workforce.”

STRATA has not only been an important partner in the development of new programs at UBTech, but has a long history of serving on occupational advisory committees at the college. Advisory committees meet and review program curriculum to ensure learning competencies are relevant to the needs of our local workforce.

“These new programs will enhance our local economy as students become trained in technology-based careers,” said UBTech President/CEO Aaron Weight. “We are fortunate to live in a community where local employers partner with education for their workforce needs.”

STRATA Networks announces the appointment of the current Chief Financial Officer, Karl Searle, as the organization’s new Vice President of Finance. Prior to being named VP of Finance, Mr. Searle has served as the Chief Financial Officer at STRATA for the past thirteen years. As VP of Finance, Mr. Searle will continue his active role on STRATA’s senior management team.

“I am grateful to have this new opportunity and will strive to meet the challenges inherent to this new position,” stated Searle. “I feel fortunate to be a part of a great company like STRATA Networks.”

STRATA’s Controller of the past ten years, M. Jason McKee, has been named Chief Financial Officer to fill the position left by Searle. Mr. McKee holds an Accounting degree from Utah State University, a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and is a Certified Public Accountant. These accomplishments demonstrate his readiness to be CFO through individual effort and preparation. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. McKee will join the senior management team of STRATA Networks.

“STRATA is a very special organization,” McKee said. “I view the CFO position as a duty of great personal responsibility to the employees, customers, and the communities we serve. I am excited for this opportunity and I appreciate the trust placed in me.”

“I have great confidence in these two individuals,” stated Bruce H. Todd, CEO/General Manager of STRATA. “They have made significant contributions to the overall success of STRATA Networks over the last decade and I am certain they will continue to do so in the future.”

STRATA invites community members, customers, and vendors to join them in congratulating Mr. Searle and Mr. McKee as they take on their new roles within the organization. The contact information for Mr. Searle and Mr. McKee will not change.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks is excited to host their third annual STRATA Gaming Series event on November 10^that the Uintah Conference Center in Vernal. 

This year’s event is expected to be better than ever with a variety of gameplay options and free activities for anyone to participate in throughout the day. Virtual reality and Nintendo Switch were crowd favorites at previous events, so they will be returning this year with new games and the latest gear. STRATA will also be introducing a new Forza Motorsport 7 Leaderboard Tournament that will award a prize to the day’s top scorer. 

In addition to these activities, the event will feature multiple tournaments for competitive gamers, which range from individual matches to team competitions. Those interested can choose from three different tournaments: Call of Duty WWII (4-person teams), Super Smash Bros. (2-person teams), and Hearthstone (individual), with prizes awarded to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rdplace winners.  STRATA is also introducing a Rocket League tournament that is exclusive to teams organized by high schools. Online registration is open and is limited to a first-come-first-served basis and is scheduled to close on November 4^th. 

“Bringing the community, as well as people from outside of the Basin, together to celebrate technology is a great thing to be a part of,” Bruce Todd, CEO/General Manager said. “At STRATA, we are always working to keep pace with developing technology and we hope that this event shows our dedication to providing the products and services that people want.” 

Registration and event details can be found at stratagamingseries.com or on the STRATA Gaming Series Facebook page.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a 
tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks issued a summary of the impacts of the Dollar Ridge Fire today. As of Wednesday, July 11th, the Dollar Ridge Fire is 50% contained, however, the full effects and damages to STRATA facilities are yet to be determined due to mandatory evacuations and restricted access.

STRATA has confirmed limited damage to telephone and broadband facilities in the Camelot area.  As of July 11th, STRATA technicians were given access to this specific area and were able to restore services shortly thereafter. A mobile cell site, used to provide cellular coverage along Highway 40 in the Currant Creek area, received damage due to the fire. This particular site will remain offline until power can be restored and a new site brought in to replace the existing damaged site.

In an effort to assist those displaced by the fire, STRATA has provided free Wi-Fi to evacuees located at Duchesne High School and the Red Rock RV Park. Additionally, cable television and streaming services were established at the High School to provide up to date news and information to evacuees.

Incident managers have confirmed the loss of several homes and structures, but STRATA has not yet been able to gain access to these areas to determine the full extent of the damages. STRATA’s crews are poised to quickly restore any lost services once access is allowed.

V6 Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of STRATA Networks, has provided live coverage of community meetings and updates. This coverage will continue as meetings occur. This content can be accessed by visiting channelv6.com, by following Channel V6 on Facebook, or viewing Channel V6 on Roku.

STRATA’s Board and Management would like to formally express appreciation to all local, state, and federal entities involved with Incident Command. Additionally, STRATA would like to thank all those who have donated time and resources to those individuals whose lives have been impacted by this fire.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. Headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah, STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member-owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

The 65th Annual Meeting of STRATA Networks was held June 21 at the Roosevelt Jr. High School. Elections were held for the Roosevelt, Neola, and Altamont Districts. The following were elected to serve a 3-year term: Richard Ross, Roosevelt District; Bart Miller, Neola District; and Ashley Shiner, Altamont District.

President Kent Peatross reported the Board of Directors approved a payout of $1 million in capital credits. STRATA is finalizing calculations and will mail the checks next week. He explained the Company has paid a portion of capital credits since 1999.

STRATA Networks pays over $50 thousand in scholarships per year. In addition, the Company participates at local Jr. Livestock Sales each summer, and provides other youth opportunities including a FRS tour of historical sites and monuments in Washington, D.C. President Kent Peatross recognized the 2018 scholarship recipients.

The Company has invested $100 million in its network to improve and extend its fiber broadband network. CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd stated it is expected the pace of technology improvements in the past 30 years will be exceeded in the next 10 years. He explained the important role associations such as NTCA, The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), Western Telecommunications Association (WTA), and the Utah Rural Telecommunications Association (URTA) play in advocating in behalf of rural companies like STRATA Networks in Washington, D.C.

A check in the amount of $20,000 from proceeds of the STRATA Networks Annual Charity Golf Event was presented to the Uintah Basin Association of Government for the Home-Delivered Meals Program.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks will hold its 65th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 21st, at the Roosevelt Jr. High School. Members of the cooperative are invited to a complimentary dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting.

The Annual Meeting will give members the opportunity to participate in the governance of their local telecommunications cooperative; to elect Board representation from the Altamont, Neola, and Roosevelt districts; and to take part in any other business that may come before the meeting. Members will hear reports from Board President Kent Peatross, Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Shiner, and CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd on the progress of the past year as well as planning for the cooperative’s future.

Board of Director positions for the Altamont, Neola, and Roosevelt districts are up for election at this year’s meeting. The following individuals have filed to run for available Board seats: Altamont District, Incumbent Ashley Shiner and Jordan Robison; Neola District, Incumbent Bart Miller running unopposed; and Roosevelt District, Incumbent Richard Ross running unopposed.

Before the business meeting, cooperative members will have the opportunity to meet with STRATA employees while touring exhibits representing the latest in technology trends.

For more information regarding this year’s Annual Meeting or the voting process, please call 622-5007.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks has selected six high school students to attend the Foundation for Rural Service's (FRS) Annual Youth Tour to Washington, D.C this summer. Bryson Pugh (Altamont High School), McKinlee Thacker (Altamont High School), Kyson Tanner (Union High School), Rylee Bleazard (Duchesne High School), Colby McKee (Uintah High School), and Aspen Stewart (Tabiona High School) will spend four days in the nation’s capital learning about history, government processes, and the telecommunications industry.

The FRS Youth Tour brings together students from across rural America for the opportunity to visit historical sites including the Lincoln & Jefferson Memorials; the Korean, Vietnam, and World War II Memorials; Mount Vernon, estate of George Washington; the Smithsonian Museums; and more.

The trip will feature a comprehensive overview of the telecommunications industry, the critical role it plays in rural America, and how it is affected by legislative and regulatory decisions. While there, students will attend educational sessions on these topics which will be enhanced by site visits to the U.S. Capitol and the Federal Communications Commission, and meetings with industry leaders and members of Congress.

The FRS Youth Tour is available to students who are sponsored by the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), of which STRATA Networks is a member. FRS promotes, educates, and advocates rural telecommunications issues to the public, in order to sustain and enhance the quality of life within communities throughout rural America.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks announced today that they have pledged to donate $135,000 to UBTech to help fund a technology-based training program for students in the Uintah Basin. STRATA’s donation will be awarded over a three-year period with $30,000 being contributed annually to help fund equipment and operational costs, and an additional $15,000 per year to be awarded in scholarships.

“Technology and broadband are some of the driving forces in the ways we communicate with each other, conduct business, and lead our daily lives,” STRATA General Manager/CEO Bruce Todd said. “As we watch this evolution & our dependency on technology grows, the need for relevant training & education in the Basin has become essential if we want to continue living in a connected world and prepare students for a technology-driven workforce.”

“The program will be offered in August 2018 and will be available to both secondary students and adults,” said UBTech President Aaron Weight. “Curriculum will focus on all aspects of information technology including the design, development, support, and management of computer software, hardware, and networks.”

Those interested in learning more about the program and the scholarships available are encouraged to keep an eye on the UBTech website found at ubtech.edu.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks announced that they will host their 17th Annual Charity Golf Classic this spring, with proceeds benefitting the Home Delivered Meals Program administered through the Uintah Basin Association of Governments (UBAOG).

The Golf Classic will consist of two separate tournaments scheduled for Friday, May 18th at the Roosevelt City Golf Course and Friday, June 8th at the Vernal Dinaland Golf Course. Golfers can register for a morning or afternoon tee time and will be treated to lunch, free range, and gift vouchers to redeem at the pro shop. There will also be opportunities to participate in a mobile silent auction & raffle, hole-in-one contests, and other activities throughout the course.

More than $140,000 has been raised through STRATA’s Charity Golf Classics – all of which has stayed local, supporting organizations right here in the Uintah Basin. This year, STRATA will donate its proceeds to UBAOG’s Home Delivered Meals Program, a valuable service that has recently suffered through devastating budget cuts.

The Home Delivered Meals Program serves aging residents living in Duchesne and Daggett Counties. These individuals are homebound and do not have caretakers so, for many, the meal deliveries serve not only as a necessary food resource but also as the only daily contact that they receive. Currently, the program delivers meals to nearly 50 residents; however, there is a waiting list of several others who qualify to receive meals but the program’s grant funding has already been extended. A donation from STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic will be used to prepare, purchase, and deliver meals to the additional community members in need of this service.

The contributions made through STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic would not be possible without the generous support of community sponsors. STRATA invites you to learn more about the different sponsorship opportunities available by visiting www.stratanetworks.com/golf. Those interested in signing up a team can register online or by calling (435) 622-5007. For more information, contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

Due to the many questions that STRATA has received regarding Verizon’s recent decision to disconnect customers who have excessive data usage outside of the Verizon network, STRATA is issuing this formal public statement:

While STRATA does have a partnership with Verizon, we have had no direct role in Verizon’s decision to terminate its customers in our area. Verizon’s decision to terminate high data usage customers is nationwide and affecting wireless subscribers in many parts of the country. We cannot speak on behalf of Verizon but can say that STRATA’s agreement with Verizon, including the fees that Verizon is charged to use STRATA’s network, have not been altered in an effort to gain customers. Actually, wholesale rates paid by the likes of Verizon to STRATA have done nothing but decline for several years now.

Many have expressed the desire for an unlimited data plan offered by STRATA. Ironically, the largest obstruction to STRATA’s offering an unlimited data option lies in the wholesale data fees which STRATA is required to pay other carriers to access their networks. STRATA is working strategically to put in place technologies and agreements that will eliminate some of these barriers and improve STRATA’s data plan offerings.

Many assumptions have been made and we hope that Uintah Basin residents understand that STRATA, as a locally owned cooperative, has nothing but good intentions for our customers and our community. We hope that those who have been affected by Verizon’s decision feel that they have a reliable wireless option in their local provider.

We invite anyone who has questions to contact us directly at (435) 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

Registration is open for the Uintah Basin’s very first Overwatch tournament, brought to you by the STRATA Gaming Series. The tournament is scheduled for August 19th at the Uintah Conference Center and will have teams of six competing to win a $1,000 grand prize.

Gameplay will kick off at 10:00 AM and will follow a double-elimination format with cash prizes awarded to first, second, and third place teams. Tournament matches will be played on the PlayStation 4 gaming console but players will have the option to use their personal Xbox One controller if they prefer. Online registration is open at stratanetworks.com/gaming and is limited to 32 six-player teams so those interested in getting a spot are encouraged to sign up soon.

In addition to the main event, which spectators are welcome to view, there will be several activities open to the public and free to participate in, including the new Nintendo Switch and the latest in virtual reality. The final matches will be broadcast live on VTV Channel 6 and on Twitch for viewers at home.

The Overwatch tournament is the second gaming event hosted by the STRATA Gaming Series. Last August, their inaugural tournament was held, featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The event attracted an estimated 400 people of all ages who shared a passion for gaming and technology.

Details on the gaming tournament can be found on STRATA’s website or on their Facebook page: STRATA Gaming Series.

Another STRATA event taking place this month is the STRATA Roosevelt Invitational. The Pro-Am golf tournament is scheduled for August 18-19. For more information, contact the Roosevelt Golf Course at 722-9644.

STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA NETWORKS held its 64th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 22nd at the Roosevelt Jr. High School where an estimated one thousand community members attended.

Elections were held for board positions in the Duchesne, Flattop, Fruitland, and Lapoint districts. Running unopposed for director positions were Rick Coil (Duchesne District), Kent Peatross (Fruitland District), and Aaron Reary (Lapoint District). Winning the election for the director position from the Flattop District was Dana Shepard, defeating Incumbent Dean Brough. Elected directors will serve a three-year term.

Prior to the meeting, STRATA members enjoyed a barbeque dinner, participated in a virtual reality booth, and learned about the latest developments in technology. STRATA employees presented on simple tips to help consumers get the most out of their technology experiences. Topics included cybersecurity, backing up your mobile device, understanding the cloud, and bandwidth.

Members who attended were given a Roku Express for their annual member gift, allowing them to stream online videos and music directly to their TVs. Along with this, VTV6 introduced their own Roku channel which features exclusive local content including high school athletic games and community events. The channel is available for free and downloading is simple – visit stratanetworks.com/roku for steps to add VTV’s channel.

During the business meeting, cooperative members heard reports from Board President Kent Peatross, Board Secretary/Treasurer Dean Brough, and CEO/General Manager Bruce H. Todd.

Secretary/Treasurer Dean Brough gave a financial report stating that STRATA has had another great year with the financial condition of the cooperative continuing to be strong. The company reached a key milestone in 2016, reaching $100 million in assets.

President Kent Peatross reflected back on the history of STRATA and the growth the company has seen as technology has evolved. “It’s been the effort of a lot of wonderful and dedicated employees who have led us to where we are today,” said Peatross.

CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd addressed those in attendance about the efforts that STRATA is making to grow and diversify its services, stating that there were an additional 189 miles of fiber installed in 2016, with over 4,000 customers now connected to fiber.

He emphasized the company’s dedication to meeting customer needs, encouraging the public to communicate and stay up to date with STRATA’s services by following them on social media platforms, reading news articles posted on the company website, and by reaching out to employees. Along with this, Manager Todd urged customers to take advantage of STRATA’s 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) which provides technical support and network monitoring for customers. NOC Supervisor Jeff Marett touched on the advantages of having the NOC available around-the-clock and invited customers to reach out to them whenever experiencing service issues.

Following Manager Todd’s report, STRATA presented a $25,000 donation to Keeping Love in Communities (KLiC) as a result of their spring Charity Golf Classic held in May. Twenty thousand dollars was raised at the Charity Golf Classic and the additional $5,000 was awarded as part of CoBank’s Sharing Success program. Since its inception 16 years ago, the golf tournaments have raised over $140,000 to help charitable organizations throughout the Uintah Basin.

The presentations from STRATA’s Annual Meeting will be accessible through their social media platforms for later viewing. The cooperative welcomes any questions regarding the meeting’s reports and encourages members to call (435) 622-5007.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

The plain, nondescript building STRATA Networks is now occupying in Vernal gives no indication of the amount of cutting edge technology that is housed inside it. Strata’s new data center is ready to help people and businesses in the Basin get access to the cloud.

STRATA Network Operations Manager Brent Simmons said this state-of-the-art facility is designed to help people and businesses from anywhere in the world, while still maintaining that small town feel.

“The data center is the cloud for the internet. This is where the internet functions. When you store data, or access the internet, it’s stored in the cloud,” Simmons said. “This is Strata’s internet cloud. It’s our system to join ourselves to the bigger cloud.”

The building is accessible by using special key cards. But getting through the front door is just the first layer of security Strata has built into the building. To access the computer room where all the equipment will be stored, there are two more secured doors that require the right key card and the customer’s biometric data before anyone will be allowed entry.

The computer room is visible from the lobby area, but until you set foot into this climate controlled space, you don’t realize the thoughtful planning that has gone into it. Humidifiers keep the space at 40 percent humidity, which Simmons said is optimal to keep static electricity down. The room is also kept cool to compensate for the heat produced from the machines. It’s a delicate balance that has to be meticulously maintained.

“We designed this space with several purposes in mind. We wanted to be able to create a space where a business could move their data infrastructure into a secure, redundant space instead of investing the capital in building small server rooms or get them out of the small closet or under desks in the office,” Simmons said.

Right now, the room houses two pod systems, one which Strata will use to maintain their network and the other that will be available for businesses to purchase space.

“There is a lot of talk about moving to the cloud or being in the cloud. On top of that we also wanted to provide a space for our own managed services,” Simmons said. “If you’re a customer that wants to manage your own gear, we have a space for it. If you’re a customer that wants to turn over and let us manage the services, we have a space for that as well.”

The building is staffed 24/7/365 which makes it easy for IT professionals to get to their company’s equipment at any time. Simmons said they also designed a comfortable lounge area where IT techs can work or relax while they are at the data center. It’s another personal touch that Simmons said makes Strata’s data center unique.

“Part of our mission is to develop talent and services here in the Basin. Diversification is one thing we had in mind when we built this,” Simmons said. “We hope to be able to attract some talented people to come work in this space. We intend to market this service to customers outside of the Basin as well. It’s about helping the community and the economics of the community as well."

Source: Brenda Fisher, UB Media

Congress’s recent decision to repeal the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s previously proposed internet privacy rules has raised questions for some internet users concerned that their personal information will be shared by their internet service provider. STRATA Networks reassures its customers that they are not at increased risk. The vote to repeal the privacy rules will not create any major change, says STRATA. The FCC’s proposed rules were not yet in effect before being revoked so, in reality, internet users are no less protected now than they were before.

Passed by the FCC in October, the regulations would have placed restrictions on how internet providers use consumer data. But, ironically, the same regulations would not have been applied to platforms like Google & Facebook who have access to as much, if not more, customer information.

STRATA assures customers that they have no intention of distributing private customer information and they remain committed to protecting their customers’ privacy. Nearly two years ago, the FCC issued an advisory to telecommunications providers like STRATA directing them to abide by “core customer privacy protections.” This guidance remains in effect today and was not affected by the recent repeal.

“It is important to us that our customers know that recent action by our government did not reduce or eliminate measures in place to protect the privacy of customer information,” STRATA Networks CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd said. “STRATA is working with our industry partners to ensure that the best practices are created to guarantee the protection of consumer data, and, as a local company with a strong commitment to our communities, we have a vested interest in seeing that those protections are followed.”

For more information, contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007.

About STRATA NETWORKS: STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks is excited to announce that the proceeds from their 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic will be donated to KLiC (Keeping Love in Communities). The tournaments will take place on May 12th at the Roosevelt City Golf Course & May 19th at the Vernal Dinaland Golf Course.

Both tournaments will consist of a morning & afternoon flight and will follow a shotgun start, four-person scramble format. Golfers in both flights will be treated to a barbecue lunch, free range, and gift vouchers for free gear. There will also be opportunities to participate in a mobile silent auction & raffle, hole-in-one contests, and other activities throughout the course. STRATA’s tournament is one of the first local tournaments of the season and spots fill up quickly each year. Those interested in signing up can register a team online at www.stratanetworks.com/golf or by calling 622-5007.

Over the past 16 years, more than $120,000 has been raised at STRATA’s Charity Golf Classics - all of which has stayed local, supporting non-profit organizations right here in the Uintah Basin. In past years, proceeds have been donated to local entities including Victims Advocacy Groups, Search & Rescue Squads, local food pantries, and childhood & youth educational programs. This year, STRATA is looking forward to supporting KLiC, a very valuable resource in the Uintah Basin.

KLiC helps individuals in the Uintah Basin who are fighting cancer by providing supplemental assistance including gas vouchers for travel to treatments or doctor appointments, overnight accommodation for treatments, and gift cards for groceries or household utilities. The organization has been supporting the Uintah Basin since 2010 and is made up of 100% volunteers, relying fully on fundraising & community donations. The public can learn more about KLiC by finding them on Facebook or calling 401-2445.

The contributions made through STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic would not be possible without the generous support of community sponsors. STRATA invites you to learn more about the different sponsorship opportunities available by visiting www.stratanetworks.com/golf.

For more information, contact Tyler Rasmussen at (435) 622-5007.

About STRATA NETWORKS: STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks recently announced that they are now offering internet speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second, becoming the first and only internet provider offering Gigabit service to the Uintah Basin over a fiber optic network. Fiber optic infrastructure provides virtually unlimited bandwidth potential and infinite possibilities for future internet applications. With speeds of 1,000 Mbps, Gigabit internet allows customers to almost instantly access all of their favorite online content on multiple devices, without sacrificing speed or connectivity.

“This is a big development for the Uintah Basin,” Bruce Todd, STRATA’s CEO/General Manager, said. “It adds another quality-of-life factor that will help our rural community stay connected to the rest of the world. The possibilities that can come from this are limitless – it has the potential to drive economic growth, increase productivity for local businesses, and to ensure our technology readiness long into the future.”

Irene Hansen, Director of Duchesne County Economic Development, says that this announcement is coming at a crucial time for the Uintah Basin, as businesses work tirelessly to diversify their revenue streams.

“The Uintah Basin currently finds itself in a changing economic landscape and many leaders are searching for good news and a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Hansen. “STRATA Networks is offering not just that, but an opportunity that will revolutionize the way business is done. We look forward to a major shift to a dynamic, technology-driven future where residents can pursue careers and opportunities in a global marketplace.”

Gigabit speeds are delivered across STRATA’s fiber optic network, which is the most advanced broadband technology available. This technology has been in the Basin for years; however, in recent months, the cooperative has increased their efforts to expand their network to more Uintah Basin residents.

Currently, there are over 3,500 locations in the Uintah Basin connected to fiber and STRATA anticipates another 500 will be connected by the end of 2017. Those interested in finding out if fiber is available in their area are encouraged to call (435) 622-5007 or visit one of STRATA’s store locations.

Customers in fiber areas can sign up for STRATA’s Gig package for as low as $79.99 per month, when taken with STRATA’s landline phone service.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

About STRATA NETWORKS: STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks is now accepting applications for scholarships and other youth programs. The cooperative will be awarding several scholarships this year to students whose parents or guardians are members of STRATA in good standing. The recipients of these scholarships can be either graduating seniors or nontraditional students wishing to return to higher education. The company encourages those interested in applying to learn more about which scholarships they qualify for by visiting their website.

In addition to providing scholarships, STRATA also offers opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through participating in the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Youth Tour and URECA Youth Leadership Challenge.

Foundation for Rural Services Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

This spring, up to six high school students, ages 16-17, will be sponsored by STRATA to attend the Foundation for Rural (FRS) Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. The tour is an all-expense-paid educational trip that brings together high school students from across rural America to explore the nation’s capital and learn what is being done to support rural communities. While there, students will visit some of the most historical sites in the nation, attend meetings with members of congress, and learn about the telecommunications industry.

To be eligible to apply for the FRS Youth Tour, students must be age 16 or 17 at the time of this year’s tour: June 3-7, 2017.

URECA Michael F. Peterson Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College

STRATA will also sponsor a group of high school juniors to attend the annual URECA Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College the week of July 10-14, 2017. URECA Challenge week is full of opportunities to develop leadership skills, build self-esteem, and make new friends from other schools, while also learning about how cooperatives, like STRATA, function.

Applications for all of STRATA’s youth programs can be found online at stratanetworks.com/youthopportunities, or picked up from a STRATA location in Roosevelt or Vernal. Applications must be submitted to STRATA’s main office no later than March 3, 2017.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at 622-5007, or email trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

About STRATA NETWORKS: STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

The Utah Education and Telehealth Network and Strata Networks plan to bring fiber-optic internet service to Daggett County by spring 2019, greatly improving the speed of service to the area. For now, plans include service to Manila High School, Flaming Gorge Elementary in Dutch John and Uintah Basin Medical Center's Manila Clinic. Service may also extend to area cell towers, an electrical substation near the Flaming Gorge dam and to UDOT cameras along U.S. routes 44 or 191.

"We're really just trying to get faster fiber-based internet to the schools," UETN Associate Director Dennis Sampson said.

The project is budgeted at $3.3 million.

UETN, which provides internet and communication infrastructure for Utah's schools, secured 80 percent of the project's funding - $2.64 million - through E-Rate, the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund.

The Universal Service Fund comes from fees the U.S. government charges telecommunications companies with the goal of funding universal access to telecommunications. The fees are often passed onto consumers, appearing as a "universal service fee" on bills.

UDOT will provide $500,000 and UETN will provide $160,000.

Although the current project will not provide residential or commercial fiber optic service, Sampson said Strata may choose to do so on its own.

"Strata obviously has some business interests," Sampson said. "They're doing the project."

Strata Marketing/Public Relations Manager Tyler Rasmussen wrote in an email that service could be connected to local internet providers in Daggett County.

"Strata will not be providing fiber service to residents as part of this project," Rasmussen wrote. "The fiber service will be delivered to the two previously mentioned schools, according to the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) contract, and may be delivered to the other locations/organizations according to future needs and discussions."

In addition to benefiting education and healthcare, Sampson said that UETN and Daggett County leaders hoped the project would also improve the area's economy.

"Our intent is also to help the economic development, as well," Sampson said.

Daggett County Commissioner Jack Lytle said he was glad the service would extend to the county.

"We look at it as an economic development project," Lytle said. "It'll be a great opportunity for the county."

Cable for the project will be laid from Vernal to Daggett County adjacent to U.S. Route 191. Once in Daggett County, the cables will be routed along both U.S. Route 44 and U.S. Route 191 to reach Manila and Dutch John, respectively.

Source: Joshua Murdock, Uintah Basin Standard

STRATA Networks will host the Uintah Basin’s very first Black Ops III video game tournament on August 20, 2016 at the Uintah Conference Center in Vernal. The winning team will be awarded a $1,000 grand prize, and 2nd and 3rd place teams will also win cash prizes. Gameplay is set to begin at 10:00 AM, with the final matches broadcast on VTV Channel 6 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Tournament matches will be played on the PlayStation 4 gaming console and the event will follow a double-elimination format. Online registration is now open at www.stratanetworks.com, and will be limited to 32 four-player teams.

In addition to the main event, which spectators are welcome to view, there will be several activities that are open to the public and free to participate in. Activities include Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii U, and the chance to experience the latest in consumer virtual reality technology.

Gaming has long been a driver of technological development and STRATA Networks provides many of the services that modern gamers need. Fiber optic internet delivers low latency gameplay, and there are a variety of smartphones available to play the latest mobile games, like Pokémon Go.

“We hope to engage with a younger, tech savvy audience with this event and to demonstrate a dedication to serving their telecommunication and broadband internet needs,” Bruce Todd, General Manager of STRATA Networks, said.

More information, as well as official tournament rules, can be found on STRATA’s website or on their Facebook page: STRATA Gaming Series.

STRATA NETWORKS held its 63rd Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 16, at the Roosevelt Jr. High School. STRATA members and customers enjoyed a barbeque dinner, saw demonstrations of new developments in technology, and attended a business meeting held afterward.

Elections were held for board positions in the Randlett, Tabiona, and Vernal districts. Running unopposed for the position of director from the Randlett District was JoAnn Winn. Running unopposed for the position of director from the Vernal District was Kelly Dastrup. Winning the election for the position of director from the Tabiona District was Max Fabrizio, defeating candidate Guy Taylor Jr. Elected directors will serve a three-year term.

Cooperative members heard reports from Board President Ashley Shiner, Board Secretary/Treasurer Aaron Reary, and CEO/General Manager Bruce H. Todd.

Secretary/Treasurer Aaron Reary gave a financial report, and told members that although the effects of the suffering economy within the Uintah Basin have impacted STRATA, the cooperative continues to be profitable.

President Ashley Shiner reported that STRATA Networks has had another great year with the financial condition of the cooperative continuing to be strong. Shiner emphasized that STRATA is a cooperative, and was originally formed as a non-profit organization. “We have a strategic plan, and we have a budget,” Shiner said. “We review them annually, and we adhere to them. We work to accomplish both.”

CEO/General Manager Bruce Todd addressed customers and members who attended the meeting about the push/pull effect of the telecom industry drivers.

“There are forces that pull and push the industry of which Strata Networks is part of,” said Todd. He told members that the customer and technology are the pulling forces that drive the company. “A dynamic of the industry is knowing what the customer demand is, and then providing the technology to meet their wants.”

The regulatory/economic models and governing structure are the push of the telecommunications industry. On March 30, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided a transformational order. The greatest impact of that order is the inclusion of broadband as a Universal Service. Based on this new FCC order, the Board and management will be forced to choose between existing regulatory rules or to transition to a new model referred to as the Alternative Connect America Model.

Of special interest to members of the cooperative, Manager Todd addressed the cooperative’s revenues. He said that in 1994 the cooperative had under $10 million in operating revenues. For the year ended 2015, STRATA reports over $63 million in operating revenues. Following up on that statement, Manager Todd highlighted two items of importance regarding the cooperatives financial strength. The first was that since 1992, total subsidiary earnings exceed $12 million. Second, is that retained earnings of the cooperative and its subsidiary operations amount to over $44 million. He reported that the cooperative has operated so well financially that this year for the first time ever the Board authorized patronage of $1 million to members of the cooperative.

Manager Todd closed with a quote, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now” (Old Proverb). He stated that the board foresaw the future, and helped STRATA become diversified for the future. He restated the meaning of the company name, STRATA Networks, by saying, “We have built layer upon layer, forming a rock solid foundation of the latest technologies.”

Following Manager Todd’s report, UBAOG representatives were presented a $20,000 check from Golf Committee Chairman Tyler Rasmussen. This money was raised at this year’s Charity Golf Classic to benefit local food pantries. Since its inception 15 years ago, the golf tournaments have raised $124,000 to help charitable organizations throughout the Uintah Basin.

The cooperative welcomes any questions regarding the meeting’s reports and encourages members to call (435) 622-5007.

For more information, please contact Tyler Rasmussen at trasmussen@stratanetworks.com.

About STRATA NETWORKS: STRATA NETWORKS is the leading telecommunications provider in the Uintah Basin, providing advanced voice, broadband, television, and nationwide wireless services. The company is headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah with a coverage area extending in to a tri-state region, serving over 60,000 customers. STRATA celebrates over 60 years of technology expertise, exceptional customer relations, and a devout corporate social responsibility to its community. The company functions as a local cooperative, in which customers can also become member owners of the company who may receive patronage dividends and participate in company voting processes. More information is available at www.stratanetworks.com.

STRATA Networks will host its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic on May 13th at the Roosevelt City Golf Course & May 20th at the Vernal Dinaland Golf Course, with proceeds benefitting local food pantries. Each tournament will have a morning and afternoon flight and will follow a four-person scramble format. 

Breakfast will be available at the course each morning, followed by a shotgun start at 7:30 AM and 1 PM for afternoon flights. Golfers in both flights will enjoy a barbecue lunch, free range, the chance to participate in contests throughout the course, and a silent auction featuring exciting prizes. For many local area residents, the annual event has become a tradition and a great opportunity to spend a day on the green while supporting a local cause. 

Over the past 15 years, STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic has raised over $100,000 that has directly benefitted local entities including Search & Rescue, KLiC, the Family Support Center, and childhood & youth educational programs. STRATA is looking forward to this year’s proceeds supporting the Uintah Basin Association of Governments (UBAOG) & their food pantry services. 

UBAOG’s Food Pantry is a community resource that provides free groceries to low-income families who might otherwise go without. In recent months, the organization has seen a significant increase in households and individuals utilizing their services due to the economic downturn. The funds raised from STRATA’s Charity Golf Classic will be used to purchase meat, dairy, & personal hygiene products which are some of their greatest needs. Funds will also be used to provide families with holiday boxes in November and December. 

Several sponsorship opportunities are available and donations are welcomed and appreciated. To help sponsor the event or to register a team, please call 622-5007, email golf@stratanetworks.com, or visit www.stratanetworks.com/Community to download a registration form.

On Tuesday, February 16, VTV Channel 6 will celebrate the opening of its new building at 2276 W Hwy 40 in Vernal, which houses a brand new, cutting-edge television studio. The community is invited to share in the celebration & tour the facility at a public open house from 1 to 4 PM. Those who attend will get the opportunity to see what takes place behind the cameras, meet the VTV staff, and enjoy light refreshments.

VTV Channel 6 provides local video content & production services to the Uintah Basin, as well as commercial advertising solutions. The new building, which includes an 1100-square-foot television studio, state-of-the-art editing equipment, and green screen capabilities, will bring greater opportunities for the company to enhance their services, said VTV.

The studio shares an adjoining building with VTV’s parent company, STRATA Networks. The space occupied by STRATA contains primarily inventory storage and office spaces for STRATA personnel, including sales, construction, and technical support staff, to better serve customers in the Vernal area. STRATA product and services will not be sold out of this location. STRATA customers are encouraged to continue visiting STRATA’s recently expanded store located in the Vernal Towne shopping center next to Dickey’s and Sally’s Beauty Supply.

Uintah Basin high school students can now apply for STRATA’s scholarships and youth programs. Graduating seniors, whose parents are members of the cooperative, can apply for a variety of scholarships, which include seven $2,500 scholarships and three renewable scholarships for up to $10,000 each. There are also scholarship opportunities available for nontraditional students wishing to pursue higher education at local institutions in the Uintah Basin.  In addition to providing nearly $50,000 in scholarships, STRATA will also offer leadership and educational opportunities for high school students who are dependents of STRATA members in good standing: 

FRS Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

This spring, six high school students, ages 16-17, will be selected to attend the Foundation for Rural (FRS) Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. The FRS Youth Tour is an all-expense-paid educational trip for high school students to Washington, D.C., The tour brings over 100 high school students from across rural America together for an educational and exciting experience as they tour the nation’s capital. While there, students get to explore some of the most historical sites in the nation, while learning about rural telecommunications by attending meetings with industry leaders and members of congress. This year’s tour is scheduled for June 4-8, 2016.

Union High School Senior Kyle Hanke attended the 2015 FRS Youth Tour and said that his experience in Washington, D.C. was a great opportunity. “My experience was incredible; once-in-a-lifetime,” said Hanke. “I learned that the FRS is representing companies like STRATA in helping them communicate to the FCC what our needs are and letting us have a voice in America.” 

To be eligible to apply for the FRS Youth Tour, students must be age 16 or 17 at the time of the tour.

UREA Youth Leadership Challenge at Snow College

A group of high school juniors will also be sponsored to attend the annual UREA Youth Leadership Challenge, at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, the week of July 18-22, 2016. UREA Challenge week is full of opportunities to develop leadership skills, build self-esteem, and make new friends from other schools, while also learning about how a cooperative, like STRATA, functions.

“UREA brings youth from all over the state and we come together, we interact, we learn, we develop leadership skills,” said Connor Snow, a 2015 UREA Youth Leadership participant. “I think that the best way to learn is if you’re actually enjoying it. And I think UREA was the epitome of that. We learned things because we were enjoying our time there.”

Applications for scholarships and youth programs can be picked up from STRATA Networks’ locations in Roosevelt or Vernal or downloaded online at www.stratanetworks.com/youthopportunities. Applications must be submitted to STRATA’s main office no later than March 4, 2016.