Does 911 really work as well from a cell phone as it does from a landline phone? Is it worth it to keep your landline for safety? You might be surprised by the results! An Iowa 911 dispatch runs a few test 911 calls from cell phones to see how accurately they can pinpoint your location in an emergency. If you care about your safety, this is a must watch!

i wireless has simplified their plans into THREE categories so you can easily choose the best features for you and your family. The first category of plans you can choose from is the MEGAtalk Pay-in-advance with no contract, credit check, deposit or bill.

You can choose from unlimited talk, unlimited talk & text or even unlimited talk, text & web for anywhere from 3 days to 60 days. It’s your call!

And, i wireless has even simplified it’s monthy billed plans into the new MEGAtalk monthly billed plans. Choose from either individual or family plans and then choose from:

• Unlimited or 1000 minutes of talk
• Unlimited or 1000 minutes of talk + unlimited text
• Unlimited or 1000 minutes of talk, +unlimited text + 250MB to 10 GB of data- your choice!

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll get the latest, greatest phones and amazing nationwide coverage and save a bundle over other cellular providers!

To check out ALL the new MEGAtalk plans, click HERE! When you’re ready to get YOUR Megatalk, stop by our office!

SecureIT 2011, Van Buren Telephone’s Internet protection service, was recently reviewed by research firms AV Test.org and AV Comparatives.org as outperforming leading security brands for protection from rising Internet security threats! So if you ever had any doubts that SecureIT was the best, and most affordable Internet security solution, now you can be sure!

Foundation for Rural Service Offers Job Opportunity for Rural Students

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining  and enhancing the quality of life throughout rural America by advancing an understanding of rural telecommunications issues, seeks applicants for its Summer Internship Program, which provides an educational opportunity and work experience for individuals who were raised in or currently reside in a rural community.

The Summer Intern will gain working knowledge of nonprofit business practices and FRS  programs as well as the rural telecommunications industry while working at the Foundation’s headquarters in suburban Washington, DC.    

The Internship is a 12-week summer program from May/June through August/September, with flexible start and end dates.

Additional information and a downloadable application are available on the FRS Web site.  Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2011.

  Winter presents many safety challenges­ with its cold and often stormy weather. Be prepared and follow some safety tips to keep your family safe and warm this season.  OSHA offers emergency preparedness advice.  The Iowa DOT 511 site gives valuable travel information.  Be safe out there!!

You have until January 31, 2011 to schedule installation of our Megaband high speed internet service and be eligible to receive a $100 credit on your Van Buren Telephone bill.  Combine Megaband and phone service with a ONE RATE package and you can save up to $20 a month.  Hurry in.  Offer ends January 31, 2011.

                                                   Van Buren Telephone Company and The Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association (RIITA ) are pleased to announce the availability of a $2,500 college scholarship to high school seniors or students currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning. The purpose of this support is to aid students from rural areas across Iowa with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

 To be eligible applicants must:

*Be a graduating high school senior or student currently enrolled in a two or four-year college/university or vocational technical school;

* Receive any local telecommunication service from a RIITA member and be from a rural area;

*Be accepted/or be enrolled by an accredited two or four-year college/university or vocational school;

*Have at least a C grade point average;

*Express an interest to live and work in a rural community following graduation; and

*Be sponsored by your local telecommunication service provider

Application deadline is March 15, 2011.  For an application and instructions go to http://www.riita.com/Portals/29/RIITA_Scholarship_2 or stop by the VBT business office in Keosauqua.

Good luck students!

Happy New Year from Van Buren Telephone Company, Inc. and Van Buren Wireless Inc.  We thank you for choosing VBT and VBW as your telecommunications providers and we look forward to serving you in 2011.  Have a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous year!!

All of us at Van Buren Telephone and Van Buren Wireless would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.  May you be blessed this holiday season.   We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued patronage.  Take a moment this holiday season to reflect on the past, relish the present, and remember all those that are serving our country and preserving the rights and values that we cherish today and for future generations.

The business office will be closed on Friday, December 24th and again on Friday, December 31st.  Happy Holidays!!

69 years ago on December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, killing more than 2,300 Americans. The U.S.S. Arizona was completely destroyed and the U.S.S. Oklahoma capsized.   The following day President Franklin Roosevelt, addressing a joint session of Congress, called December 7 “a date which will live in infamy.” Declaring war against Japan, Congress ushered the United States into World War II.