September has been set aside to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.  With the recent flooding and Hurricane Earl approaching the east coast, the Red Cross is urging  people to take the time to make sure your family is prepared.  Three things recommended for you to do are  1) build an emergency preparedness kit  2) prepare a plan for your family to follow in an emergency situation and  3) be informed about the community resources available to you.  For more information on emergency preparedness visit the Red Cross.

Football season is right around the corner and expectations are high as the Hawkeyes finished last season with an 11–2 record and an Orange Bowl championship. Signup today for your chance to win Iowa football tickets all season long. GO HAWKS!

September 4 - Eastern Illinois
September 11 - Iowa State
September 25 - Ball State
October 2 - Penn State
October 23 - Wisconsin
October 30 - Michigan State
November 20 - Ohio State

No purchase necessary. Employees and employee family members of i wireless and its affiliates are NOT eligible to participate in this contest. Must be 18 or older to enter. One online entry per person. See store for details. Offer ends soon. © 2009 i wireless.

It’s back to school time!  Here are some sites that can help you with the transition. 

http://momshomeroom.msn.com/?topicId=T2&section=episode&dataId=1201207&source=search

http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/bts_main.htm

If you don’t have a high speed internet connection at home now might be a good time to check out VBT’s  Megaband service to give your kids the opportunity to research and do their homework at speeds up to 3 mbps.  Give us a call or stop by our office for more information. 

The Iowa Legislature recently passed a new anti-texting law.  The new law, which went into effect July 1st, bans all drivers from reading, writing or sending text messages or email while operating a motor vehicle. In addition novice drivers, mostly between the ages of 14-17, and drivers with a restricted license will be prohibited from using a cell phone at all while operating a motor vehicle. A person ticketed under the new law will face a minimum fine of $30 up to $1,000 for causing a serious accident, although there will be a grace period on the fine for the first year. The bottom line? Don’t text and drive! It’s not only dangerous, it’s the law!

Now Van Buren Wireless is offering a FREE Bumblebee Bluetooth Headset on a new activation on any phone.  Drive safe and keep your hands on the wheel.  Hear and steer and obey the law!!

If you have Bieber Fever, you can win TWO tickets to the SOLD OUT Justin Bieber Concert on July 2 at the i wireless Center.  

This contest is promoted on the iwireless website under Ringtones, Games, and More.    

 We are also promoting it on the WAP Deck on the handsets with a link and photo  that says “Win Tickets to See Justin Bieber!”

 It will also be featured on the i wireless Facebook page! 

Each time you downloads a Justin Bieber ringtone from the website or WAP deck, you are automatically entered for a chance to win 2 tickets! 

 The contest runs now through 11:59pm on 6/30/2010. 

 The following link takes you to the contest rules as well as the enter to win without purchase rules www.csky.com/bieber-rules .

This awesome opportunity for iwireless customers is provided by ClearSky.  

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a new broadband plan that may impact your service.  In the global economy, rural communities need access to quality, high-speed broadband for business, education, healthcare and public safety.  The FCC plan proposes speeds 25 times slower in rural areas than in urban areas. 

You deserve comparable speed at affordable prices.  Don’t let the FCC keep our rural community on the slow side of the digital divide. 

Contact you congressional representatives!  Urge them to support regulatory action that ensures equal access to broadband for all Americans.  Call us at VBT to learn more about this issue.

For more information access the FCC Broadband site.

View a video about the new broadband plan.

View May 3, 2010 article - Rural Associations Warn of Broadband Plan’s Low Speed Threshold

Flag Day in the United States is celebrated on June 14.  It was on this day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress signed a resolution to adopt of the flag of the United States.  It wasn’t until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day.  In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

Summertime means plenty of fun with outdoor activities.  It also poses more threats of injury and illness.  Take a summer safety quiz to test your knowledge.  Keep your family safe this summer by following these  tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  The American Red Cross helps us to  “do our part be water smart”.  The Skin Cancer Foundation gives us fun in the sun 101.  The American Kennel Association even has tips on how to protect man’s best friend during the heat of summer.  So get out there, get active and have a safe and healthy summer!!

If the Van Buren Telephone Company, Inc. does not resolve your complaint, the service may be subject to state regulation.  You may contact the Utilities Division, Department of Commerce, 350 Maple Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, or call (515) 281-3839 or toll free (877) 565-4450 or on the IUB website.

Summer is finally here! Unfortunately, this time of year also brings storms which mean you may have issues with your modem not linking to your server. One reason this occurs could be a bad surge protector which we look for on any connection related issue.  Click here for DSL Trouble Shooting details. 

Once we diagnose the modem is not getting a link, you power cycle it and check the physical connections. While the modem is powered down you should follow the phone cord from the back of the modem to wherever it is plugged in, be it a wall jack or a surge protector. If it is a surge protector we ask you to bypass that and plug it directly into the wall jack.

If it plugs directly into the wall and the modem still will not sync up, check the connections again, this time in reverse.  Start at the wall jack and trace the cord back to the modem to ensure nothing was overlooked. If you continue to have technical problems email netINS tech support at itchelp@netins.com, call them at 1-800-205-1110 or call VBT at 293-3187.