Sioux Falls, SD July 6, 2010 --- Midcontinent Communications has announced that it is upgrading its Basic Cable channel lineup (channels 23 - 99) to a digital signal in Huron, Miller, St. Lawrence, and Wolsey, South Dakota, beginning in November. Before the upgrade is complete, customers will need to connect older televisions (those that do not have internal digital tuners) to digital equipment from Midcontinent in order to view Basic Cable channels 23 and above after November 1, 2010.
Customers in the Huron area will receive a letter announcing the upgrade. Eligible customers have the option to receive up to two free Digital Adapters from Midcontinent (free of leasing charges). These adapters will need to be connected to any analog televisions that are not equipped to receive the digital signal.
“We are excited about these changes because they will help us bring new services to our customers and prepare us for future technology,” said Senior Vice President of Public Policy Tom Simmons. “By converting these channels to digital delivery, we will have more bandwidth available to add HD, a greater selection of On Demand programming, and faster Broadband speeds for all of customers. The Huron cluster is our first market for an initiative that will eventually touch all of our service areas throughout the Dakotas and Minnesota in 2010 and 2011. The choice of Huron first is appropriate since Midcontinent built its first cable system in Huron in 1967.”
According to Simmons, Limited Cable customers will not be affected by this change; channels 2-22 will still be available in analog after the upgrade. “Customers with the Classic and Basic tiers and other advanced packages may need to make adjustments if they have older sets that are not already connected to a digital device from Midcontinent,” he said.
If a customer decides to not to use their two free Digital Adapters, they will still be able to view the Limited channels after the upgrade is complete. Additional adapters may be leased from Midcontinent for $2/month or customers can choose a Digital/HD Receiver or a DVR which will provide more features such as access to On Demand programming, Digital Music, and the Interactive Program Guide.
“We are scheduled to start shipping the Digital Adapter kits to eligible customers in Huron, Miller, St. Lawrence, and Wolsey this month,” Simmons said. “The Digital Adapter is very small -- about 4x5 inches -- and can be easily attached to the back of the television, out of sight. We have put together basic self-installation instructions that are easy to understand and also have posted an installation tutorial video on our website. We don’t anticipate that many customers will want to schedule an install once they see how easy it is.”
Customers can visit a dedicated website at 123free.midcocomm.com or call to activate the Digital Adapter. If they need more than two adapters, they can order online, call Midcontinent, or visit a Customer Service Center.
Over the next few months, Midcontinent will hold local events to help customers understand what will happen with the upgrade. Customer service representatives will be available to demonstrate how to order, install, and activate the adapters. An informational video about the background and details of the overall plan for Midcontinent’s digital upgrade is available online at: midcocomm.com/pressroom/videolibrary/.
“Our goal is to give everyone enough time in the coming months to get through this process which, in the end, will result in even more advanced services for our customers,” Simmons said.
Additional resources:
View Midcontinent’s all-digital upgrade informational video at
midcocomm.com/pressroom/videolibrary/
View Informational Brochure (Applies to Huron markets only.)
