October 2021

		As the leaves begin turn on another season, the feeling of Fall is definitely in the air. Our team has been extremely busy continuing to evolve our network. Every day, we are building more fiber in our communities and converting additional customers to high-speed fiber-optics. To date, we have now converted more than 5,600 customers to fiber. While we are converting customers at a record pace, our work is by no means complete. As you know, building a fiber-to-the-home network in rural areas is extremely expensive, and takes time to engineer, construct and build. Each year, we are spending millions of dollars to continue to build fiber-optics to our customers. We are also actively seeking broadband grant funding from the Federal programs as well as the State of Vermont that would complement our own investments and help to accelerate our fiber builds in 2022. All of us at Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom are committed to serve you and are here assist you with whatever you need. I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and everything Vermont has to offer. Sincerely, Eric Haskin President and CEO Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing For Local Calls Becomes Effective on October 24, 2021 Effective October 24, 2021, callers in Vermont, and most other states, must use the area code in making any call. This means, that you will need to dial 802 for all calls in Vermont, even for local ones. This is part of an upgrade to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On July 16, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting July 16, 2022. To facilitate implementation, area codes across the country, including Vermont, where 988 is a working prefix must transition to 10-digit local dialing. Once complete, 988 will operate in the same manner as 911 (Emergency Services) and 211 (Community Help Services). The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to this dialing change. However, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit number (see below for more information). What will be the new dialing procedure? To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial 802 + telephone number or 1 + 802 + telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with seven digits. When will the dialing change begin? Beginning October 24, 2021, you must dial the 802 + telephone number (or 1 + 802 + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the 802 area code and the 7-digit number. Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. What will you need to do? In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit (or 1+10-digit) numbers, including the area code. Some examples are: life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm systems, other security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included. What will remain the same? Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change. The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to this dialing change. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed. You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long distance calls. You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 (emergency services) and 711 (relay services), as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 where those services are available in your community. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Will you be able to dial 988 without a prefix from a multi-line telephone system? No, you still will need to dial a prefix first when dialing 988 from a multi-line telephone system, where a prefix is required (for example, dialing 9 first from a hotel or office building multi-line telephone system). Can you still dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline? Yes, you can dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline now (wireless customers can dial 988 now too). Starting July 16, 2022, everyone can dial either 988 or 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline. Who may you contact with questions? For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department or click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page, or visit the FCC website at fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline. Sign-Up For Our "Let's Talk Wi-Fi – Tips, Tricks and Solutions" Webinar! We often don't think about the increasing number of devices that we are connecting to our Wi-Fi networks. Laptops, smart phones, tablets, gaming devices and smart TV's all connect to the Internet via your Wi-Fi network. What you think may be a speed issue, may actually be limitations in your Wi-Fi network. Laptops, smart phones, tablets, gaming devices and smart TV's all connect to the Internet simultaneously via your home's Wi-Fi network. What you think may be a speed issue, may actually be limitations in your Wi-Fi network. This webinar is designed to give you some great tips on making sure your Wi-Fi is working properly in your home. To RSVP for a webinar, click on the appropriate link below to indicate which webinar you would like to attend. Thursday, October 14, 2021 - 11:00 a.m. to Noon Tuesday, October 19, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. to Noon Thursday, October 21, 2021 – Noon to 1:00 p.m. Do You Need Assistance Paying Your Internet Bill? There are currently multiple programs available for households who may need assistance. Each program has its own criteria and some households may qualify for one or both programs, significantly reducing the cost of your monthly bill. 1. Vermont Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program The Temporary Broadband Subsidy is now open to Vermonters who qualify and may require assistance paying their monthly internet bill. This temporary relief program is managed by the State of Vermont and is open to award monthly "grants" or credits to your Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom bill to cover up to $40.00 per month on the Internet portion of your monthly bill. There is no guarantee that this program will continue after the December expiration date and the offer is only available while funds are available to cover these expenses For more information, program eligibility and to access the online application, visit the Vermont Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program website. 2. Emergency Broadband Benefit What is it? The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program is a new FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This temporary benefit will help families with challenges such as working from home, distance learning, telehealth services, or simply connecting digitally with loved ones. The EBB will provide a discount of up to $50.00 per month towards broadband service for eligible households. The benefit is limited to one monthly service discount per household. Who is eligible: A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: Qualifies for the Lifeline program; Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers' existing low-income or COVID-19 program. How to apply? For more information and to apply, visit www.wcvt.com/ebb or call 800.496.3391. Win Two Full Day Lift Tickets To Mad River Glen Each month, we raffle off a prize from a local business, so be sure to enter your name every month for your chance to win. This month we have are raffling off Two Full Day Unrestricted Lift Tickets courtesy of our good friends at Mad River Glen. To be entered into the raffle, simply click the link below and leave your name and contact information. The drawing will take place on Monday, October 18th. Click Here To Enter For Your Chance To Win Looking For A Better TV Experience? Try GMA Video Free For 30-Days! GMA Video is a fully-featured, streaming TV service that is a complete replacement for traditional cable or satellite television. With GMA Video, you still get all of your local channels and the option to choose packages with all of your favorite national sports and movie channels. Every GMA Video package also includes access to Cloud DVR so you can easily record your favorite programs. Once you subscribe, you simply download and install the GMA Video app on your favorite streaming device (we support Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and your favorite internet browser or mobile device). You'll also enjoy: FREE HD Channels, Cloud DVR, Restart TV, and Replay TV Your favorite local broadcast channels and cable networks Personalized viewing recommendations Easy self-installation and no contracts Packages starting as low as $37.25 Try GMA Video FREE for 30-Days! Call 802-496-3391 today to switch.

		Thanks For Visiting Us At The Bristol Harvest Festival Last Week Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit our booth at the Bristol Harvest Festival. It was beautiful day and another great year with Kris staffing our booth. We truly enjoy meeting our customers face-to-face and what better place than at a great community event such as the Harvest Festival. See you next year!

		East Charlotte Tractor Parade – Sunday, October 10th The 21st annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade will take place on Sunday, October 10th at 1:00 p.m. The parade celebrates the farming tradition and provides the opportunity for the community to share their love of tractors, both old and new. Mad Dash, Sunday, October 10th - Waitsfield The Mad Dash, is the Mad River Path’s biggest fundraising event and a fall favorite for hundreds of people! After going virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic, this event will mark the 25th anniversary Mad Dash in 2021! Community Weekend - Sugarbush, Saturday, October 9th– Sunday, October 10th – Lincoln Peak Village Community Weekend features our community partners US Forest Service, Friends of the Mad River, Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Adaptive and Mad River Valley Backcountry Coalition. Enjoy fun for the whole family with scenic lift rides, pumpkin carving, harvest-inspired dining, hiking, music and more! Scenic Lift Rides are free for all 2021-22 IKON and Sugarbush pass holders. Pumpkins In The Park, Saturday, October 30th - Waitsfield Bristol Recreation Department and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom present Pumpkins in the Park from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30th.  Come grab a free pumpkin and help decorate the Town Green for Halloween. Pumpkins provided by local farm, and carving tools and goodie bags will be provided by Bristol Recreation Department and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. New this year we will have Halloween Story Time by Marita from the Lawrence Memorial Library.

		Sheep Flow Like Water This aerial time-lapse footage captures a herd of more than 1,000 sheep as they move from one pasture to another.		Flashmob Performs "Do-Re-Mi" About 200 dancers surprised the train station crowd with a performance of the beloved song from The Sound of Music.

		Breast Cancer Resource October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This site shares life-saving information and offers ways to support women. Learn more...		Plan Your Next Trip It never hurts to dream, right? Take a journey through travel photos and articles that showcase the best destinations. Learn more...		Live Well and Eat Well If you want your home to be warm and welcoming, browse these inspiring ideas for home décor, gardening, and cooking. Learn more...

		7 Halloween Treats Your goblins will gobble up these jack-o'-lantern peppers, creepy crawly cupcakes, wicked witch hats, and more.		10 Easy Pasta Recipes After watching this video, we guarantee you'll be hungry for pasta. Fortunately, these dishes are easy to make.

		Make Leaf Lanterns All you need is wax paper, leaves, decorative tape, and votive candles to create glowing autumnal accents.		Pumpkin Carving Tips Get step-by-step instructions for creating jack-o'-lanterns that look great, last longer, and stay safe from burning.

Green Mountain Access Mechanicsville Rd Hinesburg, VT 05461 888-321-0815 (toll-free) 802-496-8598 (local) Click here to unsubscribe.

© 2021 Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc. Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.