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Automatic Payment Plans
Four Easy Ways to Pay Your Bill!
Valley Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. is pleased to offer our customers – The Automatic Payment Plan. You can have your monthly billing statement paid automatically from your checking, savings, or credit card account. You will not have to change your present banking relationship to take advantage of this service and there is no charge for automatic payment.
The Automatic Payment Plan offers the following conveniences:
- It saves time – fewer checks to write, no more trips to the post office or Valley’s office.
- Helps you meet your commitments in a convenient and timely manner – even if you are on vacation or out of town.
- Saves postage.
This is how the Automatic Payment Plan works:
1. Valley Telecommunications Cooperative will print and send you a bill.
2. The bill you receive will have a printed message stating: “BANK DEDUCT – DO NOT PAY” or “CREDIT CARD PAYMENT – DO NOT PAY”.
3. The automatic deduction from your bank account will occur around the 15th of the same month that you have received the statement. If you choose credit card payment, you may choose to make your payment on the 5th, 10th, 15th, or 20th of the same month that you have received the statement. We accept Visa, Mastercard, & Discover.
4. The bill which you receive is for your information only so you can check the charges to determine if they are correct and also provides you with the amount that will be deducted from your bank account or billed to your credit card. This amount can be found on the line that states: Current Billing Amount.
5. If you have questions concerning the bill, please contact Valley’s business office at 437-2615 or 1-800-437-2615 for assistance.
6. If you call the business office and adjustment is allowed, the adjustment will be recorded and a deduction will appear on your next bill.
7. The Automatic Payment Plan will continue in effect until you notify the business office in writing that you wish to terminate the plan.
Valley also offers an online payment app called SmartHub which can be accessed from your computer, tablet, or mobile device. Visit www.valleytel.net and click the SmartHub link or search for SmartHub in the Google Play or iOS App Store.
If you wish to take advantage of Valleys Automatic Payment Plan, please download the Authorization Form HERE and return it to our business office at PO Box 7, Herreid, SD 57632-0007.
CPNI Customer Notification
Federal law allows us to use information from your current records to market and advise you of new products and service that may satisfy your communications needs, unless you notify us otherwise.
What is this Information?
This information is called Customer Proprietary Network Information or CPNI. CPNI includes things such as the type and quantity of the services you subscribe to, the equipment and facilities used to receive those services, as well as the telephone numbers, dates, times, and duration of the calls you place.
How can we use this information?
From time to time, Valley and its subsidiary, Valley Communications, may change our service offerings and make available new features or services that my enhance or improve the services to which you are already subscriber. Allowing us to use the CPNI in your account gives us the ability to give you more personalized service and offer you the products and services that best fit your needs. We DO NOT sell or in any way provide your account information to any other company. We do however, provide 911 location records, which we are required by law to provide if you are a telephone customer.
Who will be able to use this information?
ONLY Valley Telecommunications and its subsidiary, Valley Communications.
Will Valley protect my information?
YES! You have the right, and we have the duty, under federal law, to protect the confidentiality of this information. Therefore, regardless of whether you consent or not, to allow us to continue providing you with educational mailings, your account will be treated confidentially.
What do I need to do?
No action on your part is necessary unless you wish to restrict Valleys use of your CPNI information to contact you for the purpose of tailoring our service offerings to your individual needs.
Should you wish to restrict use of your CPNI, please call us at 437-2615 or toll free at 1-800-437-2615 or send an email to valley@valleytel.net with your request within 30 days of receipt of this notice.
Your decision on the use of CPNI by Valley and its subsidiary, will remain valid until you revoke or limit the approval or denial. This can be done at anytime by calling our business office at 437-2615.
Your denial of approval for Valley and is subsidiary to use your CPNI will not affect the quality of your service or have any effect on the products and services to which you currently subscribe. However, you may miss an opportunity to learn of new innovative products that could enhance your service.
New Customer Information
We would like to take this opportunity to WELCOME you to Valley Telecommunications Cooperative and explain several items about your new service.
First of all, telephone local service (as well as our other services) are billed one month in advance. If your telephone service is connected in the middle of the month, you will be billed by the day for the remainder of the month. Your first bill will then include charges for the partial month as well as charges for the next full month.
Monthly telephone statements are issued at the beginning of each month and are due by the 25th of the same month. If you have not received your statement within the first few days of the month, you must contact our business office to request a copy or view your bill online using SmartHub. We follow our collection policy very closely and encourage prompt payment to avoid negative effects on your account.
In order to simplify your payment process, we offer Automatic Bank Payment or Recurring Credit Card Payment at no additional charge. You may take advantage of either of these services by contacting our business office, or visit our website at www.valleytel.net and select SmartHub.
Valley also offers the Linebacker Maintenance Plan for telephone, Internet, and TV services. If you wish to subscribe to this plan, you may select it at the time you establish service.
If you use 900 Pay-Per-Call services, you have certain rights under the Federal Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act. They are as follows:
You have 60 days after receiving the bill to dispute 900 pay per call errors. While the errors are in review, you have the right to withhold payment for the disputed charges, and no collection activity will be brought against you for those charges. If the charges are found legitimate, the long distance carrier or information provider may start a collection process against your account.
Your local and/or long distance service cannot be disconnected if you fail to pay your 900 charges. If you do not pay legitimate 900 charges, the carrier ahs the right to block your 900 access. 900 Blocking is available upon request at no charge for 60 days from the time of telephone connection. A minimal one time charge applies after the 60 day grace period.
You should not be billed for pay-per-call services that do not comply with federal laws and regulations.
If you have any questions regarding your new service, please call our business office at 437-2615 or toll free from outside our service area 1-800-437-2615 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. After hours trouble may also be reported by calling the above number.
We WELCOME you as a new subscriber and look forward to providing all of your telecommunications needs!
South Dakota One Call
What is South Dakota One Call?
South Dakota One Call is a statewide system for excavators to notify utility companies of their intent to dig. This allows the utility company to properly mark the buried line so you can dig in a safe environment.
What does it cost to use the South Dakota One Call System?
There is no cost to callers for the use of the South Dakota One Call System. The System is supported by utility companies in South Dakota as a means to prevent damage to their buried lines.
How does the South Dakota One Call System work?
The System takes information from callers who are planning to dig, processes the information through a computer system and notifies utility companies that have buried line in proximity to the excavation site. After the utility companies are notified, they will determine the need to locate and mark their buried lines near the excavation site. the utility companies must mark their buried lines within 48 hours. You should not dig until the 48 hour time frame has elapsed. If a utility company has not responded to your request, plesae notify the South Dakota One Call Center.
Utility companies are required to only mark the buried lines that they own or operate. Privately owned utilities (e.g. power from the meter to the house, gas to a yard light, propane lines, etc) may be present in the excavation area and you are responsible for marking these buried lines or hiring a private firm to mark them. Many electricians or private locating companies will perform this service for a fee.
Who should call the South Dakota One Call System?
Anyone digging in South Dakota is required to call the South Dakota One Call System 48 hours prior to starting. The only exception would be when the homeowner is gardening at a depth less than 12 inches or when a farmer is tilling a field at a depth less than 18 inches.
The person doing the work is resopnsible for calling the South Dakota One Call System. If the homeowner or farmer is doing the excavation work, they are responsible for calling the South Dakota One Call System. If they have contracted with an excavator to do the digging (e.g. tree planting, backhoe excavation, auguring of post holes, etc.) then the excavator is responsible for calling the South Dakota One Call System. For insurance and liability purposes, it is imperative that the party doing the actual digging call the South Dakota One Call system.
What should be done before calling the South Dakota One Call System?
South Dakota One-Call Center answering attendants are on-duty 24 hours a day and are professionally trained to obtain specific information concerning dig notifications. To accomplish this, the answering attendants gather specific information which is entered into a computer and, subsequently transmitted to appropriate utility companies.
To insure that an accurate dig notification is completed, the order and type of the questions is preset. There is a definite reason for every question asked. A dig notification with accurate and specific information will assist the utility company in providing an accurate marking of the buried lines.
Dig notification processing is very easy if the caller is knowledgeable of the proposed excavation activity and prepared to answer all questions. A clear and complete knowledge of the excavation activity and the specific work site is required to process a dig notification.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY. The best way to prepare to make a call is to review the ticket format (for ticket format, click HERE). Copies of this form can be obtained from the SD One Call website at www.sdonecall.com.
Also, prior to calling, it is beneficial to mark the proposed dig site with white paint, stakes, or flags. This will assist the locator for the utility companies to amkre the specified area.
At the close of the call, a ticket number will be provided to you. This number is very important and should be kept until the work is completed. In case questions arise, the ticket number will serve as proof that the South Dakota One Call System was notified.
What happens after the call?
After the answering attendant completes the dig notification, the ticket is processed by the computer at the South Dakota One-Call Center. The computer will notifiy utility companies that are members of the South Dakota One-Call System who will mark the location of their buried lines. The South Dakota One-Call System is not responsible for the marking of any buried lines.
The utility company will review the information on the ticket to determine if they have a buried line in close proximity to the specific dig site. A decision will be made based on the ticket information whether to clear the ticket or to dispatch a field technician to mark the excavation site. When a ticket is dispatched, the marking and identification of buried lines will be in accordance with specific guidelines and color codes.
The marks will reflect the identity of the utility company so that you are knowledgeable and can make contact with them if a question exists.
What should be done after the area is marked?
After the buried lines have been marked and the 48 hours interval has elapsed, the digging can proceed. If digging is required within 18 inches on any makring, it should be performed with hand tools without damaging the buried line. You should never assume that the buried line is a specific depth as landscaping or toher environmental factors may have changed the original depth that the facility was placed. If damage does occur (even if only the facility covering is broken), you should notify the utility company or the South Dakota One Call Center. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A DAMAGED FACILITY.
Why should I call the South Dakota One Call System?
There are several reasons why you should call the South Dakota One Call System.
- Digging near buried lines is a significant safety factor to yourself, your family and all people in proximity to the excavation.
- Failure to notify the utility company could make you liable for all cost associated with repairing a damaged facility.
- Failure to notify the South Dakota One Call System could subject you to penalties associated with non-compliance with the statute and administrative rules.
This is a free service that allows you to conduct your excavation in a safe manner.
In Case of Emergency
In the event that you smell natural gas while digging, please call 911 and the utility company or the South Dakota One Call Center. If you do not have power, see a downed power line or any other situation that could cause imminent danger, please call 911 or the utility company.
What information will I need when I call South Dakota One Call?
Click here to find out.
More detailed operational information is available at www.sdonecall.com.
Telephone
Conference Calling User Guide
Click Here to download our Conference Calling User Guide.
Extended Area of Service
All calls placed between the following areas are proudly served by Valley Telecommunications and may be dialed as a local call
Extended area service (EAS) is part of your monthly telephone service. EAS provides you with toll free, local calling to a limited number communities other than the one in which you reside. A list of the EAS communities with the Valley calling areas are as follows:
- Eureka (284)
- Glenham (762)
- Herreid (437)
- Hosmer (283)
- Ipswich (426)
- Leola (439)
- LongLake (577)
- Mound City (955)
- Pollock (889)
The following exchanges have additional local calling areas:
Glenham (762) to:
- Mobridge (845)
- Selby (649)
- Wireless (848)
Mound City (955) to:
- Selby (649)
Ipswich (426) to:
- Roscoe (287)
Pollock (889) to:
- Hague, ND (336)
- Hull, ND (336)
- Strasburg, ND (336)
- Westfield, ND (336)
Lifeline Telephone Assistance Plan
Lifeline is a federal benefit that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.
If you qualify, your household can get Lifeline for phone or internet service, but not both.
- If you get Lifeline for phone service, you can get the benefit for one mobile phone or one home phone, but not both
- If you get Lifeline for internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone or your home connection, but not both.
- If you get Lifeline bundled phone and internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone bundled service or your home bundled service, but not both.
Your household cannot get Lifeline from more than one phone or internet company.
You will need to provide supporting documents to participate in this program. Please visit www.lifelinesupport.org to see the full list of accepted documents.
Download a Lifeline Application HERE.
Line Maintenance Plan
Insurance for Your Telephone Line
In order to provide you, the customer, with the best and most trouble-free service, Valley Telco offers a TOTAL MAINTENANCE PLAN. The TOTAL MAINTENANCE PLAN gives you full protection for your Telephone, Broadband Internet, and TV services.
Under the Total Maintenance Plan, a certified Valley Technician will visit your home to diagnose and repair any inside wiring that was installed by Valley Telecommunications, or is R.U.S. approved wiring. The cost of the diagnosis and repair for Valley installed inside wiring of your primary location is included in the low monthly maintenance fee.
If you subscribe to the Total Maintenance Plan and the trouble is not an inside wiring problem but related to your customer owned equipment (phones, fax machine, caller ID box, television, computer, etc.) or any other item plugged into a telephone/Broadband Internet/tv jack, we will disconnect the item to clear the line at no charge.
Total Maintenance Plan Exclusions:
- Rewiring after a home is destroyed or damaged by fire, water, lightning or other natural disaster.
- Repairs or maintenance of inside wiring resulting from damages caused by negligence or willful intent by the customer.
- Non-standard wiring and/or installation of wiring that does not meet industry standards or is not R.U.S. approved as determined by Valley’s trained technicians.
- Wiring that runs between or among separate out-buildings. The maintenance plan for out-building extensions may be purchased for an additional fee of $3.00 per month.
- Initial installation of service and the installation of new jacks, new wiring, or rewiring. The services will be performed as our regular installation and service rates.
Before calling the 24/7 Help Desk please check the following:
- Check all telephone cords that lead from the jack to the telephone base and from the telephone base to the handset to make sure that they are not loose or damaged.
- Make sure all telephones are hung up properly.
- Unplug each piece of equipment from the phone jack and the electrical outlet for 5 minutes. Plug in each piece of equipment, one at a time. Check for dial tone each time you add a piece of equipment to determine if the trouble occurs again.
For services not covered under a maintenance plan, our time and material repair rates for work performed are as follows:
Monday – Friday (8am – 5pm)
$75.00 per hour and in 15 minute increments (one technician and one vehicle)
Monday – Friday (5pm – 8am) Saturdays, Sundays, & Holidays
$90.00 per hour and in 15 minute increments (one technician and one vehicle)
Download the Total Maintaenance Plan form HERE.
National Do Not Call Registry
Click here to visit the National Do Not Call Registry
Relay South Dakota
What is Relay South Dakota?
Relay South Dakota provides telephone accessibility to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled. Relay South Dakota is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no restrictions on the length or number of calls placed. Relay South Dakota provides state-of-the-art technology; a full range of features and highly trained, professional Communication Assistances (CAs) to ensure that users are able to communicate easily and effectively – every time they place a relay call. All calls are strictly confidential and no records of any conversations will be maintained. Use Relay South Dakota when you need to be heard and be understood on the phone!
Whether you are using a standard telephone or a TTY, all you need to do is dial 711 to connect to Relay South Dakota. When you dial 711, you will be connected with a Communication Assistant (CA) who will help relay your phone conversation between a hearing caller and a deaf or hard of hearing caller. Be heard, be understood, try Relay South Dakota.
Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Helping South Dakotans get the specialized communications equipment they need.
The Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP) is designed to assist people who have difficulty communicating over the telephone because of hearing loss or speech disability. A variety of specialized telephone equipment is available to qualified residents of South Dakota at no additional cost.
Eligibility Requirements:
- South Dakota resident
- Difficulty communicating on the phone due to hearing loss or speech disability
- Existing phone service
Available features:
- Speakerphones with volume adjustment
- Volume amplifier up to 50+ decibels louder
- Larger and lighted dial buttons
- Visual ringer alert, adjustable loud ringer or vibration notifications
- Hearing aid compatible phones
- Tone control
- Text typing
- Volume output gain
- Programmable memory/speed dial keys
- Caller ID
- Large visual display
More details on phones and other available equipment is available at www.sdrelay.com/TEDP.
Application and Certification
To obtain an application and certification form, please contact the nearest agency or download the forms on www.sdrelay.com. Applicants will be contacted to confirm eligibility status and to schedule an equipment distribution and training date.
Serving Campbell, Edmunds, McPherson, and Walworth counties:
Aberdeen Branch of CSD
1707 4th Ave SE
Aberdeen SD 57407
Voice/TTY: 605.626.2668
Voice/TTY: 866.246.5759
Relay South Dakota and TEDP are funded through the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
Voice Mail Brochure and User Guide
Click HERE to download our brochure and user guide.
Internet
Internet Tools
- Check your IP address: Use this link to check what your public IP address is.
- SDN Communications Speed Test
What is the password criteria for my account?
Passwords are the keys you use to access personal information that youve stored on your computer and in your online accounts. If criminals or other malicious users steal this information, they can use your name to open new credit card accounts, apply for a mortgage, or pose as you in online transactions. In many cases, you might not notice these types of attacks until its too late. Easily guessed passwords are one of the most common methods used by cyber criminals to compromise accounts.
In order to further protect your Valley Internet account against increased incidents of identity theft, spammers, and website hackers, your internet password must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of 8 characters required
- Password may not be the same as the username
- Alphanumeric required (combination of letters & numbers)
- May include upper and/or lower case characters – a mix of both is a good security measure
- Excluded characters are single quote , double quote , asterisk *, and sign &, dollar sign $, at sign @, slashes / , dashes -, brackets { } [ ], and spaces
- Please avoid using common words that can be found in the dictionary and common strings of numbers such as 123456 or letters such as abcdefg
Industry Links
FCC Online Public File
