In an effort to increase Internet services, the small South
Dakota town of Kennebec has been offering several computer and broadband
training classes for their community members. With local advertising and word
of mouth by community members, the classes have been well attended.
When Kennebec Telephone Company, Inc. polled their land-line
phone customers and asked why they did not have Internet service, the two
biggest reasons were: "I do not have a computer." and "I do not
know how to use a computer." The
company then came up with an educational program to increase Internet service
adoption that involved obtaining donated computers from the local school
district and offering training courses.
"The Lyman County school district donated computers to
individuals that met training requirements," stated Jason Thiry, marketing
manager for the Kennebec Telephone Company, Inc. "In order to receive the
computers, attendees were required to complete training classes on basic computer
operations, email standards along with web surfing practices and Internet
safety tips. They were also required to sign up for or prove that they had
broadband service."
Additional and advanced training classes will be offered in
the future. For information or to learn more, please check out the Kennebec Telephone Company, Inc. website.
For more information on other broadband expansion efforts in
South Dakota and to find out how you can get involved at the community level,
please visit the South Dakota Broadband Initiative and connect with us on:
- Twitter @broadbandsd
- Facebook at facebook.com/BroadbandSD
- YouTube at youtube.com/broadbandsd