Mid-Rivers Mobile Open Internet Policy

Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Mid-Rivers), as a mobile Internet service provider, hereby discloses to the public the network management practices, performance characteristics, and terms and conditions of our broadband Internet services as required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Preserving the Open Internet” rule. To view Mid-Rivers’ Open Internet Policy for fixed broadband services, please visit http://www.midrivers.com/open-internet-policy.

Mid-Rivers does not currently employ any network management practices that would affect a customer’s Mobile Internet experience or ability to access any specific applications. Our mobile Internet offerings are not currently subject to any usage limits that result in blocked access or restricted speeds. Mid-Rivers does not block or rate-control traffic based on IP address source, IP address destination, protocol or packet content. Mid-Rivers’ mobile Internet customers are allowed to:

1. access the lawful Internet content of their choice,
2. run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement,
3. connect their choice of authorized legal devices that do not harm the network, and
4. access the network providers, application and service providers, and content providers of their choice.

Mid-Rivers utilizes reasonable network management practices to help ensure the security of our network for our Mobile Internet customers and other customers that may receive data from the end-users on our network. Examples of the network management activities that are employed by Mid-Rivers include:

1. detecting malicious Internet traffic to prevent the distribution of harmful viruses or content
2. preventing the delivery of SPAM to our customers’ accounts
3. preventing the sending of SPAM by our customers

Customers may choose to opt out of SPAM filtering services, and also have the option to adjust their individual SPAM filter settings. Customers have access to all filtered content through their emailGUARD Dashboard, which is accessible from the Mid-Rivers homepage and from emailGUARD Digest e-mail messages sent to each customer (unless the customer opts out of receiving these Digest messages). To learn more about our emailGUARD filtering service, customers may visit http://www.midrivers.com/about-email-guard/. 

Occasionally Mid-Rivers will receive a complaint that a Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet customer has a mobile device that is configured in such a way that other Internet users have noticed SPAM or other harmful network traffic coming from that device, or that the device is being used to access content illegally. Such reports will trigger a notification from Mid-Rivers to the end user customer, and we will work with that customer to resolve the potential security concerns.

Subscribers to Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet service, including subscribers to the Mid-Rivers Multimedia Plan which includes data access, and authorized roamers with authorized equipment configured to work with Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet technology can access Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet service.

Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet is a wireless data service that allows you to connect an authorized Internet-capable wireless device to the Internet. This service is available throughout the Mid-Rivers Wireless cellular home coverage area and operates under the Performance Characteristics described below. When a Mid-Rivers customer is roaming in areas of the U.S. served by our data roaming partner(s) outside of the Mid-Rivers home coverage area, wireless data service is available under the Performance Characteristics of the roaming carrier’s data network.

Mid-Rivers Mobile Internet provides “3G” connection speeds. This is a shared data service, so actual speeds will vary depending on signal strength, the customer’s location (distance from a tower/transmitter); mobility (whether the user is in a moving car, walking or sitting); and network traffic (the number of users at a given time). Speeds may also be dependent upon the capabilities of the end-user's specific equipment or device. Structural materials may also affect signal quality and data access and speeds. Where signal strength is not sufficient for 3G data speeds, customers may receive slower “1X” data speeds.
 

The Mid-Rivers 3G data network utilizes the CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A standard which will support a wide-variety of symmetric, delay-sensitive, real-time, and concurrent voice over IP (VoIP) and advanced broadband data applications. The suitability of “1X” data service for real-time applications is limited by the data speeds and latency of the 1XRTT network.

Mid-Rivers does not currently provide specialized services to end users over our mobile broadband connections that would impact the capacity available for, or the performance of, any end-user’s mobile broadband Internet access service.
 

*Actual speed and latency measurements last updated 3/1/2013. Mid-Rivers has developed and reviews on a regular basis a methodology for tracking the accuracy of the speed and latency information presented here. These procedures are consistent with standard industry practice, utilizing the same software and testing timeframes used by participants in the FCC’s broadband performance measurement project.

Pricing

Mid-Rivers Wireless standard monthly Mobile Internet rates for commercially available offerings are summarized in the table below.

 
**Rates listed do not include any promotional or other types of discounts that may be available. Additional In-Network data plans not listed may be available on an individual case basis depending on the customer’s data needs. Data overage charges on the In-Network Flexible Data Plans are billed at $9.99 per GB. The Nationwide Flexible Data plan allows customers to use data services while roaming outside of the Mid-Rivers home network and requires an accompanying In-Network Data Plan of at least 3GB of data. Customers exceeding the 250MB roaming data usage allowance on the Nationwide Flexible Data plan are billed $4.99 for each additional 50MB used while roaming during the billing cycle.  

Mid-Rivers Wireless customers are provided with “bill shock” notifications via email (if the subscriber has registered for an electronic bill or “eBill” account) or via text message to all phones on their wireless plan.  These notifications are sent weekly to subscribers that have reached 80% or more of their monthly data, messaging or voice usage allowance(s).  Subscribers are allowed to upgrade to a higher plan to avoid overage charges.  Early termination fees may apply for unfulfilled service commitments and/or for customers taking advantage of free or reduced-price equipment offers, as indicated in the customer’s Wireless Service Agreement.

Privacy Policies

While working with a customer to troubleshoot connection issues or other matters, Mid-Rivers may occasionally collect information on network traffic specific to that particular incident. This information is used only for network troubleshooting purposes, and only information on packet source, destination and port number is collected. Packet payload information (information other than the header information) is not examined in this process. This information is not stored by Mid-Rivers, provided to any third party, or utilized for any other purpose such as marketing.

Questions & Complaints

Mid-Rivers takes seriously and responds to all complaints about its subscribers' use of the Internet. This means complaints by both the Company's subscribers and complaints by other Internet users. The Company believes that its customers should be able to enjoy full use of the Internet without interference by persons who use the Internet in an improper or unlawful manner.

The Company will respond to any complaint from end-users and content or application providers, following the Complaint Response Procedures described below.

How to Submit a Complaint:
1. Form of Complaint

• Complaints may be submitted in any form: by e-mail (mrtc@midrivers.coop), fax (406-485-2924), or mail to PO Box 280, Circle, MT 59215.

2. What Information Should be Submitted

If you wish to register a network management complaint with our Customer Service department, you should submit the following information, preferably through an e-mail message submitted to mrtc@midrivers.coop:

• A detailed description of the activities involved
• The dates the activities took place, e.g., the date and time that a possible network management concern was observed

If you have any questions regarding this Mobile Open Internet Policy, please call Mid-Rivers at 1-800-452-2288.

For additional information on the terms, conditions, and online policies applicable to Mid-Rivers Internet customers, please review the Mid-Rivers Internet Service Agreement and the Mid-Rivers Internet Online Policies that can also be found on this website.