Viasat
Franklin REC's Viasat broadband internet service terminated Dec. 31, 2024.
Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative (Franklin REC) has proudly served as a satellite broadband provider for over 19 years. While Viasat internet service was originally designed to fulfill the needs of our rural community, accessibility to alternative internet services has increased in the last several years. During the April 2024 board meeting, Franklin REC’s Board of Directors voted to exit the Viasat business. While this has been a difficult decision, we believe it is in the best interest of Franklin REC and, more importantly, our subscribers.
In partnership with NRTC Rural Broadband, Franklin REC will automatically transition our existing subscribers to the rural-focused telecommunication cooperative beginning January 1, 2025, with zero interruption in your service.
If you are happy with your current Viasat service, you can continue with that as long as you’d like. Beginning January 1, 2025, your monthly bill will come from NRTC Rural Broadband. To ensure that your Viasat service is uninterrupted, please call NRTC Rural Broadband Account Services at 1-888-817-8902 and provide credit card information for billing purposes before Monday, December 30, 2024. NRTC Rural Broadband only bills via credit card. Beginning January 2025, you will receive an invoice via email on the 1st of each month and your credit card will be charged automatically between the 3rd and 5th of each month for that month’s service. If you have not provided your credit card by January 17, 2025, your service will be suspended until you provide NRTC Rural Broadband with your credit card information for payment.
For more information on NRTC Rural Broadband and Viasat service, please visit www.localexede.com.
Existing Customer FAQ's
How do I know how much data I'm using?
We encourage subscribers to monitor their usage by visiting http://wbfrec.ruralportal.net. This link allows users to change passwords, download pop-up blocking software, set auto-reply messages, and access the front page and e-mail accounts.
Subscribers receive courtesy e-mails notifying them when they have reached 70 percent of their usage level.
What happens if I exceed my data allowance?
Internet data will reset on the same day of each month. If a subscriber has used their data allowance before the monthly reset date, internet service will be slowed. If a subscriber determines they need more data than their current plan allows, they can contact the office and we can move them to a larger data plan. There is no charge to do this other than the charge for the larger plan. If a subscriber consistently does not use the data in their current plan, the same applies. With a call to the Franklin REC office, we can make the switch.
Service is set up with a “soft” data cap. This means that as the data plan limit is approached, speeds will begin to slow. Going over the data cap is allowed and subscribers will not be charged. But again, speeds may be noticeably slower.
NOTE: Certain times of the day when there is more “traffic” on the data beam, slower speeds may be experienced. With individuals working from home and children doing schoolwork remotely, there is more “traffic.” If you need to use the internet and find speeds to be lagging, working later into the evening or earlier in the morning may solve the issue.
Tech support
Tech support is available to all subscribers free of charge. By dialing 1-888-232-6130, subscribers will be put in contact with someone who can help with everything from troubleshooting to assistance with adding a new device. Tech support should be the first call when issues arise. Based on the troubleshooting done during this call, a technician may determine whether a service call is needed. If it is, subscribers may be charged for the service call and materials depending on the nature of the problem. Remember that weather can play a role in satellite internet service. If experiencing internet issues, please consider the weather. Snow, rain, sleet, fog, or heavy cloud cover can sometimes create disruptions.
IF YOU ARE A CURRENT CUSTOMER AND HAVING A TECHNICAL ISSUE,
PLEASE CALL THE 24-HOUR TECH SUPPORT LINE AT 1-888-232-6130.