Company History
On the 1st of July 1972, Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone (SKSRT) was formed as a Corporation to provide telephone service to the people of the Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks area as a non-profit organization.
Shortly after, planning and development began on the outside plant to build a network to link together potential customers with the outside world. With the completion of the network, the first phone service was installed and utilized in 1976. This would be the commencement of a rapidly growing network of 1200+ lines. Since then, digital technology has made it possible for Internet exploration, modern features, and special circuits, providing residents and businesses in the SKSRT serving area with unlimited and fully customizable service. SKSRT was the last phone company east of the Mississippi to upgrade from a stepper switch. Taking the place of the stepper switch was the Siemens DCO. With the many changes to the outside plant and switching equipment, the company had to upgrade to modern, more efficient ways of billing. Billing went from pen and paper to keyboard and computer.
SKSRT remains committed to providing the best customer service possible. In an effort to upgrade existing equipment and infrastructure and keep pace with rapid changes in the telecommunications industry, in 2009 SKSRT undertook a $7,789,000 project to bring "Fiber to the Home" (FTTH) to all subscribers in its service area. This project was completed in 2012. Upon completion of the project, SKSRT is the only provider in the State of WV and one of the first providers in the country to provide a FTTH network to all subscribers. FTTH provides a timely upgrade to the Company physical plant and enables the Company to deliver state-of-the-art voice, video and data services. This allows SKSRT to accommodate communications demands envisioned for the 21st century.
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone was awarded $8.5 million in broadband funding. This allowed SKSRT to install fiber optic networks in several unserved and underserved rural areas in Pendleton and Pocahontas Counties. SKSRT plans to provide last mile high speed broadband offerings to the communities of Franklin, Brandywine and the eastern portions of Pendleton County, and to Durbin, Bartow, Green Bank, Cass and nearby areas in Pocahontas County.
Mission Statement
Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc. is a not-for-profit telephone cooperative dedicated to providing communication services, along with related facilities, to its subscriber members at the lowest possible cost that is consistent with sound economic principles, honest and innovative management practices along with a strong commitment to excellent service.
