As part of Wisper Internet’s ongoing commitment to Herrin, we are offering an end-of-the-year special for new customers from now, into 2022. Any new customers who call in with the promo code “Get Wisper” will receive one month of free service to their fixed wireless plans. For every new customer sign-up, Wisper will make a $20 donation to a local Herrin charity. “At Wisper we feel internet service is vital to every home just like water, electricity, and other utilities,” Wisper founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. “Unlike water and power, residents have a choice which company they trust to provide their internet service. This expansion highlights Wisper’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents in rural areas and small towns across the Midwest.” Wisper has served the Herrin community since 2013, and this special promotion is for residents living near the water tower on Brewster Road. Customers receive their signal into a small dish located on the outside of their home, which then transmits their signal to their router, where they can it on all their favorite devices! Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program, as well as the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBB). The Lifeline program offers discounted services for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit www.lifelinesupport.org. The EBB Program offers households affected by the pandemic monthly service discounts up to $50, as well as credit for the purchase of eligible devices. To apply for the benefit, visit getemergencybroadband.org. If approved, please contact Wisper, and provide your EBB approval letter. Wisper Internet coverage is based on a 6-to-eight-mile radius from our towers. Pictured above is the Wisper tower location in the lower left-hand corner of the photo. For more information on these exciting savings opportunities, or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with just under 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma…. Read More

As part of Wisper Internet’s ongoing commitment to Hoyleton, we are offering an end-of-the-year special for new customers from now, into 2022. Any new customers who call in with the promo code “Get Wisper” will receive one month of free service to their fixed wireless plans. For every new customer sign-up, Wisper will make a $20 donation to a local Hoyleton charity. “At Wisper we feel internet service is vital to every home just like water, electricity, and other utilities,” Wisper founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. “Unlike water and power, residents have a choice which company they trust to provide their internet service. This expansion highlights Wisper’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents in rural areas and small towns across the Midwest.” Wisper has served Hoyleton for 18 years and this special promotion is for residents living near the water tower at East Oak and North Park Streets. Customers receive their signal into a small dish located on the outside of their home, which then transmits their signal to their router, where they can it on all their favorite devices! Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program, as well as the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBB). The Lifeline program offers discounted services for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit www.lifelinesupport.org. The EBB Program offers households affected by the pandemic monthly service discounts up to $50, as well as credit for the purchase of eligible devices. To apply for the benefit, visit getemergencybroadband.org. If approved, please contact Wisper, and provide your EBB approval letter. Wisper Internet coverage is based on a 6-to-eight-mile radius from our towers. Pictured above is the Wisper tower location in the center of the photo. For more information on these exciting savings opportunities or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with just under 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma…. Read More

As part of Wisper Internet’s ongoing commitment to Venedy, we are offering an end of the year special for new customers from now, into 2022. Any new customers who call in with the promo code “Get Wisper” will receive one month of free service to their fixed wireless plans. For every new customer sign-up, Wisper will make a $20 donation to a local Venedy charity. “At Wisper we feel internet service is vital to every home just like water, electricity, and other utilities,” Wisper founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. “Unlike water and power, residents have a choice which company they trust to provide their internet service. This expansion highlights Wisper’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents in rural areas and small towns across the Midwest.” Wisper has served Venedy for 18 years and this special promotion is for residents living near the grain bin on the Gateway FS property (18 N. Mill Road). Customers receive their signal into a small dish located on the outside of their home, which then transmits their signal to their router, where they can it on all their favorite devices! Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program, as well as the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBB). The Lifeline program offers discounted services for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit www.lifelinesupport.org. The EBB Program offers households affected by the pandemic monthly service discounts up to $50, as well as credit for the purchase of eligible devices. To apply for the benefit, visit getemergencybroadband.org. If approved, please contact Wisper, and provide your EBB approval letter. Wisper Internet coverage is based on a 6-to-eight-mile radius from our towers. Pictured above is the Wisper tower location in the right-center portion of the photo. For more information on these exciting savings opportunities, or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with just under 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma…. Read More

We’re coming up on our favorite day of the year… Cyber Monday! Everybody loves a good deal, and that feeling is even sweeter when you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.  Sure, you could fight through the crowds in person on Black Friday, but why would you when companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy pull out all the stops for Cyber Monday? We did some research and pulled together our favorite Cyber Monday deals, so get your “Buy Now” fingers ready! Amazon Fire TV  Smart TVs give you easy access to streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu without needing a separate device.. Many also come with a voice remote, which lets you operate your TV via voice commands. Currently, smart TVs start at Amazon start at just $99. Galaxy S21 Phone The Galaxy S21 is the most affordable phone in Samsung’s current lineup. It features a 6.2-inch 120Hz display, 8GB of RAM, and a 10MP front camera. You also get 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto rear camera lenses. Samsung has it on sale for $149.99 with a trade-in of an older phone. Chromebook by Google Best Buy has a variety of Chromebooks on sale from $99. The sale includes popular models like the Galaxy Chromebook 2 QLED Laptop on sale for $399 (its lowest price ever).  Nectar Mattress Cyber Monday isn’t just for electronics! Nectar is taking up to $399 off of their fan-favorite mattresses. They’re also including a free bedding set worth $399 with every mattress purchase. As part of the current sale, you can get the twin mattress for $499 (on sale from $798) or the queen for $799 (was $1,298). Nintendo Switch w/ Mario Kart 8 Switch deals are very rare, so don’t miss this bundle! They include a Switch console, a free download of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a free 3-month Switch Online membership. If you have kids or gamers in your house, definitely check this out! So whether you’re on the lookout for TVs, mattresses, or laptops, don’t forget to check for Cyber Monday deals next week!… Read More

By now you’ve probably heard the news about Facebook becoming Meta. But what does that actually mean for its users? First of all, Facebook as you know it is not changing its name. Meta is the new name for the Facebook family of companies, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as their new projects moving forward. So don’t worry, the individual social platforms won’t be changing anytime soon.  According to their website, “the metaverse is the next evolution of social connection. Our company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life.” ‘Meta’ is a prefix usually meaning change, very appropriate for reinventing a company. Last week, the leader of the Facebook empire took to the web to announce the new name and a number of new features. One of the biggest announcements from CEO Mark Zuckerberg during his keynote presentation was about the addition of 3D spaces within the Metaverse. Zuckerberg says that “3D spaces in the metaverse will let you socialize, learn, collaborate and play in ways that go beyond what we can imagine.” Social media has grown from text to photos, to video, and this new vision for immersive social media includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and even wearable technology. Virtual reality has been in the works for a number of years, but Meta’s vision goes beyond video gaming. Using their Quest products, users would be able to enter virtual classrooms, workspaces, and more, offering experiences that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Of course, there are still some VR games in the works as well.  Augmented reality has also already been floating around social media for some time in the form of photo and video filters, particularly on Snapchat. Meta is currently working on a new program for creators, Spark AR, that would allow artists to create new AR filters as well as working with artists and museums to build augmented reality experiences. Always ahead of the game, Snapchat tested out their Snapchat Spectacles a few years ago, but the technology never really took off. Meta announced they are currently developing their own version of wearable technology, Ray-Ban Stories. The glasses would allow wearers to record audio and video, listen to music, and answer phone calls.  Overall, the self-proclaimed goal of the Metaverse is to focus on how technology interacts with people, putting people at the center of technology, not the other way around. They’re committed to online learning, global collaboration, and responsible innovation, and Zuckerberg hinted at more announcements to come in the future…. Read More

After a series of widespread severe and tornadic storms rolled through several areas of Missouri and Illinois over the weekend, Wisper Internet crews are assessing damage and moving resources to restore service to any of our customers who may have been affected. Crews in the field have determined many of the repairs need to be done on the towers themselves and due to the frequency of the storms and high winds, it has been too dangerous for technicians to climb the towers. Further damage to the Wisper infrastructure may be discovered during the daylight hours Monday, but rest assured our team of tower techs and engineers will be working as quickly as possible to get service restored. Outage updates can be found on the Network Status tracker…. Read More

As part of the ongoing crusade to provide high-speed internet to rural communities, Wisper Internet is pleased to announce the launch of 18 new towers, serving more than 56,500 households in 17 communities across Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas with Tarana technology. Wisper is one of the first companies nationwide to use the new cutting-edge Tarana technology, offering up to 400 Mbps packages with a greater line of sight wireless penetration. The expansion of these towers is part of Wisper’s pledge to provide wireless internet service to rural communities across five states as part of the Connect America Fund which includes $33 million focused on broadband in the Illinois counties of Williamson, Saline, Fayette, and Jackson; Cape Girardeau, St. Genevieve, Jasper, Christian, Greene, Dade, and Polk counties in Missouri; as well as Clay County Arkansas. “At Wisper we feel internet service is vital to every home just like water, electricity, and other utilities,” Wisper founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. “Unlike water and power, residents have a choice of which company they trust to provide their internet service. This expansion highlights Wisper’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents in rural areas and small towns across the Midwest.” Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program, as well as the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBB). The Lifeline program offers discounted services for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit: www.lifelinesupport.org. The EBB Program offers households affected by the pandemic monthly service discounts up to $50, as well as credit for the purchase of eligible devices. To apply for the benefit, visit getemergencybroadband.org. If you are approved, please contact Wisper and provide your EBB approval letter. Wisper Internet operates on fixed wireless technology. In order to connect people via fixed wireless, Wisper mounts a transmitter onto an elevated structure, like a water tower or grain elevator. Customers receive that signal into a small dish located on the outside of their home, which then transmits their signal to their router, where they can it on all their favorite devices! Tarana was created while trying to solve the issues associated with America’s fixed wireless system. While searching for a way to bring modern speed requirements to remote areas without going over budgets, the team at Tarana developed the Gigabit 1 system. For more information on this exciting service expansion, the new Tarana system, or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with more than 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma…. Read More

A key component to providing reliable internet service to rural communities is supporting groups, clubs, and organizations in those communities. For many years, Wisper has partnered with schools and especially 4-H clubs to provide services that facilitate and improve educational atmospheres whether it be in a classroom, in a field or barn. Chartered in 1933, New Ideal 4-H Club based in Mascoutah is one of the oldest clubs in St. Clair County, Ill., and has been active each year since. The club consists of members from ages eight to 18 and membership ranges from 15 to 30 members. The Cloverbud program consists of children ages five to seven. Carol Seibert has been involved with the New Deal club for more than 30 years and has seen many changes over the past three decades. “Unlike when 4-H began the girls entered sewing and cooking projects and boys entered livestock and crop projects, 4-H now offers over 60 different choices of projects,” Siebert explained. “Each member selects several projects of interest and studies these items during the current year including a project that they will be able to show at the end of 4-H year show.” Siebert added last year with the Covid-19 restrictions reliable internet was essential to keeping the clubs connected. “Most of the clubs held their monthly meetings by Zoom,” Siebert said. “County information, as well as club information, is sent via email – no more waiting for the mail to come or having to call each family. Facebook is also being used as an information center.” Siebert added project information not readily available thru the office or at home is easily provided by the internet for show projects and demonstrations. Last year’s livestock and Show-A-Rama were canceled for the first time ever in person. The show did go on via the internet. New Ideal 4-H Club meets monthly on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 in the basement of St. John UCC Church, Mascoutah.  Everyone is invited to attend. Wisper Internet understands the integration of connectivity and technology into modern-day agriculture is increasing at a fast pace and shows no signs of slowing down. “As a company committed to connecting rural communities, Wisper understands the importance and supports rural education,” Wisper Founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. ” Today’s members of 4-H clubs represent tomorrow’s farmers, ranchers, and producers we rely on daily. Reliable internet and easy access to technology in the 4-H club or on their family farms help lay the strong foundations for their futures.” As Wisper has spread over five states serving 20,000 customers our responsibility and dedication to enriching the lives of the future agriculture leaders has expanded as well. During this national 4-H week Wisper salutes the families who work hard every day to bring us food, textiles, and products to sustain life in more ways than we can count. Just like the young women and men in 4-H clubs across the country, Wisper is a tribe of humbly confident life-long learners, driving to solutions and continuously committing to serve one another in the relentless pursuit of a better and better customer experience…. Read More

The days of horse-drawn pumpers, buckets, and dalmatians have given way to handheld devices, drones, and instant information. When you think of firefighters, you may not always think of the internet, but the evolving natures of both the fire service and connectivity are merging on the frontlines of public safety. In conjunction with the annual celebration of Fire Prevention Week (October 3-9), Wisper Internet spoke with the chief of a fire department at the crossroads of tradition and progress to talk about how reliable internet plays a role every time they are called to respond. Washington, MO., fire chief Tim Frankenberg says many of the tools he and his firefighters are equipped with would be useless without reliable internet. “Strong internet access is becoming crucial,” Frankenberg explained. “A lot of information we use is cloud-based and everything is going mobile. I can sit anywhere I have internet and have instant access to the data I need.” For many years Wisper has partnered with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department to provide reliable service to assure not only the right people get to an emergency, but also the right information. Thus far in 2021, the 90 members of the company have received up to 750 calls for service responding from one of half a dozen fire stations spread strategically throughout their city and rural response areas. One of the tools the chief and his firefighters employ is an app on their phone which shows which personnel is responding to an emergency, from where and it also includes maps on how best to get resources to a scene. Frankenberg added the department is currently in the process of equipping all apparatus with mobile devices. “We are evaluating what types of are the best path for us,” Frankenberg said. “Once installed the devices will put maps, building construction, occupancies, emergency preplans, and even the location of fire hydrants at our fingertips.” Recently the department has added the use of a drone to some of its emergency responses, which is able to send real-time photos to incident commanders at the scene of an incident or to an emergency operation center out of harm’s way. The partnership with these brave volunteers is just one of the many commitments Wisper has made to the communities we serve. This week we honor those who put others first and risk their lives to keep their communities safe. Wisper founder and CEO Nathan Stooke explained Wisper follows many of the same principles as those who serve in the fire service. “Wisper is a tribe of humbly confident life-long learners, driving to solution and continuously committing to serve one another in the relentless pursuit of a better and better customer experience,” Stooke said. “Thank you all for your service.” Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with more than 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. For more information about Wisper Internet packages, or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com…. Read More

As part of the ongoing crusade to provide high-speed internet to rural communities, Wisper Internet is pleased to announce the launch of eight new wireless internet towers spanning two states, eight counties, and 16 individual communities will provide 29,000 households with Tarana technology. Wisper is one of the first companies nationwide to use the new cutting-edge Tarana technology, offering up to 400 Mbps packages with a greater line of sight wireless penetration. The expansion of these towers is part of Wisper’s pledge to provide wireless internet service to rural communities across 5 states as part of the Connect America Fund. These tower launches are part of a combined $57 million investment into these communities. “We are very excited about our new tower launches to further expand our service to these communities,” Wisper Internet founder and CEO Nathan Stooke said. “These expansions highlight Wisper’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of residents in rural areas and small towns, who require internet for educational, professional and personal use.” Tarana was created while trying to solve the issues associated with America’s fixed wireless system. While searching for a way to bring modern speed requirements to remote areas without going over budgets, the team at Tarana developed the Gigabit 1 system. Wisper Internet operates on fixed wireless technology. In order to connect people via fixed wireless, Wisper mounts a transmitter onto an elevated structure, like a water tower or grain elevator. Customers receive that signal into a small dish located on the outside of their home, which then transmits their signal to their router, where they can it on all their favorite devices! For more information on this exciting service expansion, the new Tarana system, or to determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC, based in Mascoutah, Ill., is a wireless internet service provider with more than 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma…. Read More

Starting May 12, 2021, Wisper will able to offer eligible families a monthly service discount of up to $50 thanks to the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable internet service, but the price can big factor for some families. Because of this, the FCC created Emergency Broadband Benefits to help qualifying households afford their internet. Eligible households can apply for $50 per month towards broadband service or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. The FCC is also offering a one-time credit of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program? In order to qualify for Emergency Broadband Benefits families must meet one of the following: Have an income that is at or below 135% of the  Federal Poverty Guidelines  or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline Be approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year Have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers OR Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. How to Apply If you believe you qualify for benefits, you can enroll in monthly discounts starting May 12, 2021. To apply, go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org. As an existing Wisper customer, you’ll select “Wisper ISP” under the ‘Companies Near Me’ tab. If you qualify, please email billing@wisperisp.com to make sure you receive your credit…. Read More

In 2020, roughly 50% of Americans were working from home, and while some of us have to worry about checking our email and attending the weekly conference call, others have adapted to fully running their small business from their homes. Whether that’s shipping orders, answering customer inquiries, or in this case, hosting virtual music lessons. Stephanie Frosch started offering private music lessons back in high school when her music teacher suggested she take on her own students. Her business took off, and she’s been teaching classes ever since. Stephanie teaches primarily woodwind instruments, but her students also learn fundamental music techniques, music history, and music theory. They also start with some basics, like how to properly take care of your instrument. Beyond the musical element of lessons, Stephanie teaches her students how to deal with performance anxiety and how to nail an audition. While she started out with in-person lessons five days a week, Stephanie has expanded her offerings to include video lessons streamed from her home studio. As a private music teacher, Stephanie strives to give the best learning experience she can to each student. And with video lessons on the rise, a strong internet connection helps her keep in touch with her students. Even during her in-person lessons, Stephanie uses her wifi to research new pieces for her students, purchase teaching materials, and use YouTube to recommend recordings for students to watch. She also has a Google Classroom where she shares documents and information with her students. Once her students graduate, the internet helps Stephanie stay in contact with them through email and Facebook. Wisper’s goal is to bridge the gap in rural America with fast internet. In other words, we help you connect and create opportunities in your community. That’s exactly how we’re helping Stephanie create opportunities for her students. We started out as a small business, and we want to help others grow their small businesses from anywhere, even from home. Stephanie didn’t choose Wisper for her internet. You could say that we chose her, as we acquired the company that had been providing her service, and according to Stephanie, she stayed with us for the excellent customer service and tower upgrades that improved the signal and made working from home much easier. For our rural customers, finding a reliable internet company that doesn’t break the bank and provides a reliable connection can be tough. Standard cable internet companies generally aren’t available outside major metro areas, and some rural internet companies charge frighteningly expensive installation and equipment fees. For our Wisper customers, as long as you are within line of sight of one of our towers, all you need to begin receiving fixed wireless internet is a receiver. To a prospective Wisper business or home customer, Stephanie says she would recommend us! “I’ve had no serious issues with internet connection and speed. Yes, occasionally there will be outages due to unforeseen circumstances. But typically it is not down for long and the customer service line has always been very helpful,” she says. She also takes advantage of our social media pages to keep up to date on any outages, repairs, and promotions. When working from home, it’s important to have reliable internet, but if you live beyond the reach of typical internet providers, finding an internet provider can be tough. Wisper can help you stay connected without sacrificing quality or price, so you can continue to run your business from home, even after we all return to the office. Interested in private music lessons for your child? Stephanie works with students ages 10 and up. You can contact her at stephaniefrosch34@gmail.com. Interested in-home or business internet? Contact us at WisperISP.com…. Read More

March 18, 2021 – Wisper ISP, LLC has added a new tower to their existing network in Kell, IL. Eligible residents in Centralia, Dix, Kell, and Walnut Hill will be able to preschedule their installation appointments for the week of March 29th. Wisper’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Shannon Shores is from Centralia and had this to say about the news, “I am C-Town proud and excited to bring Wisper to my hometown. These areas desperately need reliable, high-speed Internet and I am glad we can provide that for Centralia and the surrounding areas.” The location of the new tower able to offer Internet speeds up-to 100 Mbps is 1343 Old Salem Road; Kell, IL 62853. Fixed Wireless Technology uses elevated structures, such as water towers, cell towers, grain elevators, etc. to reach a resident’s home. Current capabilities do require the equipment on a resident’s roof to have ‘line of sight’ to the elevated structure. That means no trees or terrain can be blocking the visual path. A resident will reside no more than 3 -5 miles from the elevated structure to receive the desired signal strength. Eligible residents will be able to receive the following speeds and prices: Surf: 10 Mbps X 2 Mbps for $50/month Surf Plus: 15 Mbps X 3 Mbps for $65/month Surf Preferred: 25 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $75/month Surf Pro: 50 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $85/month Surf Extreme: 100 Mbps X 20 Mbps for $105/month To determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program. The Lifeline program offers a discount off of service for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit: www.lifelinesupport.org. When approved, you will receive an approval letter. To receive the discount, the approval letter will need to be emailed to sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC is a Wireless Internet Service Provider with 180 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wisper is based out of Mascoutah, IL, in the St. Louis Metro Area, with regional offices in Joplin and Washington, MO. Wisper customers in rural and metropolitan communities receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service…. Read More

In case you missed it, March 8th was International Women’s Day! This year’s theme for Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge, focusing on challenging the stereotypes people have about women, especially at work. We sat down with a couple of the ladies on our Wisper Sales and Marketing team to get their perspective on being a woman in the tech industry. For Shannon Shores, VP of Sales and Marketing at Wisper, this isn’t her first experience in a tech-based company. Shores founded Wellex, Inc, a patient-centric national provider of confidential health screenings in 2015. “In my very first position out of college, I had a female CEO, and I remember going up to her and saying, ‘Tell me how you became CEO’,” Shores says. “And her answer has been a guiding light for me, and that was to never say no to an opportunity. With that in mind, I continued to learn new skills and take those on as tools to grow in business.” Wellex, Inc. was listed in the Top 50 Fastest-Growing Companies by Small Business Monthly and St. Louis Business Journal and named to the Inc 5000 listing of fastest-growing companies. Shores herself was named Top Business Woman in 2019 by St. Louis Small Business Monthly and Enterprising Women Magazine. We also talked with the Social Media Coordinator, Susie Steffes. Steffes has also worked in the tech field prior to Wisper, and she enjoys the opportunities to learn new skills and processes in the tech industry. “There’s always something new to learn in technology,” she says. “Just be sure to ask questions! Don’t let the technical jargon intimidate you.” In 2020, women made up only 19% of entry and mid-level roles in the tech industry and only 16% of senior-level positions. There are a number of reasons to explain why this number is still so low, from girls being less likely to take STEM classes in school to a lack of female role models in the industry. To women and girls looking to get started in technology, or any other traditionally male-dominated field, Shores and Steffes have some good advice. “Don’t let it scare you,” Steffes says. “If it’s something that you’re interested in, don’t be afraid to be really good at it.” “As women, we have so much power to learn and to make sure that we can be who we want to be,” Shores says. “And what we have to remember is that we have the answers, we have the power. Don’t let someone write the script for you.” We often hear about the disadvantages of being a woman in a business environment, but we wanted to look at some possible advantages. “Especially as Wisper, being on a female-dominated team, I think we get the opportunity to be creative and expressive in a way that helps move the company forward,” Steffes says. “We also get to challenge the norm and the stereotypes that people have in our industry.” “I don’t think we have many advantages for being a woman in business, in fact, it’s often the opposite,” says Shores. “You might have someone tell you that you’re being emotional, or not take you seriously because you’re a woman. My advantage is in my confidence, and my ability to look for the next step in a situation because I had to adapt to those criticisms.” International Women’s Day might be over, but with March being Women’s History Month, Ladies, be proud of yourselves! Continue choosing to challenge those stereotypes and we can’t wait to see what you do. Watch our full International Women’s Day interview on YouTube!… Read More

Bates & Cass County, MO (March 11, 2021) – Wisper ISP, LLC is expanding their service network to Bates and Cass County, MO. Eligible residents will be able to preschedule their installation appointments for the week of March 29th. Wisper Internet’s expansion to Bates and Cass County is due to their success in the Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II). CAF II was a rural broadband auction held by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2018. Wisper was named the winner of $220.3 million in the auction; funds were allocated across the following six states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The equipment deployed will be fixed wireless technology and will be found on the five elevated structures listed below. Fixed Wireless Technology uses elevated structures, such as water towers, cell towers, grain elevators, etc. to reach a resident’s home. Current capabilities do require the equipment on a resident’s roof to have ‘line of sight’ to the elevated structure. That means no trees or terrain can be blocking the visual path. A resident will reside no more than 3 -5 miles from the elevated structure to receive the desired signal strength. Adrian: Commercial Tower – Northwest 261 Road; Crescent Hill, MO 64720 (Adrian City Limits) Commercial Tower – Northeast 13004 Road; Deer Creek Township, MO 64720 (Adrian City Limits) Commercial Tower – I 49, US 7; Adrian, MO 64720 Archie: Commercial Tower – East Outer Road; Archie, MO 64725 Commercial Tower – Northeast County Road 17404; Archie, MO 64725 Eligible residents will be able to receive the following speeds and prices: Surf: 10 Mbps X 2 Mbps for $50/month Surf Plus: 15 Mbps X 3 Mbps for $65/month Surf Preferred: 25 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $75/month Surf Pro: 50 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $85/month Surf Extreme: 100 Mbps X 20 Mbps for $105/month To determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program. The Lifeline program offers a discount off of service for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit: www.lifelinesupport.org. When approved, you will receive an approval letter. To receive the discount, the approval letter will need to be emailed to sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC is a Wireless Internet Service Provider with 180 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wisper is based out of Mascoutah, IL, in the St. Louis Metro Area, with regional offices in Joplin and Washington, MO. Wisper customers in rural and metropolitan communities receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service…. Read More

A key takeaway from the COVID-19 Pandemic is the prevalence of technology in today’s workforce and education system. Because of the important role technology plays, rural Americans are facing a crisis known as the digital divide. Without access to reliable, high-speed Internet like their urban counterparts, residents of rural communities have fewer opportunities available to them, putting them at an economic disadvantage. This includes America’s farmers. At the end of the day, farmers are running a business and access to a reliable, high-speed Internet connection allows them to operate more efficiently. You may be thinking to yourself, “Don’t farmers spend all day outside in a field? How would they use the Internet?” The Internet allows farmers to use more innovative technology, which provides them with the capability to better track supplies, equipment, incoming weather and much more. Stevie Scates of Scates Valley Irrigation in Carmi, IL, has been a customer of Wisper Internet since fall of last year. When asked about his service, Stevie said, “I use Wisper Internet for my irrigation business, but I also have cousins up the road in New Haven that use it to monitor our grain bin remotely. I’ve tried several types of Internet service, from satellite to dish to hot spots. Wisper is more reliable and faster than any of those options. I can actually run Zoom meetings now to meet with customers! It also helps us send aerial map photographs, order equipment, and communicate with our accountant. It has helped improve the overall efficiency of my business, so we can better serve our farmers.” “Farmers are America’s backbone,” said Wisper CEO and Founder, Nathan Stooke. “Wisper Internet is proud to be helping America’s farmers and the businesses that serve them.” The entrepreneurship journey is different for everyone who chooses it, but most are faced with an encompassing (overwhelming) ‘on the clock 24/7’ experience. Entrepreneurs in rural communities face an even tougher challenge; figuring out how to operate in a world made for reliable, high-speed Internet. Terry Wassam is the owner of Wassam Farm and Fence in Sedalia, MO. Wassam Farm and Fence is a Ma & Pa Brick and Mortar Store offering an array of agricultural supplies as well as custom welding work. Terry recounts his frustration when he started the business 7 years ago, “The only option available to us was a landline phone. Every time we had to run a credit card, it would tie up the line and take forever to process.” Terry’s business changed dramatically when he found Easy Net Wireless, now Wisper Internet 3 years ago. “It was a game changer. Most, if not all of our business involves the Internet. A reliable, high-speed Internet connection is very important for rural businesses like mine.” Since these businesses don’t market themselves as ‘cash only, they can’t fault their customers for an issue with their own operating system. Consequently, many times businesses just have to eat the cost. In business, every sale counts and they can’t afford to be losing revenue. Michael Rice is a farmer in Green Ridge, MO and a Wisper Internet Customer. When asked how he uses his reliable, high-speed Internet connection through Wisper at his farm, Michael said, “I mostly use it for my Ring Security System. It sends a notification to my phone if someone pulls up or walks through the door while I’m out in the field. I also use it for looking up parts and equipment. Due to Wisper’s high-speeds, I am able to search for anything, from tractors to semis to hopper bottoms and more with ease. I’ve been known to find a deal or two on Facebook Marketplace.” Wisper ISP, LLC is a Wireless Internet Service Provider with 180 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wisper is based out of Mascoutah, IL, in the St. Louis Metro Area, with regional offices in Joplin and Washington, MO. Wisper customers in rural and metropolitan communities receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service…. Read More

Mascoutah, IL (March 3, 2021) – Today Wisper ISP, LLC’s announced efforts with Microsoft Corp. to provide digital skilling and literacy resources to the communities it serves in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. This builds on an existing agreement between the two companies aimed at expanding access to broadband Internet in rural communities across the six states as part of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. Awareness of the digital divide has only heightened since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the problem doesn’t just stop at providing rural communities with a high-speed, reliable Internet connection. The lack of access has created a lack of digital literacy and skills, when compared to urban communities. These digital skills are required for many common office jobs, and lay the foundation for higher-paying, high-tech jobs. Technology can play a powerful role in helping people connect, learn, engage with their community, and create more promising futures. Wisper is working with Microsoft to bring broadband service to rural, traditionally underserved communities via the Microsoft Airband Initiative and is now working to provide access to curated learning resources from Microsoft, LinkedIn, and its partners, available via Microsoft’s global skills initiative. These resources can help build the technical skills needed to participate in today’s digital economy. LinkedIn Learning – Build skills for in-demand roles in digital marketing, product management, data analysis, and software development. Microsoft Learn – Interactive, self-paced content to help learners advance their technical skills and prepare for role-based certifications in Microsoft products. GitHub Learning Lab – Develop technical skills by practicing on fun and realistic projects. Certifications in Microsoft products at reduced costs. Opportunities to get in front of employers Microsoft and LinkedIn are combining resources to help job seekers prepare for a successful job search with access to LinkedIn job search tools and free courses. Microsoft is also using Microsoft Artificial Intelligence to power virtual interviews, whereby jobseekers can practice virtual interviews and receive feedback. You may visit Wisper’s main website to view the digital literacy resources, or the following link can be used for direct access, https://wisperisp.com/learning-resources-from-microsoft/. Tens of millions of Americans have experienced job displacement during the pandemic. “With a large pool of applicants fighting for a limited number of competitive, in-demand jobs, rural residents can’t afford to be behind in their digital literacy skill set,” said Wisper CEO and founder Nathan Stooke. “We are thankful for our collaboration with Microsoft and hope these resources help members of the communities we serve in their job search and career development.” “Together with Wisper, we are making great progress to provide broadband to unserved and underserved rural communities, but connectivity is only the beginning of our work together,” said Vickie Robinson, general manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. “Helping people utilize that new connectivity is the next step, and our work with Wisper to bring provide digital skills resources will help lay the foundation for new, in-demand jobs for rural residents.” Wisper ISP, Inc. Wisper ISP, Inc. is a Wireless Internet Service Provider with 180 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wisper is based out of Mascoutah, IL, in the St. Louis Metro Area, with regional offices in Joplin and Washington, MO. Wisper customers in rural and metropolitan communities receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service. About Microsoft Airband Microsoft’s Airband Initiative is an effort to close the broadband gap and help communities use new connectivity to improve education, health care, and agriculture, and transform their businesses. The Airband Initiative works with the private and public sectors to invest in new technologies, accelerate broadband deployment, and support policy changes with the goal of bringing broadband access to millions of people in the United States. More information can be found at aka.ms/airband.  … Read More

Barton, Barry, and Dade MO (February 24, 2021) – Wisper ISP, LLC expands their service network to Barton, Barry, and Dade County, MO. Eligible residents are now able to be set up for install. Nichole Ogden of Lockwood was Wisper’s first Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) customer to be installed with service in the State of Missouri. When asked about why she was excited for Wisper to expand to her area, she said, “My husband has worked from home for the last 3- years without a high-speed, reliable Internet connection. You can imagine the frustration. Work can be difficult enough without constant disruptions. On a more personal note, my kids are excited to start streaming. We only have 5 TV channels right now and we always feel like we’re being left out of the trends.” Mention Nichole’s name when scheduling your installation to receive a $25 account credit with Wisper’s referral program. Wisper Internet’s expansion to Barton, Barry, and Dade County is due to their success in the CAF II. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held the CAF II, a rural broadband auction, in 2018. Wisper was named the winner of $220.3 million in the auction; funds were allocated to the following six states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The equipment deployed will be fixed wireless technology and will be found on the seven elevated structures within the three counties. See below for a list of locations. Fixed Wireless Technology uses elevated structures, such as water towers, cell towers, grain elevators, etc. to reach a resident’s home. Current capabilities do require the equipment on a resident’s roof to have ‘line of sight’ to the elevated structure. That means no trees or terrain can be blocking the visual path. A resident will reside no more than 3 -5 miles from the elevated structure to receive the desired signal strength. Barton County, MO Commercial Tower – 623 Northeast 5th Ln; Lamar, MO 64759 Commercial Tower – 31 North Highway HH; Lamar, MO 64759 Grain Leg – 105 South Highway KK; Lamar, MO 64759 Barry County, MO Commercial Tower – Farm Road 2057; Monett, MO 65708 Dade County, MO Commercial Tower – 241 Route D; Lockwood, MO 65682 Commercial Tower – 94 North Dade 81; Lockwood, MO 65682 Commercial Tower – 14 Route D; Lockwood, MO 65682 Eligible residents will be able to receive the following speeds and prices: Surf: 10 Mbps X 2 Mbps for $50/month Surf Plus: 15 Mbps X 3 Mbps for $65/month Surf Preferred: 25 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $75/month Surf Pro: 50 Mbps X 5 Mbps for $85/month Surf Extreme: 100 Mbps X 20 Mbps for $105/month To determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program. The Lifeline program offers a discount off of service for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit: www.lifelinesupport.org. When approved, you will receive an approval letter. To receive the discount, the approval letter will need to be emailed to sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper ISP, LLC is a Wireless Internet Service Provider with 180 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wisper is based out of Mascoutah, IL, in the St. Louis Metro Area, with regional offices in Joplin and Washington, MO. Wisper customers in rural and metropolitan communities receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service…. Read More

Dear Valued Customer, The best-laid plans… Earlier this month, we communicated various steps and changes to expect while Easy Net assimilates into the Wisper family. After careful consideration, it became apparent the timing and mechanics of this transition served the company’s interests far more than they served your interests as our customer. As such, many of the changes we outlined in our prior communication will be paused until such time that the transition can be accomplished without causing undue duress on all customers affected. What to Expect Support: The same friendly team you know from Easy Net has joined Wisper and will remain your local Wisper team at the Smithton, MO office. They will continue to provide your general customer support and can be reached at 1-660-343-5239, Monday – Friday, from 9 am-5 pm. Packages/Speeds: You will remain on the same package (speed and pricing) as you are currently on with Easy Net. Invoicing & Billing: Your billing preference and payment methods remain the same. Nothing has changed except the company name on the invoice. Our teams will be working diligently over the next several months to re-orchestrate a transition that is entirely painless and can add value to your service. We appreciate your patience and your continued business. Sincerely, Nathan Stooke CEO of the Wisper Team… Read More

Mascoutah, IL (February 2021) – Wisper ISP, Inc. is a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP). Wisper Internet has been offering satellite as an alternative to their fixed wireless technology for residents in Illinois since 2015. The Wisper Team is expanding its satellite service to the rest of their network in Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Theresa Pointon of St. Libory, IL has been a Satellite Internet customer of Wisper’s since moving to the area in January 2020. Theresa had this to say about her service, “I’ve been happy with our Satellite service. It has helped my kids do online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” When asked about the service offering expansion, Wisper’s Founder and CEO, Nathan Stooke stated, “The Wisper Team is excited to be adding satellite as a service offering across our entire network. It means we’ll be able to get more rural Americans connected; helping to close the gap on the Digital Divide. As Wisper continues to grow, we understand that each area is different and will require the right tool for the right job.” Fixed Wireless Technology uses elevated structures, such as water towers, cell towers, grain elevators, and more to reach a resident’s home. Current capabilities require the equipment on a resident’s roof to have a ‘line of sight’ to the elevated structure. That means no trees or terrain can be blocking the visual path. A resident will reside no more than 3 -5 miles from the elevated structure to receive the desired signal strength. Satellite differs from fixed wireless because its equipment floats in orbit between 100 and 24,000 miles away from the Earth’s surface instead of on a nearby elevated structure. Wisper’s satellite plans are as follows (Please note that all plans are not available in all areas.): Liberty Plans Liberty 12 (12GB): $60/month for 12/3 Liberty 12 (25GB): $80/month for 12/3 (45GB) Liberty 12 (50GB) $90/month 12/3 (65GB) The free zone for all of those is 3 a.m. – 6 a.m. Standard Beams Bronze 12 (35GB): $70/month 12/3 Silver 12 (45GB): $100/month 12/3 Gold 12 (65GB): $150/month 12/3 High-Capacity Beams Bronze 12 (40GB): $70/month for 12/3 Silver 25 (60GB): $100/month 25/3 Gold 30 (100GB): $130/month 30/3 Gold 50 (100GB): $150/month 50/3 Plat 100 (150GB): $200/month 100/3 Additional Data $10 per GB Contract Terms 2-year = $100 1-year = $200 To determine service eligibility, contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its Lifeline Program. The Lifeline program offers a discount off of service for low-income households. If you believe you are eligible for the Lifeline Program and would like to apply, please visit www.lifelinesupport.org. When approved, you will receive an approval letter. The approval letter will need to be emailed to sales@wisperisp.com to receive the discount…. Read More