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SUPPORT

Consolidated is the premier provider of telecommunication services in Southwestern North Dakota since 1961. Customer service is our main priority, from customer service representatives, internet and service support, to our technicians in the field. You, our customer, are our number one priority, 24/7/365.

SUPPORT

Consolidated is the premier provider of telecommunication services in Southwestern North Dakota since 1961. Customer service is our main priority, from customer service representatives, internet and service support, to our technicians in the field. You, our customer, are our number one priority, 24/7/365.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (MST)

Phone Number: (701)483-4000

US Toll Free: (888)225-5282

Main Fax: (701)483-0001

INTERNET

Our company has prided itself on being the technology leader in Southwest North Dakota for more than a half century. We were the first company to offer the Internet with a dial-up product in 1995.

While technology evolved, so did we, by upgrading to high speed internet through our cable system in the Dickinson area and then with fiber optics in our rural areas. Today, we offer speeds up to 1 gigabit, which is 100 times faster than 10 MEG. In October of 2015, NTCA –The Rural Broadband Association, recognized Consolidated as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider.

 

Frequently Asked Questions – Internet Support

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.  Our 24/7/365 tech support is always ready to assist you with your Internet questions or concerns, contact us at 483-INET (4648), our on-line submission form or Live Chat when available.

Answer: Often, it is because your mailbox is full. (could there be another common reason?)

Answer: Other reasons for email not coming in, can be that they are using a mail program that is no longer supported.  For example,  IE Windows live mail on Windows devices that are older than Windows 10.  Apple devices also can have issues connecting if they are older, and unable to update to the newest software. IOS 16 is the most recent IOS for apple.

Answer: Reboot your Internet device, if it still doesn’t work, call 483.INET (4638).

            If your service is on FIBER, check to make sure you have power to the ONT.  

            If your service is on CABLE, are all the lights on your modem on, or are they blinking?

 Answer: It often times indicates that there is an issue with the router, possibly aging out as firmware updates tend to be discontinued at roughly 3 years of age. If the wifi is only cutting out on one device, that would lean towards there being a device issue, not an internet issue. Recommend rebooting the device and router as that oftentimes helps.

Check to make sure Wi-Fi isn’t working on all your devices, if nothing is working call 483.INET (4638).

If some devices are working and some are not, it is not a Wi-Fi issue, it is a device issue.

Answer: If there is an issue with buffering, streaming apps on a smart TV, I recommend trying to stream on another smart device to see if it is internet related. If the other device is able to stream, then unplug the TV from power for a minimum of 2 minutes. Smart TV’s do not power all the way off when shut off via remote/power button.

In densely populated areas, there can be issues with overlapping networks, causing interference for each other’s wifi. For example, apartment buildings. Most routers are now automatically dual band, so they put out two wave types. 2.4ghz and 5 ghz. 5G has less range, but is a cleaner signal for streaming device in this situation. We recommend having the two bands named something different. This can be done in the router settings, so someone would need to log into the router directly, or have one of our managed routers, that we are able to split up remotely. Some devices, like security cameras do require a 2.4 band, and that would also require the wifi to be split out with two different names.

Setting up Windows Email Clients – Internet Support

TV

Closed Captioning Issues Contact Info:
701-483-4444
Fax: 701-483-0001
Email: closedcaptioning@consolidated.tv

Closed Captioning Complaints:
Consolidated Cable Vision, Inc.
Rhonda Fitterer, Director of Business Operations
P.O. Box 1408
Dickinson, ND 58602-1408
Tel: 701-483-4444
Fax: 701-483-0001
Email: closedcaptioning@consolidated.tv

Click here for EEO Data

  1. Go to your recordings and scroll to the recording(s) you don’t want deleted
  2. Press the green button on remote for “Actions”
  3. Scroll down and press the “Protect” action

This will save your recording from being deleted. You will need to do this for each recording that you don’t want to have automatically start deleting on February 1, 2024.

I got a new TV…what do I do?

You can use either an HDMI cable or component cables to connect your set top box to your TV.

To begin setting up your HDTV set top box, check out the back of the box, where you'll find both HDMI and component jacks.

If you choose HDMI, start by plugging one end of your HDMI cable into the HDMI-out jack on the back of your set top box. To connect HDMI directly to your HDTV, plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI-in jack on the back of your HDTV.

To connect HDMI through your A/V receiver and then to your TV, plug the other end of the HDMI cable into your HDMI jack on the back of your receiver. Then, get a second HDMI cable to connect the HDMI-out on your receiver to the HDMI-in on the back of your HDTV.

If you choose to go the component route, start by plugging one end of your component cable into the color-coded component jacks (red, green, and blue) on the back of your set top box. You will also need to connect a red and white RCA cable for the audio left and right. To hook up the component connection directly to your HDTV, plug the other end of the color-coded component cable (red, green, blue) into the component HD-in jacks on the back of your HDTV. You will also need to connect the red and white RCA cable in to your HDTV for left and right audio.

To hook up the component connection through your A/V receiver and then to your TV, plug the other end of the component cable into your color-coded component input jacks (red, green, blue) on the back of your receiver along with a red and white RCA cable for left and right audio. Then, get a second component cable, to connect the component HDout on your receiver to the component HD-in on the back of your HDTV.

In either of the two scenarios above, you need to go into the menu of your HDTV and switch your input to the component cable input or the HDMI input.

Consolidated Residential Phone Service

PHONE

  • What is the Telecommunications Relay Service Fund and what is its purpose?
    It is a mandated charge per telephone line. The funds are remitted to the state for the hearing impaired fund.
  • What is EAS (Extended Area Service)? Who determines the charge?
    EAS is a charge per line that gives you an extended area to call toll free. EAS charge is determined by the volume of telephone numbers that have the ability to call toll free. The more telephone numbers you can call, the higher your EAS charge is.
  • What is the Universal Service Fund ?
    The USF is a funding program which allows schools & libraries discounts on the purchase or lease of telecommunications service including local telephone, long distance and Internet access.
  • It has been one year since I paid my $150 deposit, when will I get it refunded?
    It will get refunded on your statement as long as you have established a satisfactory credit rating and have had no treatment on your account for 12 consecutive months.

Calling Features

Now you can turn an everyday phone call into a 3-Way conference conversation.

To Add A Third Person To Your Call:

  1. First, press the flash key/ switchhook*. This will place the first call on hold.
  2. Listen for the dial tone. Then dial the third person. (Speed Dialing codes may be used if you also have this feature.)
  3. When the third person answers, you may talk privately with this person before you make the call 3-Way.
  4. To make the call 3-Way, press the flash key/switchhook* to add the person on hold. Your 3-Way call is now underway.

If for some reason the call to the third person is not completed or you decide not to add the third person to the call, press the flash key/switchhook* twice to resume your conversation with the person on hold.

To Disconnect the Third Person:

  1. Press the flash key/switchhook* for about one second. You will now have only the original party on the line.

– OR –

  1. If either of the other two people hang up, you can continue to talk to the one remaining.

To Disconnect Completely:

  1. Simply hang up.

* The switchhook is the button that the handset pushes down when you hang up the phone. Your phone is “off the hook” when that button is up.

Just plug in your Caller ID phone. The Caller ID screen will display the name and phone number of calling party after two rings, if available.

Caller ID Blocking:

Prevents your phone number from being displayed on called parties Caller ID box or phone.

Per Call Blocking:

Gives the user the option of making a public number private on a per call basis.Dial *67 to block.

Private Number:

  • Blocks name and number when placing a call, used for all non-published numbers. Many businesses and residential lines will not accept calls from someone who is blocking their number. *82 will remove this private label on a per call basis. The line will automatically be blocked again as soon as you hang up.

If someone is trying to call you while you’re already on the phone, Call Waiting will alert you with a “beep.” You may then put the first person on hold to answer the second call.

How Call Waiting Alerts You:

  1. A beep tone tells you another call is waiting.
  2. Another reminder will be heard 10 seconds later if the waiting call remains unanswered.
  3. The second caller hears only the normal ringing tone.

To Answer the Second Call:

  1. Press the flash key/switchhook* for about one second to place your first call on hold.
  2. You will automatically be connected with the second caller.

To Alternate Between Calls:

  1. Press the flash key/switchhook* for about one second to alternate between calls.
  2. Each conversation is private and cannot be heard by the other caller.

To End Either Call:

  1. Simply hang up.
  2. Your telephone will then ring.
  3. When you answer it, you’ll be connected with the other caller.

To CANCEL Call Waiting:

To temporarily turn off Call Waiting before making a call that you don’t want be interrupted.

  1. Before making your call, dial *70 on your touchtone phone.
  2. You will hear three short tones followed by a dial tone.
  3. Place your call.
  4. Call Waiting is automatically restored when you hang up.

* The switchhook is the button that the handset pushes down when you hang up the phone. Your phone is “off the hook” when that button is up.

Call Forwarding will forward your calls to another location when you’re away from your telephone.

VARIABLE Call Forwarding:

  1. Dial *72, Immediately dial the forward-to number followed by #.

FIXED Call Forwarding:

With Fixed Call Forwarding, the forward-to number has been selected by you and permanently programmed by Consolidated.

To CANCEL Call Forwarding:

For VARIABLE and FIXED Call Forwarding, your phone receives a short ring when a call is forwarded. This indicates that the call forwarding feature is activated and also serves as a reminder to deactivate the forwarding feature if desired. You cannot answer the forwarding call until the forwarding feature is deactivated by dialing. *73 however, you can make new calls.

Returns call to the last number that called you, whether you answered the phone or not. A 50¢ charge may apply if not included with your telephone service.

To Use Call Return:

  1. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Dial *69 .
  3. You will hear the phone number of your last incoming call. If you want to return the call, press 1. If not, hang up.
  4. If the line is:

NOT BUSY – listen for normal ringing.

BUSY – listen for announcements, hang up.

  1. The busy line will be dialed for the next 1/2 hour.
  2. You will receive a special call back ring when the line is free.
  3. Pick up the receiver and the number you are calling will ring.

To Cancel:

  1. Dial *89 then listen for announcement.

Allows you to block numbers from which you do not wish to receive calls. You can either block selected numbers ahead of time or after an unwanted call has been received. In either case, the caller is routed to a recorded message and your phone does not ring. A Call Screening List is required to use this feature. Not all telephone & cell numbers can be blocked. If this does not work, call our office for assistance.

  1. Dial *60.
  2. Press #.
  3. Dial the 10-digit phone number you wish to block.
  4. Press # after the number is entered. At least one phone number must be placed in the list before the feature can be activated. For more options & information please see “List Setup & Review.”

To Deactivate:

Dial *60 voice prompts inform you if the feature is on or off. After voice prompt press 3 to turn off feature.

Voicemail is better than an answering machine. It allows your messages to be forwarded to your email, cell phone, or any number you choose.

ACCESSING VOICEMAIL FROM YOUR HOME PHONE:

  1. Dial *95
  2. Enter your voicemail PIN followed by the #. (Your default PIN has been provided to you by a Consolidated Service Representative. For your security, you will be required to change the PIN from the default).
  3. New Voicemail PIN
  4. If you have new messages, the messages will be identified.
  5. After hearing any new messages, you will be presented with the Voicemail Main Menu. The Main Menu options are listed below.

 

ACCESSING VOICEMAIL FROM ANOTHER PHONE:

  1. Dial your home phone number.
  2. Press * when you hear the voicemail greeting start. You will be prompted to enter your mailbox number (10-digit phone number) and PIN and followed by #.
  3. Continue to Main Menu.

 

VOICEMAIL MAIN MENU:

Press 1 to get your messages

Press 2 to send a message

Press 3 to work with your greetings

Press 4 to change your settings

Press 5 to work with your reminder messages

Press 7 to leave this mailbox and log on as another subscriber

Press 0 to get more help

Press * to exit the Voicemail system

 

WEB VOICEMAIL ACCESS:

To log into your voicemail box using the Internet:

  1. Open the web page: ezphone.consolidatednd.com
  2. Enter your 10-digit phone number and your password.

 

To listen to messages:

  1. Click on “Messages & Calls” at the top of the page.
  2. Click on the VM message to listen to it. (note: this may require that you download a plug-in, see the top of browser screen and allow download).

Find Me is ideal for anyone who is always “on the go”. A call to your home can also ring your cell phone, business phone, or any other number you choose. Consolidated can program up to six other numbers and have it ring simultaneously or sequentially. The incoming call can then be answered at any of the phones on the list. Upon answer, the call is connected to the phone that answers the call first and the remaining phones are disconnected from the call. Call Consolidated for further details.

Allows you to call between buildings, i.e. house to the barn or shop.

To Use:
• Simply call your number and hang up. It will ring at the other extensions.

Allows your line to have up to three additional phone numbers, each with its own special ring. Great for fax machines or families with teenagers! Call Consolidated to order this feature. It requires special programming.

$4.50 per month.

Create a list of phone numbers, and program a forwarding number. When someone on your list calls you, their call will ring at the forwarded phone. Calls not on your list will not be forwarded. See List Setup & Review section.

To Enter the “Forward-to” Number

(1st time):

  1. Listen for dial tone.
  2. Dial *63
  3. Press #, then enter the complete 10 digit number you’re call forwarding to.
  4. Press # again after the number is entered.

 

To Access or Turn Off this Feature:

  1. Dial *63, listen to prompt to tell if feature is on or o_.
  2. To turn on or off, press 3.

 

Create a list of important numbers that can be recognized by a special ring. Your Call Waiting calls also have a distinct tone.

Setting up a List:

  1. Dial *61.
  2. Press #, then dial the 10-digit number you wish to add.
  3. Press # again after the number is entered

 

To Access or Turn Off  this Feature:

(at least one phone number must be in your list to turn on this service.)

  1. Dial *61. Voice prompts will inform you if list is on or off. To turn on or off, press 3. The feature must be activated to ring distinctly.

The Privacy Defender feature allows you to control incoming calls, giving you the ability to screen and reject unwanted calls. When this feature is active, callers will hear an announcement to Press 8 if they are not a telemarketer.

Find Me Feature

Dial *300 from your home phone

  • Press 1 to turn screening feature on or off
  • Press 2 to create or change the bypass code
  • Press 3 to change language
  • Press 4 to manage screening list
  • Press 5 to add last caller to restricted list
  • Press 9 to exit

This feature allows you to dial a code to have your phone continuously attempt to redial a busy number(s). If the line becomes free within 30 minutes, you will be alerted with a special ringing, and a call will automatically be made. You may still make and receive other calls. You can also use Repeat Dialing to redial the last number you called.

To Use Repeat Dialing:

  1. Hang up, then lift the receiver, listen for dial tone.
  2. Dial *66
  3. If the line is busy:
    1. – listen for three beeps or an announcement telling you the number is busy.
    2. – hang up.
    3. – you will hear a short-short-long ring when the line is free.
    4. – your call will automatically be made when you lift the handset.
  1. If the line is not busy:
    1. – listen for ringing.
    2. – wait for answer.

To Cancel Repeat Dialing:

  • Dial *86 and listen for tone or announcement.

Create a list of up to 30 phone numbers you want to accept calls from. Callers not on the list will be routed to an announcement saying their calls are not being accepted at this time.

 Setting up a List:

  1. Dial *64
  2. Press #
  3. Dial the 10-digit phone number you wish to add.
  4. Press # again after the number is entered. At least one phone number must be placed in the list before the feature can be activated. For more options see “List Setup & Review.”

 

To Deactivate:

Dial *64, voice prompts inform you if the feature is on or o_. After voice prompt, press # to turn of feature. The feature must be activated

Speed Dialing 30

 

Call your 30 most frequently dialed numbers quickly, easily and accurately.

 

To Enter or Change Speed Dialing List:

  1. Lift handset & listen for dial tone.
  2. Dial *75.
  3. Press one of the 30 two-digit speednumbers (20 through 49). For example… 28.
  4. Then dial the number you wish to speed call. (For long distance entries, remember to include the 1 and the area code.)
  5. Press the # button.
  6. Listen for the two beeps which indicate that your number has been entered. Then hang up and repeat procedure.
  7. Enter all the numbers on your list at this time or enter them one at a time later.

 

To Use Your Speed Calling 30 Feature:

  1. Lift handset and listen for the dial tone.
  2. Press the appropriate two-digit speed-number (20 through 49).
  3. Press the # button.
  4. Your call will now be dialed automatically.

Interrupts “unknown” or “out-of-area” calls and announces you don’t accept calls from telemarketers. Anyone outside of the Consolidated area will be prompted to Press 1 if they are not a telemarketer.

Dial *78 from your home phone.

Main Menu:

  • Press 1 to add a number to your blocked list
  • Press 2 to remove a number from your blocked list
  • Press 3 to remove all numbers from your list
  • Press 4 to add a number to your allowed list
  • Press 6 to turn the entire service ON
  • Press 7 to turn the entire service OFF
  • Press 8 to block calls from private callers
  • Press 9 to allow calls from private callers
  • Press * to repeat menu options

Note: if you wish to add the last caller’s number to your blocked list simply hang up and dial *79. *Additional charges may apply.

Note: You may add your telephone number to the State Do-Not-Call List by calling toll free 1-888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov

Allows you to access long distance service by using a PIN number on a restricted line

Dial the long distance number you are calling. When you get a confirmation tone, dial your 4 digit PIN.

When the call is ended the line is once again restricted.

Blocks private numbers only. Unknown or unavailable calls will not be blocked.

Listen for dial tone. Then Dial *77. A confirmation announcement will indicate the service is activated. Dial *87 to deactivate.

To Cancel: #77