Social activities and contacts are nothing new or revolutionary.  However, the means that we use to make these social contacts and initiate these activities are always up for change. 

From early times until today the method of communicating has, as you all know, changed a great deal (understatement).  Telecommunications has been on the cutting edge of these changes for many years.

Many of you can undoubtedly remember using party-line telephone service.  Two party, eight party service, etc. was at one time common place (present day conference bridge?).  Needless to say social contacts for some users centered around the use of the party line telephone.  As time progressed so did the telephone service, not just the type of telephones but also the means by which they are interconnected to one another.  The fact, that the telephone has remained as a constant in the social life of many people has never changed; it has only expanded.  In today’s age the term of, telephone communications, is almost too restrictive and the term telecommunications is now used to incorporate the use of the Internet, E-mail, cell phone, etc.  The social fabric of our society still relies on communications and the vehicle for this social contact is one purpose of the telecommunications network. 

Our society is often referred to as a global society.  In this environment our family and friends are often thousands of miles apart from us.  In order that we can stay in touch with them for social or business reasons we rely on the telecommunications networks in place around the world.

Today the telecommunications industry provides a conduit for the social activity of many customers in the form of telephone service, Internet service, email, cell phone service, and other wireless and interactive means.  This social contact via telecommunications takes the form of voice, video, “texting”, data transmissions of all sorts, etc.  To this end the Nebraska Telecommunications Companies have committed to remaining on the cutting edge of change and this philosophy is incorporated into the mission of the Nebraska Information Network.