Help Center
We're here to help! Call our 24/7 Help Line anytime: 800-448-8260
Battery Backup
If you have fiber-to-the-home telephone service, your voice service requires backup battery power to continue functioning in the event of a commercial power outage.
The FCC requires that Garden Valley provide customers information regarding the backup battery power in the event of a commercial power outage.
- The backup battery included with your Garden Valley Technologies fiber optic voice service is expected to last up to 8 hours under normal use conditions.
- Extended battery pack(s) are available for purchase, and each extended battery pack will last up to 24 hours.
- Battery pack(s) are maintained by Garden Valley Technologies.
- Garden Valley Technologies backup battery only provides backup power to Garden Valley Technologies fiber optic voice services.
- Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a residential voice telephone backup battery. Those devices are powered by source such as a generator or UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). These type of alternate power sources are available from third party retail vendors.
- Extended battery pack(s) are available for purchase, and each extended battery pack will last up to 24 hours.
- Garden Valley Technologies will handle all battery replacements to avoid the possibility of damage to its network components.
- Garden Valley monitors its batteries and has a replacement practice when their expected life of 5-7 years is exhausted.
- The backup battery included with your Garden Valley Technologies fiber optic voice service is expected to last up to 8 hours under normal use conditions.
- Additional battery packs can be purchased for a one-time cost of $76.00 /each. A maximum of two battery packs is allowed, creating a backup time of 56 hours.
- Garden Valley Technologies will handle all battery replacements.
- Garden Valley Technologies monitors its batteries and the customers battery voltage will alert GV when it is low.
Garden Valley Technologies backup batteries are rechargeable and have an estimated useful life span of 5-7 years.
Service Connection Charges
This service order charge applies to all customers who are ordering a new telephone service or changing their number.
This service charge applies to all telephone customers who are ordering service changes. It applies to all service order activity other than new installations, new locations, adding voice messaging services or calling features.
This charge is for work done at the Garden Valley central office and/or along the distribution line between the Telephone Company central office and up to and including the station protector
These charges apply to the installation of additional buried cable to separate buildings on the same premise. The construction required for other installations, such as multi-line installations, would be charged based on the actual facilities and construction required.
This charge applies each time the customer requests a change made to a different long distance carrier.
- Surface Wiring: Charges apply to each individual run of inside wire from the protector or junction point within the house to each individual location within the premise.
- Concealed Wiring: Charges apply if the customer requests the wire to be installed within a wall, ceiling or any other concealed area.
- Prewire: Charges apply whenever a customer requests to have new construction wired for telephone prior to insulating and finishing the walls.
A trip charge applies whenever a customer requests service work on their phone service, such as wire installation, telephone jack installation and telephone installations, or any changes beyond the protector (demarcation point) within the premise.
This charge applies to the cost of each individual telephone jack and the installation of each telephone jack.
Provides customers with the comfort of knowing that if a problem occurs with their telephone service, GVT will identify the problem free of charge even if it is caused by sub-owned equipment.
Note: A security deposit may also be required to establish service with GVT. The deposit will be returned after 12 months of good payment history.
Local Service Charges
- Residential – $0.00
- Single-line Business – $3.00
- Multi-Line Business – $3.00
Per the FCC rules, the Access Recovery Charge recovers a limited portion of the revenues lost due to FCC mandated reductions on intercarrier payments.
The U.S. Federal Government imposes a Federal EXCISE Tax of 3 percent on all monthly telephone services. The EXCISE Tax applies to telephone customers who are not tax-exempt.
The State of Minnesota imposes a SALES Tax of 6.875 percent on all monthly telephone services, on some other services, on long distance calls and on most purchases. The SALES Tax applies to telephone customers who are not tax-exempt. Monthly Internet service is a non-taxable service at this time. Polk County .25% sales and use tax implemented by the MN Department of Revenue will fund local projects in Polk County and is applicable to customers who reside within the County.
TAP Fee – Telephone Assistance Plan
Business & Residence (per local access line)
This Plan is funded by a monthly fee to telephone customers. This Plan provides bill credits to low-income residential telephone customers who are at least 65 years old and also to low-income disabled customers. We have forms at our office to apply for this TAP credit, however, the customer must send the information to the address provided on the form.
TELE-RELAY – Telecommunications Access Minnesota
Business & Residence (per local access line)
This Program is funded through a fee on residence and business access lines which will pay the 911 surcharge. This government program will distribute communications devices to eligible communication-impaired persons, and will create and maintain telecommunication relay services.
911 Fee – Emergency Calls
Business & Residence (per local access line)
All Minnesota telephone companies are required to collect a 911 monthly fee from each local access line. This fee covers the State of Minnesota’s costs of ongoing maintenance of trunking and central office equipment for 911 in Minnesota, plus the costs of administering the program.
- Business & Residence (per local access line) – $6.50
- Multi-Line Business (per local access line) – $9.20
This is a charge the FCC has established as a means for telephone companies to recover some of the costs to connect consumers to the interstate telephone network for the initiation and completion of long distance phone calls.
**INCREASE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND CHARGE **
Effective October, 2023, the amount of the Federal USF Charge (FUSC), appearing on your bill each month, may change as a result of an expected increase in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) universal service fund contribution factor from 29.2% to 34.5%. The Federal Universal Service Fund Program is designed to help keep local telephone service rates affordable for all customers, in all areas of the United States.
This is a charge established by the National Exchange Carrier Association to recover GVT’s FCC-mandated contributions to support Universal Service. The Universal Service Program seeks to ensure the availability of telephone service for low-income consumers, as well as consumers living in rural and high-cost areas, and maintain basic residential service at affordable levels. These rates are subject to change on a quarterly basis.
Directory Assistance
Dial 411. (A 50¢ charge applies for each call. Additional charges would apply for call completion by Directory Assistance Operator.) 411 calls may be restricted if you have toll restriction on your line.
Dial 1 + the Area Code for the place you wish to call + 555-1212. See your GV directory for area codes. (Contact your selected carrier for rate information.) Dial 1-800-555-1212.
Persons whose handicaps prevent them from using the telephone directory may be eligible for free Directory Assistance calls. An application form may be requested by calling 1-218-687-5251 or 1-800-448-8260.
Dial 1010 + 288 + 0. Press “1” at recording, when operator answers, ask for International Directory Assistance. The charge for Directory Assistance will be billed to the number you’re calling from. Provided by other Long Distance Carriers: Contact your Long Distance Provider. Note: Rates are subject to change.
If Garden Valley is informed that a customer received incorrect Directory Assistance information for which a fee was charged, Garden Valley will issue an immediate credit to the customer’s account.
In order to receive credit:
- You must call the same dialing pattern when requesting credit. Example: If you dialed 411 for your Directory Assistance, you must dial that same number to request the credit. This will ensure that the proper provider is issuing the credit. You will also need to provide what listing was incorrect so we may update our listings.
- You may request up to three credits each time you call.
Harassing & Telemarketing Calls
If you get an annoying, obscene or threatening call, hang up immediately. Threatening calls should be reported immediately to the police. If calls persist, you may use the following Call Trace procedures.
Call Trace allows you to automatically activate a trace of an obscene, threatening or harassing call. After receiving such a call, you simply dial a special code to have the calling party’s number printed at Garden Valley. There is a $1.00 charge for each successful Call Trace that is investigated.
To Use Call Trace:
- Hang up after receiving the annoying
- Lift the receiver and listen for dial
- Press *57, then listen for the announcement which will tell you if your trace was (If you have a rotary phone, dial 1157.)
Additional Option (If you do not want to use Call Trace)
- Contact your local law enforcement
- Complete required call tracing form provided by your local law enforcement
- Return completed form to local law
- For further assistance, call the Garden Valley business office at 218-687-5251 or 800-448-8260 and ask for the representative that handles call tracing
The federal government created the Do-Not-Call Registry to make it easier and more efficient for consumers to stop getting most telemarketing sales calls they don’t want. You can register home or personal cell phone numbers online at www.donotcall.gov, or call toll-free, 888-382-1222 (voice) or 866-290-4236 (TTY), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free and your number will stay in the registry indefinitely, until it is disconnected, or until you delete it from the registry. If you register online, you will receive a confirmation email from donotcall.gov. You must click on the link in the email within 72 hours to complete your registration.
If you receive telemarketing calls after you have registered your telephone number and it has been in the registry for 31 days, you can file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888-382-1222 (voice) or 866-290-4236 (TTY). You will have to know the date of the call, and either the company’s name or phone number to file a “do not call” complaint.
Reminder: Even if your number is registered, companies with which you do business may continue to call you…so may charities, political organizations, telephone surveyors and debt collection calls
Calling Features & Voice Mail
Caller ID lets you see the calling party’s phone number and name or phone number only, before answering a call. A special display device located on or next to your phone is required to allow you to view the phone number and name or phone number only.
Notice: Caller ID service is susceptible to fraud known as Caller ID “spoofing”. Disreputable persons can deliberately falsify the caller ID number to disguise the identity of the caller. Congress is currently considering new laws to take action against spoofers. For more information, search for “spoofing” under the www.fcc.gov.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wait for the start of the second full ring of your phone set.
- The calling party’s name and number will appear on the display.
Note: Caller ID unit or compatible phone is required with this service.
Prevents your number from being displayed on someone’s caller ID.
When a customer has call blocking on their line, they must dial a code to allow their number to be displayed.
Prevents incoming calls from ringing your line. Only callers you have given your personal code to may override the feature and ring your phone.
Privacy Defender has two forms of call screening features:
- Anonymous
Screens calls that are marked “private” or “no data”. Callers are asked to record their name to ring to your phone. - Telemarketer
Intercepts all calls with an announcement stating “please press 8 to confirm that you are not a telemarketer”.
Forward your incoming calls to another location when you are away from home. You control the forwarding of your calls to any number, including your cell phone (long distance charges will apply) or pager.
- Call Forwarding All Calls Forward all incoming calls to another number.
- Call Forwarding Busy Line Forwards to another number when your line is busy.
- Call Forwarding No Answer Set your phone to forward to another number after a designated number of rings.
- Call Forwarding Remote Forward your phone from a different location.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Press *72.
- Enter the phone number where you want calls to be forwarded.
- Press #, then listen for two beeps.
- Hang up.
To Cancel Call Forwarding:
- Press *73.
- Listen for two beeps followed by a dial tone, meaning your calls are no longer being transferred.
Your phone rings with a distinctive pattern every time you get a call from someone on your “special list.” All other calls ring the normal way. And, if you have call waiting, you will hear a distinctive call waiting signal when your “favorites” call.
This feature allows you to have up to four phone numbers with unique ringing patterns (and unique Call Waiting tones if you have the Call Waiting feature) to differentiate between the calls. Great for teens or roommates.
This feature allows the phone to automatically dial a preprogrammed number if the phone is knocked off the hook for more than 15 seconds. Ideal for the elderly, handicapped, or disabled to signal for help without having to dial a number.
This feature allows the phone to automatically dial a preprogrammed number just by lifting the handset. Ideal for the elderly, handicapped, or disabled to signal for help without having to dial a number.
Allows you to put an on-going conversation on hold, and call another number or answer a waiting call.
Allows you to automatically request a trace of an obscene, threatening, or harassing call. After receiving such a call, you simply dial a special code to have the calling party’s phone number printed at Garden Valley. There is a $1.00 charge for each successful Call Trace that is investigated.
Allows you to consolidate up to six telephone numbers giving you the tools to integrate your home, cell and office phone so that you can be reached no matter where you are. One call rings all phones at the same time or in an order that you choose. You give people just one phone number – your landline number – and answer calls with the phone that’s most convenient for you. Long distance charges will apply if call is being forwarded to a long distance number.
You’ll never miss another call while you’re on the phone. With call waiting, a “beep” alerts you to another incoming call. Put your first call “on hold” while you answer the second call. If you are making an important call and do not want to be disturbed by incoming calls, you can activate cancel call waiting to temporarily turn off the call waiting service.
INSTRUCTIONS
- To put the first call on hold, press and release the disconnect button on your phone. You will automatically connect with the second call.
- To alternate between calls, simply press the disconnect button again.
- To end either call, simply hang up.
This features allows you and two other parties to hold a conversation at the same time. It works with local and/or long distance calls.
Place phone calls using one or two digit numbers. You have the option of an 8 number or 30 number speed dial list.
This feature allows you to redial the last number called for up to 30 minutes.
Allows you to control who you do or do not receive calls from.
- Selective Call Acceptance You create a list of phone numbers from which you wish to receive calls. All other callers will receive a recording that you are not receiving calls at this time. You can add, delete, or change numbers on your list at any time.
- Selective Call Forwarding Build a list of up to six numbers that will be forwarded to another location.
- Selective Call Rejection Create a list of phone numbers from which you do not wish to receive calls. These callers will get a recording that you are not receiving calls at this time. Numbers on your list can be modified at any time.
You get all the benefits of 3-way calling, plus it allows you to transfer a call to another number and hang up without disconnecting the other two parties.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Press and release the disconnect button on your phone.
- Wait for the three beeps and a steady dial tone.
- Dial the transfer-to number.
- When the line begins to ring, you can either wait for the third party to answer or hang up to transfer the call.
Note: If a call is transferred to a number that is long distance, toll charges will be incurred by the party transferring the call.
Voice Mail service assures that you will always get your messages, even when you are on the telephone – an advantage that is not available on most answering machines.
Basic/Enhanced Voice Mail instructions:
- If you dial XXX-9931, click here
- If you dial XXX-9961, click here
An announcement can be placed on your telephone number notifying callers that your number has changed for a period of up to 60 days.
This feature allows you to call or transfer a call to another extension on the same line. A distinctive ringing pattern is given when either of the two intercom codes is dialed.
Important Information
In general, the location and the character of use of a telephone service govern its classification as to business or residential. Business Rates apply to any telephone service provided for subscriber use, in any premise which is regularly used in whole or in part for any business, trade or professional purpose; or for both business and residential purposes; and to such service, wherever located, if provided with a business type of listing or designation or it is evident from any advertising that the telephone service will be used for any business, trade or professional purpose. Residential Rates apply where the use is of a social and domestic nature.
Providing customers with the comfort of knowing that if a problem occurs with their telephone service, GVT will identify the problem free of charge even if it is caused by sub-owned equipment. GVT will repair or replace any damaged telephone wiring or jacks within the residence or business free of charge. If the trouble is a problem with the subscriber’s sub-owned telephone, fax machine, computer, or any other equipment connected to the phone service, GVT will inform the customer and discuss options available for repair or replacement of equipment through GVT. There is a separate charge for each telephone line within the premise. Without this service, the subscriber is responsible for all charges associated with the maintenance of the wire, jacks and sub-owned equipment should it cause service problems with their telephone service. This service does not include free repair or replacement of sub-owned equipment.
If you leave your residence or business for at least three months and intend to return and request telephone service again, please study the following information. We have an obligation to supply telephone service, upon request and proper payment, with respect to availability and construction requirements. When a telephone number is disconnected, that number may be made available to the next party requesting service. To avoid the reassignment of your telephone number and payment of reconnect charges, we suggest that you take advantage of the suspended service (vacation) rate. This rate is charged during the time your service is disconnected and is billed at one-half of the regular local service rate. While on suspended service, a recording is placed on your line informing callers of the temporary disconnect. Your name and number are continued in any new directory and you do not pay a reconnect charge when you return.
You may request that the listing of your telephone number be excluded from the Garden Valley Technologies directory, but still made available to callers through Directory Assistance, or by calling the GVT office. This is called Non-Listed Service and may be obtained for a monthly fee. If you do not want your number released through Directory Assistance or published in the GVT directory, you may request Non-Published Service. There is a monthly fee for this service. Please note that GVT must provide subscriber listings to authorized persons and organizations responsible for 911 emergency telephone systems. Non-listed and non-published service numbers will show up on Caller ID units unless you have line blocking or use per call blocking.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. In order for 988 to work in your (218) area code, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented.
Local calls dialed with only 7-digits will not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number. The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services, including Expanded Local Calling will not change due to the dialing change.
