hill country, meet fiber. - Hill Country Telephone Cooperative

SPRING 2015
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM HILL COUNTRY TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE, INC.
HILL COUNTRY, MEET FIBER.
CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER
Over the last few years, Hill
Country Telephone Cooperative
and its subsidiary, Hill Country
Telecommunications, LLC, have
quietly been working to thrust the
Hill Country into the forefront of
digital communications.
Life in the 21st Century is so often
linked to our access to technology.
Whether the need is to make video
calls with the grandkids or screen
an X-ray from a lab hundreds of
miles away, our lives are ever more
dependent on access to high speed
data. Fiber optics is the best and
fastest way to provide that access.
If you are using a smartphone or
tablet, a laptop or desktop computer,
most of the applications you want
to use perform far better with a high
speed Internet connection. Music,
games, video and movies are all
enjoyable with fast speeds. Up until
recently, that technology was mostly
reserved for business and residents
of large cities. Even conventional
phone service is better served with
fiber optics.
But, with a multi-million dollar
investment, Hill Country Telephone
has successfully installed fiber optics
in much of the Hill Country that
has not previously had high-speed
communications. This means homes
and businesses here now have the
super fast data rates and download
speeds. Most of the national news
attention has been around Google®
Fiber and those communities the giant
company has chosen to overbuild
with fiber optics. Austin and San
Antonio have both been chosen as
Google Fiber communities.
What is less known is that
communities like Kerrville, Ingram,
and Mason have access to the
same data speeds. All thanks to Hill
Country Telephone. In some places,
like Kerrville, access to fiber is
limited to business addresses located
closest to the fiber backbone. In
Mason and Ingram, however,
widespread access is available. As is
the case with Google Fiber or cable
TV, not all areas are served, but
many are. Hill Country’s website at
www.hctc.net will help put you
in touch with someone who can
check your home or business
address for access.
FIBER EXPANSION AND NETWORK UPGRADES CONTINUE
RURAL TELCOS: PROVEN
LEADERS IN THE MOVE TO AN
INTERNET-BASED SOCIETY.
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative
is actively working on expansion
of state-of-the-art fiber optics in our
rural areas. The project is known as
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Backbone
Infrastructure Project.
FIVE DIRECTORS COMPLETE CORE CURRICULUM
Bob Trees
Ed Bastian
NTCA-The Rural Broadband
Association recently recognized five
directors of Hill Country Telephone
Cooperative for their completion
of the Directors Core Curriculum
(DCC) Program.
The DCC program is designed
specifically for telco directors with
courses divided among four areas of
study (Policy, Technology, Business
and Governance). The seminars
are designed to expose directors
Randy Bass
Kathy Bohn
to the principles and concepts of
these study areas, creating highly
effective Board members. Directors of
commercial companies must complete
eight required courses. Directors of
cooperatives must take one additional
course, “Understanding Capital
Credits”, which is deemed essential
to understanding their role as
members of the Cooperative’s Board.
Congratulations to Bob Trees,
Director-District #1A (Ingram);
T.H. “Rocky” Rocchio
Ed Bastian, Director-District #1B
(Ingram); Randy Bass, Director-District
#2 (Hunt); Kathy Bohn, DirectorDistrict #6A (Comfort and Sisterdale);
and T.H. “Rocky” Rocchio, DirectorDistrict #9 (Frio Canyon) on their
achievement.
www.facebook.com/MyHillCountry
HCTC HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES
Hands Caring for
The Community is
composed of employees
from Hill Country
Telephone Cooperative
volunteering to make
our communities better.
Hill Country Telephone
Cooperative, in combination with
Hands Caring for The Community,
participates in many local projects
designed to assist the less fortunate.
These projects include assistance at
local organizations such as the K’Star
Shelter of Kerrville, C.A.M.P. Camp of
Center Point, the Women’s Shelter, Kerr
County Women and Men’s Christian
Job Corp, local food banks, Kerrville
State Hospital, and Ingram ISD.
Members of Hands Caring for The Community (HCTC) helping out at a local Food Bank.
KIDPICKERS.COM­­
An online community portal for kid pickers.
“American Pickers”
creator and star Mike
Wolfe is helping
kids reconnect
with their families
and communities
through his
website and
new book.
Realizing the importance of Rural
America, Wolfe states, “If you look at
what’s going on with America’s small
towns and main streets, they are
disappearing. We are on the road all
the time and we see it.” Much of this
decline, Wolfe reflects, is as a result
of loss in the agriculture base and
manufacturing jobs that have moved
overseas. “If a child finds things in
their community and they learn about
their community, then they take pride
in their community,” he says.
Wolfe’s book teaches children how to
learn about their community’s history
and family’s history. “Grandparents
tell us that kids come out to their
house now and they want to look
in their barns, their attics, their
basements—they want to know who
this was, what it was, they want to
know more about it.” The book is
available in all major bookstores and
online retailers.
ESSENTIAL HOME SECURITY
24/7 MONITORING
REMOTE CONTROL VIA APP
OPTIMIZED FOR YOUR HOME
Rethink your
Security & Alarm
The KidPickers.com website provides
a safe environment for kids to interact
with other kids about their findings
and adventures. The site is only
open to kids age 13 and younger,
and a parent must be involved in the
registration process. Fifty percent of
the one-time $5 subscription fee is
donated to the St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital for their Kid Pickers
for Kids with Cancer program.
CUSTOMER FACTS
HECHOS DEL CLIENTE
TEXAS “NO CALL” LISTS
Texans may register a telephone number(s) for one or both of two
“No Call” lists sponsored by the Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Placing your name, address and telephone number on these
lists will identify you as someone who does not wish to receive
telemarketing calls at home.
STATEWIDE “DO NOT CALL” LIST
Residential or Wireless Only
The statewide “Do Not Call” list applies to any telephone
marketers, including Retail Electric Providers, operating in Texas.
Your registered telephone number(s) will remain on this list for
three years.
“ELECTRIC NO CALL” LIST
Business Service Only
The second list prevents calls only from Retail Providers and
telemarketers calling about your electric service. Business numbers
placed on this list will remain on the list five years.
When will these calls stop?
The date of your registration determines the date by which all
telemarketing to your number must stop:
Date Registered Calls Stop By
Jan 1 - Mar 31 June 1
Apr 1 - June 30 Sept 1
Jul 1 - Sept 30
Dec 1
Oct 1 - Dec 31
Mar 1
How do I sign up?
At www.TexasNoCall.com - Use the Internet for an easy,
automated method that provides instant registration. To register by
mail, use the printable registration form.
•
Request a registration form by calling 1-866-TXNOCALL
(1-866-896-6225).
•
Write: TEXAS NO CALL
P. O. Box 313
E. Walpole, MA 02032
Online registration is free. Telephone registrations must be
paid by credit card. Mailed applications may be paid by credit
card or by check made payable to Texas No Call. The charge is
$2.25 for each number registered on the “Do Not Call” list and
$2.55 for each number placed on the “Electric No Call” list.
Consumers in Texas can now register for the National Do Not
Call list by visiting www.DoNotCall.gov or by calling toll-free
1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236).
Companies that conduct telemarketing activities should
call 1-866-896-6225 or visit
www.TexasNoCall.com for compliance
information and additional details regarding
Texas “No Call” lists.
LISTAS DE “NO LLAMAR” EN TEJAS
Tejanos pueden ahora registrar un número(s) de teléfono para
uno o ambos de dos listas “No Llamar” patrocinado por la
Comisión de Utilidad Pública (PUC). Poniendo su nombre, la
dirección y el número de teléfono en estas listas le identificarán
pues alguien que no desea recibir llamadas de telemarcaderos
en casa.
LA LISTA ESTATAL DE “NO LLAMAR”
Solo Residencial o Celular
La lista estatal de “No Llamar” se aplica a cualquier vendedor
de teléfono incluyendo proveedores electricos que funciónan en
Tejas. Su número(s) de teléfono registrado se quedará en esta
lista durante tres años.
LA LISTA “ELÉCTRICA DE NO LLAMAR”
Solo Servicio de Negocio
La segunda lista previene llamadas sólamente de abastecedores
y telemarcaderos eléctricos que llaman sobre su servicio
eléctrico. Números de negocio puestos en esta lista seguiran
apareciendo en la lista por cinco años.
¿Cuándo pararán estas llamadas?
La fecha de su matrícula determina la fecha que toda televenta a
su número debe parar:
Fecha Registrada
Llamadas Paran
Jan 1 - Mar 31
June 1
Apr 1 - June 30
Sept 1
Jul 1 - Sept 30
Dec 1
Oct 1 - Dec 31
Mar 1
¿Cómo puedo registrarme?
En www.TexasNoCall.com- Utilizar el Internet para
unmétodo fácil y automatizado que proporciona matrícula
instantánea. Para registrar por el correo, utiliza el formulario de
inscripción imprimible.
•
Solicite un formulario de inscripción llamando
1-866-TXNOCALL (1-866-896-6225).
•
Escriba: TEXAS NO CALL
P. O. Box 313
E. Walpole, MA 02032
Registración en linea es gratis. Las matrículas telefónicas
deben ser pagadas por tarjeta de crédito. Las aplicaciones
enviadas pueden ser pagadas por tarjeta de crédito o cheque
hecho pagadero a Texas No Call. La carga es $2.25 para cada
número registrado en la lista de “No Llamar” y $2.55 para cada
número puesto en la lista “Electrica de No Llamar.”
Los consumidores en Tejas ahora se pueden registrar en la lista
Nacíonal de No Llamar visitando www.DoNotCall.gov o
llamando (gratis) 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236).
Las compañias que conducen actividades de tele marca
dero deben llamar 1-866-896-6225 o visitar
www.TexasNoCall.com para información de conformidad
y detalles adicionales con respecto a las listas de “No Llamar”
de Tejas.
BEWARE OF TECH SUPPORT SCAMS
SOME MAY APPEAR TO BE AN HCTC PRODUCT
Scammers have been peddling bogus
security software products for years
using fake websites, free offers, and
alarming messages to try to convince
you that your computer is infected.
But recently customers have been
reporting that some of the scams
appear as an HCTC product that
pops up on their computer screens.
The latest version of the scam begins
with a phone call. Once they have
you on the phone, they often try
to gain your trust by pretending
to be associated with well-known
companies, such as Hill Country
Telephone Cooperative, or confusing
you with a barrage of technical
terms. They may ask you to go to
your computer and perform a series
of complex tasks. Sometimes, they
target legitimate computer files and
claim that they are viruses. Their
tactics are designed to scare you into
WHAT TO DO IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU:
If You Get a Call from someone
who claims to be a tech support
person, hang up and call the
company yourself using a phone
number you know to be legitimate. A
caller who creates a sense of urgency
or uses high-pressure tactics is
probably a scam artist. DO NOT rely
on Caller ID alone to authenticate
a caller. Criminals can fake caller
ID numbers and may not even be in
the same country as you. Place your
phone number on the National Do
Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.
gov) and report illegal sales calls.
believing they can help fix
your “problem.”
If you believe that someone may have
accessed your personal or financial
If You’ve Responded to a Scam
and think you might have downloaded
malware from a scam site or allowed
a cybercriminal to access your
computer, don’t panic. Instead update
or download legitimate security
software and scan your computer.
Change any passwords that you
gave out. If you use these passwords
for other accounts, change those
accounts, too. If you paid for bogus
services with a credit card, call your
credit card provider and ask to reverse
the charges. Check your statements for
any other charges you didn’t make,
and ask to reverse those, too.
information, file a complaint with
the Federal Trade Commission at
www.ftc.gov.
NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
ON SCHEDULE
Construction of the new office building
remains on schedule with completion
expected by mid-2015. The state-of-theart retail facility will offer an Internet
experience on the power that high-tech
broadband brings to our communities.
NEW KERRVILLE LOCATION IN RIVER HILLS MALL
We have temporarily relocated
to office space at 200 Sidney
Baker South, #33 (in River
Hills Mall).
repair. Walk-ins welcome.
Complimentary diagnostics.
Our Kerrville office offers technology
solutions and technical support for
the business and home including
personal devices and computer
EVERYDAY SPECIAL
20% discount for Veterans
(labor only)
Monday-Friday from 8-5
830.315.4349
Move-In Special
$25OFF
OF $75 OR MORE
(LABOR ONLY)
Expires 6/30/15
Limited to 1 per
customer/visit
EMPLOYEE SERVICE RECOGNITION
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COOPERATIVE
AND TO OUR MEMBERS.
DEAN OATES
BETTY DRAWE
Outside Plant Engineer
Insurance Benefits Coordinator
CHRIS LINDEMANN
KAREN HOLBROOK
DENISE SALTER
Outside Plant Inspector
Supervisor—Centralized
Operations
Manager—Billing &
Customer Service
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BERNICE FISCHER
Manager—Human Resources &
Administration
MARGIE DOMINGUEZ
NEWELL STEWART
JOHN IVY
Product Development Specialist
Outside Plant Technician
Outside Plant Planner
BRADLEY CHAPMAN
ROBERT HARRIS
Systems Administrator
Senior Graphic Designer
Security Alarm Technician
NISHA CHANDY
KERRY SUTTON
MARK HESS
IP Network Engineer
Program Manager—Business
Development
Business Solutions Specialist
PATRICK TINLEY
ROSE PETMECKY
PATTY FEAGAN
Manager—Network Operations
Customer Service
Representative
Licensed Manager—Security
Alarm
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LEN CONRAD
SUSAN BAKER
DONNA BROCK
APRIL HANSARD
Dispatcher
Dispatcher
Chief Financial Officer
P.O. BOX 768
INGRAM, TEXAS 78025
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PA ID
Kerrville, TX
HERRING
PRINTING
NOW OPEN AT THESE LOCATIONS
(FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE)
Ingram
220 Carolyn
830.367.5333
M-F, 8-5
Kerrville
200 Sidney Baker S., #33
(Inside River Hills Mall)
830.315.4349
M-F, 8-5
Mason
817 S. San Antonio St.
325.347.8877
M-F, 8-5 (Closed 1-2 for lunch)
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
P.O. Box 768, Ingram, Texas 78025
830.367.5333 • 800.292.5457
www.hctc.net
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER