HTC News, keeping updated on the latest technology

March 23, 2010

Waterloo Residents Latest to Receive HTC’s Ultimate Entertainment Service

Waterloo, Ill., residents are the latest community to receive Harrisonville Telephone Company’s (HTC) new Ultimate Entertainment television service. The advanced Ultimate Entertainment service provides Waterloo residents with a truly local state of the art television alternative to fulfill today’s and tomorrow’s television viewing experience.

Using the power of the high-speed Internet network, Ultimate Entertainment works much like traditional television service options enjoyed from the comfort of your living room. However, it delivers considerably more features, which include more than 200 crystal-clear video channels, a vast array of music channels and premium movie suites such as HBO, STARZ! and Showtime. Plus, Ultimate Entertainment provides on-screen Caller ID, Internet feeds, Custom Parental Controls, High-Definition programming, Whole-Home DVR options and Video-on-Demand.

“Ultimate Entertainment is an exciting product to bring to our customers,” said H. R. Gentsch, HTC President and CEO.  “At HTC, we take great pride in being a local company that responds quickly and effectively to our customers needs. To this end, Ultimate Entertainment television allows us to be a one-stop communications source for our customers who have the convenience of walking into our stores or calling a local representative with questions or issues.”

HTC’s high-speed Internet network, which makes Ultimate Entertainment possible, is indicative of the latest technology in digital entertainment and provides the most advanced television services through a high-speed data-network.  HTC’s rollout of this new high-speed Internet network keeps the local telephone company competitive with larger, national providers and at the forefront of its industry.

The availability of Ultimate Entertainment is expanding progressively throughout the HTC service area.  Already available in Valmeyer, Prairie du Rocher, Ruma and Maeystown, Ultimate Entertainment will be introduced next in Columbia, Dupo and Red Bud.  Availability updates can be found in the Ultimate Entertainment and News sections of htc.net.

More information about pricing and HTC service-bundle options is available under the bundle section and by contacting 618-939-4600.

February 18, 2010

Seniors Benefit from Internet

In a February 2010 issue of the Millstadt Messenger, “The Senior Moment” column by Tori Salladay pointed out the benefits of Internet for seniors. Online connectivity provides the following benefits for the elderly

- Reduced Depression
- Improved Socialization
- Increased Mental Activity

The Millstadt Messenger article offered these suggestions for introducing older generations to the Internet:

Patience. Remember that computers have really become accessible in the last 30 years, so they are not intuitive to older generations who have functioned quite well without them.

Shortcuts. Think of things they need to know, such as hit “Ctrl” and “+” to increase font size on a PC. The “-“ makes text smaller. On a Mac, substitute the “Apple” key for the “Ctrl” key for the same function.

Details. Key things seniors need to know is how to use the Internet and how to check and send email. Don’t forget to teach other details, such as attaching a photo or a document.

Interact. Once you’ve set them up on the Internet, make it fun for them. Send messages and photos. And, continue to teach your older loved ones more ways that the Internet can benefit them.

Smiles. Enjoy the excitement with them as they learn to expand their social circle and interact more personally with grandkids.

Read the whole article.

January 11, 2010

Landline Phones Important Emergency Tool For Small Children

In most critical situations, local phone service remains the most reliable and trusted form of communication. Landline phone is protection you can trust. A small child can more easily learn to dial 911 on a landline as opposed to your smart phone. During a storm, HTC’s generators keep your landline telephone operating. Plus, most home security systems continue to connect with emergency service providers through landline telephone service.

December 8, 2009

Benefits of High-Speed Internet

If you still have a dial-up connection, then you are aware of the nuisances – slow connectivity and lengthy downloads. Upgrading to a higher speed provides the following:

1. Quick music downloads
2. Faster gaming
3. Improved connectivity
4. Faster e-mailing and photo sharing
5. Faster photo downloads
6. Improved YouTube and other video feeds

ExpressNet DSL comes in a variety of speeds catered to a range of needs. Our Intro tier is the most versatile for everyday online shopping, Facebooking, photo sharing and emailing. Advanced gaming and video fans should consider higher speeds as should businesses apt to sharing large art files or extensive document sharing.

If you need assistance finding the perfect DSL speed for your needs, just contact a local HTC customer representative at 618.939.6112

November 5, 2009

Business Bundles with HTC

At the end of the year, most businesses are starting to take an analytic view of the years expenses and searching for extra ways to trim costs. One excellent solution is to bundle your telecommunication needs with HTC. Not only have we offered reliable telephone service since 1896, but HTC continues to expand its telecommunication products offering advanced Internet and state-of-the-art television services. Consider these benefits:

1. Local customer service representatives
2. No contract
3. Smaller coverage area for fast repairs
4. Bundling plans catered to business needs
5. High-speed Internet connectivity

Learn more by visiting the Business section of our Web site.

August 18, 2009

Landline Telephone important to dwellers residing in multi-family building

When it counts, would emergency responders know where to find you? Even as modern technology advances, landline telephone remains an essential connection for most reliable home security and emergency response systems. Pinpoint 911 provides precise location information as opposed to mobile technology that directs EMT and Police to within 300 feet of your exact location. If you are in a multi-family residential unit such as a condo or an apartment, this could be a lot of doors to check…and in an emergency every second counts. Basic land line plans start under $26.89 per month – a cost effective and reliable solution to have on hand.

July 18, 2009

Valmeyer Residents First to Receive HTC’s Ultimate Entertainment Service

Valmeyer, Ill., residents are first to receive Harrisonville Telephone Company’s (HTC) brand new Ultimate Entertainment service, delivering digital television direct to the home through the same fiber-optic cable used for Internet. The advanced Ultimate Entertainment service greatly enhances television-service options available in Valmeyer, which currently include DIRECTV and Dish Network, and provides more than 200 crystal-clear video channels and 56 music channels.

“As customer demands continue to increase for voice, data and entertainment consumption, HTC Ultimate Entertainment can fulfill these requirements,” said H. R. Gentsch, HTC President and CEO. “HTC’s Ultimate Entertainment will provide customers access to a new one-stop source for a multitude of services – all from a local provider.”

HTC’s Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure, which makes Ultimate Entertainment possible, is indicative of the latest technology in digital entertainment and provides the most advanced television services through a high-speed data-network. HTC’s rollout of the IP network keeps the local telephone company competitive with larger, national providers and at the forefront of its industry.

The availability of Ultimate Entertainment will expand progressively throughout the HTC service area. Following the Valmeyer initiation to Ultimate Entertainment, Illinois residents and businesses in the cities of Prairie Du Rocher, Waterloo, Columbia, Dupo and Red Bud will receive the service. Updates on the availability of Ultimate Entertainment will be posted on the “Ultimate Entertainment” section of htc.net.

Aside from digital clarity, Ultimate Entertainment includes the following top-of-the-line features: Video On Demand, On-Screen Caller ID, Custom Parental Controls, Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and local programming. More information about pricing and HTC service-bundle options can be found on htc.net.

July 17, 2009

HTC Ultimate Entertainment is Here!

In the coming months, many area residents will have a new choice for television and entertainment services. Local telecommunications provider, Harrisonville Telephone Company (HTC), is unveiling revolutionary state-of-the-art service that will bring the latest in advanced communication and entertainment services to the local communities in the HTC service area. The new service is called HTC Ultimate Entertainment.

HTC Ultimate Entertainment is a new television delivery platform, providing more than 250 all-digital, standard- (SD) and high-definition (HD) video and digital music channels, digital video recorder (DVR) functions, video on demand (VOD) and local programming, plus all the video services to fulfill the end-user entertainment experience.

“As customer demands continue to increase for voice, data and entertainment consumption, HTC Ultimate Entertainment can fulfill these requirements,” stated H. R. Gentsch, HTC president and CEO. “HTC Ultimate Entertainment will provide customers access to a new one-stop source for a multitude of services – all from a local provider.”

Ultimate Entertainment utilizes a new, high-speed data-network deployed by HTC. This new network provides area customers the opportunity to gain access to high-speed data services up to 30 mega-bytes per second (Mbps) at a customer’s location. The network’s capability provides unparalleled speeds to support both Internet and television entertainment access. With HTC Ultimate Entertainment, both Internet surfing and entertainment are on full throttle.

“Currently HTC has begun a trial deployment of the HTC Ultimate Entertainment service in the community of Valmeyer, Ill. As we progress through 2009, HTC will continue to roll-out the service in various markets within the HTC serving area,” stated H.R. Gentsch. “As with all HTC products, we are committed to ensuring the highest level of service delivery and are excited to have the opportunity to provide another product to support the communication and entertainment-service needs of local communities.

“As HTC celebrates 113 years in operation, we could not be more excited about remaining the leader in delivering the latest technologies throughout our serving area,” stated H. R. Gentsch. “Our commitment to technology and customer service has been and will remain our focal point as we move into the future.”

July 16, 2009

New Look, New Functionality

Local telecommunications leader, Harrisonville Telephone Company (HTC), has released a new look for its Web site, www.htc.net. The site features video introductions of HTC’s stable of telecommunications services, as well as new functionality.

“As with our new Ultimate Entertainment service, our new Web site lets our customers know we’re a leader in telecommunication services,” said H.R. Gentsch, HTC president and CEO. “We’re reinforcing the fact that HTC stands at the forefront of mobile, household and business technology being offered in the St. Louis metropolitan area.”

Upon entering the site, visitors are greeted by a hostess who provides an overview to the site and HTC’s services. Visitors also have the option to receive a guided tour of the site and/or skip the introduction to make the site flexible based on each visitor’s needs.

Customer service remains a focal point of the new site design. The top of the site includes support and contact information, as well as access to HTC’s online telephone directory – a new service introduced in 2009. Visitors can also view pricing options for bundled packages and view the latest mobile phone offerings.

“It’s something we’re excited about,” said Gentsch. “We hope local residents take a moment to visit us www.htc.net and we look forward to using the site to better stay in touch with our customer base.”