News
Technology and telecommunications are constantly changing, and we at HCTC work to meet these changes and the challenges they bring head-on. For the latest on business developments, personnel changes, technology upgrades, service promotions, product rollouts and other important information, click on the links below or check out our current news releases and newsletters.
June 4, 2021
CTC is enthusiastically engaged in the communities it serves, and those efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The cooperative’s recent endeavor to help local high school students has earned HCTC a prestigious…
May 28, 2021
We search for it. We ask for it. Sometimes, we even share it. But what exactly is Wi-Fi? At its most basic, Wi-Fi is a wireless networking standard that…
May 21, 2021
MANDATORY 10-DIGIT DIALING Ten-digit dialing will become mandatory this fall. Wondering what this means for you? What is 10-digit dialing? All calls will require you to dial the area code…
May 15, 2021
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! May 15 marks the 70th anniversary of the approval of the Hill Country Telephone Cooperative’s charter by the Texas Secretary of State. Thanks to our members, customers and…
May 14, 2021
Connecting a rural community such as ours to the world has never been easy. Decades ago, crews strung telephone lines across a landscape that large national companies chose to ignore,…
May 7, 2021
The Instant Pot, a pressure cooker, is one of the most popular small kitchen appliances of recent years. Naturally, there’s a model capable of connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi…
April 30, 2021
By Shirley Bloomfield | CEO NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association Nearly all of us have spent at least some time this past year working from home. And while remote…
April 2, 2021
From free to pro-grade, find the tools you need. A good office suite with its three core applications — a word processor, a spreadsheet and a presentation program — is…
March 19, 2021
Consumers can tap into a rushing stream of content delivered across devices ranging from TVs to smartphones. Sports, news, movies, comedies, dramas, music — the list of options is seemingly…
March 12, 2021
By STEPHEN V. SMITH We as a nation need to rethink what is considered true broadband connection speeds. That’s the message telecom industry leaders recently sent to the Federal Communications…
March 10, 2021
The 2020 census data will be coming out this year — and despite what the headlines may say, I’m here to tell you that rural America is alive and well….
March 9, 2021
Students let their creativity shine in HCTC building mural Story by ANDREA AGARDY | Photography by GABE HERRERA When Gabe Herrera, a graphic designer at HCTC, had the idea…
March 5, 2021
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association By SHIRLEY BLOOMFIELD, CEO In 2021 the pandemic has made it clear that every American needs broadband to thrive. We need it for work, for school,…
February 19, 2021
HCTC scholarship winners are thriving after college HCTC believes education is the key to prosperity. As an engaged member of the communities it serves, the cooperative is proud to support…
February 12, 2021
Local businessman shares his love of the past through his writing Did you know that Louise Hays Park hosted waterskiing stunt shows in the 1950s or that Kerrville’s first library…
February 5, 2021
Scientist George Washington Carver famously said, “There is no shortcut to achievement.” However, if you’re tired of using your mouse to hunt through menus looking for basic computer commands or…
January 29, 2021
HCTC was recently named a recipient of the prestigious Smart Rural Community designation by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. The Smart Rural Community program promotes rural broadband and its role in…
January 22, 2021
Each year at this time, I usually find myself looking ahead at all of the promise of the new year. Many of us will consider resolutions we can make to…
January 15, 2021
Do learn the secrets to a great virtual meeting. There are some gaffes co-workers never forget. And with the likes of Zoom, GoToMeeting and FaceTime bringing business gatherings into many…
January 8, 2021
We at NTCA are encouraged to see rural broadband take center stage as people talk about how to improve our nation’s infrastructure. While grappling with a pandemic, more people than…
October 29, 2020
Katie Buck was taking care of animals before she was old enough to take care of herself. “I’ve done it my entire life,” she says. “My grandfather had animals. I…
October 29, 2020
High-speed connections power service organizations across the country In March 2020, Chowgirls Killer Catering in Minneapolis was busy preparing for its Sweet 16 party, complete with signature food and a…
October 29, 2020
Y.O. Ranch Headquarters blends ranching traditions with modern comforts When Byron and Sandra Sadler bought a portion of the storied Y.O. Ranch in 2015, they knew they were getting more…
October 29, 2020
Three tips — and a bonus — to make your devices hum Gadgets, gifts and gizmos can brighten the holidays. And a few prudent steps can help you keep pesky…
October 29, 2020
The lights shine bright across the Lone Star State every holiday season, but perhaps nowhere more so than on San Antonio’s River Walk when they change from white to the…
October 29, 2020
HCTC is among the inaugural honorees of the Federal Communications Commission’s Digital Opportunity Equity Recognition (DOER) Program. The program was created to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Americans working to…
October 29, 2020
HCTC’s participation in CoBank’s 2020 Sharing Success Program will result in a total charitable contribution of $20,000 to local organizations. “In these uncertain times, HCTC wants to ensure that the…
October 29, 2020
When times are tough, it’s probably a good time to go back to one of America’s most respected and revered voices: Mr. Rogers. And, let’s face it. We’ve had some…
October 29, 2020
When you’re making your list of things to be thankful for this season, make room for this: “access to broadband from a reliable, community-based provider.” This year has taught us…
October 23, 2020
Local band has Kerrville area buzzing The Vanishing Bees make a promise to the people who come out to see them perform — you’ll never see the same show twice….
October 16, 2020
Story by ANDREA AGARDY Photography by GABE RENE PHOTOGRAPHY James Keith Asbury spent a lot of time as a kid at his family’s business, where he first stepped onto a…
October 9, 2020
A VPN offers a layer of protection when you’re on the go Kerry Sutton Privacy and security on the internet are vital as more and more of our daily lives…
September 25, 2020
CRAIG COOK Chief Executive Officer The original founders of our cooperative knew technology could help them keep in touch with others near and far. For decades, technology has allowed this…
September 18, 2020
If you’ve found yourself logging on for more video meetings at work lately, you’re not alone. According to the 2019 Impact of Video Conferencing Report by Life-size, 48% of business…
September 11, 2020
Rural broadband providers are supporting two critical bills making their way through Congress. One would secure present efforts to keep you connected, while the other provides support for future broadband…
August 28, 2020
OBSERVATORY USES THE INTERNET TO SHARE THE WONDERS OF SPACE Tucked away in the Texas Hill Country, an area known for the beauty of its landscapes, is a facility that…
August 14, 2020
If you’ve been looking to take a very real plunge into virtual reality, you can’t go wrong with the Oculus Quest. The key difference between the Quest and other headsets…
August 7, 2020
Match your need with your speed The old saying “a watched pot never boils” speaks to how slowly time can seem to pass. A newer saying, “a watched file never…
July 24, 2020
CRAIG COOK Chief Executive Officer There are many ways this year’s pandemic is going to change the way America thinks about things. One of those ways, I hope, is that…
July 17, 2020
Work from home policies boost productivity According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 43% of employed Americans have spent at least some time working remotely. U.S. census data released in 2018…
July 10, 2020
In mid-May, I appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee to discuss the status of broadband during this time of crisis that has so many Americans working, learning and socializing from…
April 30, 2020
Families & Literacy, Inc. offers adult education Education can unlock doors to a host of opportunities, and one organization in Kerrville works to ensure everyone has a key. Families &…
April 24, 2020
Broadband brings education to students on their schedule In 2012, Aziza Zemrani was busily putting together an accelerated online program for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The curriculum…
April 17, 2020
School district puts technology into students’ hands From pre-K students using touch screens to learn their ABCs to high schoolers studying computer science, the Ingram Independent School District is preparing…
April 10, 2020
Tax season is far from anyone’s favorite time of the year, but it’s a good opportunity to take stock of your finances. In the past, this may have meant visiting…
April 8, 2020
HCTC Graphic Designer Gabe Herrera taught photography techniques to a group of seventh graders in the Destination Imagination class at Notre Dame Catholic School. This photo shows how students are…
April 3, 2020
For more than a decade, Corpus Christi has celebrated its designation as the “Birdiest City in North America.” Thousands of people flock to the coastal town every year to see…
March 27, 2020
How important is the 2020 census? For rural areas like ours, $675 billion is at stake. In mid-March the U.S. Census Bureau will send postcards to most addresses in Texas…
March 25, 2020
Along with longer days, warmer weather and blossoming flowers, spring often also brings severe weather — including lightning, strong winds and hail. Here are a few tips for protecting your…
March 20, 2020
Last week, the FCC issued a press release detailing its efforts to ensure that during the current pandemic, Americans who are affected will not lose access to their broadband or telephone connectivity. The FCC has termed this effort as the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.”
March 20, 2020
Streaming Boxes Can Add a Layer of TV Security Is your TV watching you? Could it be a backdoor to your private information? Those are questions recently posed by the…
March 13, 2020
Once a decade, the United States counts its citizens. This results in a treasure trove of data relevant to politics, businesses, schools and much more. For example, federal agencies use…
March 11, 2020
HCTC is aware that some members may have recently received notification of a reward offer appearing to come from HCTC. Please note that this advertisement is not from HCTC. Such…
March 6, 2020
As an organization representing rural broadband providers, we are excited about the FCC’s plans to invest $20.4 billion to bring affordable high-speed broadband to rural Americans. While the agency’s Rural…
February 28, 2020
Accessing specialized medical care can be challenging for patients living outside large metropolitan areas, which is why Peterson Regional Medical Center invested in technology that allows patients to see hard-to-find…
February 21, 2020
3D printer helps Kerrville dental lab serve patients better Patients in need of a dental appliance are getting out of the dentist’s chair and back to their lives faster than…
February 14, 2020
The presence of reliable broadband service holds great promise for rural America. While it touches many facets of life, broadband’s greatest impact may very well be in the area of…
February 7, 2020
Broadband makes a difference daily Imagine a world with greater health care accessibility, as convenient as contacting a physician from your home. Or consider a medical system where rural communities…
January 31, 2020
Passwords — the dirty little secret is that no matter how many numb3rs you put in them or how many uPperCase-loweRcaSe combinations you use, they are vulnerable. So, what can…
January 24, 2020
Convenience and power. Internet services bring both. Online bill pay eliminates a tedious task. Social media can keep family ties strong or reconnect you with old friends. Streaming services bring…
January 17, 2020
HCTC is accepting applications for the 2020 HCTC scholarships available to graduating seniors who will attend a college or a technical school during the 2020-2021 school year. Above-average grades are…
January 10, 2020
Welcome to 2020! I sincerely hope you and those close to you had a superb holiday season and that this new year is off to a wonderful start. Something about…
January 2, 2020
NTCA members make a real difference in their communities, and in the lives of the people they serve. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when the Foundation…
January 1, 2020
We would like to thank our dedicated employees for their years of excellent service to the cooperative and to our members. Pictured (Left to Right): Steve Shavers – 5 years…
December 31, 2019
Any HCTC member who wishes to change or add to listings in the 2020 telephone directory must act soon. The latest version will be out in May 2020. Please contact…
December 30, 2019
At first glance, HCTC and Nintendo don’t have a lot in common. Nintendo is a video game giant based in Japan, and we are a small broadband provider in rural…
December 23, 2019
In late summer, Ryan Lucich was still unpacking boxes at his new office at Schreiner University, where he had recently joined the staff to lead the school’s relatively new esports…
December 16, 2019
High-speed Connections Create Winners A dozen gaming computers provide an ethereal green glow along the stage at Lander University’s Abney Cultural Center in Greenwood, South Carolina, as esports competitors prepare…
December 9, 2019
Theaters put locals in the spotlight Nestled on the banks of the Guadalupe River lies a treasure trove of local artistic talent. Here, the Point Theatre at the Hill Country…
December 2, 2019
The latest gadgets make perfect gifts The holidays are here again, a wonderful time of year when friends and family gather to celebrate the joy of the season, and finding…
November 25, 2019
America’s war memorials tell the story of our country. They are places where we can reflect on those who gave their lives for freedom, not only for Americans but also…
November 20, 2019
Despite the challenges of serving rural America, health care professionals are delivering quality care, embracing technology and finding creative ways to encourage wellness among their rural patients. On Nov. 21,…
November 18, 2019
HCTC employees helped give a hero’s welcome to U.S. Army Cpl. Billy Joe Butler, whose remains were returned home nearly 70 years after he was taken as a prisoner of…
November 11, 2019
Whether a seasoned cook or a first-timer, if you’re in charge of cooking the bird this holiday season, there are tricks to roasting a turkey that you should know. If…
November 4, 2019
Millennials — the first lifelong gamers The U.S. launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System in late 1985 helped create an entertainment revolution. The oldest millennials at the time were about…
November 1, 2019
About 700 members and guests attended this year’s annual meeting on Oct. 7. The meeting began with an invocation by Richard McAllister of New Hope Fellowship Church. Vietnam Veterans Commander…
October 28, 2019
Several states have adopted loan and grant programs to help extend service to those areas of rural America still lacking a reliable broadband connection. Beyond its traditional programs, the federal…
September 25, 2019
The land where brisket rules Barbecue is a regional thing. In the South, it’s all about the butts. Head to the Midwest, and you’ll find brats on most every grill….
September 25, 2019
Growing Schreiner University offers opportunities for future From its Texas Ranger roots to its Presbyterian bent, Schreiner University has always been a uniquely Texas institution, and it continues to be…
September 25, 2019
Broadband internet takes education to another level Tomorrow’s workforce may appear very different from today’s due to an expected increase in the number of science, technology, engineering and math jobs….
September 25, 2019
Women find new directions and meaning As second acts go, Ann Buck’s has proven to be as rewarding as her first. Buck, a former music and women’s pastor in Tulsa,…
September 25, 2019
Find the right tools for you Technology can’t answer those age-old questions that come up this time of year — “Is it back-to-school time already?” and “What happened to summer?”…
September 25, 2019
Since 2012, HCTC has participated in the CoBank Sharing Success program, which provides matching grants to deserving nonprofits in its service market. Through this program, HCTC has supported libraries, first…
September 25, 2019
Two bylaw amendments have been proposed for the consideration of HCTC members during the 2019 election. Proposed amendments No. 1 and No. 2 have been brought forward by the HCTC…
September 25, 2019
Business gurus often urge executives to ensure the company they’ve been entrusted to lead is “mission-oriented” or “mission-focused,” and that the organization’s mission should drive progress and establish values. “A…
September 25, 2019
A dose of skepticism and care will foil phone and online scammers. Helpful pop-up messages frequently appear on computer screens, including weather notifications, news alerts or reminders to update software….
September 25, 2019
Access to speedy internet service increases the market value of homes, according to a first-of-its-kind study reported online by the Daily Yonder.com. The study evaluated 887 “remote rural” counties, which…
September 25, 2019
Our lives are impacted in countless ways by broadband internet access. With such connectivity, however, comes threats that must be guarded against, including cyber-attacks targeting network operators. Local, community-based providers…
July 11, 2019
LIFELINE IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM TO HELP LOW-INCOME AMERICANS PAY FOR PHONE OR BROADBAND SERVICE Consumers are allowed only one Lifeline program benefit per household. FAQ: How much will Lifeline…
July 11, 2019
The difference between success and failure for those who work in agriculture is, as it has ever been, small and frequently dependent on unpredictable factors: Too much rain. Not enough…
July 11, 2019
POWER ON Guarding against a surge. All big-ticket pieces of electronic equipment are at the mercy of power spikes: your desktop computer, your big-screen TV, your audio system and more….
July 11, 2019
HCTC was awarded the 2019 “Top Internet Speeds in Texas” within the small provider category by BroadbandNow. The purpose of the BroadbandNow provider awards program is to grant awards to…
July 11, 2019
The internet has changed the way we define community. Sure, we’ll always have the community where we live. Many of us have a community of faith through our church or…
June 20, 2019
Anthony Robbins arrived at HCTC nearly four years ago with a sales background and a penchant for fixing most anything. Now, he’s combining those two things as a retail sales…
June 5, 2019
The 2019 nominations for HCTC directors will open July 30, with nominations posted by Aug. 23. Petitions for nominations are due on or before Sept. 6. Qualifications and nominations for…
May 17, 2019
HCTC recognizes that for many rural communities, the local volunteer fire departments provide the first line of defense. Volunteer firefighters are local people willing to drop their own work to…
May 1, 2019
Greetings, cooperative family! It has been one of the great pleasures of my career to serve as your chief operations officer. As I look ahead to my new role as…
March 21, 2019
HCTC is aware that some members may have recently received notification of a reward offer appearing to come from HCTC. Please note that this advertisement is not from HCTC. Such…
March 20, 2019
By the time you receive this magazine, our winter should be behind us, and signs of spring will abound. Everyone with your cooperative wishes that all is well with you…
March 19, 2019
The board of directors has appointed R. Craig Cook to fill the position of CEO. Current CEO Alan Link announced his resignation in October 2018. Cook, HCTC’s chief operations officer,…
March 15, 2019
Smart devices can help you conserve energy and save money by automatically turning off the lights after you’ve left a room, managing heating and cooling throughout the house, and more….
March 13, 2019
Phones, tablets, streaming boxes, smart televisions, desktops, laptops and more provide consumers a wealth of opportunities to go online, resulting in increasingly complex and individualized habits for content consumption. There…
March 8, 2019
The elderly and disabled who participate in Medicare Advantage programs could see more opportunities for telehealth services next year. The proposed changes, announced in October, would remove barriers and allow…
March 1, 2019
This magazine brings you stories of businesses operating across the broadband network your telco is building. You read of people who are working from home or getting an online degree…
February 20, 2019
Keep your data safe Once, all you had to worry about in terms of digital security was making sure your antivirus software was up to date. Now, with the host…
February 11, 2019
One thing that’s great about our business is how our network can have a positive impact on so many people. Broadband benefits everyone from children to seniors even if they…
November 20, 2018
It has occurred to me that the calendar places our Thanksgiving holiday at just the right point to allow us to pause a bit to reflect and focus upon the…
October 4, 2018
For churches in rural communities, spreading the word can be a challenge. Often, pastors rely on personal relationships and word of mouth to reach new parishioners and grow their congregations….
September 27, 2018
HCTC receives national recognition as Certified Gig-Capable Provider Because of HCTC’s commitment to building a world-class broadband network, residents and businesses of Comfort, Texas have access to gigabit internet speeds…
September 27, 2018
Imagine the headlines if this happened today — a group of rural Texas residents raise money to build their own internet network because corporate internet providers determined their area didn’t…
July 11, 2018
Stop and count with me for a moment. How many internet-connected devices do you have in your home? For many of us, smartphones and computers are the first internet-connected devices…
May 24, 2018
Keeping up with the latest in technology can be frustrating. Luckily, HCTC has Systems Administrator Kris LeMeilleur to help figure all that out. “Primarily, I help our employees with their…
May 24, 2018
Have you ever thought about what our community would be like without small businesses? For starters, half of us would be out of work because small businesses employ 48 percent…
April 12, 2018
It’s very rare that telecommunications policy grabs headlines, dominates social media feeds, and leads the news broadcasts. But that’s exactly what we saw after the FCC’s decision on net neutrality….
March 3, 2018
HCTC’s Technology Solutions does it all Computer, network and Wi-Fi issues can plague even the most tech savvy among us, but HCTC’s Technology Solutions can help. And, you don’t have to…
February 28, 2018
Enhancing lives with fiber optic technology High-speed internet has the power to shape lives because fast, reliable broadband can provide entertainment, generate jobs, educate students and far more. HCTC continues…
October 16, 2017
Linda Reagor, right, is the new director for District 9, the Frio Canyon Exchange. She is taking the place of T. H. “Rocky” Rocchio, left, who retired after 12 years…
October 2, 2017
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC) recently released the fiber network in the Hunt exchange for service to customers. By upgrading the old copper network to new, state-of-the-art fiber technology, customers…
September 28, 2017
The HCTC Annual Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 2, 2017. Hill Country Telephone Cooperative members are invited to attend. The doors open at 6:30 pm with dinner being served…
September 27, 2017
HCTC recently completed a fiber-to-the-business (FTTB) project in Medina. Customers along the main business corridors in Medina are now able to receive high-speed broadband services via newly installed fiber optic…
September 25, 2017
We all know that the Texas heat can sometimes become too much to handle, leaving us unmotivated to get any work done. Unless of course, the work involves sitting in…
September 14, 2017
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC) announces that the fiber network is ready to serve customers in most areas within the city limits of Comfort, Texas. Several years ago, HCTC started…
September 14, 2017
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative (HCTC) recently held an open house at the new Comfort Office at 712 Front Street in Comfort, Texas. The event drew a crowd of 300 people…