MANKATO, Minn. – November 20, 2009 – HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) today announced it will deploy its television and enhanced high-speed Internet services to Nicollet, Minn. HickoryTech’s Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service is delivered over the Company’s advanced broadband network and will offer Nicollet residents a robust, feature rich entertainment service. In addition, HickoryTech significantly increased its DSL speeds boosting DSL Prime to a 6 Mbps download speed, and DSL Pro to a 9 Mbps download speed.
"HickoryTech is excited to offer Nicollet residents its Digital TV service, which includes features such as DVR, an extensive HD channel selection and caller ID displayed on the television screen,” said Damon Dutz, president of HickoryTech's Consumer and Network Solutions Division. “Our technology upgrade to the broadband infrastructure in Nicollet will be very beneficial to our customers as it allows them a superior TV service and faster Internet at a low cost with our service bundle discounts.”
"I’m pleased with HickoryTech’s network upgrades and feel their Digital TV service is a great choice for the community,” said Glenn Thompson, mayor of Nicollet.
HickoryTech will demonstrate its Digital TV service to the public on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 510 in Nicollet. The event will include free food, and the opportunity for holiday photos with a Winter Wonderland theme provided by a professional photographer. Photos will be free with a toy or cash donation for Toys for Tots.
HickoryTech’s Digital TV service includes:
- Customized TV packages, allowing customers to choose specific channels to create their own package or subscribe to a premium package with well over 200 digital channels, including commercial-free music
- Digital Video Recorder (DVR) service
- 45 high-definition channels
- State-of-the-art set-top boxes – a single set-top box will support multiple video streams or televisions
- Caller ID displayed directly on the television screen
- Universal remote controls with onscreen program guide for all TVs
- Easy-to-use parental controls to block programs by specific channel or rating
Residents may subscribe to HickoryTech’s Digital TV as a stand-alone service or as part of a money-saving Select bundle including high-speed DSL with speeds now up to 9 Mbps, local telephone, and long distance – all from one local company on a single bill. The signal offers a crystal-clear image and premium tier channel options including: sports and Hispanic tiers, pay-per-view and commercial-free music programming. The IPTV platform will support additional content and interactive applications in the future.
Nicollet has approximately 350 households and is located 12 miles west of Mankato, Minn., the company headquarters location.
With this expansion, HickoryTech now provides Digital TV service to 13 Minnesota communities including: Eagle Lake, Ellendale, Faribault, Janesville, Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Mankato, New Richland, Nicollet, North Mankato, St. Peter, St. Clair, and Waseca.
About HickoryTech
HickoryTech Corporation (dba HickoryTech and Enventis) is a leading integrated communications provider in the markets it serves. With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has approximately 450 employees and a regional fiber network with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa. Enventis serves businesses of all sizes across a five-state region with IP-based voice, data and network solutions. HickoryTech provides bundled residential and business services including high-speed Internet, Digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets. The Company trades on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, symbol: HTCO, and is a member of the Russell 2000 index. For more information, visit
www.hickorytech.com.