MANKATO, Minn., April 9, 2009 – HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) announced today it will launch its IPTV service in Mapleton, Minn. This digital entertainment service is available through HickoryTech’s advanced broadband network and offers residents digital quality and customized packages at attractive rates.
"HickoryTech is excited to offer Digital TV service to residents in Mapleton as well as a very competitive bundle of communication services,” said Damon Dutz, president of HickoryTech's Consumer and Network Solutions Division. “We have upgraded our broadband network in Mapleton and know the community will benefit from the most advanced communications infrastructure offering unlimited broadband applications and contributing to Mapleton’s economic development initiatives.”
“We are very pleased to give our residents a choice for their television services, said James Swanson, mayor of Mapleton.
“It’s great to have a local business offer such new technology and abundant features in our community,” said Patty Woodruff, city administrator of Mapleton.
HickoryTech will demonstrate its Digital TV service to the public on Monday, April 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ToKen BBQ restaurant, located on Main Street in Mapleton. The event will include food, activities for children and a drawing for one year of free Digital TV service.
Mapleton, Minn. has more than 600 households and is located 18 miles south of Mankato, Minn., the company headquarters location.
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 more than 200 digital channels, including commercial-free music
- More than 30 high-definition channels
- State-of-the-art set-top boxes – a single set-top box will support multiple video streams or televisions
- Universal remote controls with onscreen program guide for all TVs
- Caller ID displayed directly on the television screen
- Easy-to-use parental controls to block programs by specific channel or rating
- Money saving Select bundle options
Residents may subscribe to HickoryTech’s Digital TV as a stand-alone service or as part of a money-saving bundle including high-speed DSL with speeds up to 6 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 Internet protocol (IP) platform will support additional content and interactive applications in the future.
HickoryTech provides Digital TV service to 12 Minnesota communities including: Eagle Lake, Ellendale, Faribault, Janesville, Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Mankato, New Richland, North Mankato, St. Peter, St. Clair, and Waseca.
About HickoryTech
HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq:HTCO), headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication solutions to business and residential customers over a regional fiber network. The company, founded in 1898, has approximately 430 employees. The Telecom Sector, with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa, offers local voice, long distance, high-speed Internet, Digital TV, and IP networking services to residential and business customers. In addition, the Telecom Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing solutions and customer management systems. The Enventis Sector provides IP-based voice, data and network solutions to businesses across a five-state region. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations.