Receive motion, water and temperature alerts; manage lighting and temperature settings while away
MANKATO, Minn., Aug. 21, 2007 — HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) announced today an innovative new home monitoring service that will enable customers to receive digital video, real-time data and alerts from their homes any time and anywhere. Utilizing a broadband Internet connection and wireless phones, the service sends customers real-time alerts allowing them to stay connected to their homes and families while they are away and manage certain aspects of the home environment, such as temperature and lighting.
HickoryTech's home monitoring service combines live and recorded video (non-audio) capabilities with a range of environmental sensor options to provide customers a powerful and flexible toolkit to help them stay connected to the people and things they value most. Users can remotely control lighting and temperatures in their homes, and can receive a range of alerts and reports on home conditions, such as: motion, door and window activity, water leakage, and temperature changes.
"HickoryTech's new home monitoring service offers an affordable, easy-to-use solution for anyone needing to stay connected while they are away from home,” said Damon Dutz, president of HickoryTech's Consumer Solutions Division. “This service is ideal for a wide range of applications, from keeping an eye on children, elderly parents or pets to monitoring a second home or vacation property.”
Customization is an important benefit the service offers including the ability to set up specific alerts based on personal preferences. A user may program the service to send a text message alert to a cell phone when motion is detected in an area of the home, while at the same time automatically turning on lighting and recording video of the motion-detected area. Settings can be modified from any broadband connection. The service can be accessed by virtually any wireless phone or PDA device capable of supporting Internet access and Java, as well as nearly all broadband enabled PCs.
An integrated web-based portal controls all monitoring equipment. Users can access these live video feeds and reports from the portal, and establish customized instructions for the service to provide alerts or take action under specific conditions.
HickoryTech's home monitoring service costs under $10 per month. The set-up includes a self-installation starter package of equipment for a one-time cost of $199. The starter package includes:
Web camera
Wireless door/window sensor
Wireless gateway for connecting equipment to a home network
All necessary software and instructions
Additional equipment is available to expand the home monitoring solution, including additional cameras and contact sensors, wireless thermostats, wireless temperature and water sensors, and wireless power controls for light fixtures or other appliances.
Additional information on the service is available at HickoryTech.com or by contacting HickoryTech at 1-866-HICKORY.
About HickoryTech:
HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO), headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication products and services to business and residential customers over a regional fiber network. The company is in its 110th year of operation and has approximately 400 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.
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.