The HTC
Highlander Vol. 2, No. 2 | Spring 2012
published for the members of Highland Telephone Cooperative
Fiber leads officers on
High-Speed Pursuit
Meet the New Manager Board names familiar face to top post
Fiber Progress
Crews closer to bringing fiber to Whitley City, Pine Knot and other areas
HTC
news
Telecom, Internet veteran Mark Patterson named manager The Highland Telephone Cooperative board of directors recently voted to move a familiar face into a more permanent position in the general manager’s office. Mark Patterson, who has been serving as interim manager of Highland Telephone, has been named HTC’s new GM. Patterson has served as manager of Highland Communications since 1996, growing HTC’s Internet service from a few hundred customers to some 10,000. “This is an exciting time to be in the telephone and Internet industry,” Patterson says, “and I’m ready to work with the board to lead this cooperative through whatever challenges and opportunities we face.” The Board voted to install Patterson at its April 16 meeting. Jim Terry, the chairman of HTC’s board of directors called Patterson the “perfect fit.” “Mark was the obvious choice from the beginning,” Terry says. “He’s knowledgeable enough to step right in and work with the engineers. We’re very excited to have him.” Even before coming to Highland, Patterson already had plenty of experience in the telecommunications industry. He spent six years in Knoxville as sales and service administrator for the southeast region of TDS Telecommunications. Before that he worked for 11 years in sales at Graybar, the industry-leading distributor of electrical and telecommunications components. One of the things that excites Patterson most about being general manager is overseeing the fiber optic installation throughout the HTC service area. He sees the fiber build as both the cooperative’s biggest challenge and biggest opportunity. “There are so many moving parts in the project,” he says, “but when it’s finished we’re going to be offering speeds 2 | The HTC Highlander • Spring 2012
is a member-owned corporation dedicated to providing communications technology to the people of Tennessee. The company has over 20,000 access lines, making it the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative.
Board of Directors James E. Terry, 569/286 exchange President JoAn Haynes, 324 exchange Vice-President Clara Terry, 569/286 exchange Secretary/Treasurer Mickey Bingham, 369 exchange Jan Byrd, 663 exchange Loma Denney, 376 exchange David Freytag, 628/965 exchange Shelva Jo Jones, 376 exchange Sam Strunk, 354 exchange John Tate, 627 exchange
HTC’s new GM Mark Patterson that members have never experienced before.” Twice with Highland Communications, Patterson oversaw the early phases of new technology — dial-up Internet in 1996 and DSL in 2003. He says those experiences have helped prepare him to continue pleasing existing members while adding new customers during the fiber rollout. A University of Tennessee graduate with a degree in business, Patterson is a fast learner and needs to be because the first HTC members will be cutover to the new fiber optic network this summer. The new executive says he plans to continue his hands-on, relationship-based management style. At Highland Communications he worked hard to get to know his employees and stay in tune with what was going on in their lives. But he admits that’s going to be tougher to do as he oversees the larger parent company. “It’s been a big adjustment because I’ve gone from knowing 10 employees to knowing 73,” he says. No matter how large the company might be, he still plans to be visible and involved in projects. “I’ve always used the theory that you lead from the front,” he explains.
Jerry Williams, 346 exchange The HTC
Highlander is a quarterly newsletter published by Highland Telephone Cooperative, © 2012. It is distributed without charge to all member/owners of the Cooperative. Send address corrections to: Highland Telephone Cooperative P.O. Box 119 7840 Morgan Co. Hwy. Sunbright, Tennessee 37872-0119 Telephone: 423-628-2121 www.highlandtel.net Produced for HTC by: www.WordSouth.com On the Cover: Deputy Cody Yancey (left) and Chief Deputy Ronnie Phillips review an incident online at the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
Plenty of work behind the scenes in fiber project
Always be safe May is National Electrical Safety Month, and while it is important to be safe year round it’s a good time for a reminder about being safe around overhead lines.
While almost all of HTC’s lines are low voltage, they usually hang only a few feet from high-voltage electric lines. Recently, a local man was badly burned when he came in contact with some power lines that share a pole with HTC lines. Here are a few tips to remember: Never climb on or otherwise disturb utility poles Don’t plant trees under utility lines Don’t burn brush under lines Take care when shooting to avoid utility lines Never touch a downed line, whether you think it is telephone or electric Call 423-628-2121 to report downed lines
Fiber Project
Update
Design phase: Robbins Oneida Huntsville Wartburg D Route
Construction:
Pine Knot Whitley City
Testing:
These tests are in various stages of completion around the area, and all tests must be complete in each exchange before the final cutover can begin. In this last step, crews place a fiber line to each customer, splicing that drop and installing the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) box on the house. Once that’s complete, the terminal must be placed in the box, and a battery pack must be installed. After a few more technical steps, the customer is finally ready to be cutover to the fiber service. Crews have taken some of these preliminary cutover steps in the Oneida exchange on C route (Coopertown Road area) to prepare homes for the new connections. While the areas mentioned are where work is going on now, plans have already been designed for other parts of the HTC service area. “We want our members to understand the big picture,” says general manager Mark Patterson. “Crews may not be working in your community today, but by the end of three years everyone will have access to our fiber network. We’re moving along at a very quick pace.”
Despite the wet weather, HTC crews and contractors are still right on track with the schedule for our fiber-to-the-home network installation. And that means it won’t be too long before our members are able to experience the benefits of lightning-fast Internet connections. Some of the most exciting work is going on in the Kentucky towns of Pine Knot and Whitley City, where crews are stringing lines. Work will soon begin in Tennessee at Huntsville and on the south side of Wartburg. But for each line that goes up, there’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes. Crews don’t just start stringing fiber — they follow a plan designed by a professional engineering firm. The design phase is nearly complete for the Huntsville exchange and Wartburg D route. Plans are also being drawn for the Robbins area and engineers are taking the preliminary steps on the Oneida design. After a fiber route is planned and installed, each individual fiber strand must be tested. This can be a tedious process, but it is also one of the most important.
Various areas
Cutover: Coopertown Road area of Oneida
Current fiber customers will see speed increases, too You’ve probably heard that HTC members will experience lightning fast Internet connections when they are switched over to fiber. But they aren’t the only ones who will see a speed boost: HTC customers already on fiber will also see faster speeds on the Web. Once the network is installed, everyone will be “turned up” to full speed which could be 5, 10 or 20 Mbps. The change will make Web surfing and downloads much faster, while unlocking the potential of other Internet-enabled devices in your home or office. Spring 2012 • The HTC Highlander | 3
Internet Investigation – Patrolman Josh Kennedy keeps up with crime statistics around the area online at the Oneida Police Department.
The Power of Fiber
High-Speed Pursuits (Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series that explores the impact fiber technology can have on various aspects of our community.)
W
hen he got a message on his computer that four suspected meth cooks had just bought a load of pseudoephedrine at a handful of local stores, Chris West knew it was time for action. The intelligence analyst for the McCreary County, Ky. Sheriff’s Office, West had been tracking the suspects’ pseudoephedrine purchases for months through an Internet-based system. He had noticed a few patterns and decided it was time to move. Using the high-speed Internet connection from Highland Telephone Cooperative, West pulled descriptions and license plate numbers for vehicles associated with
4 | The HTC Highlander • Spring 2012
the suspects, and then sent out an intelligence bulletin to deputies and nearby state troopers. When a trooper spotted a car with the matching tag number near Stearns, he cut on his lights to pull the car over. But instead of stopping, the suspect led troopers and deputies on a chase that didn’t end until the car wrecked near Whitley City. The four people inside the car were taken to jail on drug, gun, traffic and parole violation charges. “Knowing who the people were and what they had been doing had a lot to do with the traffic stop and arrests,” West says. “It’s kind of like that old saying ‘knowledge is power.’ The more you know, the better off you are — especially with some of the people we deal with.” High-speed Internet doesn’t always lead to high-speed chases, but HTC’s broadband
network is helping law enforcement and first responders keep the area safe. Wayne Shoemaker, Scott County E-911 and Emergency Management Agency director, says dispatchers use the broadband network constantly to check locations, license plate numbers and other information for deputies. “It saves time and so far it’s been really reliable,” he says. On the EMA side, he says HTC’s network speeds up response time for state agencies. After a flood or other natural disaster, Shoemaker sends in digital damage estimates and other documents rather than calling or faxing the information that would have to be re-typed in Nashville. “They can see your report and they’ll know what we’re looking at,” Shoemaker says. At the Oneida Police Department, officers are also finding that HTC’s broadband makes them more efficient. At one time, the
department had to mail accident reports to Nashville for state records, but now they are sent along the broadband lines digitally. “It speeds things up for us,” says Sgt. Brett Bond. “We used to mail in a stack of those monthly.” Tennessee also collects data annually on crimes to compile statewide crime statistics. All of those are now collected digitally. “We’re slowly moving to a place where everything is paperless,” says Bond. And while it may sound like just paperwork, faster ways to get the reports filed means more time for patrols and other police work. “The deputies are freed up to do the jobs they were hired to do,” says West. “It keeps them out on the street longer.” Beyond reports, broadband can at times help solve cases and get criminals off the streets. In McCreary County, West’s boss Sheriff Gus Skinner uses his website (www.mccrearysheriff.com) to solicit anonymous tips. The department also uses computers to map out burglaries to find patterns and see where the high concentrations of crimes are. “We can focus a few more patrols there,” Skinner says. Investigators also use the network to compare information and swap data with other agencies. “If you’ve got a fugitive somewhere, you can pull up his last known whereabouts, his associates and other information,” Skinner says. West says there is a “smorgasbord” of state and federal databases out there to keep track of everything from sex offenders and parolees to pseudoephedrine and scrap metal. HTC General Manager Mark Patterson says he’s proud of Highland’s role in helping the men and women who keep the area safe. “This is a definite win-win,” he says. “Our broadband network helps emergency workers and they help our members, employees and our community.” Whatever new tools come along next, HTC’s fiber installation should help keep the area’s crime-fighters on the cutting edge. “Part of the reason people love this community is the safe, small-town atmosphere,” Patterson says. “Our fiber network should help give law enforcement the tools to keep it that way today and into the future.”
Finding fugitives – Cody Yancey and other Scott County deputies use online systems to keep tabs on sex offenders, wanted fugitives and other criminals.
Disaster Data – Wayne Shoemaker, director of Scott County EMA, says HTC’s broadband allows him to send disaster information and updates to state officials quickly.
Digital Dispatch – Scott County dispatchers like Buffeia Bard use HTC’s broadband network to check locations and license numbers before relaying information to officers. Spring 2012 • The HTC Highlander | 5
The challenges of
rural Internet service
W
hether you’re in Knoxville, Lexington or Sunbright, the cable that plugs into your modem probably looks the same. But the challenges the Internet provider faces to get that cable to you are very different. Providers in big cities have major advantages over rural cooperatives like HTC. Their customers are packed closely together in concentrated areas, and that advantage comes into play when setting rates. City providers can offer more flexible pricing for their service because they bring in significantly more money per mile of line. Connecting fewer customers spread over large areas — like HTC does — is more expensive and gives us less price flexibility. “Bringing fiber-based broadband access to rural areas like ours is not easy, but we believe our members deserve the same quality connection as anyone anywhere,” says HTC’s Chief Financial Officer Steve Armes. This challenge is not a new one. The reason cooperatives like
HTC were created was because we serve an area that larger telephone companies deemed unprofitable to serve. Telephone poles, miles of wire and installation work cost about the same no matter where the work is done. The difference between rural and urban areas is the number of customers connected to each line. In rural areas the lines may only have five or 10 customers per mile. The same mile of phone line in a city like Knoxville with densely packed homes, businesses and apartment complexes, could have dozens or even hundreds of customers. More customers means more money from each line, which is why big, for-profit telephone companies focused on the cities. Cooperatives like HTC were created when rural residents decided to work together to form their own telephone company. They went door to door in their communities encouraging neighbors to pay a membership fee and borrowed money from the federal government to start building lines. Even if providing service in rural areas wasn’t profitable enough for big companies, it was still important to the people in those areas. And thanks to the cooperative form of business, those residents would have access to the nationwide telephone network — just like the folks in the big cities. Fast forward to the present day and cooperatives are still leading the way with connecting rural areas, this time with broadband Internet. Like with phone service, broadband providers in rural areas bring in significantly less income on each line than city providers. Because of that we have less price flexibility. However, the rates we charge for services are still reasonably competitive with the city providers, despite the additional costs we face. “People in Morgan, Scott or McCreary counties choose to live here because of our small town quality of life,” Armes says. “They shouldn’t be penalized for that decision by having to settle for anything less than quality, reliable phone and Internet service.”
Keep a landline for peace of mind Cell phones are convenient, but can you really count on them in an emergency? Despite improvements to the cell tower grid, mobile phones are still not nearly as reliable as a landline — especially in an area full of ridges and valleys like the Highland Telephone Cooperative service area. That’s why HTC and some emergency officials urge residents to keep at least a basic landline connection. Address data for landline phones is already programmed into the 911 system and pops up for dispatchers to see whenever a call comes in. For most cell phones, the 911 system uses a process called triangulation to trace the signal from the phone through nearby towers and get an approximate location of the caller. So far, the process is inconsistent. Ann Sexton, the operations manager for HTC, 6 | The HTC Highlander • Spring 2012
says landlines can also make a big difference if the caller can’t talk due to a medical emergency. The same applies for children or babysitters who might know to call 911 but not know the address. Landlines also have the advantage of operating without power. In a disaster, you can never be sure your cell battery will last and that cell towers will still function. The bottom line is, keeping even the most basic landline connection ($14.48 per month) can give you and your family a connection to emergency responders when you need it the most.
HTC employees serve up favorite recipes
Foods that roll, slide & crash Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
White Castle Sliders
PANCAKES: 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup milk 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
CINNAMON FILLING: 1/2 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon CREAM CHEESE GLAZE: 4 tablespoons butter 2 ounces cream cheese 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Prepare pancake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg, just until batter is moistened (a few small lumps are fine). In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside. You don’t want this to remain super-liquidy. It’s best if it becomes a consistency similar to toothpaste. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract; set aside. Heat large skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Scoop about 3/4 cup batter into the skillet. Snip the corner of your baggie of filling and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter and keep in a warm oven until ready to serve. When ready to serve, spoon warmed glaze onto the top of each pancake.
1 onion, finely chopped 1 package Lipton® onion soup mix 1 tablespoon peanut butter
(yes, peanut butter...trust me)
1/2 cups milk
Sara Lee® classic dinner rolls (or the really soft small-sized
dinner rolls from the bakery)
Cheese slices, sliced in half (you can use Kraft® Singles or sliced Velveeta® cheese) In a large bowl, mix (with your hands or spoon) the ground beef, Lipton onion soup mix, peanut butter and milk. Spread the meat mixture on a cookie sheet — use a cookie sheet with edges. Take a cup or rolling pin to roll over the meat to smooth it out. Place it in a 350° oven for about 10 minutes. The meat will shrink. Take it out of the oven and put the diced onions all around the edges to flavor the meat. Return to oven and continue cooking for about 15 minutes. While the meat is baking, cut your dinner rolls in half. Take meat out of the oven. If you want onions on your sliders, then spoon them onto the meat from the sides. Slice the meat to fit in the rolls. Add cheese slices. Return cookie sheet to oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Take meat back out and add the top of the rolls (leave the bottom part of the rolls on your counter). Place back into the oven for about 5 more minutes. Take it out of the oven. Pick up the slider top bun with a spatula and set it on the bottom bun. If you want condiments on your burger, put them on the bottom bun before placing the tops on. Enjoy! Recipes submitted by Jo Nell Shaw, Secretary at the Whitley City branch office.
Highland Kitchens
Crash Hot Potatoes Whole Potatoes (leave skins on) Olive oil Kosher salt to taste Black pepper to taste Rosemary, or other herbs of choice (optional) Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork-tender. Generously drizzle a cookie sheet with olive oil. Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet, leaving plenty of room between each potato. With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil. Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, ground pepper and any herbs of your choice. Bake in a 450° oven for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
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Want to be a Highland Kitchens featured cook?
Send your name, address and phone number, along with three to four recipes, and you could be chosen as a featured cook. Send your information to: Highland Telephone Cooperative Attn: Diann Stephens P.O. Box 119 Sunbright, TN 37872-0119 or email: diann@highlandtel.net Spring 2012 • The HTC Highlander | 7
P.O. Box 119 Sunbright, Tennessee 37872-0119
Sure, they never forget… but they don’t have to remember to pay their bills… Sign up for Bank Draft and never forget! Our free Bank Draft service will automatically deduct your HTC payment from your checking account. This convenient service helps you avoid late payments, and there is no fee to enroll.
Enroll today! Use the form to sign up for Bank Draft. Simply return the form with your payment, or bring it by the office to complete your enrollment.
Bank Draft = Simple Convenience
HIGHLAND TELEPHONE COOPerative, INC. Automated Payment Service Authorization Form I authorize Highland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. to automatically draft my checking account as noted below, for my monthly Highland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. charges. I understand that this automatic draft will continue to recur each month for the amount of my bill. I may revoke the Automated Payment authorization at any time with thirty (30) days written notice to Highland Telephone Cooperative, Inc. at the address identified below. I also understand that I am responsible for ensuring that the necessary funds are available at the time the draft occurs. I will continue to be responsible for payment should anything prohibit regular payment in this manner. Signature of Account Holder Please print: Account Name
Date
Telephone Number Checking Account Draft Please attach a blank voided check in order to set up a checking account draft. Your Bank’s Name Your Bank’s Address 7840 Morgan County Hwy. P. O. Box 119 Sunbright, TN 37872 Phone 423/628-2121 Fax 423/628-2409