Blanco residents will soon have 21st century communications technology wired directly to their home or business. GVTC Communications announced it will bring its state-of-the-art fiber optics network to Blanco. With GVTC’s fiber connection, customers will experience the clarity and reliability of the company’s local and long distance calling services, the fastest Internet speeds available with faster video and data downloads, hundreds of digital cable television channels, including DVR and HDTV, and 24-hour home and business security monitoring. Another advantage of fiber optic technology is a home or business is always ready for any future broadband advancement.

“The fact that we have the fastest Internet connections is a differentiator, but customers will find the biggest difference with GVTC is our commitment to customer service,” GVTC Chairman of the Board, Chuck Knibbe, said.  “We’re going to meet all expectations and we look forward to serving this community.”  

Initial plans call for GVTC to extend its fiber network throughout the Blanco city limits. GVTC officials estimate more than 700 homes and 500 businesses will be eligible for the fiber connection. GVTC officials are targeting July 2012 to turn on service.  

Blanco residents currently get individual phone, cable, and Internet service from different providers. GVTC will be the first in Blanco to offer a fiber network with bundled packaging and pricing.

“We’re thrilled to bring a first class communications experience to the citizens of Blanco,” GVTC CEO Ritchie Sorrells said. “This community has been underserved for too long and we feel the residents will be quite pleased with the products and customer service we offer.”

A delegation from Blanco attended a tour of GVTC’s facilities in Smithson Valley on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Blanco Mayor Chuck Homan, City secretary Bobbie Mowery, Uptown Blanco representative Carolyn Zbytovsky, Blanco Chamber executive director Penny Thomas, Chamber president Liz Waller-Broyal, Blanco city council member Martin Sauceda, and Blanco County News representative Jill Hunter met with GVTC CEO Ritchie Sorrells, Chairman of the Board Chuck Knibbe, V.P. of Network Services George O’Neal, V.P. of Sales and Marketing Jeff Mnick, and others from the communications company.

“People I’ve spoken to are really excited about GVTC coming to town, particularly with the Internet speeds it offers,” Mayor Homan said. “No other community in the area will have these communication services, so that should be an advantage for businesses looking to relocate here.”

GVTC’s entry into the Blanco market is the first time in the company’s 60 year history it has expanded beyond its traditional service area. GVTC was first established as telephone cooperative in the early 1950s to serve Hill Country residents.

As the population and demand for more sophisticated communications options grew, GVTC added cable TV, Internet access, and security monitoring. The communications company began upgrading much of its network with fiber optics in 2003 and currently serves residents in 11 counties across 2,000 square miles.  

GVTC has an established record of corporate leadership in the communities it serves. The company promotes economic development by supporting business growth and chamber involvement. The company’s charitable arm, The GVTC Foundation, has donated more than $600,000 to nonprofits throughout its service area.  

“The GVTC Foundation has contributed to the local livestock show, fire department, and college bound students with scholarships for several years,” Sorrells said. “GVTC is embracing this opportunity to be a good corporate citizen in Blanco for years to come.”

About GVTC

GVTC is a full-service communications provider offering high-speed Internet, digital cable TV, phone, and home security monitoring across 2,000 square miles of South Central Texas. GVTC was the first company in the region to deploy fiber-to-the-home technology and through its next-generation fiber network has the fastest Internet speeds in its service area. The company was named Business of the Year by the Boerne and Canyon Lake Chambers of Commerce, selected the past four years as a Broadband Communities magazine Top 100 broadband provider, recognized by the San Antonio Express-News and San Antonio Business Journal as an exemplary employer, given the Fiber-to-the-Home Council’s Chairman’s Award, received a NTCA TeleChoice Award and twice named winner of the Broadband Multimedia Marketing Association’s Marketing Excellence Award.

More information about GVTC is available at www.gvtc.com.