Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Capture the Moment!

Calling all photographers – amateurs and pros alike! PTCI would like to use one of your photographs on the cover of the next PTCI Regional Telephone Directory. All you have to do to participate is send us your best photograph, and keep your fingers crossed that we pick your photo as the winner!

Details for entering your photograph:


1)      Only digital files are accepted.


2)      Photos must be a minimum of 300 dpi at 8 ½” x 11” (Photos submitted with lower resolution are not judged)  This means if you were to print your photo on a letter-sized (8 ½ x 11 inch) sheet of paper, the photo itself would fill the page, and be crystal clear.


a.       To obtain a higher resolution, change your camera settings to the largest file size for each photo. This will decrease the number of photos your camera will hold; however, each photo will be a larger size and better quality. Just because your photo looks good on your camera’s display or a computer screen doesn’t necessarily mean it will print clearly.



b.      Do not use a cell phone camera as these files are too small for good print quality.



3)      Photos should NOT be manipulated with a photo editing software such as PhotoShop or Paint.



4)      CD’s and DV’s are accepted.



5)      Photos may be emailed to connie.hawkins@ptci.net or submit using the form at www.ptci.net/directorycontest.



Entries may be mailed to:

            PTCI

            ATTN: Directory Contest

            PO Box 1188

            2222 NW Hwy 64

            Guymon, OK 73942



Deadline: June 29, 2012. All images, whether emailed or sent by regular mail on CD or DVD, must be in the PTCI offices by 5:00 pm on Friday, June 29. Please contact Connie Hawkins with your questions.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Be Prepared When Severe Weather Strikes


We know that spring has arrived by the warm sunny days, blossoms on the trees, and colorful flowers sprouting from the earth. Unfortunately, the arrival of spring can also bring thunderstorms and severe weather. At PTCI, we know all too well how critical communication is when severe weather strikes. 

Here are some tips to help keep you connected during a storm:

  • Have at least one simple, corded phone at home. A cordless telephone will not function during a power outage. Wireline home phone service is typically available for hours after commercial power is disrupted, and these phones will continue to operate on auxiliary or battery power.
  • Keep your cellular phone and backup batteries charged up if a storm is approaching. Be aware that cell phone towers typically run on commercial and battery power. When that power is interrupted or exhausted, cellular phone service can be disrupted.
  • Have a car charger adapter for your cellular phone so you can recharge the phone’s battery from your car.
  • Avoid using a wireline telephone during a thunderstorm. This includes cordless telephones that transmit to and from a base unit. Lightning strikes can cause significant injury by traveling through the phone lines into your home.

Because electrical outages are common during storms, we have developed plans which include permanent backup generators in many locations, along with portable generators for emergency power generation in smaller sites. In the event equipment gets damaged, we keep materials on hand so our crews can quickly restore service where needed.    

PTCI is committed to the communities we serve, and we are prepared to respond quickly and strategically to any outage to keep our customers in touch with friends and family.