CentraCom Interactive is pleased to announce that High Definition TV or HDTV is coming to our cable TV system with an expected launch target in July 2008. This is an incredible change to the way you will watch TV. High definition television is the highest form of digital television. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the same as a movie theater screen. The difference is in the number of lines fed to your TV. Traditionally TV is shown at 480p. HDTV is shown at up to 1080p which is a significant increase resulting in a much cleaner, clearer image. The audio quality uses 5.1 surround sound also. Once you’ve seen HDTV, you’ll never want to watch anything else.

CentraCom has been very busy upgrading our cable television network in preparation for HDTV. It is a very significant upgrade and not all areas have been upgraded yet. Those areas that have been upgraded are now ready to receive high-definition programming. The initial HDTV channel offering is very impressive, and when compared to other systems, is hard to beat. “We may not have the most channels available yet, but we feel we have the best ones,” says George Lee, CentraCom Cable TV System Manager. We are particularly pleased to offer ESPN which will make watching sports better than being in the stadium.

Our HDTV is a digital signal. This means that customers that have subscribed to the Broadcast Basic package will need to upgrade to the Expanded Basic or Digital Advantage package in order to receive the HD channels. Customers already subscribing to these packages will need only subscribe to DVR service or get an HD ready set-top box. Customers with DVRs now will receive the HDTV programming automatically. It is important to understand that while our HD channel line-up is HD capable, not all programs are broadcast in HD.

While the initial HDTV channel line up is impressive, CentraCom is actively pursuing contracts to increase the number of channels. This is the future of television and it will only get better.

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Federal DTV changes does not affect Cable TV.

On February 17, 2009, full-power analog television broadcasts will cease and many TV sets will no longer be able to receive over-the-air signals. That date will mark the completion of a transition to digital TV, or DTV, mandated by Congress.

DTV is an advanced technology that allows broadcasters to provide higher quality pictures and sound, as well as advanced services such as transmission of multiple video streams or other data over a single channel. DTV also makes more efficient use of the airwaves, and the Federal Communications Commission will make the airwaves that are freed up by this transition available for advanced communication services for commercial and public safety use.

The transition to DTV is underway now, but if you are a CentraCom Cable TV customer, there is nothing for you to do except to enjoy your favorite programming after the switch to DTV. CentraCom will take care of the transition for you. If you have an older TV, it will still work with CentraCom Cable TV without the need of a converter box.

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CentraCom Interactive Scholarship Winners

CentraCom Interactive announces the winners of two $1250 scholarships to Snow College and four $500 scholarships to other schools. We received many applications from highly qualified candidates from each of our service areas.

Brian Anderson

Brian is a graduating student from North Sanpete High School with a current GPA of 3.63. He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America. Recently he wrote a book review as part of the Honors English class. The review was later published by a magazine. His extracurricular activities also include the high school tennis team where he was the doubles region champion.

Brian is very involved in his community. As a member of the Fairview City Youth Council, he has assisted in the success of many city celebration functions such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt and 24th of July Celebrations. He also enjoys playing the guitar and writing his own music.

He plans to attend Snow College where he will take foundation classes in graphic design or medicine. His choice of attending Snow College will increase his scholarship by $750 for a total value of $1250.

Anna McCarty

Anna McCarty is a graduating student of Dugway High School. She has fulfilled the requirements for a high school diploma and has completed one year of college through concurrent enrollment.

She has been involved in High School extracurricular activities and served as Band President, Newspaper Editor and Yearbook Editor. Throughout her high school years she has maintained a 3.98 GPA. She enjoys serving in the community and working with children and the elderly.

Anna plans to obtain an internship at the Life Science facilities at Dugway Proving Ground. She will continue her education at Weber State University. She is planning to major in Microbiology. We believe she has a great start to becoming a leader of her community.

Kelcie Lantz

Kelcie Lantz is a graduating student of Rich High School. Upon graduation she will not only leave with her high school diploma, but she has also earned her Associate of Science degree from Utah State University.

She has been a member of the National Honor Society and currently serves as the Rich High School National Honor Society Historian. She is involved with the community and is working as nursery manager at Bear Lake Landscape, Inc. She has developed many valuable skills in business management, communications and leadership skills. Even with a very busy schedule, she has maintained a 3.84 GPA.

She will continue her education at Utah State University. There she plans to study Elementary Education or Ornamental Horticulture.

Amanda Poulson

Amanda is currently a student at North Sanpete High School. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, boating and many other outdoor activities. She has maintained a GPA of 3.97 while being actively involved with volleyball and softball teams.

One of her most satisfying service opportunities came from caring for the children of the local active duty National Guard Troops. This service allowed the mothers of the children to take a break from the stress of raising a family by themselves.

She plans to attend Snow College where she will work toward a nursing degree. At Snow College she plans to acquire a licensed practical nurses (LPN) degree and continuing to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Her choice of attending Snow College will increase her scholarship by $750 for a total value of $1250.

Bryan Stringham

Bryan is a graduating senior at Rich High School and he will also graduate with his Associates degree in Science from Utah State University. During his high school attendance he has maintained a GPA of 4.0.

He is involved with many extracurricular activites including: basketball, track and field, football and golf. He enjoys music and has played lead roles as Freddy in My Fair Lady, Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and Marius in Les Miserables. He is a member of the National Honor Society and earned the “Top of Class” award.

He will major in Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University. Bryan plans to own an engineering firm where he will be able to help solve today’s energy problems.

Mikayla Williamson

Mikayla is a senior at Rich High School. She will graduate from high school with an Associates degree from Utah State University.

At the age of fifteen, she was the youngest snowboard instructor ever employed at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort. From this experience, she has discovered her love of teaching. She was instrumental in starting a girls golf team at Rich High School. She also has played lead roles in the school plays: My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance and Les Miserables.

She has learned the valuable lesson that “if no one stepped out of their comfort zone and strived for higher achievement, the world would be a very boring place indeed.”

She plans to continue her education at Southern Utah University.

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Ken Carlson

Ken has worked at CentraCom for 3 years as a Cable TV Technician. His duties include cable TV installation, cable locating, trouble resolution and system maintenance. He currently lives in Ephraim and is married to Tamara. Together they have five children: Antionette, Travis, Anthony, Andrea and Jennifer ranging in ages from 29 to 18. They also have six grandchildren. When he’s not busy at work, you can find him decked out in black leather riding the open road on his motorcycles.

An interesting fact about Ken is that he can yodel with his mouth closed. When he is out in the back-country with his grandchildren the fun is endless. He also works with the Snow College students through church service. He enjoys the opportunity this gives him to help these students as they make the transition to adulthood.

Ken enjoys working for CentraCom because of the great support he gets from the community and his co-workers. He believes CentraCom will continue to do what it takes to deliver the best products available to our communities.

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