Building Your Business’ Online Presence

If you’re a business owner, having an online presence is essential. In today’s digital age, people are frequently using the Internet to research and shop for products and services. If you don’t have a strong online presence, you’re missing out on a huge potential market. That’s why it’s important to invest time into growing your online presence. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get started.

Sign Up For Different Review Sites

There are dozens of free review sites that business owners can register for. Here, your customers can leave you reviews and upload photos of your business. This is a very common way for people to look at feedback from customers. Three of the most popular review platforms are Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook.

According to Zipdo, 86% of consumers rely on Google My Business when looking for information on businesses. This means it’s the largest review site, so it’s essential you register your business on Google. On the other hand, in 2022 alone, Yelp had 59.1 million website users, according to Enterprise Apps Today. Yelp is another fantastic platform to sign up for.

If your customers are between the ages of 25 and 56, this is the largest group of people on Facebook. When you open a Business Page on Facebook, you are able to collect reviews from your customers. Your reviews will be shown at the top of your profile next to your photos and posts.

Build a Social Media Presence

Social media is an important form of marketing and it’s free to use! As mentioned above, Facebook is a very popular platform for people between 25 and 56. If this is the primary age group for your customers, this is a great platform to be on.

TikTok is a massive app that enables business owners to share information about their products and services through video. If teens and young adults often visit your business, TikTok is a great choice. 67% of Americans between 18 and 19 and 56% of people between 20 and 29 are on TikTok. TikTok has a new feature called “Shop” where business owners can sell their products through their profiles. Many business owners on the platform report the Shop feature boosting sales drastically.

People watching a live streaming

Instagram, which supports images and video content, has a primary audience of people under 35 years old. Instagram allows you to link products and your website in Stories. Stories are an easy way to make content in just a few seconds.

It is important to remember that just because your primary age group is on a particular platform does not mean that you have to use it. Social media is all about consistency, so you should use whatever platform you are comfortable with and that you are willing to commit to using.

Create a Website

Even if you don’t want to sell products online, having a website is very important. On a website, you can show customers why they need to visit your business. You can share pictures of your products, tell people your mission statement, and publish company news. If you do want to sell your products online, you will open your business up for shopping to the entire world. Websites are much more affordable than you may think, and some plug-ins make it easy to make a website yourself!

Get Wi-Fi For Your Business

Wi-Fi is essential for small businesses, whether you own a store or offer services to your clients. When you offer free Wi-Fi, customers can check in to your business on social media, which can help to increase your visibility and reach new customers. They can also leave reviews, which can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

If you offer services that can require waiting, your customers can stay entertained while they are visiting your business, which can help to make their experience more enjoyable as they won’t be bored in the waiting room. Free Wi-Fi allows them to watch videos, surf the web, and browse social media.

Get Connected with CTTC

There are many online business activities that you and your employees will need to perform. You need reliable internet so everyone can stay connected. At CTTC, we connect rural Texans to the rest of the world at affordable rates. See how much it would be to get our high-speed Internet for your business today!

CTTC knows how important it is to stay connected in today’s digital world, and we’re committed to ensuring rural Central Texans have access to high-speed Internet. With CTTC Fiber, you can expect super-fast speeds, future-proof infrastructure, affordable prices, and dedicated 24/7 customer support. And best of all, our gigabit fiber internet is available for just $99 per month! So why wait? Sign up now and experience the online world like never before!

Committed to Connecting the Community

In an age where connectivity drives progress and communication, having a reliable and fast internet connection has become more crucial than ever before. Whether it’s for work, entertainment, education, or staying in touch with loved ones, Internet access is a vital part of our lives. That’s why CTTC is proud to offer our fiber Internet service, designed to revolutionize the way rural Texans experience the online world.

What is Fiber Internet?

Fiber Internet is the gold standard of Internet connectivity. Unlike traditional copper-based connections, fiber-optic cables use light signals to transmit data at the speed of light. This results in remarkably faster speeds, unmatched reliability, and an overall superior online experience. From seamless video calls with far-away family to ultra-HD streaming and lag-free online gaming, fiber Internet opens the door to limitless possibilities.

Future-Proof Connection

Fiber Internet is also better prepared for the future than traditional copper-based connections because it can handle the increasing demand for high-speed Internet as more devices and applications become reliant on it. Copper-based connections, on the other hand, are reaching their limits and will eventually become outdated.

Fiber internet is the best option if you are looking for the best possible Internet experience. It is faster, more reliable, and more future-proof than traditional copper-based connections.

Internet Accessibility: Why It’s Important

In today’s digital world, Internet accessibility isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Internet connects us to information, work opportunities, and resources that shape our lives. Whether you’re a student researching for a project or a professional working remotely, a dependable Internet connection ensures you stay connected with the world around you.

However, not all Internet services are created equal. Slow speeds, buffering videos, and unreliable connections can not only hinder productivity but also lead to frustration. This is where CTTC steps in to bridge the gap and bring you high-speed Internet service.

Why CTTC?

CTTC was originally a landline telephone company, once focusing on connecting rural Texans to their loved ones via phone call. Over time, we have adapted to the ever-changing digital landscape, and now we offer high-speed fiber Internet. But, CTTC isn’t just another fiber Internet service provider. We’re dedicated to connecting our neighbors to the rest of the world.

Fast Speeds

CTTC Fiber Internet offers speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is much faster than previous Internet offerings. This means that you can download files, stream videos, video chat, and play online video games much faster than before. You will no longer have to wait for downloads to finish, and you will be able to access all of your online activities instantly.

Reliability You Can Count On

Fiber-optic technology is known for its incredible reliability. It’s less likely to go down due to inclement weather or high temperatures. CTTC’s network rivals bigger Internet providers in large cities, despite serving small-town Texans. This means no more disruptions during important meetings or buffering in the middle of your favorite shows. CTTC ensures your connection remains steady and consistent.

Future-Proof Infrastructure

Fiber Internet isn’t just about speed—it’s an investment in the future. When Internet speeds improve, fiber Internet can quickly be upgraded. As technology advances, CTTC’s fiber Internet will continue to provide the cutting-edge connectivity required for emerging applications, ensuring you’re always ahead of the curve.

Local Commitment

CTTC is a local company that is committed to providing personalized support to its customers. Unlike larger providers, CTTC is not a faceless corporation. The company’s employees are all local residents who are invested in the community. This means that CTTC can offer a level of customer service that larger providers simply cannot.

Affordability

We feel that fast Internet shouldn’t break the bank. Gigabit fiber internet service is available at just $99 per month, giving you exceptional value for an unparalleled online experience. This is enough for a family to be surfing social media sites and playing online video games – at the same time.

Sign Up and Get Connected!

Don’t let slow and unreliable internet hold you back. Experience the difference with CTTC Fiber Internet. Sign up today and get connected with the rest of the world!

GIG News!

What goes up usually has to come back down and while most internet providers are still riding a wave of inflation, CTTC is ahead of the curve in choosing to lower our fiber internet rates yet again! It wasn’t long ago that we dropped the price of one whole gigabyte of data from $189.95 down to $149.95; and now, as of June 1st, we’ve lowered the price again down to only $99!

Customer-Centric

It’s no mystery why we continue to adjust our prices. At CTTC, our customers are at the center of everything we do and the best way to build a trusting relationship with you is to provide fair, transparent rates. 72 years ago we founded CTTC not to turn a profit, but to provide affordable and reliable telephone service to the Central Texas area. Our commitment remains the same which is why we constantly monitor our operational efficiency, subscriber base, technological advancements, and customer needs allowing us to keep rates low.

So if you thought our reduction last year to $150 for 1 Gbps was too good to be true, you may have a hard time believing that we are now offering a gig for a mere $99 a month! That’s another 33 percent decrease! A great rate coupled with a $10 phone line credit, 24/7 customer service, and no required contract hopefully makes your choice to switch to CTTC one you can make confidently!

And to our loyal customers who’ve already chosen service with us, this price drop is for you! We thank you for years of faithful commitment. It is because of you that we were inspired and are able to keep fiber internet rates affordable for our friends and neighbors in Central Texas.

Why Upgrade?

The time to upgrade is now! Don’t let too many devices, streaming hours, or file downloads slow down your internet needs. Upgrading to an internet plan with speeds of 1 Gbps allows for lightning-quick downloads, seamless music streaming, and lag-free online gaming. Whether you’re a heavy internet user or a household with multiple devices, this ultra-fast connection eliminates frustrating buffering and latency issues, delivering a smooth and uninterrupted online experience. Moreover, a 1 Gbps internet plan accommodates the growing demand for bandwidth-intensive activities, such as 4K video streaming, virtual reality applications, and cloud-based services. It empowers businesses to effortlessly handle large file transfers, video conferences, and data-intensive processes, boosting productivity and efficiency. In a nutshell, upgrading to a 1 Gbps internet plan unlocks the full potential of the digital world, providing unmatched speed and performance to cater to the ever-increasing demands of modern online activities.

All this talk of internet speed leaving you scratching your head? Watch this video where we break it down for you.

Not sure what speed you really need? Try using our speed calculator available on our website!

Let Us Help

Headquartered in Goldthwaite, we at CTTC know the difficulties of accessing high-speed internet in rural areas and are proud to help bridge the digital divide. If you have questions regarding our lower rates, fiber internet service, or upgrading your data plan, please call our 24/7 customer service line at (800) 535-8904 or come see us in person at the Goldthwaite or San Saba office. CTTC also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program which provides a discounted rate to customers in need. Customers can find out if they qualify and can apply at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/.

Internet Speed: How Does It Work?

Internet speed can lead to incredibly frustrating situations. We all know the feeling of buffering Netflix shows, Pinterest not loading, or a Zoom call that makes everyone sound like a robot. If you deal with this frequently, it may be time to check in on your Internet plan. In this blog post, we’ll explain everything from bandwidth and broadband to the best types of Internet connection. As Internet providers ourselves, we know these topics can be confusing, so let’s go over them together.

Speed vs. Bandwidth

Speed and bandwidth are often used interchangeably, but they are different from each other. Bandwidth is the capacity of data that can be used for internet speed. Picture a backyard hose, for example. If you choose a hose with a smaller opening, you’re going to get less water per second than you would with one with a larger opening. Bandwidth works the same with data. The more bandwidth you have, the more megabits of data you can transfer per second, which creates a faster internet speed.

Signs Your Speed is Being Affected by Your Bandwidth

Unsure if your bandwidth is failing you? Here are some of the most common signs:

Your Internet-powered chats won’t load (WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook messenger, etc.)
Video games lag or boot you out of a game
Streaming services won’t play properly because they need to load every few minutes
It takes more than a few seconds to load websites.
Your Internet crashes when multiple people are using Wi-Fi

If all your devices are struggling to transfer data, there is a great chance your bandwidth is too small for you. In this case, you want to upgrade to a broadband network with a higher megabits per second package.

What Is a Broadband Network?

A broadband network is what people are referring to when they say “high-speed Internet.” It is a term that refers to different types of wide bandwidth data transmission. In other words, different technologies allow for faster Internet because more data can be transmitted. Before broadband was created, people relied on dial-up connection which wouldn’t allow for the things we enjoy today like Netflix and video games. Today, many households use DSL or fiber internet to keep up with our modern luxuries.

DSL Internet

Perhaps the most popular Internet source is the digital subscriber line (DSL) because of its wide availability. DSL uses phone lines made from copper to transfer data. Because phones have been around for much longer than the Internet, most households in Texas should have DSL abilities.

Fiber Internet

One of the latest gifts from technological advancements is the creation of fiber Internet. This technology was made available in 1996 and is the fastest internet solution out there, and it only gets faster with time. It is run through thin glass fiber strands that carry light instead of electricity like DSL. Because of this, fiber can transmit data up to 100 times faster than DSL. So, if you work from home or have many Internet users in your home, fiber Internet is the best solution.

When it comes to the availability of fiber Internet in rural Texas, CTTC is continually expanding its network. CTTC has been expanding across Central Texas, allowing more people to have access to fiber Internet. If you’re in Central Texas, give us a call to see if fiber is available in your community.

How Do Different Plans Affect Your Usage?

In the simplest of terms, the less bandwidth you have, the slower your Internet will be. If you have a plan with low bandwidth, you may run into issues like loading delays and poor streaming quality. When you have different devices (such as Smart TVs, Wi-Fi enabled security cameras, smartphones, gaming consoles, etc.) using data at the same time, your bandwidth needs to be able to support it. If it doesn’t support all of these devices at once, that’s when you will experience buffering and lagging.

We recommend using our Broadband Calculator to see how many megabits per second your household will need. From there, choose a plan that supports this speed or more if your budget allows for it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to Internet speed so you can always access what you need.

Should You Upgrade Your Internet Plan?

If you’re constantly dealing with Internet problems like the ones listed above, we recommend you upgrade your Internet plan. There are great solutions for both urban and rural dwellers that may be more affordable than you think.

Because fiber internet wasn’t available until 1996, many homes or buildings haven’t been able to install it yet. However, thanks to new technology, chances are DSL and fiber Internet are now available, no matter how small your town is and no matter when your home was built.

If you’re in Bend, San Saba, Richland Springs, Goldthwaite, and surrounding towns, contact us to upgrade to a broadband network or fiber Internet.

Celebrities brought the world another 12 months of interesting events, from record-breaking album releases to viral Tik Tok trends. So before we say farewell to another crazy year, let’s review some of the biggest headlines and milestones of 2022.

(January 3) Apple becomes the first company to reach a stock market value of $3 trillion.

(February 13) For the first time in history, rap took center stage at the 56th Super Bowl Halftime. The show featured some of the music industry’s biggest icons including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige.

(May 13) Rihanna gave birth to her first baby, a boy, with A$AP Rocky.

(May 20) Harry Styles released his third album, ‘Harry’s House,’ which led to an insanely popular world tour.

(May 27) Top Gun: Maverick was released in May and by September, the film had amassed over $700,000 in North America, becoming one of six movies to ever surpass that milestone at the domestic box office.

(May 27) Stranger Things released their fourth season, making 80’s pop culture all the rage again.

(June) We all felt the effects of record-high inflation this year. Consumer prices were up 9.1 percent over the year that ended in June 2022, this is the largest increase in 40 years. *source

(July) Hailey Bieber debuted a manicure, later named Glazed Donut Nails, that was copied by millions of fans, making the look a viral trend on Tik Tok.

(July 16) In a move that no one saw coming, the most famous couple of the early ’00s — Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck — got married, and the bride has since officially changed her name to Jennifer Affleck.

(September 8) The United Kingdom went into a period of mourning when Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. A new era began when her son ascended the throne as King Charles III.

(October 27) Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 million.

(November 5) The Houston Astros won the World Series for the second time, the first was in 2017.

(November 15) Demand for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, her first in five years, essentially crashed Ticketmaster. With 2.4 million tickets sold, Ticketmaster had to cancel the second presale but demand could have filled 900 stadiums. Tickets are now being resold for as high as $22,000 and a lawsuit has been filed against the company.

(November 15) The world reached its first landmark of 1 billion people in 1803. Over 200 years later, on November 15 2022, the world surpassed 8 billion people.

(November 23) Wednesday beats out Dahmer in Netflix streaming records, reaching 1 billion watch hours but Squid Game still reigns supreme. Tim Burton’s series Wednesday, based on a new interpretation of the Addams Family, has exceeded 1 billion watch hours, putting it in the top three most-streamed shows on Netflix.

(December 18) Argentina defeated France in the Fifa World Cup Championship. This is their third win following 1978 and 1986.

Tik Tok reached 1 billion users in January and grew to 1.8 billion by December 2022. Dances that took the app by storm, with millions of creators posting their own renditions were Duke & Jones’ My Money Don’t Jiggle Jiggle, Lizzo’s About Damn Time, and Beyonce’s Cuff It.

For some people, December is a magical time of tinsel, gingerbread, and showering friends and family with love. Equivalent to the belief that makes Santa’s sleigh fly, thoughtful gift-giving is the love language that fuels their holiday cheer all season long.

For others, the thought of braving the crowds at big box stores gives them anxiety. You stress over the proper gifting budget, sizing, and if your loved one will even care about your presents.

But whether you bleed red and green ribbon at this time of year or feel like hiding until New Year’s, there is one type of gift that has a pretty good track record – technology! So to help stack your presents under the tree, we’ve gathered 15 of our favorite tech gift ideas!

ThermoPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer

Grill fanatics and meat lovers alike will get ample use of this wireless meat thermometer, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to provide the precise temperature of their steak or sirloin, along with the ambient pit temperature. They can also receive alerts directly to their phone, ensuring they have a perfectly-cooked piece of meat every time.

Skylight Digital Photo Frame

Looking for something more sentimental? Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles would love this smart digital photo frame. It’s easy to set up and even easier to add photos — all you need is a Wi-Fi connection to add more. You don’t need to have a Wi-Fi connection to enjoy the photos that have been previously uploaded, either.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

Winter mornings can feel even colder when your coffee grows cold, and the Ember Smart Mug seeks to end all lukewarm beverage problems. Using a smart app, you can control the temperature of your choice beverage for 1.5 hours or indefinitely when charging.

Dyson Airwrap Styler

Give the gift of an at-home hair salon with this complete styling kit from Dyson. With seven attachments, four heat settings, and three airflow modes, this multifunctional tool can transform any hair type into sleek styles in a matter of minutes.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model

This compact gaming gear is a fan favorite for a reason – it’s portable, offers multiplayer functionality, and can seamlessly connect to your TV. From road trips to family nights, the Nintendo Switch is a covetable gift for anyone on your list.

Fizzics DraftPour Beer Dispenser

If they love nothing more than sipping on a pint at their local taproom, they’ll adore this beer dispenser that converts any can or bottle into a crisp, nitro-style draft. It works with any type of beer, whether they’re an IPA, stout, or sour fanatic.

Tile Mate Essentials 4-Pack

Help them keep track of all their important belongings with this set of Tile trackers. They’ll get two keychain-friendly fobs, a wallet-friendly fob, and a sticker fob, all of which are compatible with both Apple and Android.

AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden

They don’t need a green thumb to operate this hydroponic indoor garden. Simply plant the herb seeds and follow the instructions about when to water and add plant food—the lights turn on and off by themselves.

Deep Tissue Massage Gun

For the fitness guru or anyone who is always complaining about their aching muscles. This muscle-relaxing gun will allow athletes to recover faster and soothe aging bodies. Different heads allow for specialized muscle targeting.

Amazon Kindle

E-readers might not replace the feel of a physical book in your hand, but to carry an entire library in your pocket is a pretty incredible thing. This backlit device makes reading anywhere, anytime a breeze.

Furbo 360° Dog Camera

Know one of those people who seemingly exists to please their pooch? You can’t go wrong with the Furbo 360° Dog Camera. Aside from doing all the usual smart camera stuff with Full HD live-streamed video, a 360° field of view and two-way audio, the Furbo has one very special trick up its sleeve. You can use its app to remotely toss treats at your dog. In moderation, of course – you don’t want a robot stealing your status as the furball’s favorite.

Panasonic Multishape Groomer

Panasonic’s Multishape is the absolute Swiss Army Knife of the grooming world, with enough attachments to tidy up your whole daily routine from hair and beard to teeth and nose. Looking for a gadget that does it all? Combining an electric toothbrush, beard trimmer, razor, and nose and ear hair trimmer all in one go, you’ll never need another grooming gadget again. With detachable heads to help you navigate your daily tidy up and switch between cutting your ‘tache to cleaning your teeth in seconds.

Ring Video Doorbell

Tired of scrambling to put your pants on to answer the door? Looking to avoid your persistent aunt who’s visiting for the fourth time this week? Find out exactly who’s at the homestead with the Amazon-made Ring video doorbell, which offers live video feedback straight to your smartphone, and text alerts if there’s something unusual going on while you’re away.

MuteMe Button

A gift for the work-from-home employee! Quickly (un)mute when the unexpected happens, no more frantically searching for the mute button. Compatible with Zoom, Teams, WebEx, Google Meet, and more.

Our Lower Internet Rates Explained

By now we’ve all noticed the extra dollars tacked onto our grocery bills, but eggs aren’t the only prices that have increased. The 2022 September consumer price index – which measures changes in the cost of food, housing, gasoline, utilities, and other goods – rose by 8.2% over the past 12 months in August, nearly a 40-year-high.

Inflation hasn’t evaded the telecommunications industry either. Over time internet plans from AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast all increased in the form of higher monthly rates, additional “special fees,” more expensive equipment rentals, higher installation costs, and more. So why, at a time when nearly all major ISPs are charging more money, has CTTC decided to lower our rates? Simply because we value our customers above everything. CTTC’s number one goal has always been to provide the absolute best customer experience possible, no matter the cost.

“By providing a superior fiber network, outstanding customer service and now even more affordable rates, we can ensure our customers are getting a top-notch full-service experience.”

Hundreds of Dollars in Savings

Maybe you think lower rates are too good to be true, that we must have only barely lowered prices and this is just a clever marketing tactic. Well, think again! With and without a landline, our internet plans lowered by $40-$50 each monthly. Over the course of one year, that totals to $480-$600 in savings!

How to Make sure You’re Receiving These Lower Rates

So how can you make the switch to these lower prices? Easy! Changes were applied automatically to our customers’ bills, so you should have started seeing the discount as early as July 1st.

You’ll also notice that we streamlined our data plans by eliminating the 4 mbps and 50 mbps options. Customers on those plans were automatically upgraded and are even paying less than before thanks to our lower rates. For example: Customers on the 50 mbps for $89.95 plan were upgraded to 100 mbps at $79.95.

You can do a speed test at home to ensure you are getting the speed you are signed up to receive. Please don’t hesitate to contact Customer Service at 325-648-2237 with any questions regarding internet plans and billing.

Committed to Service

The digital divide is an ongoing issue in rural America. Born and bred in Goldthwaite, we’ve personally experienced the lack of reliable connectivity in our small town. CTTC has strived to solve this issue in Central Texas since our founding in 1951. After over 70 years of service, it was time to reward our loyal customers, who at this point, feel more like family to us anyway.

Our mission has never been about profit and will always be to provide access to affordable quality internet to our friends and neighbors in rural Central Texas. We are thrilled to offer lower internet rates and hopefully take a little weight off your shoulder in a time of record high inflation.

Customers who would like to upgrade can do so by calling 800-535-8904 or come by the Goldthwaite or San Saba Office. CTTC also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program that provides a discounted rate to customers in need. Customers can find out if they qualify and can apply at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/.

To check account balance, press one.

To make a payment, press two.

To spend hours trying to get in contact with a customer service representative, stay on the line.

We all know how difficult it can be to resolve an issue with big conglomerate companies, typically in the phone service or air travel industries. In fact, Forbes named cable, internet providers, wireless phone service providers, healthcare, and the airline industry as the Top 5 Industries Most Hated By Customers. Unfortunately, the questions we need answered by these companies are usually very pressing, pecuniary matters. We’ve never thought “wow, I’d really like to talk to a machine about this” when calling a service line.

At CTTC, we do things differently. When you call our office, you’ll speak to a living, breathing human being. Under no circumstance will you ever receive an automated message. Better still, our service representatives are 100% local to Central Texas, meaning we understand the barriers and needs of our rural residents. We know the inconvenience of losing service between towns, the difficulty of finding a connection when away from your home, and the annoyance of calls dropping with unreliable service.

CTTC’s customer service is reliant on four pillars – we strive to give you a convenient, personalized, proactive, and competent experience. Cutting out the automated middleman makes getting to the root of your problem quicker and easier. Throughout your customer journey, our representatives get to know you at every step. We make notes in our system of specific needs, past issues, and personal anecdotes for each and every customer. We want to get to know you to proactively solve problems. And each CTTC employee undergoes extensive training to know how to best approach your needs. With all this in mind, we are proud to offer a superior level of customer care, unmatched by our multinational counterparts.

Our service plans will not lock you into long-term contracts, leaving our customers in complete control. We allow you the freedom to search for the best deals and find the service plan best suited to you. Despite not locking customers into long-term contracts, don’t be surprised if you fall in love with our service! If you’ve been burned by service providers in the past, eliminate the risk and give CTTC a call.

For decades, rural America has suffered from a digital divide in broadband access. As small Texas towns grow, so does our need for internet access. CTTC believes our rural communities deserve the best technology available, which is why we offer high-speed fiber internet to 18 different service areas. As our towns develop, service needs adapt. With our headquarters in Goldthwaite, we keep up with this evolution of service needs and advancements in telecommunication.

Digital Cleanup

The start of Spring may be the time to clean out your closets, dust ceiling fans, and organize pantries, but now that your home is sparkling, it’s time to clean up your digital presence. When was the last time you cleared your cache or deleted old accounts? How many apps are just taking up storage on your phone? How many drawers are filled with sticky notes of old passwords? There’s a lot more to tidying up online than simply sweeping the crumbs off your keyboard. Follow these tips for a safer, more organized cyberspace.

Email

Unsubscribe

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who open every email and those who have thousands in one inbox. Spam and promotional emails are probably taking up the majority of your storage. Either spend time manually unsubscribing from accounts or use this tool to easily unsubscribe in bulk.

Organize Folders

Now that you’re done receiving thousands of unwanted emails, you can prioritize what’s important. Sorting into folders will help you keep track of conversations, documents, travel plans, work needs, et cetera, making it easier to locate what you need to come back to.

Empty Spam and Trash Folders

There is no need to keep a receipt from a purchase three years ago. Start by emptying your spam and promotional folders. Then permanently delete the emails in your trash. No need to be worried. If you haven’t opened an email in 6 months, you no longer need to hold on. Update your settings to automatically delete messages older than a certain date to keep your emails under control.

Mobile Devices

Delete Apps

Candy Crush, Pandora, and VSCO don’t need to take up space on your phone anymore. (Unless, of course, you still use these throwback apps then please, carry on!) There are tons of viral games and dead social media platforms that you probably haven’t opened in a few years. Delete and make space for the next big thing!

Unfollow Old Social Media Accounts

Interests come and go. Why crowd your feed with products that aren’t for sale anymore, people you never see, or groups you’re no longer a part of? Declutter your social media, declutter your mind, and focus on who’s important to you now.

Delete Texts and Pictures

While we’re purging, scroll down to the bottom of your texts and start deleting! Images and videos take up mass amounts of storage space, so this is a great way to get rid of that annoying “your iCloud is full” pop-up. An even better solution is to go through your photos. You would be surprised with how many duplicates, randoms, and photos taken by accident may be in there. Consider an organizational app, such as Google Photos or SmugMug, that can help clear up storage space and make it easier to find photos by category.

Sanitize Devices

We sanitize toilets, door handles, and elevator buttons but we often forget about the number one collector of germs and bacteria – our cell phones. Before you hold up any number of viruses to your face again, wipe it down with disinfectant first. And don’t forget about your laptops, tablets, smart home devices, and tv remotes.

Go Through “My List” in Streaming Platforms

Everyone is guilty of saving something on Netflix and never coming back to it. Go through that list! You might rediscover something really interesting or realize that was just a fad and (you guessed it) delete!

Laptops

Cancel Unused Subscriptions

Look at your bank statement. Are there any magazines, gaming or music services, streaming platforms, subscription boxes, fitness gyms, meal kits, newspapers, dating apps, photo editors, or anything else that you just don’t need anymore? There are likely quite a few subscriptions you can cancel and stop paying for that unnecessary service.

Organize Desktop

Screenshots, apps, and web pages crowd our laptops. A cluttered home screen does not allow efficient work. Review what needs to remain on your desktop and hide or delete what does not. The same idea applies to your digital bookmarks or dock menu.

Clear Downloads Folder

Going through your downloads folder can actually be quite comical. You might find old school projects, silly photos, and random zip files, but you will definitely find thousands of files you no longer need. Manually go through your downloads from the last 3 months and bulk delete the rest!

Update PC

Don’t just click away from those pesky “software update” notifications. Downloading the latest operating system can improve speed, add new device features, and fend off hacker attacks.

Household

Recycle or Destroy

Gather all the old CDs, floppy disks, thumb drives, external hard drives, flash drives (basically any kind of “drive”), laptops, gaming consoles, smart home gadgets, chargers, TVs, printers, and landline phones gathering dust in your home and take them to your nearest electronic recycling center. Information on where that may be can be found here.

Passwords Manager

Are you the kind of person who uses the same password everywhere or makes up easy ones that any elementary hacker could hack if they wanted to? It’s time to switch to a password management tool. This software will generate unique, random passwords for each of your accounts and store them in a secure digital vault. They’ll notify you of a potential data breach and update passwords if necessary, keeping you and your data safe from any identity theft.

Just any cleaning ritual, you’ll be happy you put in the work! Take a day to organize your cyberspace thereby creating a safer, faster, more efficient digital presence!