The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), approved the addition of the 539 area code to the geographic region currently served by 918 to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers in the state- this is called an Area Code Overlay.

An overlay is the addition of another area code – in this case, 539 – to the same geographic region as an existing area code (918). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or phone number. However, when two area codes serve the same region, rules of the Federal Communications Commission require callers to change the way they dial local calls. The new procedure requires callers to dial the area code and the seven-digit telephone number. This includes all calls that are currently dialed with just seven digits.

The most important things consumers and businesses need to know about the area code overlay are:

• Customers’ existing phone numbers in the 918 area code will not change as a result of this overlay;
• Beginning March 5, 2011, “mandatory” ten-digit local dialing begins and customers in the 918 area code must use the ten-digit dialing procedure for all local calls. As of this date, if they do not use the new dialing procedure, the calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct callers to hang up and dial again;
• Phone numbers with the new 539 area code may be assigned in some areas as soon as April 1, 2011;
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas and other rates and services of your telecommunication provider will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed;
• The dialing procedure for long distance or operator assisted calls will not change;
• You will still dial three digits to reach 911. If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community, or from your provider, you will still dial them with just three digits.

In addition to changing their dialing procedure, customers are encouraged to begin reprogramming their automatic dialing equipment and all other types of equipment that are currently programmed with only seven-digits. All such devices will need to be reprogrammed with ten-digits (area code + telephone number) prior to March 5, 2011.

Examples of programmed equipment and features include: PBX systems, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems, multi-line key systems, life safety systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.

Customers also are being urged to check with their security or alarm companies and the suppliers of their business phone systems as soon as possible to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new dialing pattern.

“This is a way that we can truly honor those who gave their lives or were disabled while serving our country and give back to their family members that live in our community. Social and Community responsibility is a significant initiative of BTC Broadband and we revere those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect the United States of America and our freedoms”, says Lynn Pike, COO, BTC Broadband.

The Folds of Honor Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members who died or were disabled as a result of their military service to our great nation.

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About Fold of Honor Foundation

Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities. FHF unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.

The Folds of Honor Foundation was founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 pilot, golf course owner, PGA Professional and USGA member. A Major in the Air National Guard and a decorated military aviator, Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound situation that drove him to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.

• Beginning August 7, 2010, you should dial a local 918 number with 10-digits (Area Code+ 7-digits).
• As of March 5, 2011, you must dial 10-digits to complete all local calls. If you don’t dial all 10-digits, your call will not complete.

What needs to Change?

• You will need to dial 10-digits (Area Code+ 7-digit phone number) for every local call.
• You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems.
• Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to 10-digits. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voice mail services, and similar functions. Remember that you need to dial a “1” if these numbers are long distance.
• Check your business stationery or any other advertising materials or logos to be sure they include the area code.

What will Remain the Same?

• Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas, and other rates and services will not change. What is currently a local call will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You should still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 411.
• If 211, 311, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community you will still dial them with just three digits.

Questions? If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 918-366-8000 or contact the following websites for more information: www.btcbroadband.com or the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) website at www.occ.state.ok.us

Blake Spring is a 2010 graduate of Liberty Mounds High School and is on both the Oklahoma and Principal Honor Rolls. Blake has participated in FCA, football, baseball, and basketball. Blake plans on attending East Central University to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. BTC Broadband has provided $1,500 to further his education.

Contact: Kelly Wilkerson Marketing Manager BTC Broadband 918.366.0266 kwilkerson@olp.net

BTC Broadband President and CEO to Retire

Bixby, OK – BTC Broadband announced today that Lynn Pike, current President and CEO, has announced plans to retire by the end of 2011. Effective June 1, 2010, Pike will assume the position of COO at BTC.

The BTC board has chosen Robert Rozell, currently CFO/COO, as its new President and CEO. Rozell has been with BTC Broadband for six years in his present position, and has more than 26 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Rozell is a member of the Oklahoma Telephone Association Hall of Fame and the Bixby Chamber of Commerce.

Rozell will assume overall responsibility for BTC Broadband. As COO, Pike will be in charge of Special Projects, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing.

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About the Company

BTC Broadband is a cutting edge, broadband communications company offering intelligent communication and entertainment products in Oklahoma. The company provides a variety of services to both residential and business customers, including local telephone and long distance service, telephone equipment and services, High Speed Internet, networking, Digital Television (BTC TV), wireless service (BTC Mobile), computer repair (TechXPerts), WiFi, voicemail, message management systems and more.

Since 1914, the company has provided local telephone and various telecommunications services to both residential and business customers in Bixby, Tulsa and surrounding areas. Today BTC has more than 10,000 customers and is privately held and family owned.

In continuing commitment to providing its customers with growing technology needs, BTC Broadband continues to deploy Fiber-To-The-Home (or Business) in order to provide High Speed two-way video, voice, and data services. Visit www.btcbroadband.com for more information.

The Festival is held in downtown Bixby, south and east of 151st and Memorial. Charley Young Park is the site of the Gazebo stage, and games, surrounded by food and crafts booths. Just a hop and skip over is the Youth Stage and Carnival. Cool off during the heat of the day by joining in a few rounds of bingo in the building at the corner of Charley Young Park.

What could be more traditional than an afternoon or evening in the bright summer sun, with lemonade to sip, an array of crafts and gifts to purchase, music to enjoy listening to, with your friends all around? Only a ride on the ferris wheel as the sun sets and the sounds of carnival music drift up in the evening air…

The Festival is held in downtown Bixby, south and east of 151st and Memorial. Charley Young Park is the site of the Gazebo stage, and games, surrounded by food and crafts booths. Just a hop and skip over is the Youth Stage and Carnival. Cool off during the heat of the day by joining in a few rounds of bingo in the building at the corner of Charley Young Park.

What could be more traditional than an afternoon or evening in the bright summer sun, with lemonade to sip, an array of crafts and gifts to purchase, music to enjoy listening to, with your friends all around? Only a ride on the ferris wheel as the sun sets and the sounds of carnival music drift up in the evening air…

For more information, email

or contact the following:

Vendor, Booth, or Food Services
Jacquie Young
366-6305
or
Music, Talent Show, Entertainment
Don Crall
906-9540

The BTC Broadband Chili Cook-off takes place annually at the BTC Broadband’s downtown Breckenridge office where BTC Broadband employees submit their best chili and/or dessert creations which are judged on smell, color, consistency, taste and aftertaste.  BTC Broadband started the Annual Chili Cook-off in 2000 and since its beginning it has raised over $68,000 for Bixby charities and organizations.

This year’s entries did not disappoint with more than 20 contenders vying to be this year’s chili and dessert champions.  Helping with the event were Lisa Remy of the Remy Company, Kelley Maricle of the BCOC, Debbie Wolfard of Grand Bank and Jessica Pittman of the Bixby Chamber of Commerce, who acted as chili and dessert judges and needed no persuasion to assist in tasting this year’s entries.  In addition to the chili and dessert competition, drawings were held for various prizes with ticket sale proceeds also contributing to the above organizations.

In regard to the overall success of the fundraiser, BTC Broadband President and CEO Lynn Pike said “As in years past, the BTC Broadband employees and the owners, the Daily family, have stepped up and given generously to our local charities. The Daily family have a tradition of matching the annual employee donations. I am proud to be associated with such a selfless group of owners and coworkers.”

Once the chili settles, winners for the chili and dessert portions of the cook-off will be announced at the BTC Broadband employee meeting on November 7th.