Through the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), Suddenlink has joined other cable operators in a first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to help prevent the spread of child pornography online.

Together, the participating cable operators offer Internet service to 87% of U.S. homes, or approximately 112 million total homes.

From LegalNewsline:

NAAG President and Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said the agreement “is notable as the first such agreement (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) has reached with an entire sector of the nation’s communications industry.

“The NCTA agreement with NCMEC will limit the ability of predators to store and exchange images of exploitation of those who are, by definition, among the more vulnerable in society. We congratulate the cable industry for taking a strong stand in support of child safety.”

For more information, see the NCTA news release distributed earlier today, and this Multichannel News report.

Suddenlink’s participation in this effort is one part of the company’s larger commitment to promoting Internet safety.

———————-

A number of Suddenlink employees can relate to Bruce Lee’s advice — and they certainly don’t need a bodyguard. This group of employees has worked in their respective cable systems for 30-plus years, through multiple owners, fighting the good fight to maintain and upgrade technologies and provide customers with exceptional service.

While space and time prevent us from listing them here, this group includes Wayne Ollis, who started working in cable in Russellville, Ark., in June 1967. With 41 years under his belt, Wayne has earned the distinction of being the Suddenlink employee with the longest track-record of cable service in a single area.

Our hat is off to him and all of his colleagues who are living proof of the merits of endurance.

 

On Independence Day 2007, fire destroyed the Suddenlink office in Batesville, Ark.

Employees perservered, and yesterday — just over a year later — along with customers and local officials, they celebrated the opening of their new-and-improved digs.

COO Tom McMillin congratulated the team on their accomplishments. The text of his note follows, after the fold.

July 10, 2008

To the Suddenlink-Batesville Team:

Despite the devastating fire that destroyed your local office a year ago, you bounced back quickly, with style, grace, and grit.

On behalf of the entire senior management team, I want to thank you for your positive attitude and strength in working through this difficult situation, and for your uninterrupted commitment to serving our customers. You have demonstrated the true spirit of Suddenlink — pulling together to overcome adversity and end up in an even better place.

We our proud to be on the same team with you, and we congratulate you on this exciting day.

Sincerely,
Tom McMillin
Chief Operating Officer

Ricardo Alvarado of Leesville, La., (picture above, on the left) is the grand-prize winner of Suddenlnk’s “Win a Home Upgrade” sweepstakes.

Alvarado was awarded his $25,000 grand-prize check yesterday afternoon.

In addition to Mr. Alvarado, Suddenlink has awarded hundreds of other sweepstakes prizes (including free phone, cable and Internet service, and free pay-per-view movies) to individuals throughout its service area.

As part of its 2008 plan, Suddenlink continues to expand the number of high-definition (HD) channels available to customers.

Following HD expansions in Arkansas/Louisiana/Missouri and West Texas earlier this year, the company has further expanded its “HD Basic” line up (or “tier”) in West Texas, adding FX HD, USA HD, Sci Fi HD, and Travel Channel HD.

Effective July 16 in its Humboldt County, Calif. cable system, Suddenlink will also add …
* FOX 29 KBVU (Eureka) in HD to its “HD Broadcast” tier
* TBS HD, FX HD, USA HD, Sci Fi HD, and Travel Channel HD to its “HD Basic” tier
* History HD to its “HD Plus” tier.

———————————–

Check here for more information on Suddenlink HD versus competitive services.

Check here for more information on the categories or tiers of HD channels generally available through Suddenlink HD systems.

Check here, and enter your zip code, to determine if HD service is available in your area.

From North Carolina to California, Suddenlink technical teams took home the silver and gold last week at the 25th annual confab of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE).

Out of the nearly 300 cable systems from 13 companies that received Gold Safety Awards, Suddenlink snagged 73. And out of the more than 50 systems from six companies securing Silver Safety Awards, Suddenlink again demonstrated its leadership, taking home 12.

Winners are listed here, alphabetically, first by company name, then by system name. Congrats to all.

The city of Georgetown, Texas, has a rich, 160-year history. Located about two dozens miles north of Austin, Texas’ state capitol, Georgetown was established in 1848 as a trading center for area farmers.

Until recently, it remained a relatively small town, but according to Suddenlink employees who work in the area – including long-time resident Lou Alsteen, the dispatch supervisor for the company’s Georgetown system – the city’s growth has exploded in the last five years.

That growth has been driven by two factors: a deluge of retirees moving in from other parts of the country and an influx of high-tech jobs in the graphic arts, computer manufacturing, and consumer electronics industries. (Two of Samsung’s advanced semiconductor plants are located only 20 miles south of Georgetown, while Dell’s world headquarters complex is less than 10 miles south.)

Georgetown has also seen corresponding growth in amenities for its expanding population. Alsteen recalls a day when Georgetown had one general store. “Now we have two large shopping malls with two more in the works,” he said, “plus new high schools, restaurants, theaters and plans for a state-of-the-art convention center.”

Robert LeCour – the Georgetown system manager who moved there a year ago – is impressed with the area’s growth, but he’s also impressed with the city’s efforts to maintain the historic character of the town and the natural beauty surrounding it.

“The city planners have really done a tremendous job here, setting up Georgetown to be a model twenty-first-century community, one that benefits from its growth but keeps sight of its other priorities, as well, like conservation of the area’s natural resources,” he said.

Preserving Georgetown’s character is no small matter. The hills, lakes, and wooded spaces surrounding it have attracted visitors and residents long before the recent business expansion, according to Randy Taylor, community relations manager for the Texoma Region’s South Texas district. (Though Taylor currently lives and works in Tyler, Texas, his parents are still in Georgetown, where they’ve lived for more than 30 years.)

Taylor, LeCour and other local Suddenlink employees also appreciate how the area’s growth has contributed to Suddenlink’s business success – as has the large, stable, and growing retirement community.

“Unlike college students, who connect in September and disconnect in May, our retirees are here to stay,” said Bill Bartley, Georgetown’s field systems supervisor. “Many of them are also very savvy about the latest, greatest technology, and they have the money to invest in it.”

All things considered, the Georgetown team is optimistic about the future, and Randy Taylor believes they have good reason to be.

“They’re a great group of people and their positive attitude represents a competitive advantage,” he said. “While they have a good time doing their jobs, they’re constantly on the look out for how they can do better. They never rest on their laurels.”

Suddenlink will build a new $3.5 million regional call center near Parkersburg, W. Va., with completion expected in October. Suddenlink currently operates a call center in Parkersburg, but it has outgrown that facility.

Dave Bach, Suddenlink’s Atlantic Regional Vice President, said, “We certainly had many options to build this facility in other parts of the state, or other states for that matter. However, Wood County is the right fit for many reasons, but first and foremost is the exceptional work force already in place.”

Suddenlink’s growth is great news for the Parkersburg area, and the company made a wise choice to continue to invest in West Virginia’s work force,” said West Virginia U. S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. “As so many companies have come to appreciate, West Virginia workers are unmatched in productivity and dedicated customer service.”

In addition to building the new 18,000-square-foot facility, Suddenlink expects to increase the call center’s full-time employment from 188 to 221, an increase of 33 employees. “These are good paying jobs with full benefits,” Bach said. The regional call center will serve Suddenlink’s 240,000 video, Internet and phone customers in a five-state area centered in West Virginia.

“We are pleased that Suddenlink has chosen to stay, and grow, in West Virginia,” said Governor Joe Manchin. “It is a positive reflection on the dedication and productive work ethic of our work force.”

The facility will be one of five call centers the company operates. Suddenlink is the largest cable broadband company in the state and provides video, high-speed Internet and phone service throughout most of its West Virginia footprint.

Wood County Commission President Bob Tebay said, “The Commission certainly appreciates having Suddenlink as a significant employer and values their long term commitment to the area.”