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Testimonials

Testimonials

BTES does it all with the fiber optic TV cable and Internet services! The cable programming quality is excellent. With our big high-definition television, the picture is as clear as being there in person. We are enjoying the Discovery and Sports Channels. The package options are very good. The day the Internet service was installed, we were able to get into the Internet in a flash of seconds, surfing the whole world. One day the BTES technician came to our home checking our Internet service. I asked what he was doing. His answer was that it could be seen in their computer system that we lost Internet connection the previous day. I had not realized we had lost the connection. But he was there to correct the problem without even a service call from us! We chose the BTES package due to the quality commitment and electricity service, which has been provided for so many years. Currently, we have our electricity, Internet, cable TV and water heater all from one utility provider – BTES. I hope in the near future, we can also get local telephone service through BTES.” – Raj Venkataraman

“We love our BTES service! Our TV is clearer for less money! Our BTES Internet 1 Mb speed tested twice as fast as our 3 Mb did with our former cable provider. We didn’t appreciate the former cable provider calling and offering to lower our rates after we took BTES service. When they provided lower rates in Bristol, Va., last year, I called to get the lower rates for my mother, but they refused! We are thankful for what BTES is doing for us.” – Aleta Smith and Gary Bridgeman

“We at Nash & Powers are happy to partner with BTES. The consensus in our office is that the Internet service is fast and reliable. The cable TV service is also a wonderful addition to our business.” – Blair Jones and Jud Powers

"Our new BTES Internet service is very efficient and consistent. The speed is three to four times faster than what we had before. Our office has experienced no problems, and we are very pleased. The installers were quick, clean and efficient. We also love our cable TV music. We now have more than 45 different music channels to choose from. We never get tired of our music because at the flip of a switch, we can change our music for the enjoyment of our many patients who visit our office. Thanks, BTES, for giving us these choices!"
- Dr. Jim Messimer, Mayor of Bristol, TN

"We signed up as soon as our neighborhood was ready, and we have been so pleased with our cable and high-speed Internet! Not only is it more economical, but the television picture is much sharper, and the Internet connection is faster than any we have used. We love the idea that it is not connected to our phone. Pete has been so pleased with it that he has been giving BTES brochures to his friends - and a number of them have already signed up for the service.

One night I was having a problem with our computer. It had absolutely nothing to do with the BTES service. I tried to get Dell on the phone, and that was a joke! I never did get to talk to a human! Next, I decided to call the BTES Help Desk with the hope of getting someone who would take pity on me. When the young man answered the phone, I told him I knew it was not the service but a combination of the computer and me. He could not have been nicer, and within about three minutes, he had me and the computer straightened out.

One other night Pete and I hurried through dinner so we would be ready to watch the Lady Vols play basketball. The game was listed to start at 7 p.m., so you can imagine our disappointment when two other teams came on . . . not the Lady Vols! I called the BTES Help Desk again, and I was told that because the BTES system was new, the people in Knoxville had made a mistake in blacking them out, but he was working on it. In a few minutes he called me back to let us know that my Lady Vols were on! I don't know many companies that would go to the extent that BTES does to satisfy its customers. We couldn't be happier with the service we are getting, and we urge you to join us. I can guarantee that you will not be sorry . . . and I don't use that phrase very often!"

- Mary Ann and Pete Paris

<empty> As you travel on Highway 394, you cant help but see the magnificent white building located at One Tech Lane in the Bristol Business Park. It is the Bristol Herald Courier's new printing production facility. The operation features a state-of-the-art printing press - the first of its type in the country! The address fits this facility well.

Owned by Media General and built by BurWil Construction Company, the $21 million facility has 50,000 square feet that is dedicated strictly to producing and distributing seven Southwest Virginia newspapers — Bristol Herald Courier, Bland County Messenger, Floyd Press, Richlands News-Press, Smyth County News & Messenger, Washington County News and Wytheville Enterprise.

This production facility has five Koenig Bauer of America (KBA) printing presses. Weighing 32 tons each, with two folders weighing 50 tons each, these printing presses shape and form the newspapers. The high-tech press can simultaneously print two weekly newspapers in less than 10 minutes! It can print 42,000 copies of the Bristol Herald Courier in less than one hour, and it can print 75,000 newspapers an hour.

The press was designed by Bob Rogers, Media General's vice president of operations, and KBA members from Wurzburg, Germany, according to Jim Hyatt, Media GeneralÕs regional vice president and publisher.

"Bob started his career as a pressman in Jackson, Tennessee, and he has a wealth of knowledge about this business," Hyatt said.

The presses and mach-inery were built by KBA and came by ship from Wurzburg. It took 32 tractor-trailers to bring the equipment to Bristol. KBA employees from Germany have been working at the facility since early fall and are also training 30 Bristol Herald Courier quality employees who will be running this facility.

Hyatt was quick to praise BTES, the City of Bristol Tennessee and others for working with Media General to get the facility located here.

"The efforts were tremendous in bringing this to a reality," Hyatt said. "The city had to commit to put the streets in by a certain time, the press had to be designed, KBA had to build and ship it, and the contractor had to have the building completed by a certain time so all of the machinery could be put in place. In addition, BTES had to commit to the fiber optic network for high-speed Internet and electric service in time for all of that to be done."

Hyatt acknowledged that the high-speed data transfer and reliable fiber optics were the main reasons for locating the facility in the park. This service is essential as companies move deeper into the information age, especially with the timeliness of newspaper deadlines, multimedia, tricities.com, WJHL information, news, film and video that we have because of the fiber provided by BTES.

"I also appreciate the importance of disaster preparedness if something happens on either side of town because BVU and BTES work together for backups," he said. "As a result of their excellent customer service, readers and customers in this newspaper market will have a much superior product than anything they have seen. There will be color on every page, and it will be very affordable for all of the customers, which will also help them provide greater customer service through their advertisements."

The Bristol Herald Courier facility on Morrison Boulevard will continue to house the business office, news, advertising and circulation aspects of the business, according to Hyatt.

On a personal note, Hyatt said, "Karen and I are so glad to be BTES Internet and cable TV customers at home. The TV is so clear, and the colors are vivid. The Internet is incredibly fast. In fact, it's the fastest I have ever been on. And our two daughters, Catherine and Meredith, are so much a part of the electronic age. They were constantly frustrated with our other provider, so now they are very happy! Thanks for this great service!"