Cablefax The Magazine - July 2015 - 21

2015 Top Ops Awards
INDEPENDENT TECHNOLOGY AWARD
GigaRegion Rollout
GVTC Communications
This year's Independent Technology Award is not so much for
technology itself. While it's admirable that full-service provider GVTC
Communications has brought Gigabit service to rural communities
north of San Antonio, the technology itself is hardly new. No, Cablefax
is honoring GVTC for using Gigabit technology in a creative way.
In June 2014, GVTC joined with the cities of Boerne (population 10,000),
Bulverde (5,000) and Gonzales (7,000) on a fi rst-of-its-kind marketing
plan to create the GVTC GigaRegion, a 2K-square-mile area covering parts
of North San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country and South Central Texas.
With more than 2,200 miles of fi ber optic cable deployed throughout the
GigaRegion, the hope is that Gigabit service can spur economic activity,
revitalizing the area by making it attractive as a place to reside and do
business. As GVTC president/CEO Ritchie Sorrells says, the plan is to
market the region as " a center of ingenuity and entrepreneurialism. "
The partnership involves a twoyear,
comprehensive, integrated
marketing plan in which GVTC and
the three municipalities intend
to push the area as a forwardthinking,
high-tech environment.
Besides offering a fast Internet
connection that will facilitate living
in smart homes with easy access
to networks, energy and security
management, and appliance automation,
points emphasized in the
60-page marketing manual stress that Gigabit service will " streamline
healthcare with enhanced infrastructure for health information technology
systems; optimize emergency response communications with
faster and more effective service; and provide interactive, collaborative
and customized learning environments in schools. "
The hope is that the technology in the GigaRegion will allow these
small cities to compete with larger neighbors like San Antonio and
Austin for new and relocating industries. In addition, the infrastructure
will ensure the area's long-term viability by keeping the next
generation of business leaders from moving away, thus improving
the chance for future growth.
GVTC is working closely with the economic development offi ces, city
leaders and chambers of commerce organizations of the GigaRegion
to raise awareness of Gigabit service. Tactics have included creation
of logos, branding and an ad campaign.
Much of this was laid out last September when GVTC hosted a
GigaRegion workshop to distribute branding and lead development
tools to its partners. Attendees received a binder containing marketing
collateral that each city, chamber and economic development
organization can use to promote itself as part of the GigaRegion,
illustrating the municipality is on the cutting-edge of technology development.
Each city can use the GVTC GigaRegion logo on signage,
billboards, websites, etc. The plan also includes a video as well as
tactics for social media outreach.
GVTC also is encouraging use of GigaRegion branding for decals on
city vehicles; logos on shirts; highway signs; and any other resident,
worker or visitor touch points.
Eyes will be on the GVTC and the GigaRegion to see if it can entice
businesses with Gigabit service.
- Seth Arenstein
Boerne
Bulverde
10
Seguin
Gonzales
San Antonio
Cablefax: The Magazine
July 2015
35
New Braunfels
10
FAST FACTS
Fast Facts
uSome 39K homes and businesses, or more than twothirds
of all GVTC customers, have access to one Gigabit
service through its fi ber network.
u GVTC's charitable arm has donated nearly $2mln to
causes since its establishment in 2006. GVTC has been
selected a Top Fiber 100 to the Home Company for 7
straight years by Broadband Communities Magazine.
cablefaxmag.com
21
http://www.cablefaxmag.com
Cablefax The Magazine - July 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cablefax The Magazine - July 2015
