FTC is excited to announce the acquisition of Computer Systems of Sumter DBA Palmetto Point of Sale and Entre’ Computer Center. The collaborative venture will be called FTC IT Solutions. FTC Chief Executive Officer Brad Erwin said the addition of Computer Systems of Sumter and its services are the perfect expansion to FTC’s product lines of Internet, Wireless, Voice, Security and Digital TV. “Information Technology and the supporting services is a growing sector,” Erwin said. “Communications is information and information is communications. We are excited to have Steve Curtis (Computer Systems of Sumter president) and his team join the FTC...

Read More FTC acquires Computer Systems of Sumter to form FTC IT Solutions

The state Public Service Commission wants to remind residential and business customers served by the 803 area code that the new 839 area code will soon be added as an overlay to the region to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers. An overlay is the addition of another area code (839) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (803). The Commission ordered an area code overlay for the 803 Area Code on July 26, 2018. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code. Beginning May 26, 2020, new telephone lines or...

Read More New Area Code for Customers Within 803 Region

Whether it’s due to long hours at work, unanticipated errands/responsibilities arising, the gym closing or other unforeseen events forcing a change of plans, sometimes fitting a workout into the daily schedule just isn’t in the cards. But for today’s connected fitness seekers, their gym doesn’t necessarily have to be open to get a workout in. Fitness Focus – FTC Now Channel 26 First, for FTC Digital TV customers, several choices are available. They need only go to FTC Now, Channel 26, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Mondays to Fridays or from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and...

Read More 6 Great (and FREE) Apps for Working Up a Sweat — or Bulking Up — Outside the Gym

When kids stay home from school — for whatever reason — it is in everyone’s best interest to keep their education on track. After all, the mind stays sharper when it’s kept active and educated. And fortunately for parents raising children in today’s digitally driven world, the opportunities for learning outside the classroom are quite abundant for anyone with an internet connection and a digital device such as a tablet, a laptop or desktop computer, or even a smartphone. Here are six great examples of free websites that parents can turn to for educational resources when their kids are home...

Read More 6 Great (and FREE) Online Homeschooling Resources for Keeping Kids’ Learning on Track

Netflix gives viewers so much to choose from when they finish all seasons of their favorite shows. But which ones to choose? Fans could try a site such as netflixroulette.net, which will pick shows at random. Or check out these popular choices. “The Witcher” Fans who are into “Game of Thrones” but might like “Lord of the Rings” a touch more will love this show. It’s got major riveting fight scenes, but not such a dour storyline and mood. Geralt (Henry Cavill) stirs the imagination. He's one of three compelling main characters who knows how to swing a sword. It's...

Read More Top 10 Shows to Binge Watch on Netflix Right Now

One of the beautiful things about movies these days is that movie fans don’t have to go to the movies to see them. Video On Demand allows us to see the best of the best, without leaving home. This means not only the classics and obscure personal favorites, but also award-winners. Even those which earned Oscars at the Academy Awards ceremony. Here are a few interesting but little-known facts about the Oscars: Two films share the record for most Oscar nominations with 14. All About Eve (1950), a behind-the-scenes look hopeful actress Eve Harrington was the first. In 1997, The...

Read More Catch These Oscar Winners With FTC’s Video on Demand

For any consumer who has ever answered the phone expecting to hear from a friend — only to encounter someone who is pretending to be from the IRS and is demanding payment — the problem will be a familiar one. Or perhaps the mystery caller claimed to be awarding a cruise around the world and then requested a Social Security number before providing it. Most consumers have had one of these experiences or a similar one. Unfortunately, it’s entirely too common. According to a report by the caller ID company Hiya, there were 85 billion robocalls globally in 2018. Part...

Read More How STIR/SHAKEN is Mixing Up and Stopping Phone Scammers

Area business owners should be aware — FTC has recently received confirmation of  fraudulent activities in our area, and the scam could strike local workplaces that use a multi-line telephone system or PBX with voicemail. Those who fall victim to the scheme could be susceptible to long-distance call hacking leading to thousands of dollars in unauthorized long-distance charges. URGENT NOTICE: To protect their phone systems, it is imperative that local business owners have their employees change their default passwords to unique number combinations that can’t be easily guessed. Customers with a multi-line telephone and voicemail system are responsible for protecting their...

Read More Businesses Beware: Fraud Attempts Target Multi-Line Phone Systems

When it comes to watching children’s television, the options have come a long way since the days when Saturday-morning cartoons occupied the sweet spot on the antenna-powered dial. In today’s digital entertainment environment, there’s a long list of kid-focused channels to choose from — and with plentiful streaming options, a child’s show or movie can be selected at any given time, then watched in whole or in part, whichever best fits the household’s schedule for the day. Parents might want to consider the following kid-friendly highlights that can be found in the libraries of some of the most popular streaming...

Read More What 5 of the Top Video-Streaming Services Offer for Kids

With each new year comes another set of New Year’s resolutions, many of which inevitably revolve around adopting better health habits. And while some of these get-fit resolutions do not bring a great deal of success, there is good news: With each passing year, the technological tools that can help support truly successful outcomes get more and more advanced. Now that it’s 2020 and a new decade has begun, those in training might want to consider these cutting-edge tech tools to help make this year’s health-related resolution become a long-term reality: 1. Health-Education Websites While, at least for those of...

Read More 5 Tech Tools That Can Help Boost Users’ Health in 2020