IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS

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Federal law allows you, the consumer, to choose how Columbus Telephone/Optic Communications uses your Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI). CPNI is data that is not publicly available, such as the type of service you subscribe to, the number of telephone lines you have, and how much you use your services. The federal law is designed to protect you, while allowing us to meet your communications needs. Meeting your communication requirements, while protecting your privacy, is our main concern.
Only Columbus Telephone/Optic Communications will use your CPNI. We will not share, sell, rent, or otherwise disclose your CPNI to anyone else, including other companies. You have the right, under federal law, to control how your CPNI records are used. To restrict the use of your CPNI records, you should contact Columbus Telephone Co./Optic Communications in writing at 225 S. Kansas Ave. Columbus, KS. 66725 within 30 days of receiving notice. You always retain the right to restrict the use of your CPNI. Restriction of the use of your CPNI records will remain valid until you contact us in writing, or for two years, whichever comes first.
If you decide not to let us use your CPNI records, this will not affect, in any manner, the services to which you subscribe. Regardless of your decision, we will provide another notice about your rights in two years. We thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Easter Time Giveaway! Full Rules and Details

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Easter Time Giveaway!
Two Chances to win!
1) Candy Count Guess – participants must go to one of two (2) locations to enter their candy count guess:
*The Optic Wireless store at 100 South Kansas Ave. in Columbus, Kansas
*The Black Crow Trading Co. Flea Market at 518 Commercial Street in Oswego, Kansas

There will be a Candy Count winner from each location. Participants can fill out a candy guess sheet every time they visit one of the participating locations. The participant that guesses closest to the count, over or under, will win a smart phone accessory and the jar of candy.
Participation cut-off time will be Saturday, April 16th. The winners will be announced Monday, April 18th via live video on Optic Wireless’ Facebook page. Efforts will be made to contact winners personally, as well.
In the case of a tie, all tied participants will be put into a jar and one winner will be drawn.

2) ‘Like’ and ‘Comment’ to Win! – participants must ‘like’ and ‘comment’ with their favorite Easter Dinner item on the Easter Time Giveaway post located on Optic Wireless’ Facebook page to be eligible. Participants are encouraged to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ our page for more chances to win in the future.

All Facebook participants will be put into a random name generator and one winner will be drawn. That winner will be awarded $100 in Optic Wireless store credit.
The Drawing will take place Monday, April 18th via live video on Optic Wireless’ Facebook page. Efforts will be made to contact winners personally, as well.

General Rules:
*All winners will be announced Monday, April 18th, via live video on Optic Wireless’ Facebook page
*Cut off for Candy Count Guess participation will be Saturday, April 16th
*If the winner of the $100 store credit is under the age of 18, they must have an adult present when redeeming
*Prizes cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash
*By entering, Entrants agree to a complete release of Facebook
*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook
*Management reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time

https://www.facebook.com/opticwireless

Optic Communications Now Storm Proof

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Optic Communications’ Plant Manager Gene Hamilton and Sales and Marketing Manager DeMaris Rector stand in the company’s newest tornado proof structure (built by Crossland Construction). After years of hard work, all of Optic’s structures are now strong enough to withstand up to an F5 tornado.

Optic Communications’

10-digit dialing beginning November 1, 2021

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FCC Opens Emergency Broadband Benefit

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May 12, 2021| Today, Optic Communications announced it is working to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program.  The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. 

The $3.2B Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.  The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider. 

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:  

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will begin (opened) on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.  Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week

To apply for the EBB program, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit

Optic Communications Celebrates Being Named a Smart Rural Community Provider 

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The community of Columbus today announced that Optic Communications was recently named a Smart Rural CommunitySM (SRC) provider by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. SRC is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small-town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art health care and other important issues for rural America.

In order to receive recognition as a SRC provider, Optic was required to affirm that it offers 25/3 Mbps broadband to at least 50% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of Optic’s national recognition, Columbus will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.

“We are honored to be recognized as an SRC Provider by the NTCA. It is not only an honor for us, but for our whole community. We are thankful for the support we continually receive from Columbus” said General Manager Dave Soper.

NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized Optic Communications for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community provider into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud Optic and Columbus for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”

About Optic:

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbus Telephone Company, Optic traces its roots back to 1905. The company has consistently led the telecommunications industry in technology advancement, including one of the first 100% fiber networks in 2004. The Optic Communications brand began operations in 2014 with the company’s original expansion to Galena, Kansas. Optic is headquartered in Columbus, Kansas with remote locations in Pittsburg, Galena and Baxter Springs, Kansas and Loma Linda, Missouri.

About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business.

Guide to TV

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We know that moving away from traditional cable is not easy. We want to help our customers as they move to a new viewing option! We created this page as a point of reference to help you through the transition.

Local Channels

If you are only wanting to keep you local channels, we recommend installing an OTA (over-the-air) Antenna. There are currently 2 different antennas for sale at Optic Wireless (100 S Kansas Ave in Columbus).

Indoor Antenna

  • 35 Mile Range
  • No Outdoor Instillation
  • Lower Cost Option

Outdoor Antenna

  • 50 Mile Range
  • Requires Outdoor Installation
  • More Costly

Want More Channels?

If you are wanting more channels, similar to your current television service, here are our recommendations! Please note that these channels include locals as well!

What device do I need to start streaming?

We recommend two devices for streaming, Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku Streaming Stick. These devices are very similar and easy to use! If you would like to test these devices out in person before you buy, call our office and we would be happy to set up a demo for you!

Fire TV Stick

Find ItHere!

Roku Streaming Stick

Find It Here!

Community Cable Television Meetings Rescheduled

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Optic Communications/Columbus Telephone Company has rescheduled their community meetings to discuss their transition away from cable television. The new meetings will take place at:

Loma Linda City Hall-Sept. 30 at 6pm
Columbus Community Building- Oct. 8-9 at 6pm

 

The Optic team looks forward to working with our customers to make this transition as easy as possible!

Optic Communications wins Internet Service Provider Award!

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Optic Communications was recently recognized as one of the Top 3 Fastest Internet Providers in the State of Kansas in their Small Provider Category. Optic is honored to receive this award as a testament to the hard work of our employees. We continue to strive to offer not only the fastest speeds but consistent reliability and exceptional customer service!

Optic Communications

General Manager Update-June 15, 2020

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Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications is sad to announce that we will no longer be offering cable television service as of December 31, 2020.  In order to compete in our industry, we must change to better suit the needs of our customers in a financially responsible manner.

Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications is continually looking for ways to better serve our community and our customers.  With this mindset, we became one of the first 100% fiber optic communities in the United States.  As we continue to grow, we have expanded our 1 square mile territory into 150 miles of fiber underground.  Change becomes a necessary link in our technology driven industry!

“As a local communications provider, our goal is to deliver services that are not only top-quality and affordable, but suitable for all our customer’s entertainment, lifestyle, education, and business needs” said Dave Soper, General Manager of Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications.

To combat the rising costs associated with traditional cable TV, several streaming services have achieved a way to deliver premium content at a much more affordable price point.  Services such as YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV, are using our high-quality internet connection to bring the TV you love at a price that you will appreciate.

Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications is dedicated to help customers by offering guidance and suggestions on the best streaming options.  We are committed to helping educate our consumers on the best internet speeds to ensure quality streaming.

We have three TV’s set up with different streaming options in our Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications office.  You may call for an appointment to see a demonstration Monday – Friday 8-4:30.

For advice regarding streaming services, billing information, or to upgrade internet service, please call (620) 429-3132 or visit Columbus Telephone Company/Optic Communications business office at 224 S Kansas Ave. in Columbus.

We are honored to serve our community and look forward to continuing to evolve our company in a way that best serves you with our high-speed internet solutions.