Callabyte positively impacts members, local communities for eight years
Thomas W. Howard, CEO/General Manager
This fall marks the eighth anniversary of Callabyte Technology. It started with a goal of improving the quality of life for members in Callaway Electric Cooperative’s service area. At the time, we envisioned the technology would not only make our service area more attractive to work, learn, live and raise a family – but it would also strengthen our cooperative in the long term, promoting growth and helping stabilize electric rates.
Today, I am pleased to report that Callabyte has grown to nearly 10,000 subscribers, and we are achieving the original goals of the initiative. Callabyte provides fiber optic services in 12 communities, reaching numerous farms, businesses and rural homes in portions of seven counties. We have also seen growth in new homes and businesses resulting in new electric services, which we attribute to the expanded availability of fiber optic service. We could not have undertaken this project without the strong support of our Callaway Electric members, local businesses and neighboring communities.
A long-standing vision to serve and innovate
Callabyte began from our cooperative’s experience of serving electric members for more than 80 years. Our employees understand that as a cooperative, we work for our members. In addition, restoring power safely and efficiently has always been our priority. It can be simply phrased as: “When the lights go out, so do we.” Reliable internet service is equally important to us. We know our members and subscribers rely on it. Because of this expectation, we set a high bar on service and support.
In addition to our service-first mindset, we have applied a few other core values to the Callabyte business. One is innovation. Fiber optic cable is labeled by many as “future proof.” The cable itself consists of tiny strands of glass, smaller than human hair strands. The glass can carry data via colored lights within each strand. Due to the wide spectrum of colors available, futuristic capacity of data is virtually unlimited. We continually monitor demand on our network to preserve the ever-evolving experience for our subscribers.
Delivering benefits to co-op members
If you haven’t had a chance to try the services offered by Callabyte, we invite you to do so. Choosing to work with the internet company that your electric cooperative has invested in benefits you as a cooperative member. Callabyte’s success helps bring financial stability to the cooperative. Its positive contribution is demonstrated to all electric co-op members through the annual capital credit allocation and retirement.
Fast, reliable internet service
Once you experience the difference that fiber technology brings through fast, reliable internet service, you will wonder how you managed without it. The speeds of fiber technology allow you to seamlessly use multiple devices simultaneously. With many new smart technologies constantly arriving on the market, this continues to increase in importance. As we look to the future, there will be even higher speed packages offered.
As always, it is a pleasure to serve our members and subscribers. We would like to thank you for your support and for sharing your experience with neighbors, friends and family. Without you, we couldn’t do what we do.
As we approach our eighth anniversary and our 10,000th subscriber – please know you are appreciated. Whether you’ve had Callabyte service in the Stonehaven Subdivision from the beginning, or you are just choosing to connect, we thank you! We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
PICTURED ABOVE: A great group of employees and Callaway County Chamber Ambassadors who joined us for the Callabyte Ribbon Cutting with the Callaway Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center in September 2017.