10 Years of Callabyte:
A Decade of Progress, Partnership and Purpose

Thomas W. Howard, CEO/General Manager
Callaway Electric Cooperative

This year marks a significant milestone for Callabyte Technology: 10 years of delivering fast and reliable broadband service to our members and communities.

A decade ago, we recognized a growing need that extended beyond electricity. It was clear our communities were falling behind. Daily life was becoming more dependent on the internet for work, school, shopping, medical visits and entertainment, and the gap between rural and urban access kept growing. Kids couldn’t always complete their homework and were reluctant to visit grandparents who didn’t have a reliable internet connection. Adults also had limited options to work from home. These weren’t just small inconveniences; they were holding our communities back.

So, we took action.

A Small Start Just up the Road

In 2015, we launched a small pilot project in the Stonehaven subdivision, located just up the road from our office in Fulton. We started with around 50 homes and a goal: to bring high-speed fiber internet to unserved and underserved areas. From the beginning, we approached Callabyte the same way we’ve always approached providing electricity – with a focus on reliability, service, quality and local support.

Today, Callabyte serves nearly 12,000 subscribers across our Callaway Electric service area and neighboring communities. That growth reflects the trust you’ve placed in us and our commitment to doing business the right way, with honesty, transparent pricing and local accountability.

We’ve learned a lot since that first connection, and we’re still learning. We didn’t have all the answers when we started, but we had the right mindset – listen to our members, invest in good people and take the time to do things the right way.

Built on Service and Simplicity

Broadband has become just as essential as electricity. That’s why we’ve built Callabyte to be dependable and straightforward. We include the router in our monthly rate, and there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. When something goes wrong, our team is here to help you resolve the issue locally.

Callabyte offers symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 4 gigabits per second. There are no data caps, and we don’t nickel-and-dime folks for features that should already be part of your service. Our mobile app provides you with the ability to monitor usage, manage connected devices and make adjustments to your home network as needed.

Looking ahead, our focus remains on delivering the best possible technology and user experience. Technology changes quickly, so we strive to anticipate what our users and communities will need in the future. This mindset led us to be the first provider in mid-Missouri to offer multi-gig speeds to our entire service area. We continue to invest in our system, including upgrades to network and in-home equipment, to ensure service quality meets the expectations our subscribers have come to rely on.

A Decade of Steady Growth

In just 10 years, Callabyte has grown from a 50-home pilot into a full-scale broadband provider serving areas such as Guthrie, Reform, Big Springs and others. We’ve brought dependable, high-speed internet to homes, schools and businesses that had gone too long without it.

All members of Callaway Electric now have access to reliable, high-speed fiber thru Callabyte or other local providers. At the same time, we’ve expanded into neighboring non-member areas like Jonesburg, Hermann, Wardsville, Taos and southern Boone County. While the original vision didn’t include this kind of reach, these communities have complemented our business in ways that benefit everyone involved – bringing value back to our cooperative membership and helping our broadband service grow stronger.

Strengthening the Co-op and Community

Callabyte’s success has also made our cooperative stronger. It contributes to the co-op’s financial health and helps return value to our members. Instead of waiting decades for capital credit retirements, members are starting to see benefits sooner by softening the rate impact, system upgrades and a stronger overall organization.

We’re also proud to offer a discounted broadband rate of $5 per month on all internet packages to our Callaway Electric members. This discount was put into place in 2021, when we restructured pricing and increased our speed offering. Member pricing is one way we show appreciation for the trust you’ve placed in your cooperative and the support you’ve shown for our broadband venture. In addition, members who subscribe to Callabyte have kept the same internet rate since inception of our business.

We remain committed to the communities we serve. From helping to fund local ball teams and participating in parades to awarding scholarships through our Operation Roundup program and organizing Callabyte Cares campaigns and projects, we do our best to show up where it matters most.

Reliability Matters

Looking back over the past decade, I’m most proud of our reliability and the way we’ve supported the people we serve. Whether it’s electric or broadband, folks count on us, and we take that seriously. Being reliable isn’t flashy, but it matters every single day.

None of this would be possible without our members, our board of directors and our dedicated employees. I’m humbled by the support Callabyte has received over the past decade. From Fulton to Americus, Hermann and beyond, your confidence in us has enabled this service to grow and improve year after year.

We’ve shown that a local company can offer the kind of technology and service people depend on. We believe investing in our community is not just the right business decision – it’s the right thing to do. And we’ve proven that when you stay true to cooperative principles and keep your focus on serving others, good things happen.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives. We look forward to the next 10 years of connection, innovation and service.