Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company

3: What is a cooperative telephone company?
"An organization owned collectively by members who share in its benefits." Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company was established by its members to provide themselves with a vitally needed telecommunications service. This will provide member’s economic and community standards and will also provide significant long-range benefits and contributions both to the community and subscribers.

4: What are capital credits?
One of the benefits of being a cooperative member is that you are entitled to receive a portion of the cooperative earnings. A patronage refund is a way of distributing the cooperatives net income to its members. Patronage refunds issued in the form of allocated surplus can only be retired, or paid to members, upon approval of the board of directors. Each time a patronage distribution is issued, the cooperative will notify eligible members of their refunds.

5: What is the procedure for changing my calling features?
Simply call KCTC or stop in and talk with a customer service representative during regular business hours (M-F 8:00-4:30).
There is a $13 service charge for all updates made to an account at one
time. Click here to find out more about the features KCTC has to offer or to subscribe to a new feature.

6: How do I change my long distance carrier?
To change your long distance carrier, you need to first call the carrier you wish to change to and obtain their 4-digit Carrier Identification Code (CIC). Secure a rate plan with the carrier for both your intralata and interlata calls. Consider KCTC plans, Click Here to learn more. After your calling plan is set up, call KCTC at 656-3668 to request a long distance carrier change. When asked, provide KCTC with the CIC that you received from the long distance carrier that you wish to change to. Note that KCTC will asses a $5 fee when switching to a KCTC long distance plan and an $11 fee when switching to another carrier. Finally, call the carrier you were previously with and tell them that you have switched long distance carriers.
Click Here to see the long distance plans KCTC has to offer or to change your long distance carrier.

7: What is KCTC's billing cycle?
KCTC bills are sent out on the first of each month and are due by the 20th. Second notices are sent out on the twenty-first on accounts for which payment has not yet been received. A late fee charge of 1.5% (of your total bill) is applied if payment is not received by the 20th. Accounts not paid by the 25th are considered delinquent & service will be terminated.

8: Does KCTC offer vacation rates?
Yes, KCTC offers 50% off your telephone line rate and optional services (reoccurring monthly charges) for the amount of time you specify.

9: Does KCTC rent or sell telephones?
Yes, you may rent a basic phone from KCTC for a low monthly charge of $1.50. We also have a variety of phones you may purchase, some of which have caller ID and answering machine functions. We also offer novelty phones ideal for gift giving.

10: What is the "End User Charge" on my KCTC phone bill?
Commonly referred to as the "End User Access" charge on your bill, this charge is part of the FCC's ongoing effort to promote a competitive framework for the U.S. telecommunications industry. This fee is regulated and capped by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), not by state public utility commissions. It is not a tax or a fee charged by the government. The purpose of the charge is to ensure that all Americans can afford at least a minimal level of basic telephone service, regardless of a rural or urban location. The fee for residential and single-line businesses is $6 per line. The fee for multi-line residential is $6 per line and multi-line businesses is $9.20 per line.

11: When and how much is the "End User Charge" increasing?
The residential and single-line business charge-SLC/End User Access- will increase to $6.00 per line.

12: What is the Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC)?
The federal government has established national programs to support the provision of telecommunications services to schools, libraries, rural health-care providers, low-income customers, as well as customers living in rural, insular, and high-cost areas.

As a result of recent judicial action and federal regulatory response affecting the collection of funds supporting these programs, KCTC charges a Federal Universal Service Charge (FUSC) to all customers.

The amount of the monthly surcharge will vary depending upon your choice of telecommunications services and the number of telephone lines you have. Generally, the surcharge will be applied per telephone line. However, customers using dedicated interstate special-access circuits (for example, DSL customers) will be assessed a percentage of their monthly interstate service amount.

13: What does the Wire Maintenance Contract (WMC) do for me?
WMC is a service that insures any existing wiring in your home, for $1 a month. All wiring from the NID, or box outside your home, up to the interior jacks is covered. The jacks and plug in cords are not covered.

14: What long distance carrier is best for me?
It is best to pick a long distance plan that fits your needs. If you use a large amount of long distance, look for a plan with a small monthly charge. If your long distance usage is infrequent, then a plan with no monthly charge might work better for you. These plans usually run about 14¢ to 15¢ a minute, depending on carrier prices. KCTC only bills long distance for AT&T and our own 2 carriers.

15: What is a Pic Freeze?
A pic freeze is similar to a security block for your long distance. When you have a Pic Freeze, no carrier can change your long distance without your permission. If you don't have a pic freeze on your account, any other long distance carrier can change your long distance without notifying you.

16: How do I know where my telephone wires are located?
Before digging in your yard, it is VERY important to have all your cables located. Call Iowa One Call at 1-800-292-8989at least TWO days before you dig.

17: What are the local calling areas from Kalona?
When calling from Kalona, you may call Frytown, Joetown, Richmond, Hills, Sharon Center, Wellman and Kalona without incurring a long distance charge.

18: How do I contact KCTC with questions via e-mail?
For general inquiries please send an e-mail to: info@kctc.net. Please see our Support Page for technical support, or send an e-mail to support@kctc.net regarding your issue.