GIG News!

What goes up usually has to come back down and while most internet providers are still riding a wave of inflation, CTTC is ahead of the curve in choosing to lower our fiber internet rates yet again! It wasn’t long ago that we dropped the price of one whole gigabyte of data from $189.95 down to $149.95; and now, as of June 1st, we’ve lowered the price again down to only $99!

Customer-Centric

It’s no mystery why we continue to adjust our prices. At CTTC, our customers are at the center of everything we do and the best way to build a trusting relationship with you is to provide fair, transparent rates. 72 years ago we founded CTTC not to turn a profit, but to provide affordable and reliable telephone service to the Central Texas area. Our commitment remains the same which is why we constantly monitor our operational efficiency, subscriber base, technological advancements, and customer needs allowing us to keep rates low.

So if you thought our reduction last year to $150 for 1 Gbps was too good to be true, you may have a hard time believing that we are now offering a gig for a mere $99 a month! That’s another 33 percent decrease! A great rate coupled with a $10 phone line credit, 24/7 customer service, and no required contract hopefully makes your choice to switch to CTTC one you can make confidently!

And to our loyal customers who’ve already chosen service with us, this price drop is for you! We thank you for years of faithful commitment. It is because of you that we were inspired and are able to keep fiber internet rates affordable for our friends and neighbors in Central Texas.

Why Upgrade?

The time to upgrade is now! Don’t let too many devices, streaming hours, or file downloads slow down your internet needs. Upgrading to an internet plan with speeds of 1 Gbps allows for lightning-quick downloads, seamless music streaming, and lag-free online gaming. Whether you’re a heavy internet user or a household with multiple devices, this ultra-fast connection eliminates frustrating buffering and latency issues, delivering a smooth and uninterrupted online experience. Moreover, a 1 Gbps internet plan accommodates the growing demand for bandwidth-intensive activities, such as 4K video streaming, virtual reality applications, and cloud-based services. It empowers businesses to effortlessly handle large file transfers, video conferences, and data-intensive processes, boosting productivity and efficiency. In a nutshell, upgrading to a 1 Gbps internet plan unlocks the full potential of the digital world, providing unmatched speed and performance to cater to the ever-increasing demands of modern online activities.

All this talk of internet speed leaving you scratching your head? Watch this video where we break it down for you.

Not sure what speed you really need? Try using our speed calculator available on our website!

Let Us Help

Headquartered in Goldthwaite, we at CTTC know the difficulties of accessing high-speed internet in rural areas and are proud to help bridge the digital divide. If you have questions regarding our lower rates, fiber internet service, or upgrading your data plan, please call our 24/7 customer service line at (800) 535-8904 or come see us in person at the Goldthwaite or San Saba office. CTTC also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program which provides a discounted rate to customers in need. Customers can find out if they qualify and can apply at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/.

Blue CTTC Fiber Stickers Storm San Saba

Remote, hybrid, flexible, and work-from-home are all terms that have seriously entered the conversation now that the global pandemic has permanently changed workplace culture. A recent study from Pew Research Center found that 23 percent of employees teleworked before the coronavirus outbreak. As of January 2022, 60 percent now report working from home. The survey revealed these workers didn’t opt to work remotely because they are afraid of getting sick, but rather they feel more productive and like being able to maintain a robust work-life balance. As this trend increases, so does the opportunity to live somewhere more affordable and/or comfortable. But instead of location, location, location, now it is all about internet, internet, internet! With the help of CTTC’s high-speed fiber internet connections, San Saba has uniquely positioned itself as an ideal town to save money while staying on the grid.

“There’s no need for a fortune-teller to see there are more sweatpants and hoodies in our future than suit jackets and starched shirts.”
Chicago Sun Times

Remote Benefits

It’s not just introverts who aren’t excited about returning to an office. There are many reasons why working from home can be valuable to all:

Less time on the road: The average one-way commuting time in the U.S. is 27.1 minutes – that’s nearly an hour each day spent getting to and from work, and it really adds up. According to the Auto Insurance Center, commuters spend about 100 hours commuting and 41 hours stuck in traffic each year.
Greater productivity: Think of what you could accomplish in the time it takes to get ready and drive to work in the morning. Not to mention the time spent chatting with coworkers and dealing with office politics. Home offices provide quieter workplaces with far fewer distractions.
A cleaner environment: Fewer cars on the road is directly related to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing commutes is one of the fastest and easiest ways to reduce pollution.
Money saved: It has been estimated that you could save anywhere from $2,000 to $6,500 a year by not spending on things such as gas, car maintenance, work clothes, lunches out, daycare, etc.
Greater job satisfaction: Because remote jobs are often more flexible, workers have more control over their schedules, an invaluable asset when attending to the needs of your personal life. As long as your work is executed properly by the deadline, why not determine when your day begins and ends?
Happier, healthier work-life: Working from home has been proven to lower stress, improve personal relationships, and allow more time for hobbies and fitness. Overall, employees are much happier in remote environments, an observation validated by the 72 percent of employers who report WFH has a high impact on employee retention, according to Global Workplace Analytics.

Considerably, one of the greatest advantages to working from home is the ability to live in a much more affordable location. With home prices skyrocketing in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston, more and more people are relocating away from the city. The Austin Board of Realtors recently released the average price of a home in Austin has reached $624,000. Meanwhile, the median is only $235,000 in the Texas Hill Country. For many, it has become not only a no-brainer but a necessity to move to smaller towns.

San Saba is a CTTC Fiber Community

Before getting too excited about potential savings, remote work is reliant on one very important factor – a stable, reliable, and fast internet connection. The rural divide is no myth, most smaller towns do not have the broadband access necessary to conduct business and keep up with modern technology. You can barely scroll through Instagram, much less conduct digital conference meetings. This is why CTTC is proud to serve the small communities of Central Texas. We love the Texas Hill Country, it is our home, which is why we strive to keep our rural neighbors connected in the same capacity that our urban counterparts enjoy. Fiber internet can be up to 20 times faster than standard cable, a service we are currently providing to nearly twenty different small towns here in Texas, including the Pecan Capital of the World – San Saba.

San Saba is a terrific town for teleworking, whether you are just passing through and want to set up shop at the local coffee house, or if you are looking to lay down those more affordable roots mentioned earlier. Beginning June 2, 2022, CTTC is launching its CTTC Fiber Community Stickers. The purpose of this program is to provide both visitors and residents with knowledge of where to access CTTC’s high-speed fiber internet while out and about in downtown San Saba. If you look around, you’ll notice bright blue stickers in the windows of most downtown businesses. These stickers are your indication that particular business offers CTTC high-speed internet access to its customers. These are ideal locations to send emails, access the web, and conduct business operations. Simply scan the QR code on the sticker to access a diverse list of CTTC fiber internet hosts, including:

Take Advantage of Rural Fiber

Though the pandemic may have been the catalyst for remote work for many millions of employees around the world, it’s far from the only reason to work from home. Look around your tiny, expensive apartment or overcrowded home and think bigger! Because of CTTC’s high-speed fiber internet connections, you can get away from the big city while keeping your remote working lifestyle in the fast lane. Take your newfound freedom somewhere that benefits your future – somewhere like San Saba! And stay tuned for the spread of more CTTC Fiber Community stickers throughout rural Texas.

Have you noticed your town is growing? Maybe new businesses are popping up, or maybe there are more visitors on the weekends. Could it be that more and more people have found mentions of how special your town is on the internet and have come to see for themselves? This is the case for many rural Texan communities in the past few years and the impact has been substantial. Sales tax and revenues are reaching higher records than ever before and a lot of this growth can be attributed to revolutionary internet access. CTTC is excited to share the stories of customers that are having a big impact in a central Texas community!

We all might admire the new building going up in the lot next door, or the new development of houses in our neighborhoods, but have you considered the benefits of restoring historic buildings? The small town of San Saba certainly has! The town is currently revitalizing its downtown scene but instead of tearing down history, new businesses are refreshing the older buildings that have stood tall since San Saba’s establishment in 1854. The following new businesses are reinvigorating East Wallace Street – a heavily trafficked road in downtown San Saba where Highway 16 and Highway 290 intersect.

“CTTC was wonderful in helping install fiber into our older, historic building.”

-Terra Gardner, Switch Boutique

Bard & Hallow

Meet the Harts, Logan an original Austinite and Uriah a born Alaskan who each carry a love for all things nostalgic. These are the founders of San Saba’s newest downtown addition – Bard & Hallow. After leaving long careers in other fields, the couple came together to start a fine antique & architectural salvage store based in San Saba, TX. In admiration of how the Nettleship and Jordan families have restored structures of San Saba’s history, developing them into vital parts of the local community, the Harts have similar dreams for Bard & Hallow. So far, they have seen a very fruitful seven months since opening their doors. San Saba and neighboring communities love the antique furniture, unique art, and home goods sold in Bard & Hallow. The future is bright for this new business.

Switch Boutique

Entering San Saba’s downtown scene around the same time as Bard & Hallow was Switch Boutique. Switch is another realization of a lifelong dream, this time belonging to Terra Gardner. This entrepreneur was no stranger to restoration after turning an empty 100-year-old building into a town sensation upon her first boutique’s opening in Goldthwaite in 2019. Expanding to San Saba in 2021 was a no-brainer after recognizing the compatible market, supportive community, and necessary business foundations in town. Switch Boutique provides modern style for all ages, shapes, & sizes! Their trendy clothes, fashionable jewelry, and stylish shoes have been very well received by the ladies in town and Terra is excited to be a part of the team effort working to advance San Saba’s revitalization progress.

Pecan House Grill

Pecan House Grill needs no introduction. Owner Clay Nettleship and General Manager Amber Everett transformed a downtown building with a rich history into one of the most successful restaurants in the Hill Country region. What was once a hardware shop in the 1800s, destroyed by fire and rebuilt into a series of grocery and variety stores, is now an upscale steakhouse that pulls in visitors from all over the state. This is no surprise as the restaurant’s menu is an impressive collection of prime steaks, comfort food, and craft cocktails served from the upstairs bar.

Fiber Lends a Helping Hand

These successful businesses attribute much of their growth to the high-speed internet access provided by CTTC’s fiber installations. Such a compliment was synonymous in a series of interviews performed with the 3 businesses. Fiber speed enables the POS systems, online sales, website hosts, and digital advertising necessary to run a business smoothly.

“As soon as I take an order at a table, I immediately hear the ring of a new order in the kitchen.”

-Amber Everett, Pecan House Grill

These local entrepreneurs have enjoyed immense support from the San Saba community, but they also need out-of-town traffic to stay afloat. Fiber connectivity allows each entrepreneur to reach customers in neighboring towns and across Texas. Bard & Hallow and Pecan House Grill were excited to share how often they get visitors from out of state, even as far as Wyoming and Montana. Having two locations, Switch Boutique is grateful that fiber provides the necessary speed to keep inventory balanced between stores.

San Saba has recently seen immense growth. Sales tax revenue has increased 45 percent in five years alone. If you’d like to join the revitalization process, beautiful downtown buildings continue to be available. There is so much potential here for entrepreneurs and investors. The time to start a business is now and with CTTC fiber internet, the opportunities are endless!

The Future is Now

“Acquiring fiber internet from CTTC has been an extremely smooth, easy process. ”

-Uriah J. Hart, Bard & Hallow

At today’s rate of technological advancement, the high-speed of fiber internet is now a necessity to stay competitive. Businesses need the reliability, speed, security, and consistency that can only be provided with fiber. With CTTC technician experts, installation is quick and seamless so you can connect and start running your operations immediately. Don’t let internet lag hold your sales back, unlock your business’s full potential with fiber connectivity. Central Texas Telecommunications is currently servicing 18 rural communities in the Texas Hill Country with office locations in Goldthwaite and San Saba.

Whether we’re shopping online, video chatting with friends and family, or working from home, we need the internet to be fast and reliable. Luckily, we’ve come a long way since dial-up. Surpassing cable, fiber internet has become wildly popular in the past decade, yet nearly half of Americans don’t have access to fiber infrastructure, primarily in rural areas. CTTC is bridging that divide by offering modern fiber internet connectivity to the communities of Central Texas. However, if you haven’t yet joined the fiber revolution, you may not understand why this technology is truly the superior choice for internet access. Is it really faster? Is it really more reliable? Is it really worth the investment? The simple answer is yes, but let’s dive deeper into why you need fiber internet in your home and business.

Speed

The speed of fiber optic internet is 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). That’s 10 to 20 times faster than the 50 to 100 Mbps cable most of us know now. This is because signals are sent through a thin glass or plastic fiber, immune to the heat friction that occurs in traditional metal cables. After being coded into data packets of zeros and ones, files are sent at the literal speed of light.

Time to download a 2 hour HD movie:

Fiber – 1 Gbps: 40 seconds
Cable – 100 Mbps: 7 minutes
4G LTE – 35 Mbps: 25 minutes
DSL – 25Mbps: 30 minutes

Reliability

Cable internet is a shared network so similar to a highway at rush hour, cable wires get jammed during peak traffic hours. You can expect up to a 25 percent reduction in speed during peak-use periods. Because fiber optic cables don’t heat up and are resistant to environmental interference, many people can access the fiber network at the same time without affecting overall performance. In other words, a fiber network provides a reliable, consistent service.

No throttling

Have you ever noticed that sometimes your air conditioning stops working on the hottest of summer days? Everyone maxing out their A/C’s at the same time overloads power lines. The same concept applies to the internet. ISP throttling is when your internet service provider (ISP) deliberately restricts your internet bandwidth or speed without telling you in order to control traffic over their network and reduce congestion. Fiber optic internet speed doesn’t throttle because it’s less susceptible to overload.

Multi-Device Households

Gone are the days of the “household computer.” Now laptops, smartphones, tablets, and a plethora of smart devices fuel our need for fast and reliable data transmissions. On a cable connection, you’ll notice lags typically when the family is home altogether or whenever multiple devices are being used at once. The bandwidth provided by fiber ensures that no matter how many smartwatches, thermostats, televisions, gaming consoles, baby monitors, or home assistants you have in your home, all will operate smoothly.

Higher Quality TV

As technology advances, the internet’s need to keep up grows stronger and stronger. 4K televisions are a major factor driving the demand for the increased bandwidth that fiber provides. As the name suggests, 4K TVs deliver four times as much detail as current 1080p full HD sets. That’s eight million pixels, compared to two million pixels, so pictures will have much better definition and higher quality. Because the majority of content is now streamed through services like Netflix or Hulu, a television’s internet connection determines how crisp the image will be. Better internet will provide clearer picture quality.

Working From Home

Most of us found ourselves working from home in 2020 and many have remained doing so since technology has enabled the same productivity as we’d find in an office. But working remotely comes with its own set of challenges. With fast fiber internet at home, you won’t need to worry about your service cutting out during an important Zoom meeting, not being able to download large files, or having to kick someone in your household off the Wi-Fi because their Netflix habit is interfering with your work.

Upgrade Today

Take it from the thousands of CTTC customers enjoying state-of-the-art internet access. Fiber optic cables make a substantial difference in efficiency, productivity, and quality of usage. With speed about 20 times faster than regular cable internet and 80 times faster than DSL, fiber is the right choice for most internet users. Contact us today to upgrade your internet.

Your Guide to Podcasts in 2022

The golden age of radio didn’t end – it evolved! As the world becomes busier, podcasts have become incredibly popular. Audio content allows the listener to multitask. Whether it be in the car, at the gym, or while unwinding at home, the humble podcast has become an extension of the way we consume daily content. But with over two million different shows to choose from, how do you decide which are worth your time? You could listen to friends or hope that the “You Might Also Like” recommendations steer you in the right direction, but those approaches aren’t always a hit.

We scoured the internet for ten of the best podcasts to tune into in 2022. Whether you’re interested in current events, true crime, health and fitness, celebrity interviews, or just a fun distraction, there’s plenty of fish in the proverbial podcast sea. So clear your schedule and charge up those headphones (or if you’re old school, plug ’em in) because you’ve got some serious listening to do!

The Dropout

The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye? How did the woman once heralded as “the next Steve Jobs” find herself facing criminal charges? How did her technology, meant to revolutionize health care, potentially put millions of patients at risk? Listen in to a multi-year investigation. You’ll hear exclusive interviews with former employees, investors, and patients, and for the first time, the never-before-aired deposition testimony of Elizabeth Holmes.

Sweet Bobby

Kirat Assi was terrorized in an online web of deceit for 10 years as she thought she had found her true destiny in Bobby. The conversations became intimate and, of course, his story is not what it seemed. The reveal is unexpected and wild. You’ll want to binge the whole thing for answers. Most importantly Sweet Bobby looks into why there are few consequences for people who commit this kind of online psychological warfare.

The Daily

The Daily is basically the New York Times but in podcast form. It covers everything from Cancel Culture to anti-vaccine attitudes. Beautifully edited with great music and relevant audio clips, this show excels at storytelling. It will grab your attention and keep your interest throughout. Your host Micheal Barbaro is a great interviewer too, making sure each question he asks adds clarity to the story.

This is Dating

Come for the cringe, stay for the connection. Follow four modern daters as they trade the swiping, the small talk, and the fumbled first kiss for a curated virtual date with a team of fairy godmothers behind the scenes. You might have eavesdropped on a first date before, but never like this. This is Dating is a series of recorded first dates.

Radio Rental

Discover real-life horror stories, from bizarre crimes to paranormal activity. These true stories are set inside the fictional world of Radio Rental, an 80’s video rental store run by an eccentric shopkeeper, Terry Carnation (Rainn Wilson). This imaginative, cult classic-inspired horror brand blurs the lines of reality, with cutting-edge documentary storytelling and a splash of comedy.

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed – the book that many saw as a lifeline during the pandemic, expands on the phrase that has become a worldwide rally cry – “we can do hard things.” Life is hard. We are all doing hard things every single day – things like caring for children and parents; forging and ending friendships; battling addiction, illness, and loneliness; struggling in our jobs, our marriages, and our divorces; and fighting for equality, purpose, freedom, joy, and peace. On We Can Do Hard Things, Glennon and her sister drop the fake and talk honestly about the hard, hoping that in doing so, we can help each other live a bit lighter and braver, more free and less alone.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Five days a week, Pop Culture Happy Hour serves you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, video games, and more. The Happy Hour team leaves room at the table for exploring a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe.

Serial

No list is complete without the original true-crime podcast. Serial unfolds one story – a true story – over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. The audience learns case details in real-time with the host.

20 Minute Fitness

This is the best health and fitness podcast if you’re a busy person. Keeping it concise, every episode covers a topic with an industry expert in just 20 minutes. Covering subjects like nutrition, exercise burnout, and fitness trends, this show is always up to date on the latest science. It goes through the newest fads, debunking health myths and letting you know what’s real and what’s not.

Planet Money

NPR’s Planet Money is a podcast about the economy for people who think they aren’t interested in economics. Over 10 years and more than 1,000 episodes, the podcast has drawn millions of regular listeners through humor, storytelling, and an accessible style.

Seamless Streaming

Podcasts may be the new radio, but listening to these downloadable shows requires more effort than just twisting a dial. As long as you have a laptop or a cellphone, finding these podcasts is easier than you may think! You can choose from a number of podcast apps, the most popular being Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Those apps are a terrific start for someone new to the realm of podcasts but for those who are savvier, discover unique stories on Audible, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.

The allure of a podcast is convenience but your experience will certainly be spoiled if your internet isn’t up to date. CTTC is proud to provide lightning-fast broadband access so you can stream without buffering, skips, or drops. Contact us today to upgrade your internet connection.

*podcast summaries are from Apple Podcast descriptions

World’s Greatest Internet Provider

It’s not every day that you get a phone call letting you know your company is in the running to be featured on a television show called World’s Greatest. That’s a call most people would want to take, and at CTTC, when we received the call we definitely wanted to know more.

About World’s Greatest

World’s Greatest is a national television show in its 15th season that takes viewers on a fast-paced tour looking at different industries, and topics from amazing companies, big and small from all over the world. When we set up our first interview, we were notified that we were among 80 telecommunications companies being considered for the show.

The Interview Process

In our initial interview, we were asked what sets us apart from other telecommunications companies, and our General Manager, Jamey Wigley, who has been with CTTC for over 30 years hit the nail on the head talking about our history starting as a landline telephone company, and evolving into a high-speed fiber internet provider. We have a long, unique history and a connection to our communities that big telecommunications companies just can’t replicate. After the initial interview, the World’s Greatest team worked with our Marketing Manager, Amanda Wood, to set up a follow up interview for the top 10 finalists, and after that interview, all we could do was wait.

Humbled and Honored to Be Selected

It was pretty exciting to receive the call that we had been chosen to be featured on the show. We know there are a lot of great companies out there doing what we do around the country, but we were honored and humbled by the selection and we began the process of coordinating logistics for the filming of the show! We knew there would be some challenges to bringing it all together, but we had no idea what it would take to make it all happen!

Not The Easiest Time to Film a TV Show

The World’s Greatest team is based out of Florida, and Amanda worked diligently to get things lined up for our filming. However, COVID-19 had other plans and as schedules got changed, and people got quarantined, it seemed like the show was never going to happen. Amanda was poised to be the on-screen spokesperson for the show, but her family had to quarantine due to COVID-19, and after all of her hard work to get everything ready, she was not able to be part of the day-of filming. We made the necessary adjustments and got everything in place to film the episode.

Smile, You’re On Camera Again

During COVID-19, our offices, and interactions with customers were always with a mask for safety precautions, but for the filming of our segment we thought it was important that we not have any evidence of masks in the footage so that it could not be tied to the pandemic. This required quite a bit of creativity to make all of the shots work, but after 8 straight hours of filming, the World’s Greatest team had what they needed, and once again we waited to see what the final results would look like.

World’s Greatest Debut

On April 12, our episode debuted, and we were thrilled with the results. It took a lot of work, flexibility, and creativity to make it all happen, but we are so happy that World’s Greatest chose us and understood that for CTTC, history, customer service, and our connection to the community, are what make us the world’s greatest telecommunications company.

The Christmas Countdown Has Begun

We are only a few days away from Christmas, and of course, we have last-minute shopping on our minds. At CTTC, we work with well over a dozen hill country communities and most of the people in our communities depend on small local businesses to provide what is needed for their families, especially when it is a last-minute need. So we wanted to highlight a couple of our favorite small businesses offering great last-minute gift ideas.

The Importance of Shopping Local

According to Sustainable Connections, 58% of every $100 spent at a locally owned business recirculates and remains in the local economy. Whereas only 14% of funds spent with national retailers make their way back to the local economy. This is a really important statistic for small towns because even the slightest shift away from local businesses can have a major impact on city economics. Not to mention that when it comes to service, you cannot beat being able to walk in and get expert advice first hand from someone who has been hired to get to know their products and build relationships within the community. Small businesses donate 250% more per employee to local charitable causes than large, national competitors. So now that you know why to shop local, here are a couple of our last-minute picks:

Photo: pecans.com

Pecans.com

Pecans.com is located in Goldthwaite, Texas and provides gourmet pecans, pies, honey butter, preservatives, and lots of great gift baskets. Pecans.com does a great deal of business online, thanks to having lightning-fast internet from CTTC, but also has a retail storefront, as well as some products being available at Schwartz Food Store and McMahan Pharmacy in Goldthwaite.

Pecans.com is a CCOF, USDA and Kosher certified organic pecan shelling facility and is one of the few organic pecan shelling facilities in Texas.

Although the Pecans.com namesake itself was unrealized until the 1990s, the history of the company dates back to around 1971. It all began when owner DeWayne McCasland and his father, Homer McCasland, decided to purchase a ranch in Mills County to raise cattle.

“We were cowboys who raised chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep and cattle,” DeWayne recalls. “We didn’t know anything about growing pecans. We bought this place, and it had lots of trees on it. It looked pretty and we thought we’d take care of it.” The next year they gathered the nuts and realized they were more profitable to sell than cattle.

Here are a few pecan-themed gift suggestions from pecans.com:

So check out the pecans.com website, they ship all over the USA, for last-minute ideas, or if you are in Goldthwaite, visit their retail store for pecans, gift baskets, and much more.

Photo: Fiesta Winery

FIESTA VINEYARD AND WINERY

Over the last decade, there has been a boom in the Texas wine industry. While California is still the king of wine consumption in the United States, Texas is now 4th in overall wine consumption. With Texans consuming over 60,000 gallons of wine in 2018 according to statista.com, it is no wonder wineries and vineyards are popping up all over the hill country.

One of our favorites is Fiesta Vineyard and Winery in Bend, Texas. Fiesta Winery has multiple locations, but Bend is the heart of the Fiesta Winery brand; it is the homestead of the Baxter Ranch (which has been in the family for six generations). It is located near the Colorado Bend River and is where all of their great-tasting, award-winning wines are bottled.

The Fiesta Estate Vineyard was planted in 2010, with grapes that were selected for the Texas climate and soils. Over time, the vineyard has produced a wide variety of wines and countless award-winners. Visit any of the locations for a guided wine tasting or attend one of the many events; you quickly will become a Fiesta fan! Fiesta also has a quarterly Wine Club (a great gift idea) with three different tiers that suit all levels of wine drinkers.

Here are a few fun recommendations by Fiesta for the holiday season:

Sweet Dreams (Seasonal – This sweet red wine is silky and smooth with a full finish. Full of the aroma of sweet, ripe raspberry.)
Christmas Cheer (This rich red wine offers delightful notes of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.)
Heart of Texas Red (Full-bodied blend of Tannat and Primitivo gives this wine an Old World feel with luxurious tannins and soft black raspberry.)

For last-minute gifts, you can shop their online store, or visit any of their locations in Bend, Fredericksburg, or Marble Falls.

Fiber Internet Makes Small Business More Powerful

Pecans.com and Fiesta Vineyard and Winery depend on their CTTC fiber internet connection to reliably support their online businesses. Whether it is the shipping of shelled pecans all over the USA, or online events and wine club sales, our CTTC small business customers have an advantage thanks to our reliable fiber internet connection that is over twice as fast as the competition. It makes online selling easy and helps small businesses compete in the global marketplace and our small businesses help put our small Texas towns on the map!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from CTTC!

At CTTC, we are proud to serve local businesses in our community and we hope that you will give them your support for holiday gift-giving. Merry Christmas from all of us at CTTC and have a Happy New Year!

In a year that has been especially difficult, our team at Central Texas TeleCommunications (CTTC) wanted to share what we have been most thankful for throughout the year. Even though 2020 has brought new challenges that have tested our strength and faith, it was easy for us to find the things that we’re able to bring us joy and show us just how lucky we have been.

Who Is CTTC?

CTTC is dedicated to providing high-speed internet and landline telephone service to rural Central Texas to stay connected to the ones we love no matter where we may be. Our customers have trusted that we will bring them exceptional service for almost 70 years, and we are committed to continuing that amazing service by evolving with technology.

What Are We Thankful for This Year?

When we asked our team at CTTC what they were most thankful for, they had so much to say and we wanted to share them with you. The following are 10 things we are thankful for:

Our Families
- I’m so very thankful to have a home, a wonderful job with CTTC, and a husband who I adore. I am thankful for every minute that I’m able to spend with family and friends. I’m so thankful for our children who are now adults and bring so much joy to my life. Grandkids are awesome!! Blessed to still have my mother. Thankful for small-town life in Goldthwaite, Texas. Last but not least, thankful for our doggies. All of these blessings – God has given me, and I’m so very grateful. – Kim S., Accounting
- I am very thankful for my family and new daughter-in-law and grandson. – Wyatt K., Mapping
- I am very thankful for God’s blessings, my beautiful family, and the healthy births of both of my grandchildren in May in the midst of COVID-19. – Tracy S., CSR
- I am thankful that my mother’s upcoming heart valve replacement surgery isn’t going to be complicated by blockages. I am also thankful that my father is still doing as well as he is in Hospice with his COPD. I am thankful that I have a sister who can be with my mother through her many doctor’s appointments and her upcoming surgery. I also have a brother-in-law, Israel, who is willing to step up and help out whenever needed, especially when it comes to my father. I am most grateful for a company like this that is supportive of me when I need to be there and help out with my Dad while my Mom completes her hospital stay. And all of this just a week before Thanksgiving, and 9 days before her 77th birthday. – Kelly R., CSR
- I have so many things to be thankful for in my life: my family, my home, my health and my job. We have all been through a year of change, but we have grown stronger in our faith and commitment. I am blessed with everything I need. I am working hard towards everything I want. And most of all I appreciate and thank God for everything I have. – Macine G., Admin Assist
Remaining in Good Health
- I am thankful I work for a company that always looks out and supports its employees and customers. I am also thankful for the health and happiness of my family and especially my 84-year-old mother that is still in fairly good health. – Nita D., Accounting
- I am thankful for my good health. Millions of people have terminal illnesses, diseases, or have passed away. – Jennifer T., Customer Service
- I’m thankful for good health. I’m thankful to still have a good job to come to every day. – Eddie B., Mapping
Overcoming Life’s Challenges
- I am extremely thankful for my mom overcoming breast cancer this year. – Kasey B., Accounting
- The simple fact that I am alive and breathing this instant is reason enough to be thankful. I can honestly say that my blessings are countless as my employer (CTTC), family, and friends were the most considerate, caring, and always provided support throughout such uncertain times. – Magally M., Accounting
- I am thankful for this year. It has shown that no matter what we’re faced with, we will overcome every obstacle. – Lauren L., Admin Assist
Working and Schooling from Home
- I am thankful for CTTC giving me the opportunity to work from home during COVID-19. – Kasey B., Accounting
First Responders (Police, Firemen, Paramedics, Healthcare Workers)
- I am thankful for all the first responders, including paramedics, firemen and police, who have continued to provide excellent service throughout this trying year. They have never given less than 100%. I am also thankful for all volunteers who chose to still volunteer with the youth in the community so they could play sports and go to youth programs. – Michelle S., Dispatch
Supportive Community
- I am thankful to have the opportunity to live and work in several great communities with friendly nice people who work together to improve the lives of friends, family, and their neighbors!! – Ryan R., Easements
Caring Neighbors in Our Small Town
- I am thankful that my family and I live and work in a community that sincerely cares and shows that they care through their actions and not just words when tragedy strikes a family. We are truly blessed with an extraordinary community and work-family. – Bowdy T., Engineering
Co-Workers Who Are Like Family
- I’m thankful that I live in a beautiful part of Texas and get to work with an awesome group of people. – Danielle S., CSR
- I’m thankful for the great group of CSRs with who I have the privilege to work! Y’all are the best! – Charlotte H., Customer Service
- I am thankful for the teamwork of my CTTC co-workers and how we were able to adapt to so many changes. And how quickly we were able to provide new broadband services to so many new customers who moved into our service area, so they could continue their work and schooling from home during the pandemic. – Tracy S., CSR
- I’m thankful for being surrounded by employees who are selfless and are willing and able to keep the internet working during a time when the world relied on it so much. Without their dedication, things wouldn’t have been able to operate seamlessly. – Trint T., Dispatch
- I am thankful for all the opportunities I have had this year. I am also thankful to the CTTC family for making me feel like I am right at home. – Sonia R., Accounting
- I am thankful for the memories I made with my family this year! I am also thankful for how well our CTTC team adapted to all the changes this year to continue to provide our customers with the best customer experience possible! – Amanda W., Marketing
Fantastic Customers
- I am thankful for my co-workers who are cool and fun as well as great trainers. I am thankful for our amazing and super friendly customers. I am also thankful for the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a person, with such awesome people. – Aric R., I&R Tech
Great Job with an Awesome Company
- I’m thankful for being in a position to help others during this year’s difficult times. When so many of our customers were faced with big changes such as working from home or virtual learning, I was able to get them set up and have access to the speeds they needed to do so. And sometimes, I was just there to listen, as things were hard and people were isolated. I’m also thankful that my family and friends are in good health and good spirits, despite everything we’ve been through this year. – Dani R., Technical Support
- I’m thankful for my family, co-workers, and the community and that we have CTTC which did not shut down so we have been able to work during this pandemic. Glad that we are safe and well. May God be with all. – Oleta B., CSR
- I am grateful to work for a company that has continued to weather the many changes of the past year without breaking stride. – Wyatt K., Mapping
- I’m thankful that God placed me in a position with CTTC through this challenging year. Not only because it enabled me to continue working through the shutdown to provide for my own family, but also because it allowed me to be a part of providing integral high-speed internet communications to Coop members, families, students, businesses who were forced to leave their workplaces and classrooms to begin operating out of their homes. – Jimmy J., Easements
- I’m thankful that CTTC acted so quickly to help keep us and our customers safe when things were so uncertain and people were scared. I’m so proud and thankful CTTC was able to provide service to students during the quarantine. It’s wonderful to work with such great people. – Robin P., CSR
- I am thankful for my job and my family – Cody T., Easements

Contact CTTC for High-Speed Internet and Phone Service in Rural Texas

If you live in Central Texas and are in need of high-speed internet and/or phone service, contact CTTC. We are dedicated to providing you the best possible customer service no matter what life may throw at us.

Call today to learn more about our services.