CumbyTel is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Fiber Internet services. CumbyTel is a subsidiary of Personal Touch Communications, which is primarily an ISP and a provider of long distance telephone services in the Northeast Texas area. CumbyTel offers Internet services to approximately 11,232 people in 4 cities northeast of Dallas-Fort Worth.

DSL delivers digital connections over your existing copper telephone line. Internet service enters the house through a common phone outlet, which is connected to a DSL modem. From here you can connect your Wi-Fi router or use an Ethernet cable. DSL isn’t as fast as fiber optic but it’s an upgrade from the old dial-up internet over phone lines. The range of DSL speeds can run the gamut of 5 Mbps up to a max of about 100 Mbps, depending on the provider. Dial-up speeds, by comparison, maxed out at 56 kbps per second, if you could get it. For perspective It takes 1000 kilobytes for one megabyte.

Fiber internet is a broadband connection that uses fiber-optic cables to deliver internet access. Fiber cables are more efficient than traditional communication wires and can send data at increased speeds with reduced lag times. Fiber internet can provide speeds of up to 100 Gbps, which is roughly 200 times the speed of a 50 Mbps broadband connection. Fiber internet can send data at about 70% the speed of light.

Fiber internet uses glass fibers to transmit light pulses over long distances for everything from phone calls to internet data. Fiber internet can provide faster downloads and uploads, the ability to move more apps to the cloud, and better voice quality.

Internet plans include the following DSL or fiber options. The 1 Gig plans are fiber optic and you can inquire about which of the others are DSL service.

Residential internet: 10 Mbps for $49.95/month, 20 Mbps for $69.95/month, 50 Mbps for $79.95/month, 100 Mbps for $99.95/month, and 1 Gig for $299.99/month

Business internet: 10 Mbps for $69.95/month, 20 Mbps for $89.95/month, 50 Mbps for $99.95/month, 100 Mbps for $119.95/month, and 1 Gig for $319.99/month

You can call Cumby Tel to check for eligibility for the 10 Mbps through 20 Mbps plans, as they may not be available in all areas

CumbyTel also offers home phone services for $4.00/mo. or $10.00/mo. depending on how many long-distance minutes you need.

The company is also effectively a TV provider with its Skitter TV service that starts at $72.95/mo. for basic channels. Other fees apply for HD access, additional set-top boxes and DVR Service.

Skitter TV is an end-to-end platform for streaming and viewing converged internet TV, video on demand, live broadcast, and satellite TV. The platform includes head-end hardware and software for integrated Web video, cable network, and broadcast TV over IP, delivered via DSL, fiber, or wireless networks.

Skitter TV is available on computers, televisions, mobile devices, and gaming consoles. It allows you to watch live local TV, which is typically accessible only via an antenna capturing over-the-air signals; or via a cable or Dish TV subscription. Customers like Skitter TV because of the channel selection.

Installing fiber optic internet at a home involves laying new underground cables and running those cables from a nearby equipment box to a smaller utility box near your home. A small utility box called an optical network terminal (ONT) will be installed outside or inside your home. A cable from the equipment box to the ONT is installed to carry the fiber-optic connection from the larger network to your premises Then a connecting wire from your Wi-Fi router goes back to the wall, which will lead to the ONT box. To use fiber optic internet service, you would need a fiber optic router to accommodate fiber-optic speeds.

Installation that involves running new underground cable can typically take 5-7 working days but if those lines are already in place nearby then your home service installation could be a matter of hours. Fiber optic cables can be buried or installed aerially between poles. Fiber optic cables can be pulled into place in a conduit or innerduct or blown through special ducts with compressed gas.

Typical DSL internet service installation takes just a couple of hours since phone lines exist in most places and the technician just has to connect your new modem to the phone lines. Provided your phone jacks are in good condition the install should not take too long.

CumbyTel installed public access points for high speed internet at various locations around its service areas while schools were closed during the pandemic.

Customers note that CumbyTel is responsive to their needs. CumbyTel does not require contracts for internet services. Reach out directly for granular details.