Cunningham Telephone & Cable

What Cunningham Telephone & Cable does

Cunningham Telephone & Cable, legally Cunningham Communications, Inc. and operating under the consumer-facing brand Cunningham Fiber, is a privately held, family-owned telecommunications provider founded in 1946 and headquartered in Glen Elder, Kansas. The company delivers fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and complementary cable internet, residential and business telephone, and a proprietary streaming TV product (TV Now) to households and businesses across 13 communities and four counties (Mitchell, Cloud, Republic, Jewell) in North Central Kansas. Its product portfolio centers on four residential fiber tiers (Fiber250 at $79.95, Fiber500 at $99.95, FiberGIG at $119.95, and Fiber2.5GIG at $199.95 per month), cable fallback tiers for non-fiber areas ($39.95-$89.95), business fiber plans (BIZ250/BIZGIG/BIZ2GIG at $100-$300 per month), and phone service ranging from $16.95 (residential non-fiber) to $22 (business fiber). TV Now is gated to Cunningham internet customers and sold as a single subscription or as the $276/month Extreme Bundle. The underlying network is anchored by over 300 miles of underground fiber infrastructure, placed since the late 1980s in partnership with CenCon of Kansas, with Managed WiFi (CommandIQ app) built into fiber plans.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through subscription recurring fees billed monthly across residential and business segments. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via four physical branch offices (Glen Elder HQ, Belleville, Concordia, Beloit), phone sales (1-800-287-8495), and website-driven service requests, with no third-party retail distribution. Expansion to date has been funded almost exclusively by Kansas state grants (Kansas Department of Commerce Broadband Acceleration Grants, Capital Project Fund, ADOPT) totaling approximately $3 million since 2023, supporting rural fiber buildouts in Cloud County (Phases 1 and 2) and Mitchell County, as well as a public Wi-Fi deployment of 54 outdoor and 2 indoor access points across 10 communities. The company employs approximately 30 people across its four offices, is led by the third and fourth generations of the Cunningham family, and operates as a Rural Utilities Service federal funding recipient subject to USDA Title VI, Section 504, and Age Discrimination Act nondiscrimination compliance.

Name

Cunningham Telephone & Cable

Legal name

Cunningham Communications, Inc.

Website

https://ctcfiber.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cunningham Telephone & Cable (Cunningham Fiber) is a family-owned Kansas telecommunications provider founded in 1946, offering fiber-to-the-home internet, telephone, and TV streaming services to residential and business customers across 13 communities in North Central Kansas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural & Regional ISPs (HDAIADAI), Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC), Cable Internet ISPs (HFC Retail Providers) (HDAIADAF)

Keywords

• Rural broadband services
• Fiber to the home
• Residential internet services
• Business telephone services
• Streaming television services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Elder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Residential Internet Services: Monthly subscription fees for fiber and cable internet services at various speed tiers ranging from 50 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps.
2. Residential Telephone Service: Monthly subscription for telephone service with unlimited local calling and per-minute long distance charges. Provided since 1946.
3. TV Now Streaming Service: Streaming TV service bundled with internet or available as add-on packages including premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax).
4. Business Internet Services: Business-grade fiber and cable internet subscriptions with dedicated bandwidth and pricing tiers for small, medium, and large companies.
5. Business Telephone Service: Multi-line business telephone service with directory listing and competitive long distance rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cunningham Telephone & Cable (Cunningham Fiber) is a family-owned rural telecommunications provider delivering fiber-to-the-home and cable internet (50 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps), residential and business telephone, and TV Now streaming television services to 13 communities across North Central Kansas. The company owns and operates its underground fiber plant and soft-switch voice network, bundles Managed Wi-Fi and the CommandIQ app with fiber plans, and expands its rural footprint through Kansas Department of Commerce broadband grants.

Product overview

Cunningham Fiber (Cunningham Telephone & Cable) is a family-owned telecommunications provider offering a comprehensive suite of internet, telephone, and TV services across 13 North Central Kansas communities. The product portfolio centers on fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet connectivity with four residential tiers (Fiber250 at 250 Mbps, Fiber500 at 500 Mbps, FiberGIG at 1 Gbps, and Fiber2.5GIG at 2.5 Gbps), supplemented by cable internet alternatives (Standard, Supreme, Extreme) in areas without fiber coverage. Voice services include traditional and fiber-based telephone for residential ($16.95-$19/month) and business ($21.95-$22/month) customers. TV offerings center on TV Now, a streaming service exclusive to internet customers, available as standalone or in an Extreme Bundle ($276/month) with premium channel add-ons (Digital Basic, Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, Starz). Managed WiFi and the CommandIQ app provide network management. Business services include dedicated fiber (BIZ250, BIZGIG, BIZ2GIG at $100-$300/month) and cable internet plans. The company operates under the Cunningham Fiber brand while maintaining the original Cunningham Telephone & Cable identity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fiber250 Residential fiber internet service delivering 250 Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds for $79.95/month, including Managed WiFi, parental controls, network security, unlimited data, and the CommandIQ app for home network management. Targeted at small families, home offices, and streamers in Cunningham Fiber's fiber-served Kansas communities.
• Fiber500 Residential fiber internet service delivering 500 Mbps symmetrical speeds for $99.95/month, with Managed WiFi and unlimited data, designed for large families, multiple students, and work-from-home users running multiple simultaneous devices and video conferencing.
• FiberGIG Residential fiber internet service delivering 1 Gbps symmetrical speeds for $119.95/month, with WiFi-6 access points, low latency for gaming, 8K streaming, and built-in cybersecurity for smart devices. Positioned for power streamers, gamers, and remote work professionals.
• Fiber2.5GIG Premium residential fiber internet service delivering 2.5 Gbps symmetrical speeds for $199.95/month, including WiFi-7 access points, lowest-latency technology, and 8K+ streaming on multiple devices for pro gaming, cloud services, and high-tech household adopters.
• Standard Cable Internet Residential cable internet service offering 50/5 Mbps for $39.95/month (modem lease additional $3/month), provided in Kansas communities not yet covered by the fiber network.
• Supreme Cable Internet Residential cable internet service offering 75/10 Mbps for $59.95/month (modem lease additional $3/month), targeted at households outside the fiber footprint that need higher downstream speeds than Standard Cable.
• Extreme Cable Internet Residential cable internet service offering 100/20 Mbps for households in Cunningham Fiber's non-fiber coverage areas that require higher downstream performance.
• Residential Telephone Service (Non-Fiber) Traditional residential telephone service for $16.95/month, including unlimited local calling and long distance at $0.06/minute. Provided since 1946 with reliable call quality and offered across the company's Kansas service area.
• Residential Telephone Service (Fiber) Advanced residential telephone service for $19.00/month, leveraging soft-switch technology and the company's fiber-optic network to deliver enhanced call quality and reliability over fiber connections.
• TV Now Streaming TV service exclusive to Cunningham Fiber internet customers on 50 Mbps or faster connections. Includes free Cloud DVR, Replay TV, Restart TV, and HD, with apps available on Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, iOS, Android, and supported web browsers.
• BIZ250 Business fiber internet service delivering 250 Mbps symmetrical speeds for $100/month, designed for smaller companies in Cunningham Fiber's footprint that need reliable fiber connectivity.
• BIZGIG Business fiber internet service delivering 1 Gbps symmetrical speeds for $200/month, targeted at medium-sized companies in North Central Kansas with higher bandwidth requirements.
• BIZ2GIG Business fiber internet service delivering 2 Gbps symmetrical speeds for $300/month, designed for larger companies in the service area with demanding connectivity requirements.
• Business Cable Internet Plans Cable-based business internet plans with three speed tiers ($49.95/month Standard 50/5 Mbps, $69.95/month Supreme 75/10 Mbps, $89.95/month Extreme 100/20 Mbps), plus an optional Guest WiFi feature for businesses in areas not yet covered by Cunningham Fiber.
• Business Telephone Service (Non-Fiber) Business telephone service for $21.95/month with directory listing included and competitive long distance rates. Multi-line pricing is available on request for businesses in Cunningham's Kansas service area.
• Business Telephone Service (Fiber) Advanced fiber-based business telephone service for $22/month, utilizing soft-switch technology and Cunningham's fiber-optic network to deliver the most advanced telephone service in North Central Kansas. Multi-line pricing available.
• TV Now for Business Streaming TV service for businesses priced at $356/month, letting employees and customers watch shows on existing streaming devices. Includes free Cloud DVR, Replay TV, Restart TV, and HD. Targeted at workplaces such as waiting rooms, lobbies, and break rooms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Speeds up to 2.5 Gbps symmetric available for residential customers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Nex-TechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Kansas telecommunications provider and 100% fiber-to-the-home service provider. Collaborated at BBQ and Broadband event in Hays, KS to discuss broadband expansion and share stories about fiber connectivity impact on communities.
• Golden Belt TelephoneminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Kansas telecommunications provider and 100% fiber-to-the-home service provider. Collaborated at BBQ and Broadband event in Hays, KS alongside Nex-Tech and Cunningham Fiber to highlight broadband expansion efforts.
• CenCon of Kansas LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 May 2024Construction company founded in 1979 handling directional boring, trenching, and plowing telecommunications cable underground. Three generations of Franklin and Rietzke families have worked with Cunningham Fiber since late 1980s, placing over 300 miles of underground network. Currently working on 60 miles of new construction in rural Cloud County.
• NCKCN WirelesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Central Kansas Community Network wireless partner. By partnering to put up antennas at edges of Cunningham fiber network, they push broadband deeper into harder-to-reach rural areas.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nex-Tech: Nex-Tech is a Kansas-based 100% fiber-to-the-home provider serving rural communities across the state. Closest comparable to Cunningham in terms of FTTH focus, Kansas geography, and customer segments (residential and business).
• IdeaTek: IdeaTek is an independent Kansas-based fiber ISP specializing in rural and underserved communities. Comparable business model — independent operator building fiber networks in small-town Kansas with grant-supported expansion.
• Golden Belt Telephone: Golden Belt Telephone is a Kansas cooperative providing 100% fiber-to-the-home services to rural communities. Co-marketed with Cunningham at BBQ and Broadband events; comparable in technology stack, customer base, and Kansas rural footprint.
• Hiawatha Broadband (HBC): Hiawatha Broadband Company is a regional fiber-to-the-home provider serving rural communities in the Upper Midwest. Comparable in independent rural fiber business model, customer segments (residential, business, voice, video), and community-oriented positioning.

Broad incumbents

• AT&T: AT&T is a national incumbent telecom with fixed-line and fiber internet services. While Cunningham operates independently, AT&T is the broader incumbent whose rural service territory and federal funding access shape the competitive context for small rural Kansas telcos.
• T-Mobile: T-Mobile has expanded fixed wireless home internet aggressively into rural markets as a 5G-based alternative to wireline broadband. Directly competes with Cunningham's entry-tier cable and lower-speed fiber plans in overlapping geographies.
• Consolidated Communications: Consolidated Communications is a regional incumbent telco operating wireline and fiber services across rural and small-town markets in multiple states. Comparable customer profile and rural service positioning, though at significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Starlink (SpaceX): Starlink provides satellite-based broadband that competes specifically for rural Kansas customers where fiber is not yet available. Represents the most rapidly growing competitive threat to rural wireline ISPs like Cunningham.
• Wisper Internet: Wisper Internet is a fixed wireless broadband provider serving rural communities across the Midwest. Represents an alternative technology approach (fixed wireless vs. fiber) targeting the same rural customer profile as Cunningham.

Regional players

• Viasat: Viasat provides satellite-based broadband internet services targeting rural and underserved U.S. markets. Competes for the same rural Kansas customer base as Cunningham, particularly in non-fiber-served areas.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCabanPWvKqhdJM9savkspcg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CunninghamTelephoneandCable
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cunningham Telephone & Cable