Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: Fiber internet is a next-generation broadband technology that uses thin strands of glass fibers to transmit data as pulses of light, allowing for much faster and more reliable internet connections than traditional cable or DSL.

Answer: East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative and County Line Fiber offer fiber internet speeds of up to 2000 Mbps (2 Gig), giving customers reliable options for any lifestyle. For households that mainly stream movies or TV shows in HD or 4K, the Basic plan is typically sufficient unless multiple devices are streaming at once. If you combine online gaming, streaming, and moderate work-from-home activity, the 500 Mbps plan provides the extra speed and low latency needed for smooth performance. Those who work from home frequently, participate in video calls, or upload large files will benefit from the 1000 Mbps plan (also called 1 Gig), which offers fast, dependable connectivity for demanding tasks. For large households or tech-savvy users running many devices, live streams, or smart home systems, the 2000 Mbps (2 Gig) plan delivers top-tier performance and future-proof internet capacity.

Answer: For most gamers, we recommend at least 500 Mbps of download speed for a smooth experience, especially if you play online multiplayer games, download large game updates, stream gameplay, or share your connection with other household members. If multiple people are streaming, working from home, or gaming at the same time, the 1000 Mbps or faster plans will provide even better performance and help prevent lag, buffering, and slow downloads.

Answer: Yes, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative offers unlimited data with all its fiber internet plans. That means you can stream, game, work from home, and connect multiple devices without worrying about data caps or overage fees. With unlimited data, you get consistent, reliable performance—whether you’re watching your favorite shows in 4K, joining video calls, or downloading large files. It’s a simple, worry-free way to enjoy fast, fiber-powered internet every day.

Answer: Fiber internet from East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative is faster and more reliable because it uses advanced fiber-optic technology that transmits data using light instead of electricity. This allows for faster speeds, lower latency, and greater bandwidth than satellite, wireless, cable, or DSL connections. Fiber also provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, video calls, and remote work. With a dedicated fiber connection from East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative, you get consistently strong performance and reliable internet you can depend on every day, plus East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative has many diverse fiber routes so we can move data traffic quickly to an unaffected route in the event of a fiber cut or outage while crews are activated to make any repairs. This diversity acts as “insurance” to keep our customers online 24/7.

Answer: The process begins with a site survey to confirm service availability and schedule a convenient installation time. Technicians then run a fiber-optic line from the nearest network access point to your property using underground cabling to ensure that weather is never an issue. Inside your home or business, they install an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which converts the fiber signal into electrical signals for internet and connects to your router or managed Wi-Fi system. We provide customers with a free router upon service activation, and thereafter it is the customer’s property and responsibility if a replacement is needed.

East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative can provide a smart Wi-Fi solution to optimize performance across all your devices. After set up, technicians test your connection to ensure you’re receiving the correct speed tier and verify that all devices are online. You’ll also receive guidance on managing your network, setting passwords, and accessing support if needed. Our free Intellifi app allows customers to control their home or business Wi-Fi devices on an ad hoc basis as they desire.

Answer: To use East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative’s fiber internet, you’ll need an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and a router. The ONT is installed by East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative technicians and connects your home or business to their fiber network. For Wi-Fi, you can either use your own compatible router or opt for East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative’s smart Wi-Fi solution, which includes a high-performance router and support at no additional cost. Optional Wi-Fi Boosters are available to improve coverage in larger spaces. The first Wi-Fi booster is free, and any additional boosters are only $5/month. All equipment is professionally installed and configured to ensure optimal performance from day one. Note that if you use your own router, our technicians are limited in our troubleshooting if issues arise.

Answer: You can contact East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative’s local support team by calling 319-935-3011 during business hours or reaching our 24/7 Internet Help Desk at 319-935-3011 and pressing “1.” We’re based in Winthrop, Iowa, and proudly serve the surrounding communities with fast, friendly support for internet and telephone service. County Line Fiber customers may also call 319-283-1188.

Answer: Yes, we offer both in-person support and optional home visits for customers who need hands-on assistance. You’re welcome to stop by our local office during business hours Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for help with billing, service upgrades, or technical support. If your issue requires on-site troubleshooting or equipment setup, we can schedule a technician to visit your home. Just give us a call and we’ll find the best solution to keep you connected.

Answer: Make sure your router and ONT (small white box) are plugged in and powered on. (Don’t forget to check your circuit breakers to the outlets that have equipment plugged in.) Check for any loose cables or warning lights. Next, restart the router by unplugging it from the electrical outlet for 30 seconds, then plug it back in – this is also referred to as “power-cycling.” This simple act of power-cycling in the device often resolves temporary issues. Please be sure to power-cycle rather than reset – as pressing the reset button will cause your Wi-Fi settings to be lost! If your internet is still down, try connecting with another device to rule out a problem with your computer or phone. Another step is to unplug the ONT from the electrical outlet for 30 seconds before plugging it back in – and be sure to wait a full 5 minutes to see if service is restored. Finally, if none of these steps work, call 319-935-3011 so our local support team can troubleshoot the issue and get you back online quickly.

Answer: East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative responds to service issues promptly – usually within 30 minutes – with 24/7 support available for internet-related problems and fast, local assistance during business hours.

We take service reliability seriously and aim to resolve issues as quickly as possible. We have a technician on-call and available 24/7 to assist with outages or equipment concerns. For non-emergency issues or service upgrades, our customer service team is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative customers can expect fast, local support from technicians familiar with the area and our network. If your issue requires an on-site visit, we’ll work with you to schedule a convenient time and restore service efficiently.

Answer: East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative supports the local community by contributing to many non-profit organizations that request assistance. The Board of Directors decides on donations to organizations, and over the past several years has contributed over $6,000 each year to assist community groups that request assistance. In addition, business customers of EBTC are eligible to apply for low-interest loans as part of EBTC’s Revolving Loan Fund program, and applications are reviewed by the EBTC Board. Lastly, charitable organizations with EBTC service can apply on a quarterly basis for Aureon Charity Grants up to $5,000. EBTC also participates in many local community parades and other celebrations. Our employees are local, and as such, we care about our friends and neighbors.

Answer: Choosing a local provider like East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative means faster, more personalized customer support from people who live and work in your community. As a member-owned cooperative, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative invests directly in local infrastructure, delivering reliable fiber internet to areas national providers often overlook. You’ll also benefit from transparent pricing, no contracts, no data caps, and dependable service built specifically for your region. Life is complicated enough, so we keep things simple! Plus, your dollars stay local, helping strengthen the communities you call home.

Answer: Both East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative and County Line Fiber are located at 214 Third Street North in Winthrop, Iowa 50682. Our office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During these hours, you can visit us in person or call for help with billing, service upgrades, or technical support. For internet-related emergencies outside of business hours, our 24/7 Help Desk is available at 319-935-3011 and pressing “1” to leave a message for an on-call technician.

Answer: East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative and County Line Fiber both have a $50 fiber connection fee for service locations regardless of services desired. If you are outside of our fiber service area, we also offer EB WiNet Wireless Home Internet service. See Internet Options – East Buchanan Telephone Coop or Fiber Optics – County Line Fiber.

Answer: Yes, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative offers discounts when you subscribe to bundled services of Internet and landline phone.

Answer: To upgrade or change your East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative internet plan, simply call our office at 319-935-3011 during business hours. Our team will need to validate you are an authorized user of your account and will help you compare available speeds and recommend the best option for your home or business. Changes to your account are usually updated within 30 minutes Monday through Friday.

Answer: East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative’s fiber internet connects directly to an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), so no separate modem is required. You’re free to use your own router as long as it’s compatible with the selected speed tier. For best performance, we recommend an East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative or County Line Fiber router that supports Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, has multi-gig Ethernet ports, and offers strong coverage for the size of your home. If you prefer a hassle-free setup, East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative and County Line Fiber also offer our Smart Wi-Fi service which includes professional installation and remote support.

Answer: You can test your internet speed by visiting a trusted speed test site like speedtest.net from any device connected to your Wi-Fi or wired network. For the most accurate results, connect your device directly to your router using an ethernet cable and close any background apps or downloads. This will give you a clear picture of your current download and upload speeds, helping you confirm your plan’s performance or troubleshoot slow connections. A wireless connection will always be slower than a wired ethernet connection – even when your paid-for speed reaches your ONT and router. You can also check your speed on our managed routers by using the Intellifi mobile app on your smartphone.

Answer: Superboxes are internet-connected devices that provide access to large amounts of streaming content, often pulling video and data from many different online sources at the same time. While a customer may only see a single box connected to their TV, these devices can consume far more internet bandwidth behind the scenes than expected by continuously downloading high-quality video streams, refreshing content libraries, and communicating with multiple servers. As a result, a Superbox can use a significant portion of a home’s available internet capacity, which may lead to slower speeds, buffering, reduced video quality, lag during online gaming, or poor performance for other devices connected to the same network. Simply put, one heavily used streaming device can have a noticeable impact on the internet experience for everyone else in the home. More importantly, there have been reports of certain superboxes having malware which could track financial transactions of the household. We do NOT recommend purchasing a superbox no matter how good it sounds. Sometimes things are too good to be true.