Rooted in community. Built for connection.
Connecting Calaveras Since 1895
It all started with barbed wire and a big idea. In 1895, a 16-year-old named James A. Tower strung the very first telephone line in Calaveras County using barbed wire fencing. That single line grew into what we now know as Calaveras Telephone Company, CalTel Connections, or more simply CalTel—a local, family-owned telecommunications company that’s been keeping our community connected for over 125 years.
The early days of Calaveras Telephone Company.
From One Line to a Lifeline
As demand for telephone service grew, James opened a small central office in Felix, near Copperopolis. By 1899, at just 20 years old, he partnered with Sunset Telephone Company to connect Calaveras County to the rest of the world—paving the way for true rural connectivity.
Keeping the community connected, generation after generation.
A Family Legacy of Service
When James passed away in 1936, his wife Laura and their 13-year-old son Howard stepped in. With resilience and heart, they continued the mission of connecting families and businesses across the region. Howard later became a pioneer in modernizing local communication—installing Calaveras County’s first automatic switching equipment in 1949.
Giving Back to Calaveras
AMA Youth Sports | Bret Harte FFA | Bret Harte Football Boosters | Bret Harte High Valedictorian Scholarship | Bret Harte Little League | Calaveras County Fair | Calaveras FFA Boosters Dinner | Calaveras High School Valedictorian Scholarship | Calaveras Search and Rescue | Calaveras Youth Soccer League | Copper Valley Men’s and Women’s Invitational | Copperopolis Elementary | Fireworks Over Lake Hogan – San Andreas Rotary | Friends of Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office | Foothills Little League | Hospice of Calaveras and Amador | Hot Copper Car Show | My Own School | The Resource Connection | The Resource Connection EventAMA Youth Sports | Bret Harte FFA | Bret Harte Football Boosters | Bret Harte High Valedictorian Scholarship | Bret Harte Little League | Calaveras County Fair | Calaveras FFA Boosters Dinner | Calaveras High School Valedictorian Scholarship | Calaveras Search and Rescue | Calaveras Youth Soccer League | Copper Valley Men’s and Women’s Invitational | Copperopolis Elementary | Fireworks Over Lake Hogan – San Andreas Rotary | Friends of Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office | Foothills Little League | Hospice of Calaveras and Amador | Hot Copper Car Show | My Own School | The Resource Connection | The Resource Connection Event
Progress rooted in reliability.
Innovation Underground and Beyond
By 1965, CalTel had buried its lines underground and opened new offices in Copperopolis and Jenny Lind, ensuring stronger, more reliable service. The family’s commitment to innovation kept pace with the evolving needs of the community.
A new era of high-speed Internet in Calaveras.
Bringing Fiber to the Foothills
In 1991, Howard’s son, James H. Tower, became general manager and vice president. By 2003, following Howard’s passing, James ushered CalTel into the fiber-optic era—introducing faster speeds and more reliable service to homes and businesses across the county.
Proudly serving Calaveras County with care and consistency.
Still Local. Still Family-Owned.
Still Here for You.
Today, CalTel is the only local provider offering fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless service—all backed by over a century of trusted, family-led experience. We’re more than a telecommunications company—we’re your neighbors, your tech guides, and your support team.
Whether you need high-speed Internet or dependable phone service, we’re here to connect Calaveras County with compassion, consistency, and care that’s been running strong since 1895.
