Frequently Asked Questions

If your phones are not working, after an electrical storm:

Try these helpful hints before calling our Customer Care Center. It is important to determine if the problem is with the phone or the phone line.

Start by

  1. Unplugging all of your phones and other equipment from the phone jacks and electrical outlets and let sit idle for 10 – 15 minutes. Other equipment is defined as any piece of equipment that may be associated with your phone service (caller ID boxes, answering machines, computer modems, etc.)
  2. Then plug in each phone, one at a time.
    If the first phone you try produces a dial tone, most likely the problem is with one of your phones or pieces of equipment and not the phone line.
    If there is no dial tone, the problem may be with that phone or the phone line.
  3. Continue to check all phones and equipment.
    If you get a dial tone, most likely the problem is with the phone/s or equipment.
    If you have tested all phones and equipment in different outlets and phone jacks and still no dial tone, it is time to call our Customer Care Center. During regular business hours call 749-2531 or after hours call 1-800-417-8685. At OmniTel Communications, a technician is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle your emergencies.

Having problems receiving long distance calls?

Because the technology and networks are different with every long distance carrier, sometimes there are connections that either don’t get made or get lost in translation; resulting in phone calls not going through. If you find out that this is happening to you, that there are long distance calls that you are not receiving, inform the person placing the long distance phone call that they need to contact their carrier. The request to examine a possible problem must come from the person placing the call. There are two reasons that the request must come from the subscriber who originates the phone call:

  • Long distance phone calls happen sequentially. The best way to solve problems between long distance carriers is to start with the carrier from which the call originates and then work towards the carrier receiving the phone calls. If it is determined that the issue is not with the originating network, the carrier then contacts OmniTel and we begin to working together to trouble shoot the problem on our end.
  • Privacy laws. Only the person who is the long distance subscriber can report problems. This is for the protection of all telephone subscribers.

Although these problems don’t occur very often, with the changes in technologies and networks, it isn’t surprising that there might be a few connections that are getting lost in translation.

Other FAQ’s related to Telephone Service

After Hours Repair Service: (800) 417-8685 (toll-free)
Our call center will take your message and forward onto the technician on call. A technician is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle your emergencies.


For service during regular business hours call Customer Service:
749-2531 Out of area: (877) OMNITEL (666-4835)


What are your Corporate Office Hours?
Nora Springs Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday: Closed


What if I have a question after hours?
You can leave a message on our answering machine or email any questions you might have, day or night to question@omnitel.biz and we will get back to you our next business day.


Channel 12: channel12@omnitel.biz


MEGAtalk Refill Machine Hours:
Mason City @ the Cenex Ampride Store on the corner of 1st St. SW & Monroe Ave.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Charles City @ Buy Low North, 1200 North Grand
Hours: Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.


WestsideWireless Hours:
Monday – Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday & Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.