Bruce Telephone Co. Sold to Fail Communications PDF Print E-mail
The long anticipated sale of Bruce Telephone Company (BTC) became official on Oct. 30 with Charles F. Fail of Fail Telecommunications Corporation (FTC) in Bay Springs, Miss. becoming the new owner.
“I am pleased to announce our purchase of Bruce Telephone Company, Inc. and its affiliates, including Waller Inc., Waller Wireless, Inc. and WWC, Inc.,” said Fail, who also owns Mississippi companies, Fulton Telephone, Mound Bayou Telephone, and GulfPines Communications; Georgia companies Chickamauga Telephone and FailSafe Security. “I believe that BTC is a natural fit when combined with our other companies.”
“My family and I are thrilled that the telephone company will be handled by a family that has the community and its customers at heart,” said Bruce_Telephone_purchaseConnie Waller Collins, owner of Bruce Telephone Company. “I’ve known the Fail family for most of my life and have enjoyed our friendship. I am very confident the company will be in great hands.”
Fail intends to maintain local employees and continue BTC’s community involvement. “We realize the importance of maintaining a local presence in the community and fully intend to keep the present BTC office open with local employees,” said Fail.
Charlie Allen, son of Connie Collins and grandson of former owner Harry Waller, will remain the local manager of BTC, while Jerry McGee of FTC will serve as general manager.
McGee currently serves as general manager of FTC subsidiaries, Fulton Telephone Company and Mound Bayou Telephone Company. The son of former owner and manager of Fulton Telephone Co., H.D. McGee, Jerry has worked in the industry since 1966 and has been general manager of Fulton Telephone since 1986. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in business administration and has considerable experience in all aspects of the telephone business including plant construction and maintenance, central office operations, and business office operations.
“I am excited about the acquisition of Bruce Telephone Company by FTC,” said McGee. “Harry Waller was a pioneer in Mississippi Telecommunications, and Connie Collins continued the tradition of service that he pioneered. I look forward to working with Charlie Allen and the employees of Bruce Telephone as we continue that tradition. We will continue to give the great service BTC customers expect and intend to offer new services that exceed expectations.”
“Our plans for the future of BTC are very positive,” said Fail. “We believe we’ll be able to offer voice, wired and wireless broadband, IPTV, home and business security services, and cellular service in Calhoun County in the future.” McGee said plans were already being made for extensive plant improvements including fiber rings.

BTC and Fail Telecommunications Histories
Bruce Telephone Company, Inc. was founded in 1927 the same year that the town of Bruce was incorporated. Harry Waller purchased the company in 1957, and the plant was completely rebuilt and changed to dial in 1958.
Touch Tone dialing was installed in 1973, and the telephone company converted to single party service with its elimination of party lines in 1986.
High speed DSL service was initiated in 2001. Bruce Telephone continues to serve the northern half of Calhoun County.
BTC houses the Bruce Chamber of Commerce and is involved with the Calhoun Economic Development Association. BTC was the major funder of the Bruce Forestry Museum and also purchased a steam engine for the museum.
The company participates in the Rotary Club and Lions Club as well as various organizations, schools and parks in the community.
They are also active with the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association sponsoring a golf tournament each year to raise money for the Alzheimer Association.

Fail Telecommunications Corporation – When D. L. Fail purchased the Bay Springs, Mississippi Telephone Company in 1923, the deal included one manual switchboard, a handful of telephone poles, and 120 loyal customers.
Fail and his wife Estelle operated the fledgling company from a spare room in their home, sleeping in the same room with the switchboard to ensure their customers would never miss a late night call.
The business gained another employee when the Fails' oldest son, Charles, was born in 1929.
Charles Fail grew up in the telephone business, spending holidays and summer vacations repairing equipment and climbing telephone poles - literally learning the telephone service industry from the ground up.
In 1992, Charles Fail founded Fail Telecommunications Corporation (FTC), the parent company for two telephone companies in Mississippi, one telephone company in Georgia, a long distance carrier, an Internet service provider, and a home and business security alarm company.
FTC manages and oversees the needs of each subsidiary's telecommunications network.
The company's vision is to offer customers within its operating areas the highest quality in advanced communications systems.
Building on a history of success, FTC is dedicated to a future of continued accomplishments through maintaining a commitment to service and seeking out potential markets in the telecommunications industry.