farmers mutual telephone coop

Content tagged with "farmers mutual telephone coop"

Displaying 1 - 8 of 8

Minnesota Counties Help Fund Cooperative Broadband Projects for Economic Development

Even if a local government isn’t ready or able to build its own broadband network, there are still ways they can help bring the benefits of better connectivity to their community. Over the past few years, several counties in Minnesota have partnered with local electric and telephone cooperatives to expand high-quality Internet access as an economic development strategy. In many instances, county governments have offered financial support to the local co-ops, in the form of grants and loans, to connect their rural residents with high-quality fiber networks, often supplementing federal subsidies or statewide Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Development grants.

Projects Across the State

Minnesota counties have taken a variety of approaches when it comes to helping cooperatives finance broadband deployment projects.

Some, such as Cook County in the far northeastern corner of the state, provided grants to local co-ops. Cook County began its partnership with Arrowhead Electric Cooperative back in 2008 when both entities contributed to a broadband feasibility study. At the time, the county suffered from the worst connectivity in the state, and many people still relied on dial-up. In 2010, Arrowhead was awarded a $16.1 million combined grant and loan from the stimulus-funded Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) to build a fiber network in Cook County. The county government offered Arrowhead a $4 million grant for the project, funded by the voters’ reauthorization of a 1 percent sales tax that was due to expire. In return, Arrowhead agreed to provide services such as Internet access to county buildings at no cost.

Cooperatives Build Community Networks

Image
Cooperative Fiber Projects 2020

Cooperatives around the country have built on their long legacy of delivering essential infrastructure by starting to deliver next-generation Internet services. Here, we cover the basics of cooperatives in rural areas and then discuss the details of electric and telephone cooperatives that have already branched out into Internet service. Finally, we highlight the first fiber optic cooperative provider, and discuss how other communities have better Internet service through building their own networks.

Why Rural Cooperatives?

Cooperatives are part of the fabric of rural America. The member owners control the cooperative: each person receiving service is a member of the cooperative and can directly vote in elections for the Board of Directors or even become a member of the Board.  

Starting in the 1930s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture supported communities as they created more than 900 electric cooperatives across the country. In the 1950s, the federal government again supported communities building telephone networks, crisscrossing the country with telephone cooperatives to connect rural communities.

Each technology brought new markets, revitalized economies, and revolutionized industries. Cooperatives have a long history of building and maintaining essential infrastructure and providing excellent service in rural communities. Now they have the chance to do that again by building next-generation networks for Internet service.

Rural Public Policies

Rural areas face a number of challenges that urban and suburban communities do not. Low population density coupled with rough terrain can make building infrastructure challenging. Added to these factors, rural communities may not have access to the same financial resources as larger towns and cities do. 

Image
MN House Chamber

Cooperatives, however, have made infrastructure projects work in rural communities for nearly a century. They have access to funding from their membership base, local banks, and often the federal government. Some state governments have expanded their broadband grant and loan programs to include electric cooperatives. Other states have clarified laws and policies to recognize that electric cooperatives can build fiber networks for Internet service using their current infrastructure. A few states have even removed legislative hurdles that stymied investments by electric cooperatives. Technically, the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Section 253, prohibits states from stopping any co-op from offering Internet service, but co-ops in many states are loathe to challenge state law in court.

North Carolina

In 2019, the state removed restrictions that prevented electric cooperatives from using USDA funding for non-electrical purposes, such as broadband networks. Our 2016 report, North Carolina Connectivity: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, highlighted how this roadblock kept the state’s electric co-ops from providing service to many rural communities. 

Tennessee

During the 2017 legislative session, this state has clarified the language in its laws to allow electric cooperatives to build networks for Internet service. 

Indiana

Cooperatives already have access to utility poles, easements, and Rights-of-Way in the communities that they serve. Indiana, however, needed to clarify that electric co-ops can use this access to provide Internet service, so it passed the FIBRE Act. Other states, including Georgia, Maryland, and Texas, have since followed suit.

Minnesota & Colorado

Minnesota and Colorado have made funding easier to access for cooperatives interested in providing Internet service. Both states have designed grant programs that promote local solutions to connectivity problems. In Minnesota, cooperatives provide most of the Fiber-to-the-Home Internet service thanks in no small part to that grant program. 

Overbuild Or Underbuild?

In Community Broadband Bits Podcast Episode 91, Christopher Mitchell and Lisa Gonzalez discusses strategies for building Internet infrastructure in rural are. What do communities need to thrive? 

Listen to the podcast.

Electric Cooperatives

More than 900 rural electric cooperatives provide electricity to about 12 percent of the U.S. population. Their service area, however, covers more than half of the total land, nearly 2 million square miles. About 90 rural electric co-ops have embarked on fiber optic projects to increase Internet access for their members. 

Several of these electric cooperatives started by building fiber optic lines to substations and large demand centers to increase the reliability of the electric system through better monitoring. This could then form the backbone of a network for Internet service to businesses and residents. 

Articles and Interviews

We have written many articles and collected several reports detailing how electric cooperatives have tried to increase Internet access in their communities. These stories show the many different ways electric cooperatives have structured partnerships and programs for their members.

Image
Telephone Pole

Several electric cooperatives provide Internet service themselves. Some started pilot projects, while others built out to their entire service area. The Fiber-to-the-Home project by Valley Electric Association boosted the local economy in Pahrump, Nevada. The co-op has already added 31 new jobs because of the fiber service. 

Others partner with an existing telephone cooperative or telephone company. Ouachita Electric in Arkansas is one of the many cooperatives to have done this. By combining their resources and expertise, this partnership is able to extend electric and Internet service throughout much of southern Arkansas.

Many electric cooperatives work together, such as Sho-Me Power in Missouri and LS Networks in Oregon. These cooperatives have provided connectivity for local ISPs and businesses, and now are looking to connect residents.  

In episode 229 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast, Jon Chambers, the former head of the FCC Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, describes how electric cooperatives have the potential to bring Internet access to unserved rural America. 

Mel Coleman, president of NRECA and CEO of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, joined the podcast in episode 243 to discuss how the electric co-op had improved Internet access for its members and what other cooperatives are doing.

Find more in our archives.

List of Fiber Projects

This is a list of the rural electric cooperatives that have programs and projects to increase connectivity in their service areas. They do not all provide Fiber-to-the-Home. Some only offer fiber connections to businesses or provide wireless last mile connections while others focus on dark fiber and fiber transport services for other Internet Service Providers. (Total: 109) (Last updated: 12/2019)

Electric CooperativeStateProject
Central Alabama Electric CooperativeAlabamaFTTH (announced)
Joe Wheeler Electric Membership CorporationAlabamaFTTH (announced)
North Alabama Electric CooperativeAlabamaFTTH
Tombigbee Electric Cooperative (freedom FIBER)AlabamaFTTH
Wiregrass Electric CooperativeAlabamaFiber backbone (under construction) ⁠— collaboration with cable company to connect members
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (WAVE Rural Connect)ArkansasFTTH
Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation (Empower)ArkansasFTTH
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NEXT)ArkansasFTTH
Ouachita Electric Cooperative (ARIS)ArkansasFTTH ⁠— collaboration with telephone company
Ozarks Electric Cooperative (OzarksGo)ArkansasFTTH
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative (South Central Connect)ArkansasFTTH
Anza Electric Cooperative (ConnectAnza)CaliforniaFTTH
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications)CaliforniaFTTH & wireless with fiber backbone
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (Ciello)ColoradoFTTH
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (Elevate Fiber)ColoradoFTTH
Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECOM)ColoradoFTTH
Yampa Valley Electric Association (Luminate Broadband)ColoradoFTTH
Blue Ridge Mountain EMCGeorgia &
North Carolina
FTTH
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation (Trailwave; North Georgia Network Cooperative)GeorgiaFTTH; FTTB and Schools
Jefferson Energy CooperativeGeorgiaFTTB ⁠— collaboration with Pineland Telephone Cooperative
Illinois Electric CooperativeIllinoisFTTH
Jo-Carrol Energy (Sand Prairie)IllinoisFTTH & wireless with fiber backbone
Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Jackson Connect)IndianaFTTH
Johnson County Rural Electric Membership CorporationIndianaFTTH ⁠— collaboration with NineStar Connect
NineStar Connect (merger between Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom)IndianaFTTH
Orange County Rural Electric Membership CorporationIndianaFTTH
South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership CorporationIndianaFTTH
Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Wintek)IndianaFTTH
Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (AC Skyways)IowaWireless with fiber backbone
Maquoketa Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (MVLink)IowaFTTH
Bulter Electric Cooperative (Velocity)KansasFTTH
Warren Rural Electric Cooperative CorporationKentuckyFTTH pilot projects (announced) ⁠— collaborations with North Central Telephone Company and Franklin Electric Power Board
Great Lakes Energy (Truestream)MichiganFTTH
Midwest Energy Cooperative (Midwest Energy and Communications)MichiganFTTH
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (HomeWorks Connect)MichiganFTTH
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative (True North Broadband)MinnesotaFTTH
Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association (Vibrant Broadband)MinnesotaWireless with fiber backbone ⁠— collaboration with Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company and Spring Grove Communications
MiEnergy Electric CooperativeMinnesotaFTTH & wireless with fiber backbone
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (XStream Internet)MinnesotaFTTH ⁠— collaboration with telephone cooperative CTC
Roseau Electric CooperativeMinnesotaFTTH (announced) ⁠— collaboration with local telephone company
Alcorn County Electric Power Association (ACE Fiber)MississippiFTTH (announced)
Coast Electric Power Association (CoastConnect)MississippiFTTH (announced)
Delta Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH
Monroe County Electric Power Association (M-Pulse Fiber)MississippiFTTH (announced)
Natchez Trace Electric Power Association (NT Spark)MississippiFTTH
Northcentral Mississippi Electric Power Association (Northcentral Connect)MississippiFTTH
Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association (North East Fiber, LLC/NE SPARC)MississippiFTTH
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association (PearlComm Fiber)MississippiFTTH (Announced)
Prentiss County Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH (announced)
Singing River Electric Power Association (Singing River Connect)MississippiFTTH (pilot)
Southern Pine Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH
Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association (TVI-Fiber)MississippiFTTH (announced)
Tippah Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH (announced)
Tishomingo County Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH
Tombigbee Electric Power AssociationMississippiFTTH (announced)
Barry Electric Cooperative (goBEC)MissouriFTTH
Callaway Electric (Callabyte Technology)MissouriFTTH ⁠— collaboration with Kingdom Telephone Cooperative
Co-Mo Electric Cooperative (Co-Mo Connect)MissouriFTTH
Grundy Electric Cooperative (Mid-States Services)MissouriFTTH
Pemiscot Dunklin Electric Cooperative (Pemiscot Dunklin Fiber)MissouriFTTH
Ralls County Electric Cooperative (Ralls Technologies)MissouriFTTH
SEMO Electric Cooperative (GoSEMO Fiber)MissouriFTTH
United Electric Cooperative (United Fiber)MissouriFTTH
Crawford Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Gascoasage Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Laclede Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Se-Ma-No Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Southwest Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Webster Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
White River Valley Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriFTTB & Transport Services
Valley Electric Association (Valley Communications Association)NevadaFTTH
Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (Red Bolt Broadband)New MexicoFTTH
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (Kit Carson Internet)New MexicoFTTH
Delaware County Electric CooperativeNew YorkFTTH ⁠— collaboration with local telephone companies
Otsego Electric Cooperative (OEConnect)New YorkFTTH
French Broad Electric Membership CorporationNorth CarolinaFTTH
Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation (Bluewave Communications NC)North CarolinaFTTH ⁠— collaboration with Horry Telephone Cooperative
Roanoke Electric Cooperative (Roanoke Connect)North CarolinaFTTH
Consolidated Electric CooperativeOhioFTTH
East Central Oklahoma Cooperative (ecoLINK)OklahomaFTTH (under construction)
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (Lake Region Technology & Communications)OklahomaFTTH
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (Bolt Fiber Optic Services)OklahomaFTTH
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC Fiber)OklahomaFTTH
Consumers Power (Peak Internet)OregonFTTP (open access network) ⁠— collaboration with Pioneer Consolidated and Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company
Central Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonFTTB, Schools, & Transport Services
Douglas Electric Cooperative (Douglas Fast Net; LS Networks)OregonFTTH; FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services
Hood River Electric Cooperative (CACHE Communications; LS Networks)OregonFTTH; FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services
Umatilla Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonFTTB, Schools, & Transport Services
West Oregon Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonFTTB, Schools, & Transport Services
Sullivan County Rural Electric CooperativePennsylvaniaFTTH (announced)
Tri-County Rural Electric CooperativePennsylvaniaFTTH (announced)
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect)South CarolinaFTTH
Newberry Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect)South CarolinaFTTH ⁠— collaboration with Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative
Appalachian Electric CooperativeTennesseeFTTH
Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative (Cumberland Connect)TennesseeFTTH (announced)
Forked Deer Electric Cooperative (Forked Deer Connect)TennesseeFTTH
Gibson Electric Membership Corporation (Gibson Connect)TennesseeFTTH
Holston Electric Cooperative (Holston Connect)TennesseeFTTH
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLConnect)TennesseeFTTH
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEConnect)TennesseeFTTH
Tri-County Electric CooperativeTennesseeFTTH
Volunteer Electric Cooperative (Twin Lakes, powered by VEC)TennesseeFTTH ⁠— collaboratin with Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative
Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC Fiber)TexasFTTH
Grayson Collin Electric Cooperative (Grayson Collin Communications)TexasFTTH
Guadalupe Valley Electric CooperativeTexasFTTH
Jackson Electric Cooperative (MyJEC.net)TexasFTTH & wireless with fiber backbone
Taylor Electric Cooperative (Access Fiber)TexasFTTH
Victoria Electric Cooperative (Infinium)TexasFTTH & wireless with fiber backbone
BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC Connects)VirginiaFTTH
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Firefly Broadband)VirginiaFTTH
Craig-Botetourt Electric CooperativeVirginiaFTTH (announced)
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (EMPOWER Broadband)VirginiaFTTH
Prince George Electric Cooperative (Ruralband)VirginiaFTTH
Columbia Rural Electric Association (Columbia iConnect)WashingtonFTTH Pilot Project
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (Rock Island Communications)WashingtonFTTH
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative (Ntera)WisconsinFTTH ⁠— collaboration with telephone cooperative Citizens Connected

Telephone Cooperatives

There are about 260 telephone cooperatives in the United States. Many provide Internet service as a natural extension of their existing infrastructure. Many started out by providing dial-up and DSL services, but only recently have begun to transition to Fiber-to-the-Home. Some have already transitioned to an all-fiber network, having upgraded everyone in their territory to fiber.

The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) has a gigabit certification program in order to draw attention to how many small telephone companies cooperatives have built these next-generation networks. 

Articles & Interviews

We have featured a number of these cooperatives on our website. Some cooperatives choose to work with local governments or electric cooperatives while others focus on providing service alone. Below is just a small selection of the many cooperatives that have built Fiber-to-the-Home networks. 

In Michigan, a rural telephone cooperative got its start in the early 2000s. The community went from sparse telephone service to state-of-the-art Internet service. Read more about Allband Communications Cooperatives unique story here.

Paul Bunyan Communications Cooperative in Minnesota has expanded their GigaZone throughout the northern half of the state, including Red Lake Nation.

In Missouri, Callaway Electric Cooperative and Kingdom Telephone Company (the local telephone co-op) teamed up to form a new company together called Callabyte Technology to deliver Fiber-to-the-Home service.

Episode 188 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast features Eric Cramer, the President and CEO of Wilkes Communications/RiverStreet Networks. He explained how the telephone cooperative has built a Fiber-to-the-Home network throughout several counties in northern North Carolina.

Read more in our archives.

The First Internet Cooperative

Cooperatives are not just telephone and electric. There is now a workable model for Internet cooperatives created from scratch. RS Fiber in Minnesota is the first cooperative formed for the express purpose of providing reliable, high-speed Internet service. 

We have extensive coverage of how RS Fiber started and the rural communities they have connected. Read more in our report RS Fiber Fertile Fields: New Rural Internet Cooperative.

 

More Resources

List of Gigabit Cooperatives

These cooperatives offer gigabit speeds to residents and/or businesses within their service areas. (Total: 210) (Last updated: 12/2019)

Gigabit CooperativeStateType
3 Rivers CommunicationsMontanaTelephone
Ace Telephone Association (Ace Communications or AcenTek)Minnesota, Michigan, IowaTelephone
Adams Telephone CooperativeIllinoisTelephone
Albany Mutual Telephone AssociationMinnesotaTelephone
Appalachian Electric CooperativeTennesseeElectric
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (WAVE Rural Connect)ArkansasElectric
Arthur Mutual Telephone CompanyOhioTelephone
Atlantic Telephone Membership CorporationNorth CarolinaTelephone
Ballard Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation (Bringing Technology Closer)KentuckyTelephone
Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC Fiber)TexasElectric
BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC Connects)VirginiaElectric
Barry Electric Cooperative (goBEC)MissouriElectric
Bascom CommunicationsOhioTelephone
BEK Communications Cooperative (BEK Lightband)North DakotaTelephone
Ben Lomand Rural Telephone Cooperative (Ben Lomand Connect)TennesseeeTelephone
Bledsoe Telephone CooperativeTennesseeeTelephone
Blue Valley TelecommunicationsKansasTelephone
Bulloch Telephone CooperativeGeorgiaTelephone
Callaway Electric Cooperative (Callabyte Technology) ⁠— collaboration with Kingdom Telephone CooperativeMissouriElectric and telephone
Canby Telephone Association (DirectLink)OregonTelephone
Central Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonElectric
Central Texas Telephone CooperativeTexasTelephone
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Firefly Broadband)VirginiaElectric
Chariton Valley Telephone CorporationMissouriTelephone
Chequamegon Communications Cooperative (Norvado)WisconsinTelephone
Chibardun Telephone Cooperative (Mosaic Telecom)WisconsinTelephone
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative (Ntera) ⁠— collaboration with telephone cooperative Citizens ConnectedWisconsinElectric and Telephone
Citizens ConnectedWisconsinTelephone
Citizens Mutual Telephone CooperativeIowaTelephone
Citizens Telephone CooperativeVirginiaTelephone
Citizens Telephone CooperativeWisconsinTelephone
Clay County Rural Telephone Cooperative (Endeavor Communications)IndianaTelephone
Co-Mo Electric Cooperative (Co-Mo Connect)MissouriElectric
Cochrane Cooperative Telephone CompanyWisconsinTelephone
Columbia Rural Electric Association (Columbia iConnect)WashingtonElectric
Columbus Telephone (Optic Communications)KansasTelephone
Consolidated Electric CooperativeOhioElectric
Consolidated TelcomNorth DakotaTelephone
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC)MinnesotaTelephone
Cooperative Telephone ExchangeIowaTelephone
Copper Valley Telephone Cooperative (Copper Valley Telecom)AlaskaTelephone
Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation (Empower)ArkansasElectric
Craw Kan Telephone CooperativeKansasTelephone
Crawford Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Custer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.IdahoTelephone
Dakota Central TelecommunicationsNorth DakotaTelephone
Danville Mutual Telephone Company (i-connect you)IowaTelephone
Daviess-Martin Rural Telephone Corporation (RTC Communications)IndianaTelephone
DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, IncTennesseeTelephone
Delaware County Electric CooperativeNew YorkElectric
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (Elevate Fiber)ColoradoElectric
Dickey Rural Telephone CooperativeNorth DakotaTelephone
Douglas Electric Cooperative (Douglas Fast Net; LS Networks)OregonElectric
Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative (Plateau Telecommunications)New MexicoTelephone
Eastern Oregon TelecomOregonTelephone
Ellsworth Cooperative Telephone AssociationIowaTelephone
Emery TelcomUtahTelephone
Emily Cooperative Telephone CompanyMinnesotaTelephone
Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone CompanyIowaTelephone
Farmers Mutual Telephone CompanyIowaTelephone
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (Acira ⁠— partnership with Federated Telephone Cooperative)MinnesotaTelephone
Farmers Telecommunications CooperativeAlabamaTelephone
Farmers Telephone CooperativeSouth CarolinaTelephone
Federated Telephone Cooperative (Acira ⁠— partnership with Farmers Mutual Telephone Company)MinnesotaTelephone
Foothills Telephone Cooperative (Foothills Communications)KentuckyTelephone
Forked Deer Electric Cooperative (Forked Deer Connect)TennesseeElectric
French Broad Electric Membership CorporationNorth CarolinaElectric
Garden Valley Telephone Company (Garden Valley Technologies)MinnesotaTelephone
Gascoasage Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Gervais Telephone Company (DataVision Cooperative)OregonTelephone
Gibson Electric Membership Corporation (Gibson Connect)TennesseeElectric
Golden Belt Telephone AssociationKansasTelephone
Grand River Mutual Telephone Corporation (GRM Networks)MissouriTelephone
Grayson Collin Electric Cooperative (Grayson Collin Communications)TexasElectric
Great Lakes Energy (Truestream)MississippiElectric
Griswold Cooperative Telephone Company (Griswold Communications)IowaTelephone
Grundy Electric Cooperative (Mid-States Services)MissouriElectric
Guadalupe Valley Electric CooperativeTexasElectric
Guadalupe Valley Telephone CooperativeTexasTelephone
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation (Trailwave; North Georgia Network Cooperative)GeorgiaElectric
Halstad Telephone CompanyMinnesotaTelephone
Highland Telephone CooperativeTennesseeTelephone
Hill Country Telephone CooperativeTexasTelephone
Holston Electric Cooperative (Holston Connect)TennesseeElectric
Hood River Electric Cooperative (CACHE Communications; LS Networks)OregonElectric
Horry Telephone CooperativeSouth CarolinaTelephone
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Huxley Communications CooperativeIowaTelephone
Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Jackson County Rural Elctric Membership Corporation (Jackson Connect)IndianaElectric
Jefferson Energy Cooperative ⁠— collaboration with Pineland Telephone CooperativeGeorgiaElectric and Telephone
Jo-Carrol Energy (Sand Prairie)IllinoisElectric
Johnson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation ⁠— collaboration with NineStar ConnectIndianaElectric and telephone
Kalona Cooperative Technology CompanyIowaTelephone
Kingdom Telephone CompanyMissouriTelephone
Laclede Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (Lake Region Technology & Communications)OklahomaElectric
LaValle Telephone CooperativeWisconsinTelephone
Leaco Rural Telephone CooperativeNew MexicoTelephone
Lehigh Valley Cooperative Telephone AssociationIowaTelephone
Logan Telephone CooperativeKentuckyTelephone
Maquoketa Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (MVLink)IowaElectric
Marquette-Adams Telephone CooperativeWisconsinTelephone
Matanuska Telephone AssociationAlaskaTelephone
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (EMPOWER Broadband)VirginiaElectric
Meriweather Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLConnect)TennesseeElectric
Mid Century Telephone Cooperative (Mid Century Communications)IllinoisTelephone
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect)South CarolinaElectric
Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative (Mid-Rivers Communications)MontanaTelephone
Midstate CommunicationsSouth DakotaTelephone
Midwest Energy Cooperative (Midwest Energy and Communications)MichiganElectric
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (XStream Internet) ⁠— collaboration with CTCMinnesotaElectric and telephone
Molalla Telephone Company (Molalla Communications)OregonTelephone
Mountain Rural Telephone Cooperative CorporationKentuckyTelephone
Nelson Communications Cooperative (Ntec)WisconsinTelephone
Nemont Telephone CooperativeMontanaTelephone
New Hope Telephone CooperativeAlabamaTelephone
New Lisbon Telephone CompanyIndianaTelephone
Newberry Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect)South CarolinaElectric
NineStar Connect (merger between Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom)IndianaElectric and telephone
North Alabama Electric CooperativeAlabamaElectric
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NEXT)ArkansasElectric
North Central Telephone CooperativeTennessee and KentuckyTelephone
North Dakota Telephone CompanyNorth DakotaTelephone
Northeast Nebraska Telephone CompanyNebraskaTelephone
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (Bolt Fiber Optic Services)OklahomaElectric
Northwest Communications CooperativeNorth DakotaTelephone
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC Fiber)OklahomaElectric
Orange County Rural Electric Membership CorporationIndianaElectric
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (Rock Island Communications)WashingtonElectric
Otsego Electric Cooperative (OEConnect)New YorkElectric
Ouachita Electric Cooperative (ARIS)ArkansasElectric
Ozarks Electric Cooperative (OzarksGo)ArkansasElectric
Palmetto Rural Telephone CompanySouth CarolinaTelephone
Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.OklahomaTelephone
Panora Communications CooperativeIowaTelephone
Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone CooperativeMinnesotaTelephone
Peak Internet ⁠(partnership between Pioneer Consolidated, Consumers Power, and Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company)OregonElectric and telephone
Pemiscot Dunklin Electric CooperativeMissouriElectric
Peoples Rural Telephone CooperativeKentuckyTelephone
Peoples TelecommunicationsKansasTelephone
Perry-Spencer Rural Telephone Cooperative (Perry-Spencer Communications)IndianaTelephone
Phillips County Telephone Company (PC Telcom)ColoradoTelephone
Pineland Telephone CooperativeGeorgiaTelephone
Pioneer Telephone CooperativeOklahomaTelephone
Plains Cooperative Telephone AssociationColoradoTelephone
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications)CaliforniaElectric
Polar Communications Mutual Aid CorporationNorth DakotaTelephone
Prince George Electric Cooperative (Ruralband)VirginiaElectric
Rainbow Telecommunications Association (Rainbow Communications)KansasTelephone
Ralls County Electric Cooperative (Ralls Technologies)MissouriElectric
Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation (Randoph Communications)North CarolinaTelephone
Range Telephone Cooperative (RT Communications)Montana, WyomingTelephone
Red River Rural Telephone AssociationNorth DakotaTelephone
Reservation Telephone CooperativeNorth DakotaTelephone
Richland-Grant Telephone CooperativeWisconsinTelephone
Runestone Telecom AssociationMinnesotaTelephone
Rural Telephone Service Cooperative (Nex-Tech)KansasTelephone
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (Ciello)ColoradoElectric
Scio Mutual Telephone AssociationOregonTelephone
Se-Ma-No Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
SEMO Electric Cooperative (GoSEMO Fiber)MissouriElectric
Sequatchee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEConnect)TennesseeElectric
Sherwood Mutual Telephone AssociationOhioTelephone
Skyline Telephone Membership Corporation (SkyBest Communications)North CarolinaTelephone
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative (South Central Connect)ArkansasElectric
South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership CorporationIndianaElectric
South Central Rural Telephone CooperativeKentuckyTelephone
South Central Utah Telephone Association (South Central Communications)UtahTelephone
South Slope Cooperative CommunicationsIowaTelephone
Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECOM)ColoradoElectric
Southwest Arkansas Telephone CooperativeArkansasTelephone
Southwest Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
SRT CommunicationsNorth DakotaTelephone
Star Telephone Membership Corporation (Star Communications)North CarolinaTelephone
Surry Communications Membership CooperationNorth CarolinaTelephone
Taylor Electric Cooperative (Access Fiber)TexasElectric
The Ottoville Mutual Telephone CompanyOhioTelephone
Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Wintek)IndianaElectric
Tombigbee Electric Cooperative (freedom FIBER)AlabamaElectric
Tri-County Communications CooperativeWisconsinElectric
Tri-County Electric CooperativeTennesseeElectric
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (HomeWorks Connect)MichiganElectric
Tri-County Telephone AssociationKansasElectric
Tri-County Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks)North CarolinaTelephone
Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative CorporationTennesseeTelephone
UBTA-UBET Communications, also known as Strata NetworksColorado, Utah, and WyomingTelephone
Umatilla Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonElectric
United Electric Cooperative (United Fiber)MissouriElectric
United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation (Turtle Mountain Communications)North DakotaTelephone
Valley Electric Association (Valley Communications Association)NevadaElectric
Valley TelecommunicationsSouth DakotaTelephone
Venture Communications CooperativeSouth DakotaTelephone
Vernon Communications CooperativeWisconsinTelephone
Victoria Electric Cooperative (Infinium)TexasElectric
Volunteer Electric Cooperative (Twin Lakes, powered by VEC)TennesseeElectric and telephone
Wabash Communications CooperativeIllinoisTelephone
Wabash Mutual Telephone CompanyOhioTelephone
Washington County Rural Telephone Cooperative (Tele-media Solutions)IndianaTelephone
Webster Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone AssociationIowaTelephone
West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (West Carolina Tel)South CarolinaTelephone
West Central Telephone AssociationMinnesotaTelephone
West Kentucky and Tennessee Communications CooperativeKentucky, TennesseeTelephone
West Oregon Electric Cooperative (LS Networks)OregonElectric
West River Telecommunications CooperativeNorth Dakota and South DakotaTelephone
West Wisconsin Telcom Cooperative (24-7 Telcom)WisconsinTelephone
White River Valley Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies)MissouriElectric
Wiggins Telephone Association (Blue Lightning)ColoradoTelephone
Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks)North CarolinaTelephone
Yampa Valley Electric Association (Luminate Broadband)ColoradoElectric
Yucca Telecommunications SystemsNew MexicoTelephone

Community Broadband Bits Podcast Episodes

Listen to our collection of Community Broadband Bits Podcasts to learn firsthand about how electric cooperatives have made the decision to provide Internet service.

#TitleSummaryGuestTranscript
383
11/19/2019
Tri-County Rural Electric Delivering Connectivity, Expanding Partnerships, in AppalachiansCo-op finds funding, partners to build broadband network demanded by membersCraig EccherTranscript 383
369
8/13/2019
South Dakota Fiber All About the LocalCo-ops, cities, locally-owned companies, and tribal ISPs invest in rural South DakotaGreg DeanTranscript 369
358
5/28/2019
Firefly Fiber All the Buzz in Central VirginiaCentral Virginia Electric Co-op's new fiber project and how members are embracing better connectivityMelissa Gay and Gary WoodTranscript 358
344
2/19/2019
Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative Steps Up, Offers FTTH in Missouri's BootheelPemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative's FTTH project in rural Missouri and how the environment impacted network designJack DavisTranscript 344
342
2/5/2019
RiverStreet Networks Reaching Across Rural North CarolinaCo-op partners with other co-ops and communities to connect rural N.C.Greg ColtrainTranscript 342
324
9/25/2018
Great Lakes Energy's Big Plan for Big FiberLargest electric co-op in Michigan is deploying a FTTH networkShari CulverTranscript 324
321
9/4/2018
Analyzing the Auction With Jonathan ChambersResults of the Connect America Fund Phase II auction, including a strong showing by electric co-opsJonathan ChambersTranscript 321
314
7/17/2018
DMEA Co-op Serving Up Broadband and Innovation in ColoradoThe Delta Montrose Electric Association fiber deployment in ColoradoJohn Gavan and Brad HardingTranscript 314
288
1/9/2018
North Dakota's Exceptional Fiber NetworksNorth Dakota has low population density, but many fiber cooperativesRobin AndersonTranscript 288
277
11/1/2017
Kit Carson Fibers up New MexicoElectric Cooperative builds fiber network in rural New MexicoLuis ReyesTranscript 277
276
10/24/2017
Allband All-in For Rural Michigan Internet AccessFolks build a cooperative from scratch in rural MichiganRon SiegelTranscript 276
249
4/19/2017
Rural Electric Co-ops as Reluctant Warriors for BroadbandThe challenges and decisions that rural electric cooperatives faceAlyssa Clemsen-RobertsTranscript 249

243

3/7/2017

What's NEXT in North Arkansas?North Arkansas Electric Cooperative's pilot project for high-speed Internet serviceMel ColemanTranscript 243

240

2/14/2017

United Fiber Tackles Missouri's Most RuralThe demand for better, faster connections and the role of rural electric cooperativesDarren FarnanTranscript 240

229

11/22/2016

Rural Electrics Solve Rural Internet Access ProblemsFormer head of FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis on politics and rural connectivityJon ChambersTranscript 229

225

10/25/2016

Midwest Energy Cooperative Connects Rural MichiganA rural electric cooperative provides fiber connectivityBob Hance and Dave AllenTranscript 225

224

10/18/2016

H.R. Trostle on Co-Ops, Munis, Connectivity in North CarolinaILSR Research Associate discusses North Carolina and Internet accessH.R. TrostleTranscript 224

203

5/25/2016

Tennessee Potential Partnership Between Morristown Muni and AEC Co-opMorristown Tennessee, and the local electric co-op are teaming up to deliver needed servicesJody Wigington and Greg WilliamsTranscript 203

198

4/19/2016

A New Cooperative Model for Fiber to the FarmThe RS Fiber Cooperative steals the spotlight with its new cooperative modelMark Erickson and Jake RiekeTranscript 198

188

2/9/2016

North Carolina Co-op Fibers Up Rural Counties and MoreWhat does it take for a telephone co-op in North Carolina to provide FTTH? President and CEO of Wilkes Communications and RiverStreet Networks explainsEric CramerTranscript 188

140

3/3/2015

Rural Electric Co-Mo Co-op Goes GigDiscussion on how Co-Mo electric co-op in rural Missouri structured broadband network and its objective to enter the business and resultsRandy KlindtTranscript 140

99

5/20/2014

Catching Up with the RS Fiber Co-op in MinnesotaUpdate on the RS Fiber Co-op project in MinnesotaMark Erickson and Cindy GerholzTranscript 99

92

4/1/2014

Understanding the Georgia Communications CooperativeDiscussion on how cooperatives work together and expand the regional network in Georgia and challenges to connect rural premises with fiber opticsMike FoorTranscript 92

46

5/14/2013

North Georgia Network Brings Gig to Schools, Jobs to RegionThe origin of the North Georgia Network and its economic and social impact on the regionPaul BelkTranscript 46

Image Credits:

Rural Barn Flag, woodleywonderworks, Creative Commons license

Minnesota House Chamber, Chris Gaukel, Creative Commons license

Wooden Pole, dimitrisvetsikas1969, Public Domain

Lac qui Parle Video: "Come For The Jobs, Stay For The Lifestyle"

Lac qui Parle County in western Minnesota has some of the best connectivity in the state. As part of the county’s efforts to get the word out about opportunities in the region, their new Facebook video highlights access to great Internet access and hopes to draw more citizens to the region.

"Come for the Jobs. Stay for the Lifestyle"

Pam Ellison, Economic Development Director for the County, describes the network that is available across the county to businesses and residents. High-quality Internet access is a way to retain businesses, attract new endeavors, and entice people to fill new positions.

Back in 2009, the county began working with Farmers Mutual Telephone Cooperative to find a way to improve Internet access. Through their collaboration, the two entities received a 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to deploy Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity and replace antiquated dial-up. At the time, about 52 percent of premises were still using their telephones to connect to the Internet.

Lac qui Parle had approached incumbent providers, but none were interested in upgrading in the sparsely populated region. Farmers Mutual Telephone Cooperative had deployed in other communities in western Minnesota and had the experience required in such a rural area. The project’s $9.6 million ARRA combined grant and loan allowed the project to be completed by the summer of 2014. Read more details about the network and the story in Lac qui Parle County in our 2014 report, All Hands on Deck: Minnesota Local Government Models for Expanding Fiber Internet Access.

Check out Lac qui Parle County’s video:

Another Coop Story: Wiatel Wires Western Iowa

Iowa, known across the country for its agriculture, is known in other circles for its exciting community broadband projects. Earlier this year President Obama visited Cedar Falls to praise its municipal network and to support other efforts to improve rural high-speed Internet access. One of those efforts is Wiatel. This small telecommunications coop is beginning a $25 million project to upgrade its network from copper to fiber throughout its entire service area.

Fiber Connectivity

The cooper network that Wiatel uses now is sufficient for basic phone service, but upgrading to fiber will future-proof the network and provide better Internet speeds. The coop is based out of Lawton, a small town of about 1,000 people, but the coop serves an area of 700 miles. Wiatel hopes to start burying the fiber cables in the summer of 2016. Once the project gets started, officials from the cooperative estimate they will connect all residential and business customers to fiber within 24-30 months.

Wiatel is part of a long-growing movement as rural coops build fiber networks or upgrade to fiber to improve services for members. Just check out the Triangle Communications coop in Montana, the Paul Bunyan Communications coop in Minnesota, or Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative in Alabama. They’re providing next-generation connectivity at reasonable prices to rural communities often ignored by the large incumbent telephone and cable companies.

Coops: An Alternative

USDA Broadband Funding for Rural Projects; Coops On Top

This past July the USDA announced over $85 million in funding for rural broadband projects across seven states. The projects, many awarded to rural cooperatives, aim to bridge the digital divide and expand economic opportunities. For those interested in federal funding opportunities, NTIA has just released this guide [pdf].

Rural areas are often passed over by big telcos because they are considered less profitable. Farming, however, is a high-tech industry, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack believes that Internet access is as necessary as electricity in rural areas:

"Broadband is fundamental to expanding economic opportunity and job creation in rural areas, and it is as vital to rural America's future today as electricity was when USDA began bringing power to rural America 80 years ago. ...  Improved connectivity means these communities can offer robust business services, expand access to health care and improve the quality of education in their schools, creating a sustainable and dynamic future those who live and work in rural America."

The USDA has awarded more than  $77 million in Community Connect Grants for rural broadband projects (since 2009). This July, the USDA loaned $74.8 million and awarded another $11 million in Community Connect Grants. Here is the current round-up of the USDA’s most recent loans and grants:

Alaska

Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative Inc. will connect Point Hope subscribers and prepare for an undersea fiber line with a $1.4 million grant.

Minnesota

Garden Valley Telephone, one of the largest coops in Minnesota, will continue to expand its FTTH service area with a $12.63 million loan. On average, the coop serves two households per square mile.

Minnesota Border to Border Broadband Awards Announced

The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development recently announced the recipients of the Border to Border Broadband grants, funding established by the state legislature in 2014 to facilitate rural broadband projects. Seventeen public and private entities will share a total of $19.4 million in Greater Minnesota.

According the the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) press release, the projects will help bring better connectivity to 6,095 households, 83 community institutions, and 150 businesses in areas of the state considered unserved or underserved. This funding pays for up to 50 percent of the cost of each project. 

The need in rural areas of the state is intense; 40 projects submitted applications for a total of $44.2 million in requests. Among the recipients are some familiar projects.

RS Fiber Cooperative is awarded $1 million for its FTTH project in Renville County and and parts of Sibley County. We wrote a case study on the RS Fiber project in our report All Hands on Deck: Minnesota Local Government Models for Expanding Fiber Internet Access. According to the press release:

Total project costs are $3.32 million; the remaining $2.32 million (70 percent local match) will be provided by a line of credit that R-S Fiber Telcom has committed and partner equity. This project is part of a larger cooperative project estimated at $38.46 million that will upgrade broadband services to several thousand locations in the region. Hiawatha Broadband Communications will provide operational capacity. 

Federated Telephone, sister cooperative to Farmers Mutual Cooperative will also receive an award for a project in Big Stone County:

All Hands on Deck: Minnesota Local Government Models for Expanding Fiber Internet Access

Image

Update: Read an updated version of this report, published in July 2021, here, titled Minnesota Broadband: Land of 10,000 Connectivity Solutions [pdf]. It revisits all of the below communities to see how they fared over the intervening years, while adding new counties, communities, and, for the first time, two local Internet Service Providers.

Original Report: Minneapolis, MN —In 2010 the Minnesota legislature set a goal: universal access to high speed broadband throughout the state by 2015. As 2015 approaches we know that large parts of Greater Minnesota will not achieve that goal, even as technological advances make the original benchmarks increasingly obsolete.

But some Minnesota communities are significantly exceeding those goals. Why? The activism of local governments.

A new report by ILSR, widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable organizations on municipal broadband networks, details the many ways Minnesota’s local governments have stepped up. “All Hands On Deck: Minnesota Local Government Models for Expanding Fiber Internet Access” includes case studies of 12 Minnesota cities and counties striving to bring their citizens 21st century telecommunications.

  • Windom, which is one of the most advanced networks in the state, built their own network after their telephone company refused to invest in their community.
  • Dakota County showed how a coordinated excavation policy can reduce by more than 90 percent the cost of installing fiber.
  • Lac qui Parle County partnered with a telephone cooperative to bring high speed broadband to its most sparsely population communities.
Read how these and other communities took control of their own connectivity and their community vitality. Some did it alone while others established partnerships; each chose the path they considered the best for their own community.

Minnesota Local Governments Advance Super Fast Internet Networks

Image
Local governments in Minnesota have been at the forefront of expanding fast, affordable, and reliable Internet access - often in some of the most challenging areas of the state. ILSR has just released a policy brief to explore some of these approaches: Minnesota Local Governments Advance Super Fast Internet Networks. The full report is available here. The brief examines five communities that have taken different approaches to expanding access, from working with a trusted local partner to creating a new cooperative to building community-wide FTTH networks. Lac qui Parle County has worked with Farmers Mutual Telephone cooperative to bring fiber networks to those who had been stuck on dial-up. Finding itself in a similar situation with no reliable partner, Sibley County is creating a new coop to work with. Scott County built a fiber ring to connect community anchor institutsion to dramatically expand access to high capacity networks and lower telecommunications budgets. That network has helped to lure several major employers to the area by leasing fiber to them. Windom and Monticello have built FTTH networks in extremely challenging conditions. Though Windom is far smaller than most have believed is feasible to build such a network, it has thrived and is now connecting many of the small towns surrounding it. It was essential in retaining jobs in the community that would have been lost without it and has attracted new jobs to the region. Monticello is a younger network and has remarkably benefited the community even as it has struggled financially due to dirty tricks from the telephone and cable companies. The policy brief makes some policy recommendations while focusing on some local solutions to difficult problems in ensuring all Minnesotans have fast, affordable, and reliable Internet access.