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Video: Morristown FiberNET Brings Jobs, Boosts Quality of Life
FiberNET, the municipal fiber network serving Morristown, Tennessee, has been serving the community since 2006 with fast, affordable, reliable Fiber-to-the-Home service. FiberNET is one of those networks that quietly went about its business bringing top notch services for residents, businesses, and institutions without a lot of fanfare. If you don’t live or work in the area or follow developments in broadband policy and implementation, you may not be familiar with Morristown’s FiberNET.
Now is your chance to learn more.
The community has produced a short, high-quality film about the network and the many ways it enhances living in Morristown for residents, businesses, and local entities. Business leaders describe how the network has enhanced and advanced their operations. Jody Wigington, who we’ve hosted on the Community Broadband Bits podcast, describes how the schools and local institutions have access to a network to rival any connections available in urban areas.
What’s the best part, in his opinion?
“We’re not-for-profit and locally owned. So FiberNET was built for the people through the vision of community leaders. And remember, FiberNET provides local jobs for the community and our employees are are part of the fabric of life in the Lakeway Region.”
Check it out:
Chattanooga Subs Continue to Increase as Smart Grid Saves
In May of 2017 we congratulated Chattanooga’s EPB Fiber for exceeding 90,000 subscribers and contributing to lower power rates for all (Electric Power Board) EPB customers. Now less than a year later, there is more to celebrate as EPB expects to reach 100,000 subscribers by Fall 2018 and is still lowering electricity costs for all customers.
The city-owned electric utility launched its citywide fiber optic network in 2009 and never looked back. The original plan issued nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in debt for the utility and had an estimated forecast for only 35,000 subscribers. The city is now reaping the rewards from its investment; the utility paid off the last of its debt earlier this year, and now projected revenues for the fiscal year 2018-2019 from the telecom division sit at $169.1 million.
For a detailed, interesting history on EPB Fiber Optics, take some time to listen to Harold DePriest talk with Christopher in episode 230 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. Before retiring, Harold was the tip of the spear in bringing the network to Chattanooga.
Major Savings
While EPB has long been recognized for its lightning fast Internet speeds and has repeatedly been ranked among the fastest in the U.S. (including this year’s fourth fastest ISP in the United States), the utility’s fiber optic lines also help lower power rates for all customers by eight percent. Whether Chattanoogans subscribe to EPB Fiber for Internet access or not, they still benefit from the infrastructure.
Another Rural Co-op, Another Broadband Project
Holston Electric Cooperative (HEC) in Hamblen and Hawkins County, Tennessee, is about to begin Phase I of its plan to deploy fiber optic connectivity to more than 30,000 members. The multi-year project will bring broadband to the rural area and create smart grid efficiencies for the electric system.
Wide Support for HolstonConnect
There’s been so much interest and so many inquiries about when members can sign-up, General Manager Jimmy Sandlin feels it’s important to ask folks in the service area to be patient and to understand that the build will be a long process. Construction will begin in Rogersville and will extend to South Surgoinsville.
“As HolstonConnect’s services will have less delay times than other products available in your market, the competition may encourage our members to lock themselves into new contracts. Be aware of this tactic, as this is your opportunity to help improve your neighborhood. Owned by the people served, HolstonConnect will connect our community to a great future, just like Holston Electric Cooperative brought rural residents into the future with electricity.”
Prices and a complete list of services have not been posted yet, but the cooperative plans to offer symmetrical gigabit service, voice, and video. In keeping with similar policies from other publicly owned networks, HEC has said there will be no throttling or data caps.
HEC has had plans in place for a while to deploy a smart grid to improve electric systems. As is the case with many other electric cooperatives, HEC decided to consider taking advantage of the infrastructure’s excess capacity as a foundation for fiber optic connectivity for local residents and businesses. In order to make the venture successful, however, they knew that they would need take rates of around 80 percent from members to make the project viable. The cooperative still needs to determine final estimates, but the initial figure for the entire project comes in at around $120 million.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors For Fiber In Rural Tennessee: Newport And Morristown Join Forces - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 300
An increasing interest in publicly owned network projects has also spurred an increase in creative collaborations as communities work together to facilitate deployment, especially in rural areas. This week, we talk with Sharon Kyser, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Newport Utilities (NU) in Newport, Tennessee, and Jody Wigington, General Manager and CEO of Morristown Utility Systems (MUS), also in Tennessee, for episode 300 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast.
We’ve written about MUS Fibernet and had Jody on the show several times to talk about how they built their own network and the ways it has improved the electric utility and helped the community. Now, they’ve entered into a partnership with their neighbors in Newport, who also want to reap the benefits of public ownership. Sharon tells us how the people in Newport need better services, economic development, and how her organization is working with MUS to make that vision a reality.
The two communities are working together to develop a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network for residents and businesses in the NU service area. MUS is offering the expertise they’ve developed over the past 12+ years along with other technical and wholesale services that will greatly reduce costs and deployment time for NU. This is an example of rural communities sticking together and is an example we hope to see more often in the future.
In the interview, Jody also mentions a partnership in the works with Appalachian Electric Cooperative; we spoke to him and General Manager Greg Williams about the proposed collaboration for episode 203 of the podcast. Listen to that conversation here.
This show is 30 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.
Transcript below.
We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.
Listen to other episodes here or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance here.
Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
Tennessee Local Authority Bill Halted In Committee
Senator Janice Bowling has long been a champion for rural broadband in Tennessee. On March 6th, her bill SB 1045 came before the Tennessee Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and the members chose not to advance the bill. Once again, big telephone and cable company interests win out over the needs of rural Tennesseans.
Information Session
Sen. Bowling presented information about the bill at a February 27th meeting of the committee. She introduced SB 1045 last year and it was added and removed from committee hearing schedules several times; HB 1410, the companion House bill from Rep. Weaver, encountered similar treatment. SB 1045 would allow municipal networks and cooperatives to provide broadband service beyond their service areas. Communities that don’t have municipal networks, will regain local authority to invest in Internet infrastructure.
Explaining The Need
In her February 27th presentation, Sen. Bowling described how rural areas in the state are crippled in various ways by the lack of high-quality connectivity. She provided a map that visualizes the disparities between rural areas, communities with fiber optic networks, and urban areas.
She described the need for fiber for economic development:
In rural Tennessee, if we have what is called an industrial park, and we have electricity…you have running water, you have some paved roads, but if you do not have access to fiber at this point, what you have is an electrified cow pasture with running water and walking trails. It is not an industrial park.
EPB Fiber Optics Reaffirms Network Neutrality Commitment In Chattanooga
FCC Chairman Alit Pai and Republican Commissioners earned big lumps of coal for holiday gifts this year when they shredded network neutrality protections on December 14th. They also raised interest in publicly owned Internet network infrastructure. Existing publicly owned networks are reaffirming their commitment to network neutrality, including EPB Fiber Optics in Chattanooga.
Online Q & A
In order to reassure their subscribers and help clarify their policy, EPB held a live session via the utility’s Facebook page on December 15th. To start off the conversation, CEO David Wade explained that nothing will change for EPB customers, regardless of the FCC decision. “For EPB fiber optics customers, [this ruling] means nothing,” Wade said. “We’re committed to having an open Internet.”
In an effort to better educate the community, EPB also asked legal counsel David DiBiase, marketing manager Beth Johnson, and Vice President of Marketing J.Ed. Marston to participate in the conversation and answer questions from viewers.
Customer Care Pledge
EPB has embraced network neutrality principles in its Customer Care Pledge, a simple and straight forward list of commitments to subscribers:
The best possible service delivered with the utmost respect. That's always been our commitment to our customers — and it always will be.
Eastern Tennessee: Newport Smart Grid, Morristown Incubator
Approximately 30 miles separate Morristown and Newport, but the two are joining forces to better connect local businesses and residents as entrepreneurs take up residence in the region's newest high-tech work space.
An Incubator for Innovation in Morristown
SkyMart Venture Place is a new cooperative workspace stirring innovation in the quaint downtown district of Morristown.
Morristown was on the forefront of implementing city-wide Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) back in 2006. Today their gigabit network MUS FiberNET is fostering innovation in this thriving co-working space and helping neighboring communities bridge their connectivity gaps. Lynn Wolfe explains that the new space has helped support her in the early stages of her business. “[SkyMVP] gives me a place—with super-fast internet—to come and do my internet marketing, and it has been very beneficial for that and being able to upload my training videos,” Wolfe said.
SkyMVP’s doors opened in August of last year and it’s become a hub for local entrepreneurs. The space allows members to hold workshops, rent office space, and network with other professionals.
Similar incubator projects are underway in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley and Indianola, Iowa. SkyMVP is yet another example of how gigabit connectivity can spur positive transformations for local communities. Morristown’s decision to invest in FTTH infrastructure is emboldening their local economy and potential for small business growth in the area is promising. Sky MVP has even begun offering a course for budding entrepreneurs and a handful of free workshops.
Expanding the 'Net in Newport
Tennessee Electric Co-op Ready For Fiber Pilot In Bradley County
Another rural electric cooperative is set to bring high-quality connectivity via fiber optic infrastructure. Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) in Tennessee will be investing in a pilot program in Bradley County by year’s end.
A Learning Process - The Pilot
When it comes to fast, affordable, reliable connectivity via publicly owned Internet infrastructure, Chattanooga is typically the first location on everyone’s lips. Unfortunately, neighboring Bradley County has struggled with chronically poor connectivity. Even though Chattanooga would very much like to expand their reach to serve Bradley County residents and businesses, restrictive state law prevents the city from helping their neighbors.
Last summer, VEC saw an opening when the state legislature changed existing barriers that prevented electric cooperatives from offering broadband access or from applying for state grants to deploy the infrastructure. VEC is currently in the process of preparing grant applications through the state’s economic development commission.
The purpose of the pilot, according to VEC President Rody Blevins, is to determine the level of interest in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity in Bradley County. Areas VEC chose for the pilot include homes where there is no service and premises were there are more than one option.
"We are doing that to discover how many would choose our services who have no options as well as those who do have a source for broadband service already available," Blevins said. "That helps us looking at the bigger financial model."
…
"If we have real low response, that's going to hurt us," he added. "We are not for- profit, so this thing has to pay for itself overtime. If I show my board it will never pay for itself, we can't do it. But, I don't think that's going to be the case."
Blevins told the Cleveland Banner that the cooperative estimates the cost to cover 75 percent of Bradley County would be approximately $40 million. He went on to say that if 50 percent of households in the pilot areas chose to sign up, “we would be in pretty good shape.”
Court Sides With Louisville: One Touch Make Ready Is A-Ok
Louisville has overcome a tall hurdle in its efforts to bring better connectivity and more competition to the community through local control. On August 16th the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky supported the city’s one touch make ready (OTMR) ordinance. AT&T challenged the ordinance in court, but their arguments fell flat and court confirmed that the city has the authority to manage its rights-of-way with OTMR.
State Law
AT&T’s claim based on state law asserted that the city was overstepping its authority by enacting the OTMR ordinance because it was impinging on Kentucky Public Service Commission jurisdiction. AT&T attorneys argued that, according to state law, the PSC has exclusive jurisdiction over utility rates and services, but the court found that argument incorrect.
Within the state law, the court found that the OTMR ordinance fell under a carve-out that allows Louisville to retain jurisdiction over its public rights-of-way as a matter of public safety. The ordinance helps limit traffic disruptions by reducing the number of instances trucks and crews need to tend to pole attachments. The court wrote in its Order:
AT&T narrowly characterizes Ordinance No. 21 as one that regulates pole attachments. But the ordinance actually prescribes the “method or manner of encumbering or placing burdens on” public rights-of-way. … It is undisputed that make-ready work can require blocking traffic and sidewalks multiple times to permit multiple crews to perform the same work on the same utility pole…. The one-touch make-ready ordinance requires that all necessary make-ready work be performed by a single crew, lessening the impact of make-ready work on public rights-of-way. … Louisville Metro has an important interest in managing its public rights-of-way to maximize efficiency and enhance public safety. … And Kentucky law preserves the right of cities to regulate public rights-of-way. … Because Ordinance No. 21 regulates public rights-of-way, it is within Louisville Metro’s constitutional authority to enact the ordinance, and [the state law granting authority to the PSC] cannot limit that authority.
Federal Jurisdiction
Cooperatives Build Community Networks
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.
Read the full policy brief Cooperatives Fiberize Rural America: A Trusted Model for the Internet Era on ILSR.org. View the archive for previous editions of the report.
View a larger version of the cooperative fiber map above, updated May 2020.
Quick Links:
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 Cooperative | State | Project |
---|---|---|
Central Alabama Electric Cooperative | Alabama | FTTH (announced) |
Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation | Alabama | FTTH (announced) |
North Alabama Electric Cooperative | Alabama | FTTH |
Tombigbee Electric Cooperative (freedom FIBER) | Alabama | FTTH |
Wiregrass Electric Cooperative | Alabama | Fiber backbone (under construction) — collaboration with cable company to connect members |
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (WAVE Rural Connect) | Arkansas | FTTH |
Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation (Empower) | Arkansas | FTTH |
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NEXT) | Arkansas | FTTH |
Ouachita Electric Cooperative (ARIS) | Arkansas | FTTH — collaboration with telephone company |
Ozarks Electric Cooperative (OzarksGo) | Arkansas | FTTH |
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative (South Central Connect) | Arkansas | FTTH |
Anza Electric Cooperative (ConnectAnza) | California | FTTH |
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications) | California | FTTH & wireless with fiber backbone |
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (Ciello) | Colorado | FTTH |
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (Elevate Fiber) | Colorado | FTTH |
Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECOM) | Colorado | FTTH |
Yampa Valley Electric Association (Luminate Broadband) | Colorado | FTTH |
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC | Georgia & North Carolina | FTTH |
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation (Trailwave; North Georgia Network Cooperative) | Georgia | FTTH; FTTB and Schools |
Jefferson Energy Cooperative | Georgia | FTTB — collaboration with Pineland Telephone Cooperative |
Illinois Electric Cooperative | Illinois | FTTH |
Jo-Carrol Energy (Sand Prairie) | Illinois | FTTH & wireless with fiber backbone |
Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Jackson Connect) | Indiana | FTTH |
Johnson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation | Indiana | FTTH — collaboration with NineStar Connect |
NineStar Connect (merger between Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom) | Indiana | FTTH |
Orange County Rural Electric Membership Corporation | Indiana | FTTH |
South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation | Indiana | FTTH |
Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Wintek) | Indiana | FTTH |
Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (AC Skyways) | Iowa | Wireless with fiber backbone |
Maquoketa Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (MVLink) | Iowa | FTTH |
Bulter Electric Cooperative (Velocity) | Kansas | FTTH |
Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation | Kentucky | FTTH pilot projects (announced) — collaborations with North Central Telephone Company and Franklin Electric Power Board |
Great Lakes Energy (Truestream) | Michigan | FTTH |
Midwest Energy Cooperative (Midwest Energy and Communications) | Michigan | FTTH |
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (HomeWorks Connect) | Michigan | FTTH |
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative (True North Broadband) | Minnesota | FTTH |
Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association (Vibrant Broadband) | Minnesota | Wireless with fiber backbone — collaboration with Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company and Spring Grove Communications |
MiEnergy Electric Cooperative | Minnesota | FTTH & wireless with fiber backbone |
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (XStream Internet) | Minnesota | FTTH — collaboration with telephone cooperative CTC |
Roseau Electric Cooperative | Minnesota | FTTH (announced) — collaboration with local telephone company |
Alcorn County Electric Power Association (ACE Fiber) | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Coast Electric Power Association (CoastConnect) | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Delta Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH |
Monroe County Electric Power Association (M-Pulse Fiber) | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Natchez Trace Electric Power Association (NT Spark) | Mississippi | FTTH |
Northcentral Mississippi Electric Power Association (Northcentral Connect) | Mississippi | FTTH |
Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association (North East Fiber, LLC/NE SPARC) | Mississippi | FTTH |
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association (PearlComm Fiber) | Mississippi | FTTH (Announced) |
Prentiss County Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Singing River Electric Power Association (Singing River Connect) | Mississippi | FTTH (pilot) |
Southern Pine Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH |
Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association (TVI-Fiber) | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Tippah Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Tishomingo County Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH |
Tombigbee Electric Power Association | Mississippi | FTTH (announced) |
Barry Electric Cooperative (goBEC) | Missouri | FTTH |
Callaway Electric (Callabyte Technology) | Missouri | FTTH — collaboration with Kingdom Telephone Cooperative |
Co-Mo Electric Cooperative (Co-Mo Connect) | Missouri | FTTH |
Grundy Electric Cooperative (Mid-States Services) | Missouri | FTTH |
Pemiscot Dunklin Electric Cooperative (Pemiscot Dunklin Fiber) | Missouri | FTTH |
Ralls County Electric Cooperative (Ralls Technologies) | Missouri | FTTH |
SEMO Electric Cooperative (GoSEMO Fiber) | Missouri | FTTH |
United Electric Cooperative (United Fiber) | Missouri | FTTH |
Crawford Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Gascoasage Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Laclede Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Se-Ma-No Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Southwest Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Webster Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
White River Valley Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | FTTB & Transport Services |
Valley Electric Association (Valley Communications Association) | Nevada | FTTH |
Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (Red Bolt Broadband) | New Mexico | FTTH |
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (Kit Carson Internet) | New Mexico | FTTH |
Delaware County Electric Cooperative | New York | FTTH — collaboration with local telephone companies |
Otsego Electric Cooperative (OEConnect) | New York | FTTH |
French Broad Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | FTTH |
Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation (Bluewave Communications NC) | North Carolina | FTTH — collaboration with Horry Telephone Cooperative |
Roanoke Electric Cooperative (Roanoke Connect) | North Carolina | FTTH |
Consolidated Electric Cooperative | Ohio | FTTH |
East Central Oklahoma Cooperative (ecoLINK) | Oklahoma | FTTH (under construction) |
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (Lake Region Technology & Communications) | Oklahoma | FTTH |
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (Bolt Fiber Optic Services) | Oklahoma | FTTH |
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC Fiber) | Oklahoma | FTTH |
Consumers Power (Peak Internet) | Oregon | FTTP (open access network) — collaboration with Pioneer Consolidated and Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company |
Central Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services |
Douglas Electric Cooperative (Douglas Fast Net; LS Networks) | Oregon | FTTH; FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services |
Hood River Electric Cooperative (CACHE Communications; LS Networks) | Oregon | FTTH; FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services |
Umatilla Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services |
West Oregon Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | FTTB, Schools, & Transport Services |
Sullivan County Rural Electric Cooperative | Pennsylvania | FTTH (announced) |
Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative | Pennsylvania | FTTH (announced) |
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect) | South Carolina | FTTH |
Newberry Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect) | South Carolina | FTTH — collaboration with Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative |
Appalachian Electric Cooperative | Tennessee | FTTH |
Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative (Cumberland Connect) | Tennessee | FTTH (announced) |
Forked Deer Electric Cooperative (Forked Deer Connect) | Tennessee | FTTH |
Gibson Electric Membership Corporation (Gibson Connect) | Tennessee | FTTH |
Holston Electric Cooperative (Holston Connect) | Tennessee | FTTH |
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLConnect) | Tennessee | FTTH |
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEConnect) | Tennessee | FTTH |
Tri-County Electric Cooperative | Tennessee | FTTH |
Volunteer Electric Cooperative (Twin Lakes, powered by VEC) | Tennessee | FTTH — collaboratin with Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative |
Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC Fiber) | Texas | FTTH |
Grayson Collin Electric Cooperative (Grayson Collin Communications) | Texas | FTTH |
Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative | Texas | FTTH |
Jackson Electric Cooperative (MyJEC.net) | Texas | FTTH & wireless with fiber backbone |
Taylor Electric Cooperative (Access Fiber) | Texas | FTTH |
Victoria Electric Cooperative (Infinium) | Texas | FTTH & wireless with fiber backbone |
BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC Connects) | Virginia | FTTH |
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Firefly Broadband) | Virginia | FTTH |
Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative | Virginia | FTTH (announced) |
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (EMPOWER Broadband) | Virginia | FTTH |
Prince George Electric Cooperative (Ruralband) | Virginia | FTTH |
Columbia Rural Electric Association (Columbia iConnect) | Washington | FTTH Pilot Project |
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (Rock Island Communications) | Washington | FTTH |
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative (Ntera) | Wisconsin | FTTH — 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.
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 Cooperative | State | Type |
---|---|---|
3 Rivers Communications | Montana | Telephone |
Ace Telephone Association (Ace Communications or AcenTek) | Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa | Telephone |
Adams Telephone Cooperative | Illinois | Telephone |
Albany Mutual Telephone Association | Minnesota | Telephone |
Appalachian Electric Cooperative | Tennessee | Electric |
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (WAVE Rural Connect) | Arkansas | Electric |
Arthur Mutual Telephone Company | Ohio | Telephone |
Atlantic Telephone Membership Corporation | North Carolina | Telephone |
Ballard Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation (Bringing Technology Closer) | Kentucky | Telephone |
Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC Fiber) | Texas | Electric |
BARC Electric Cooperative (BARC Connects) | Virginia | Electric |
Barry Electric Cooperative (goBEC) | Missouri | Electric |
Bascom Communications | Ohio | Telephone |
BEK Communications Cooperative (BEK Lightband) | North Dakota | Telephone |
Ben Lomand Rural Telephone Cooperative (Ben Lomand Connect) | Tennesseee | Telephone |
Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative | Tennesseee | Telephone |
Blue Valley Telecommunications | Kansas | Telephone |
Bulloch Telephone Cooperative | Georgia | Telephone |
Callaway Electric Cooperative (Callabyte Technology) — collaboration with Kingdom Telephone Cooperative | Missouri | Electric and telephone |
Canby Telephone Association (DirectLink) | Oregon | Telephone |
Central Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | Electric |
Central Texas Telephone Cooperative | Texas | Telephone |
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Firefly Broadband) | Virginia | Electric |
Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation | Missouri | Telephone |
Chequamegon Communications Cooperative (Norvado) | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Chibardun Telephone Cooperative (Mosaic Telecom) | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative (Ntera) — collaboration with telephone cooperative Citizens Connected | Wisconsin | Electric and Telephone |
Citizens Connected | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative | Iowa | Telephone |
Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Virginia | Telephone |
Citizens Telephone Cooperative | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Clay County Rural Telephone Cooperative (Endeavor Communications) | Indiana | Telephone |
Co-Mo Electric Cooperative (Co-Mo Connect) | Missouri | Electric |
Cochrane Cooperative Telephone Company | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Columbia Rural Electric Association (Columbia iConnect) | Washington | Electric |
Columbus Telephone (Optic Communications) | Kansas | Telephone |
Consolidated Electric Cooperative | Ohio | Electric |
Consolidated Telcom | North Dakota | Telephone |
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) | Minnesota | Telephone |
Cooperative Telephone Exchange | Iowa | Telephone |
Copper Valley Telephone Cooperative (Copper Valley Telecom) | Alaska | Telephone |
Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation (Empower) | Arkansas | Electric |
Craw Kan Telephone Cooperative | Kansas | Telephone |
Crawford Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Custer Telephone Cooperative, Inc. | Idaho | Telephone |
Dakota Central Telecommunications | North Dakota | Telephone |
Danville Mutual Telephone Company (i-connect you) | Iowa | Telephone |
Daviess-Martin Rural Telephone Corporation (RTC Communications) | Indiana | Telephone |
DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc | Tennessee | Telephone |
Delaware County Electric Cooperative | New York | Electric |
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (Elevate Fiber) | Colorado | Electric |
Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative | North Dakota | Telephone |
Douglas Electric Cooperative (Douglas Fast Net; LS Networks) | Oregon | Electric |
Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative (Plateau Telecommunications) | New Mexico | Telephone |
Eastern Oregon Telecom | Oregon | Telephone |
Ellsworth Cooperative Telephone Association | Iowa | Telephone |
Emery Telcom | Utah | Telephone |
Emily Cooperative Telephone Company | Minnesota | Telephone |
Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company | Iowa | Telephone |
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company | Iowa | Telephone |
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (Acira — partnership with Federated Telephone Cooperative) | Minnesota | Telephone |
Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative | Alabama | Telephone |
Farmers Telephone Cooperative | South Carolina | Telephone |
Federated Telephone Cooperative (Acira — partnership with Farmers Mutual Telephone Company) | Minnesota | Telephone |
Foothills Telephone Cooperative (Foothills Communications) | Kentucky | Telephone |
Forked Deer Electric Cooperative (Forked Deer Connect) | Tennessee | Electric |
French Broad Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | Electric |
Garden Valley Telephone Company (Garden Valley Technologies) | Minnesota | Telephone |
Gascoasage Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Gervais Telephone Company (DataVision Cooperative) | Oregon | Telephone |
Gibson Electric Membership Corporation (Gibson Connect) | Tennessee | Electric |
Golden Belt Telephone Association | Kansas | Telephone |
Grand River Mutual Telephone Corporation (GRM Networks) | Missouri | Telephone |
Grayson Collin Electric Cooperative (Grayson Collin Communications) | Texas | Electric |
Great Lakes Energy (Truestream) | Mississippi | Electric |
Griswold Cooperative Telephone Company (Griswold Communications) | Iowa | Telephone |
Grundy Electric Cooperative (Mid-States Services) | Missouri | Electric |
Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative | Texas | Electric |
Guadalupe Valley Telephone Cooperative | Texas | Telephone |
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation (Trailwave; North Georgia Network Cooperative) | Georgia | Electric |
Halstad Telephone Company | Minnesota | Telephone |
Highland Telephone Cooperative | Tennessee | Telephone |
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative | Texas | Telephone |
Holston Electric Cooperative (Holston Connect) | Tennessee | Electric |
Hood River Electric Cooperative (CACHE Communications; LS Networks) | Oregon | Electric |
Horry Telephone Cooperative | South Carolina | Telephone |
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Huxley Communications Cooperative | Iowa | Telephone |
Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Jackson County Rural Elctric Membership Corporation (Jackson Connect) | Indiana | Electric |
Jefferson Energy Cooperative — collaboration with Pineland Telephone Cooperative | Georgia | Electric and Telephone |
Jo-Carrol Energy (Sand Prairie) | Illinois | Electric |
Johnson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation — collaboration with NineStar Connect | Indiana | Electric and telephone |
Kalona Cooperative Technology Company | Iowa | Telephone |
Kingdom Telephone Company | Missouri | Telephone |
Laclede Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Lake Region Electric Cooperative (Lake Region Technology & Communications) | Oklahoma | Electric |
LaValle Telephone Cooperative | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative | New Mexico | Telephone |
Lehigh Valley Cooperative Telephone Association | Iowa | Telephone |
Logan Telephone Cooperative | Kentucky | Telephone |
Maquoketa Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (MVLink) | Iowa | Electric |
Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Matanuska Telephone Association | Alaska | Telephone |
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (EMPOWER Broadband) | Virginia | Electric |
Meriweather Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLConnect) | Tennessee | Electric |
Mid Century Telephone Cooperative (Mid Century Communications) | Illinois | Telephone |
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect) | South Carolina | Electric |
Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative (Mid-Rivers Communications) | Montana | Telephone |
Midstate Communications | South Dakota | Telephone |
Midwest Energy Cooperative (Midwest Energy and Communications) | Michigan | Electric |
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (XStream Internet) — collaboration with CTC | Minnesota | Electric and telephone |
Molalla Telephone Company (Molalla Communications) | Oregon | Telephone |
Mountain Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation | Kentucky | Telephone |
Nelson Communications Cooperative (Ntec) | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Nemont Telephone Cooperative | Montana | Telephone |
New Hope Telephone Cooperative | Alabama | Telephone |
New Lisbon Telephone Company | Indiana | Telephone |
Newberry Electric Cooperative (Carolina Connect) | South Carolina | Electric |
NineStar Connect (merger between Central Indiana Power and Hancock Telecom) | Indiana | Electric and telephone |
North Alabama Electric Cooperative | Alabama | Electric |
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NEXT) | Arkansas | Electric |
North Central Telephone Cooperative | Tennessee and Kentucky | Telephone |
North Dakota Telephone Company | North Dakota | Telephone |
Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company | Nebraska | Telephone |
Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (Bolt Fiber Optic Services) | Oklahoma | Electric |
Northwest Communications Cooperative | North Dakota | Telephone |
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC Fiber) | Oklahoma | Electric |
Orange County Rural Electric Membership Corporation | Indiana | Electric |
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (Rock Island Communications) | Washington | Electric |
Otsego Electric Cooperative (OEConnect) | New York | Electric |
Ouachita Electric Cooperative (ARIS) | Arkansas | Electric |
Ozarks Electric Cooperative (OzarksGo) | Arkansas | Electric |
Palmetto Rural Telephone Company | South Carolina | Telephone |
Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. | Oklahoma | Telephone |
Panora Communications Cooperative | Iowa | Telephone |
Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative | Minnesota | Telephone |
Peak Internet (partnership between Pioneer Consolidated, Consumers Power, and Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company) | Oregon | Electric and telephone |
Pemiscot Dunklin Electric Cooperative | Missouri | Electric |
Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative | Kentucky | Telephone |
Peoples Telecommunications | Kansas | Telephone |
Perry-Spencer Rural Telephone Cooperative (Perry-Spencer Communications) | Indiana | Telephone |
Phillips County Telephone Company (PC Telcom) | Colorado | Telephone |
Pineland Telephone Cooperative | Georgia | Telephone |
Pioneer Telephone Cooperative | Oklahoma | Telephone |
Plains Cooperative Telephone Association | Colorado | Telephone |
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications) | California | Electric |
Polar Communications Mutual Aid Corporation | North Dakota | Telephone |
Prince George Electric Cooperative (Ruralband) | Virginia | Electric |
Rainbow Telecommunications Association (Rainbow Communications) | Kansas | Telephone |
Ralls County Electric Cooperative (Ralls Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation (Randoph Communications) | North Carolina | Telephone |
Range Telephone Cooperative (RT Communications) | Montana, Wyoming | Telephone |
Red River Rural Telephone Association | North Dakota | Telephone |
Reservation Telephone Cooperative | North Dakota | Telephone |
Richland-Grant Telephone Cooperative | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Runestone Telecom Association | Minnesota | Telephone |
Rural Telephone Service Cooperative (Nex-Tech) | Kansas | Telephone |
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (Ciello) | Colorado | Electric |
Scio Mutual Telephone Association | Oregon | Telephone |
Se-Ma-No Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
SEMO Electric Cooperative (GoSEMO Fiber) | Missouri | Electric |
Sequatchee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEConnect) | Tennessee | Electric |
Sherwood Mutual Telephone Association | Ohio | Telephone |
Skyline Telephone Membership Corporation (SkyBest Communications) | North Carolina | Telephone |
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative (South Central Connect) | Arkansas | Electric |
South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation | Indiana | Electric |
South Central Rural Telephone Cooperative | Kentucky | Telephone |
South Central Utah Telephone Association (South Central Communications) | Utah | Telephone |
South Slope Cooperative Communications | Iowa | Telephone |
Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECOM) | Colorado | Electric |
Southwest Arkansas Telephone Cooperative | Arkansas | Telephone |
Southwest Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
SRT Communications | North Dakota | Telephone |
Star Telephone Membership Corporation (Star Communications) | North Carolina | Telephone |
Surry Communications Membership Cooperation | North Carolina | Telephone |
Taylor Electric Cooperative (Access Fiber) | Texas | Electric |
The Ottoville Mutual Telephone Company | Ohio | Telephone |
Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Wintek) | Indiana | Electric |
Tombigbee Electric Cooperative (freedom FIBER) | Alabama | Electric |
Tri-County Communications Cooperative | Wisconsin | Electric |
Tri-County Electric Cooperative | Tennessee | Electric |
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (HomeWorks Connect) | Michigan | Electric |
Tri-County Telephone Association | Kansas | Electric |
Tri-County Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks) | North Carolina | Telephone |
Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation | Tennessee | Telephone |
UBTA-UBET Communications, also known as Strata Networks | Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming | Telephone |
Umatilla Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | Electric |
United Electric Cooperative (United Fiber) | Missouri | Electric |
United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation (Turtle Mountain Communications) | North Dakota | Telephone |
Valley Electric Association (Valley Communications Association) | Nevada | Electric |
Valley Telecommunications | South Dakota | Telephone |
Venture Communications Cooperative | South Dakota | Telephone |
Vernon Communications Cooperative | Wisconsin | Telephone |
Victoria Electric Cooperative (Infinium) | Texas | Electric |
Volunteer Electric Cooperative (Twin Lakes, powered by VEC) | Tennessee | Electric and telephone |
Wabash Communications Cooperative | Illinois | Telephone |
Wabash Mutual Telephone Company | Ohio | Telephone |
Washington County Rural Telephone Cooperative (Tele-media Solutions) | Indiana | Telephone |
Webster Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association | Iowa | Telephone |
West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (West Carolina Tel) | South Carolina | Telephone |
West Central Telephone Association | Minnesota | Telephone |
West Kentucky and Tennessee Communications Cooperative | Kentucky, Tennessee | Telephone |
West Oregon Electric Cooperative (LS Networks) | Oregon | Electric |
West River Telecommunications Cooperative | North Dakota and South Dakota | Telephone |
West Wisconsin Telcom Cooperative (24-7 Telcom) | Wisconsin | Telephone |
White River Valley Electric Cooperative / Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (Sho-Me Technologies) | Missouri | Electric |
Wiggins Telephone Association (Blue Lightning) | Colorado | Telephone |
Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks) | North Carolina | Telephone |
Yampa Valley Electric Association (Luminate Broadband) | Colorado | Electric |
Yucca Telecommunications Systems | New Mexico | Telephone |
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.
# | Title | Summary | Guest | Transcript |
---|---|---|---|---|
383 11/19/2019 | Tri-County Rural Electric Delivering Connectivity, Expanding Partnerships, in Appalachians | Co-op finds funding, partners to build broadband network demanded by members | Craig Eccher | Transcript 383 |
369 8/13/2019 | South Dakota Fiber All About the Local | Co-ops, cities, locally-owned companies, and tribal ISPs invest in rural South Dakota | Greg Dean | Transcript 369 |
358 5/28/2019 | Firefly Fiber All the Buzz in Central Virginia | Central Virginia Electric Co-op's new fiber project and how members are embracing better connectivity | Melissa Gay and Gary Wood | Transcript 358 |
344 2/19/2019 | Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative Steps Up, Offers FTTH in Missouri's Bootheel | Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative's FTTH project in rural Missouri and how the environment impacted network design | Jack Davis | Transcript 344 |
342 2/5/2019 | RiverStreet Networks Reaching Across Rural North Carolina | Co-op partners with other co-ops and communities to connect rural N.C. | Greg Coltrain | Transcript 342 |
324 9/25/2018 | Great Lakes Energy's Big Plan for Big Fiber | Largest electric co-op in Michigan is deploying a FTTH network | Shari Culver | Transcript 324 |
321 9/4/2018 | Analyzing the Auction With Jonathan Chambers | Results of the Connect America Fund Phase II auction, including a strong showing by electric co-ops | Jonathan Chambers | Transcript 321 |
314 7/17/2018 | DMEA Co-op Serving Up Broadband and Innovation in Colorado | The Delta Montrose Electric Association fiber deployment in Colorado | John Gavan and Brad Harding | Transcript 314 |
288 1/9/2018 | North Dakota's Exceptional Fiber Networks | North Dakota has low population density, but many fiber cooperatives | Robin Anderson | Transcript 288 |
277 11/1/2017 | Kit Carson Fibers up New Mexico | Electric Cooperative builds fiber network in rural New Mexico | Luis Reyes | Transcript 277 |
276 10/24/2017 | Allband All-in For Rural Michigan Internet Access | Folks build a cooperative from scratch in rural Michigan | Ron Siegel | Transcript 276 |
249 4/19/2017 | Rural Electric Co-ops as Reluctant Warriors for Broadband | The challenges and decisions that rural electric cooperatives face | Alyssa Clemsen-Roberts | Transcript 249 |
243 3/7/2017 | What's NEXT in North Arkansas? | North Arkansas Electric Cooperative's pilot project for high-speed Internet service | Mel Coleman | Transcript 243 |
240 2/14/2017 | United Fiber Tackles Missouri's Most Rural | The demand for better, faster connections and the role of rural electric cooperatives | Darren Farnan | Transcript 240 |
229 11/22/2016 | Rural Electrics Solve Rural Internet Access Problems | Former head of FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis on politics and rural connectivity | Jon Chambers | Transcript 229 |
225 10/25/2016 | Midwest Energy Cooperative Connects Rural Michigan | A rural electric cooperative provides fiber connectivity | Bob Hance and Dave Allen | Transcript 225 |
224 10/18/2016 | H.R. Trostle on Co-Ops, Munis, Connectivity in North Carolina | ILSR Research Associate discusses North Carolina and Internet access | H.R. Trostle | Transcript 224 |
203 5/25/2016 | Tennessee Potential Partnership Between Morristown Muni and AEC Co-op | Morristown Tennessee, and the local electric co-op are teaming up to deliver needed services | Jody Wigington and Greg Williams | Transcript 203 |
198 4/19/2016 | A New Cooperative Model for Fiber to the Farm | The RS Fiber Cooperative steals the spotlight with its new cooperative model | Mark Erickson and Jake Rieke | Transcript 198 |
188 2/9/2016 | North Carolina Co-op Fibers Up Rural Counties and More | What does it take for a telephone co-op in North Carolina to provide FTTH? President and CEO of Wilkes Communications and RiverStreet Networks explains | Eric Cramer | Transcript 188 |
140 3/3/2015 | Rural Electric Co-Mo Co-op Goes Gig | Discussion on how Co-Mo electric co-op in rural Missouri structured broadband network and its objective to enter the business and results | Randy Klindt | Transcript 140 |
99 5/20/2014 | Catching Up with the RS Fiber Co-op in Minnesota | Update on the RS Fiber Co-op project in Minnesota | Mark Erickson and Cindy Gerholz | Transcript 99 |
92 4/1/2014 | Understanding the Georgia Communications Cooperative | Discussion on how cooperatives work together and expand the regional network in Georgia and challenges to connect rural premises with fiber optics | Mike Foor | Transcript 92 |
46 5/14/2013 | North Georgia Network Brings Gig to Schools, Jobs to Region | The origin of the North Georgia Network and its economic and social impact on the region | Paul Belk | Transcript 46 |
Image Credits:
Rural Barn Flag, woodleywonderworks, Creative Commons license
Minnesota House Chamber, Chris Gaukel, Creative Commons license