What Wabash Communications CO-OP does

Wabash Communications CO-OP is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative founded in 1952 and headquartered in Louisville, Illinois. It delivers fiber-to-the-premises broadband to more than 15,000 residential and business customers across 8+ counties in South Central Illinois (Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne). Residential tiers offer symmetrical speeds up to 7 GIG with no data caps, priced between $56 and $78 per month, and are bundled with VoIP or landline phone, streaming TV (6 to nearly 200 channels, 100 hours DVR), and home security (Arlo) services. Business customers receive dedicated private fiber connections up to 10 Gbps alongside a unified communications phone platform incorporating voice, video, chat, contact center, and mobile/softphone clients. The cooperative monetizes through recurring monthly subscriptions, a $6.95 network connection charge, premium add-ons such as ExperienceIQ parental controls ($3.95/month), and security packages ranging from $15 to $50 per month. Distribution runs through four local offices (Louisville, Salem, Flora, Dieterich), a 24/7 support line, a self-service SmartHub portal, and demand-generation via the community Ambassador Program and "I Want Fiber" interest form. The cooperative holds Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status, participates in the federal Lifeline program, and was awarded a $23.2M Connect Illinois broadband expansion grant in 2024. CEO/GM Barry Adair, who has led the cooperative since 2014, was elected board chairman of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association in 2023. The company also operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries (Wabash Communications and Wabash Independent Networks, Inc.), the latter serving as its ETC entity.

Name

Wabash Communications CO-OP

Legal name

Wabash Communications CO-OP

Website

https://wabash.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wabash Communications CO-OP is a member-owned rural telecommunications cooperative delivering fiber-to-the-premises internet, phone, streaming TV, and managed home networking services to 15,000+ residential and business members across South Central Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators (HDAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

VoIP Access & ITSP Services (HDAIAHAD), Municipal & Community Broadband Networks (HDAIACAE), Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers (HDAIADAD)

Keywords

• Fiber optic internet
• Residential broadband services
• Business communications
• Streaming television services
• VoIP phone services

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Internet Service: Monthly subscription fees for fiber internet connectivity at various speed tiers (500 Mbps to 2 Gbps), with unlimited data and no caps. Includes network connection charges and provider fees.
2. Business Internet Service: Customized fiber internet solutions for businesses delivering speeds up to 1 Gbps with dedicated private fiber-optic network, security advantages, and reliability benefits over other connectivity options.
3. Streaming TV Service: Subscription-based streaming TV packages ranging from 6 channels to nearly 200 channels with 100 hours of DVR included. Customers must have Wabash fiber internet to access the service.
4. Phone Service: VoIP or traditional landline phone service depending on area, with options for unlimited long-distance calling. Additional charges may apply for toll services.
5. Arlo Security Services: Monthly subscription plans for home security including Porch Protection ($15/mo), Porch Plus ($25/mo), and Whole Home Protection ($50/mo). Additional cameras available as add-ons. Includes 24/7 support and video history.
6. ExperienceIQ Premium Feature: Additional $3.95/month add-on feature for parental controls and usage management within the WabashIQ app.
7. Lifeline Program Services: Federally-supported Lifeline discounts for qualified low-income households: $5.25 for voice service or $9.25 for broadband service. Wabash Independent Networks Inc. serves as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier.
8. Business Phone System: VoIP business phone solutions with features including call control, conferencing, contact center tools, and mobile access, offered as part of unified communications packages for businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Wabash Communications CO-OP is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative providing fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband internet, VoIP and landline phone, streaming TV, and home security services to residential and business customers in rural South Central Illinois. The cooperative operates a dedicated private fiber-optic network delivering symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps residential and 10+ Gbps for business, with bundled Wi-Fi management (WabashIQ), network security (ProtectIQ), parental controls (ExperienceIQ), and Arlo-powered home security.

Product overview

Wabash Communications CO-OP operates as a telecommunications cooperative providing a bundled portfolio of fiber-optic internet, television streaming, phone, and security services. The core residential offering centers on high-speed fiber internet (up to 7 GIG) paired with streaming TV and phone services. The company provides a proprietary mobile app (WabashIQ) for Wi-Fi management with integrated security features (ProtectIQ, ExperienceIQ). Business services include dedicated fiber internet and unified communications (Business Phone). Additional offerings include Arlo Security cameras (partner product), SmartTown community Wi-Fi, Wabash Watch monitoring, and Fiber Gaming Network partnership. Services are delivered exclusively over fiber-to-the-premises infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WabashIQ: Home Wi-Fi management app providing device control, parental controls, and network security features
• Arlo Security
• Wabash Streaming TV
• CatchTV
• Wabash Watch
• SmartTown Wi-Fi

Products and services

• Residential Fiber Internet High-speed fiber-optic internet for residential customers with symmetrical speeds from 500 Mbps up to 7 GIG, unlimited data with no caps, and full Wi-Fi management via WabashIQ app.
• Streaming TV

Quantifiable outcome

• Symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps enable faster video calls, quicker large file uploads, and lag-free gaming for multiple simultaneous users
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fiber Gaming Network (FGN)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2024Wabash joined Fiber Gaming Network in February 2024, a nationwide gaming platform launched in November 2023 that connects fiber internet users across the country for weekly community game nights and tournaments featuring games like Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Rocket League. The partnership provides Wabash customers free access to esports events and leverages Wabash's fiber network for superior gaming performance.
• Foundation for Rural Service (FRS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023FRS is the philanthropic arm of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. Wabash partners with FRS to award community grants to local organizations including Discovery to Recovery Outpatient Substance Abuse Program ($5,000), Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce ($5,000), and other community initiatives. FRS grants total over $105,000 annually across rural projects.
• NTCA - The Rural Broadband AssociationcoreOthersWabash Communications is a member of NTCA representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies. CEO Barry Adair serves as NTCA board chairman representing the Northeast Region's cooperative members. NTCA advocates for rural broadband policy, provides educational programming, and supports member cooperatives.
• Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC)coreOthersWabash participates in AIEC youth programs including Youth Day in Springfield and Youth Tour to Washington D.C. AIEC coordinates student participation from 22-25 Illinois cooperatives, with Wabash sponsoring 2-8 students annually to represent the cooperative.
• Arlo SecuritycoreTechnology or IntegrationArlo Security is offered as a home security solution through Wabash. Packages include Porch Protection ($15/mo), Porch Plus ($25/mo), and Whole Home Protection ($50/mo) with Arlo cameras, professional installation options, 24/7 support, and equipment replacement.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Consolidated Communications: Fiber and broadband provider serving rural and mid-size markets across 20+ states; while much larger and now PE-owned, Consolidated overlaps directly with Wabash in serving rural Illinois communities with fiber-to-the-home.
• Frontier Communications: Major ILEC building fiber across rural and suburban America; competes with Wabash for Connect Illinois/BEAD-style grants and rural fiber customers in Illinois-adjacent markets.
• altafiber (formerly Cincinnati Bell): Regional fiber and unified communications provider; comparable bundled fiber + VoIP + business services model serving a similar Midwestern customer base.
• Brightspeed: Apollo-backed fiber operator with a multi-state rural/suburban fiber buildout plan; aggressively pursuing BEAD grants in overlapping Midwestern geographies.

Direct peers

• TDS Telecom: Community-based telecom cooperative-turned-public company serving rural and small-town markets with fiber, voice, and video — closest analog to Wabash's cooperative fiber model and customer profile.
• Metronet: Fiber-to-the-home overbuilder expanding rapidly in small and mid-size markets across the Midwest and South; directly competes for rural Illinois fiber customers and grant-funded expansion projects.
• Empire Access: Family-owned fiber ISP serving rural upstate New York and Pennsylvania with fiber, TV, phone, and security bundles — near-perfect structural analog to Wabash's rural cooperative model.
• Point Broadband: Rural-focused fiber overbuilder targeting underserved small-town markets; competes for the same grant dollars and rural customer profile as Wabash.
• Ritter Communications: Arkansas-based rural fiber provider offering fiber internet, TV, phone, and business services to small communities — directly comparable business mix and customer segment.

Emerging players

• Starlink (SpaceX): LEO satellite broadband targeting rural and underserved households globally; emerging threat to all rural fiber cooperatives including Wabash in the residential market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ILYouthTour

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wabash Communications CO-OP