StarTouch
StarTouch is a carrier-grade microwave and fiber optic connectivity provider serving mobile carriers, enterprises, government agencies, and school districts across six western U.S. states via a proprietary network of over 750 tower sites.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What StarTouch does
StarTouch is a privately held carrier-grade connectivity provider headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, operating a hybrid network of nearly 400 proprietary communication towers (expanded to over 750 sites as of January 2023) across six western U.S. states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Arizona. Founded in 1998, the company specializes in FCC Licensed Terrestrial Microwave and Fiber Optic solutions delivering symmetrical connections ranging from 100Mbps to 10Gbps+ for mobile carriers, ISPs, enterprises, government agencies, and educational institutions. StarTouch is a wholly owned subsidiary of Declaration Networks Group, Inc. since November 2021, with the parent company also recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for six consecutive years.
The company's core technology stack combines proprietary microwave infrastructure with fiber optic transport, supplemented by emerging Free Space Optics (Taara Lightbridge) technology capable of 20Gbps throughput without trenching or permits. Service offerings include Microwave PTP/PTMP, Metro Ethernet (VLANs, MPLS, VPLS), MPLS Routing, IP Internet Connectivity, Fiber Optics Transport, Carrier Transport, and Carrier Collocation. Network redundancy is delivered through multiple Microwave and Fiber Optic MPLS fast re-routes, with SLA-backed performance guarantees including availability and MTTR commitments, EtherSam/RFC testing compliance, low latency, low jitter, and Jumbo MTU support.
StarTouch operates a sales-led, direct-engagement go-to-market targeting enterprise, carrier, and government customers primarily through phone (360-543-5679) and email ([email protected]). Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-based recurring contracts with annual term commitments, supplemented by equipment rental, usage-based overage charges, professional services, premium SLA subscriptions, and carrier colocation fees. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies for six consecutive years through 2023 and has executed multiple state-level geographic expansions since 2020, including its most recent Arizona market entry in April 2023.
StarTouch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StarTouch
- Legal name
- StarTouch Inc.
- Website
- https://startouch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- StarTouch is a carrier-grade microwave and fiber optic connectivity provider serving mobile carriers, enterprises, government agencies, and school districts across six western U.S. states via a proprietary network of over 750 tower sites.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StarTouch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Radiotelephone Communications (4812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carrier Ethernet & Wavelength Wholesale (E-Line/E-LAN, OTN, lambda) (HDAIAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wi‑Fi Backhaul & Point‑to‑Point/Point‑to‑Multipoint (Unlicensed/Microwave) (HDAFACAJ), Fiber Backhaul to Towers & Small Cells (Fronthaul/Midhaul/Backhaul) (HDAIAKAK), Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers (HDAIADAD)
Keywords
Where StarTouch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
StarTouch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Dedicated Internet Access (DIA): Monthly recurring fees for dedicated business internet access with various speed tiers ranging from 100Mbps to 10Gbps+. Subscription-based model with annual term commitments and 3% annual price increases for point-to-point connections.
- Carrier Transport Services: Wholesale connectivity services for mobile carriers including MPLS transport, providing revenue through dedicated bandwidth commitments and carrier-grade SLAs.
- Metro Ethernet Services: Scalable symmetrical Ethernet connections for enterprises and carriers with layer 2 bridging between multiple sites.
- Equipment Rental and Leasing: Rental fees for Company-owned equipment (access devices, base stations) used to provide services. Equipment remains property of StarTouch upon termination.
- Usage-Based Overage Charges: Incremental service charges for usage exceeding stated Gigabyte thresholds, billed in arrears on monthly invoices.
- Professional Services: Site surveys for point-to-point connections, truck rolls for service calls, and Level 3/SLA support services at premium hourly rates.
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Optional premium SLAs for dedicated business internet access subscribers guaranteeing specific network performance levels (availability and MTTR) for an additional fee.
- Carrier Collocation: Data facility and colocation services with access to cross-carrier interconnects and dark/lit fiber assets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Dedicated Business Internet Access with SLA |
| Subscription | Monthly | Level 1 Support (included) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Level 2 Support (included with conditions) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Level 3 / SLA Support (premium) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Set-up and Service Fees |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Usage-Based Overage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
StarTouch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StarTouch delivers carrier-grade connectivity services through its privately owned hybrid network of nearly 400 licensed microwave communication towers and fiber optic infrastructure across the western U.S. Its core offerings include Microwave PTP/PTMP, Metro Ethernet, MPLS Routing, Dedicated Internet Access, Fiber Optics Transport, Carrier Transport, and Carrier Collocation. The company also offers Next Generation Free Space Optics (Taara Lightbridge) technology achieving up to 20Gbps throughput without trenching or permits.
Product overview
StarTouch offers a unified portfolio of carrier-grade connectivity solutions centered around its privately owned hybrid network of nearly 400 communication towers across the western U.S. The core product lineup consists of Microwave PTP/PTMP services delivering 100Mbps to 10Gbps+, supplemented by Metro Ethernet, MPLS Routing, IP Internet Connectivity, Fiber Optics Transport, Carrier Transport, and Carrier Collocation services. The company also provides Next Generation Free Space Optics (Taara Lightbridge) technology achieving up to 20Gbps using light beams. Add-on capabilities include Network Redundancy with failover MPLS re-routes and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Ethernet Standards compliance. The products integrate to deliver end-to-end connectivity for mobile carriers, ISPs, enterprises, government agencies, and school districts, with speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 10+ Gbps and coverage across WA, OR, ID, NV, CA, and AZ.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Microwave PTP/PTMP Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-Multi-Point (PTMP) microwave connectivity solutions delivering high-speed broadband from 100Mbps to 10Gbps+ over distances up to 30 miles, providing an alternative or backup to traditional fiber infrastructure for carriers, enterprises, and government.
- Metro Ethernet Scalable symmetrical Metro Ethernet connections using FCC Licensed Terrestrial Microwave and Fiber Optic solutions for VLANs, MPLS, and VPLS bridging between multiple sites.
- MPLS Routing MPLS transport services providing private, secure connectivity for mobile carriers, fiber companies, school districts, government agencies, and businesses.
- Dedicated Business Internet Access (IP Internet Connectivity) Wholesale and retail Internet services featuring fast installations, low latency, cost-effective pricing, and reliable connectivity with multiple Microwave and Fiber Optic MPLS fast re-routes for redundancy. Speed tiers from 100Mbps to 10Gbps+ on annual term commitments.
- Fiber Optics Transport Fiber optic hand-off and transport services including diverse/redundant DWDM fiber connections for backbone redundancy and Metro Ethernet services.
- Carrier Transport Wholesale connectivity services for mobile carriers and ISPs including backhaul options and tower site infrastructure.
- Carrier Collocation Strategic data center colocation and cross-carrier interconnects providing robust, redundant, and scalable connectivity infrastructure with access to dark and lit fiber assets.
- Next Generation Free Space Optics (Taara Lightbridge) Advanced Free Space Optics technology using light beams to deliver fiber-like speeds up to 20Gbps across distances up to 20 kilometers without trenching or permits. Ideal for rural backhaul, enterprise campus connectivity, last mile, and extended range applications.
Companies that use StarTouch
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
StarTouch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
StarTouch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Taara (Alphabet/Project X)coreStarTouch partnered with Taara (a subsidiary of Alphabet's X moonshot factory) to deliver lightspeed resilient networks using Taara Lightbridge Free Space Optics technology. This partnership enables StarTouch to offer fiber-like speeds through the air using beams of light achieving up to 20Gbps across distances up to 20km, ideal for rural backhaul extensions, enterprise campus connectivity, last mile connectivity, and high-capacity connectivity over extended range.
- Declaration Networks Group Inc.flagshipStarTouch Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Declaration Networks Group Inc., headquartered in Vienna, VA. Declaration Networks acquired StarTouch in November 2021 to facilitate company growth and expanded capabilities. The acquisition enabled accelerated growth and market expansion with Declaration Networks recognized on Inc. 5000 list for 6 consecutive years.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StarTouch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GeoLinks: California-based fixed wireless and fiber internet provider serving enterprise and wholesale customers across California and the western U.S. Direct competitor to StarTouch in regional carrier-grade microwave and fixed wireless services, with a similar west-coast operating footprint.
- Etheric Networks: Bay Area fixed wireless internet service provider focused on enterprise and residential connectivity using licensed microwave and fiber. Closely comparable to StarTouch in product mix (microwave + fiber) and target market (enterprise, carrier) within a regional western U.S. footprint.
- NextLink Internet: Texas-headquartered WISP and rural broadband provider using fixed wireless and fiber to serve enterprise, residential, and carrier customers. Comparable to StarTouch as a regional microwave/fiber hybrid operator with carrier wholesale and government broadband exposure.
- Common Networks: Bay Area fixed wireless internet service provider focused on residential and small business connectivity. Comparable to StarTouch on the fixed wireless / microwave delivery model and California operating geography, though StarTouch skews more enterprise and carrier-focused.
- Wisper Internet: Midwest and South-Central U.S. WISP providing fixed wireless broadband to residential and business customers. Comparable to StarTouch in operating a licensed/unlicensed microwave network for wholesale and enterprise connectivity at a regional scale.
- Cal.Net: Northern California fixed wireless and fiber provider serving rural and underserved markets. Comparable to StarTouch on licensed microwave deployment for last-mile and rural broadband, with overlapping California and western U.S. service territory.
Broad incumbents
- Crown Castle: U.S. tower and fiber infrastructure operator that provides carrier backhaul, small cell, and fiber solutions. Comparable to StarTouch on tower infrastructure and carrier backhaul wholesale services, but operates at a national scale with both towers and dense metro fiber.
- Zayo Group: Large wholesale fiber and carrier services provider operating across the U.S. and Europe. Comparable to StarTouch as a wholesale carrier Ethernet, wavelength, and backhaul services provider, but at a national scale with a fiber-heavy (not microwave-heavy) network.
- Lumen Technologies: National carrier providing wholesale fiber, Ethernet, MPLS, and wavelength services to enterprise and carrier customers. Comparable to StarTouch in offering carrier Ethernet and wholesale transport services, though Lumen operates a much larger national fiber footprint without StarTouch's microwave focus.
Regional players
- ExteNet Systems: U.S. provider of distributed network solutions including small cells, fiber, and wireless infrastructure for carriers, venues, and enterprises. Comparable to StarTouch in operating carrier-grade wireless infrastructure for backhaul and enterprise connectivity, though focused on dense metro and venue deployments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StarTouch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StarTouch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
StarTouch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StarTouch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StarTouch
What does StarTouch do?
StarTouch delivers carrier-grade connectivity services through its privately owned hybrid network of nearly 400 licensed microwave communication towers and fiber optic infrastructure across the western U.S. Its core offerings include Microwave PTP/PTMP, Metro Ethernet, MPLS Routing, Dedicated Internet Access, Fiber Optics Transport, Carrier Transport, and Carrier Collocation. The company also offers Next Generation Free Space Optics (Taara Lightbridge) technology achieving up to 20Gbps throughput without trenching or permits.
Is StarTouch a public or private company?
StarTouch is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was StarTouch founded?
StarTouch was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is StarTouch based?
StarTouch is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does StarTouch make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is the primary driver. The others are carrier Transport Services, metro Ethernet Services, equipment Rental and Leasing, usage-Based Overage Charges, professional Services, service Level Agreements (SLAs) and carrier Collocation.
Who are StarTouch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GeoLinks, Etheric Networks, NextLink Internet, Common Networks, Wisper Internet and Cal.Net. Broad incumbents are Crown Castle, Zayo Group and Lumen Technologies. ExteNet Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does StarTouch have an API?
No public API is recorded for StarTouch.
What industry is StarTouch in?
StarTouch's product category is Telecommunications Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAEAB, Carrier Ethernet & Wavelength Wholesale (E-Line/E-LAN, OTN, lambda), with a secondary code of HDAFACAJ, Wi‑Fi Backhaul & Point‑to‑Point/Point‑to‑Multipoint (Unlicensed/Microwave). Its NAICS code is 5171 and its SIC code is 4899.