FTC

What FTC does

FTC (legal name Farmers Telephone Cooperative, Inc.) is a privately held member-owned telecommunications cooperative headquartered in Kingstree, South Carolina. Founded in 1951, the company operates across roughly 3,000 square miles covering Clarendon, lower Florence, Lee, Sumter and Williamsburg counties in rural South Carolina, serving residential consumers and local small and medium businesses through six physical retail storefronts, an in-house call center, a website (ftc.net), and the MyFTC mobile application.

FTC's core technology is a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network comprising approximately 2,800 miles of completed fiber, with 97% of business and residential address points in the cooperative footprint passed and 304 additional miles in active construction or staking. Residential and business internet tiers range from 25 Mbps up to a 5 Gig (5,120 Mbps) symmetrical tier with sub-20ms latency, paired with a Premium Wi-Fi mesh product, ProtectIQ network-security and ExperienceIQ parental-control add-ons. Wireless service is delivered as an MVNO on the AT&T national network (branded FTC Wireless), voice comprises both traditional Basic Phone Lines and VoIP, and home security/automation runs on the Alarm.com (Alula) Connect+ platform with Z-Wave device integration. Streaming partnerships with DirecTV, Hulu, and YouTube TV are resold alongside an internally produced local programming channel, FTC Now.

The business model is multi-stream subscription recurring revenue across internet ($34.95-$129.95/month), wireless ($39.99-$70/month for unlimited plans), voice ($20-$24.95/month) and security monitoring ($20-$59.95/month), supplemented by hardware sales of Apple and Samsung devices and accessories. Bundling across two or more services through FTC Connections yields up to $30/month in discounts, and the company participates in the federal Lifeline program administered by USAC for low-income subscribers. There is no disclosed external equity, venture, or private-equity backing; ownership rests with cooperative members. The company also maintains two wholly owned operating subsidiaries — FTC Communications, LLC (dba FTC Wireless) and FTC Diversified Services (DSI), LLC.

Name

FTC

Legal name

Farmers Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://ftc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

FTC (Farmers Telephone Cooperative) is a member-owned rural South Carolina telecom cooperative serving residential and business customers across five counties with fiber-to-the-home internet (up to 5 Gig), AT&T-MVNO wireless, VoIP/landline voice, and Alarm.com-powered home security and automation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural & Universal Service Fixed Broadband Providers (HDAIABAJ), Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators (HDAIACAB), Residential Broadband CPE (DSL/Cable/Fiber Gateways) (HDAFAIAA)

Keywords

• Rural broadband services
• Fiber internet
• Wireless telecommunications
• Home security monitoring
• Telephone cooperative

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingstree

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Internet Services: Monthly subscription internet service at multiple speed tiers (25 Mbps to 5 Gig), with options for bundled voice and connection discounts. Internet-only plans range from $34.95 to $129.95 per month depending on speed tier.
2. Wireless Services: Monthly wireless subscription plans including unlimited data plans, device installment options (Freedom Plan), and specialty plans for tablets, game cameras, international travel, and prepaid. Services include unlimited talk, text and data nationwide.
3. Voice/Phone Services: Residential phone service with Basic Phone Line ($20/month) and VoIP Phone Line ($24.95/month) options. VoIP includes unlimited calling features. Business voice services include Hosted PBX and Notify Plus mass communication service.
4. Security Monitoring: Home security monitoring services with wireless packages ($29.95/month for monitoring) and customized solutions ($20/month or $220 annually). Equipment packages available with free installation promotions.
5. Device and Accessory Sales: Retail sales of wireless devices (iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, basic phones), accessories (chargers, screen protectors, cases), and security equipment (cameras, sensors, smart home devices).
6. Notify Plus Mass Communication: Business communication service with tiered packages (Basic $14.95, Corporate $24.95, Enterprise $44.95 per month) offering automated call, text, and email notifications for organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FTC is a rural telecommunications cooperative providing fiber-to-the-home internet (up to 5 Gig), wireless mobile service on the AT&T network, residential and business phone (VoIP and hosted PBX), and 24/7 home security monitoring. The company serves residential consumers, small/medium businesses, and specialized segments (first responders, low-income Lifeline subscribers, military) across five South Carolina counties through six retail store locations and an online portal.

Product overview

FTC (Farmers Telephone Cooperative) is a telecommunications company offering a comprehensive suite of services primarily serving residential and business customers in South Carolina. The core product portfolio consists of Internet (with fiber-to-the-home and speeds up to 5 Gig), Wireless (mobile service on AT&T network with unlimited data plans), Phone (VoIP and basic landline options), and Security (24/7 home monitoring with video surveillance and home automation). The company operates as a platform-plus-modules model where customers can purchase individual services or bundle them through FTC Connections for savings up to $30/month. Premium Wi-Fi add-on enhances home coverage with mesh networking, while ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ provide network security and parental controls respectively. Notify Plus enables automated mass communications for businesses. The company also offers streaming services integration with DIRECTV, Hulu, and YouTube TV, plus local programming through FTC Now channel. Business services include Hosted PBX, Managed Wi-Fi, Point of Sale, and Dedicated Internet Access. MyFTC App provides mobile account management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FTC Internet High-speed internet service offering speeds up to 5 Gig with Fiber to the Home and Premium Wi-Fi options. Includes free installation, 24/7 technical support, email spam blocker, and virus protection. Targeted at residential and business customers in FTC's South Carolina service area.
• FTC Wireless Mobile wireless service offering unlimited data plans, smartphones, basic phones, and accessories with coverage in the FTC service area. Includes specialty plans for tablets, game cameras, international calling, and prepaid options. Operates on the AT&T network as an MVNO.
• FTC Phone Residential and business telephone services including VoIP and basic phone line options. Features include unlimited nationwide calling, call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and battery backup for emergencies.
• FTC Security Home security and monitoring service offering 24/7 alarm monitoring, wireless packages, video surveillance, home automation, fire and flood detection. Security equipment includes door/window sensors, motion detectors, glassbreak sensors, and smart home devices.
• First Responder Wireless Plans Specialized wireless plan for law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency management, and medical personnel. Smartphone plan at $35/month and Tablet plan at $20/month with unlimited nationwide service including Canada, Mexico, and US Virgin Islands, with no throttling.
• Notify Plus Mass Communication Mass communication messaging service that automates calls, texts and/or emails to contacts. Available in Basic ($14.95/month, 100 contacts), Corporate ($24.95/month, 1,000 contacts), and Enterprise ($44.95/month, 2,500 contacts) tiers.
• FTC Business Internet Business internet services including Dedicated Internet Access, Web and Data Services, and Managed Wi-Fi. Designed for organizations requiring reliable connectivity and IT solutions.
• Hosted PBX

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 Gig speeds with typical 4600 Mbps download/upload and <20ms latency
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AT&TcoreTechnology or IntegrationFTC Wireless operates as an AT&T MVNO partner, utilizing AT&T's network infrastructure for wireless service coverage. FTC Wireless provides service for monthly rates beginning at $39.99, with coverage maps approximating AT&T's licensed areas. FTC also participates in AT&T's wireless emergency alerts system.
• Alarm.com (Alula)coreTechnology or IntegrationFTC Security uses Alarm.com (Alula) RE 6100 Series Connect+ Security and Automation Platform as the core control platform for home security and automation systems, enabling remote monitoring and smart home integration.
• USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTC participates in the federal Lifeline program administered by USAC, providing affordable telecommunications services to low-income households. FTC is designated as the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for its service area for universal service purposes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TDS Telecom: TDS Telecom (a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems) is a regional fiber/telecom provider serving rural and small-town markets across 30+ states with internet, voice, and TV. Directly comparable to FTC in rural fiber-to-the-home focus, multi-service bundles, and small-market serving strategy.
• Consolidated Communications: Consolidated Communications (now privately held after a Searchlight Capital take-private) is a fiber/telecom operator serving primarily rural and mid-sized markets across 20+ states with internet, voice, and business services. Closely comparable to FTC on rural fiber footprint, multi-service portfolio, and SMB/government customer mix.
• Lumos Fiber: Lumos Fiber is a regional fiber-to-the-home provider expanding across the Carolinas, Virginia, and Ohio with gigabit speeds and bundled services. Highly comparable to FTC on FTTH buildout strategy, multi-service offering, and Southeast US rural/small-metro focus.
• Metronet: Metronet (now part of T-Mobile/KKR) is a fiber-to-the-home ISP operating across the Midwest and South with gigabit+ speeds and residential/business bundles. Comparable to FTC on FTTH-centric build, multi-gig speed tiers, and tier-2/3 market focus.
• Brightspeed: Brightspeed is a regional fiber/telecom operator (formed from Lumen's ILEC assets) serving 20 states across the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic with fiber internet, voice, and managed services. Comparable to FTC on rural ILEC-to-fiber transformation strategy and multi-service portfolio.
• Vyve Broadband: Vyve Broadband is a rural-focused broadband operator (cable + fiber) serving small communities across 16 states with internet, voice, and TV. Comparable to FTC on rural market focus, multi-service bundles, and small-town footprint.
• Shenandoah Telecommunications (Shentel): Shentel is a regional fiber/telecom holding company operating Glo Fiber (FTTH), Sprint/T-Mobile wireless, and Shenandoah Cable across the Mid-Atlantic. Comparable to FTC on fiber-to-the-home brand, multi-service portfolio, and rural/regional serving strategy.
• Breezeline (formerly Atlantic Broadband): Breezeline is a regional cable/fiber operator (Cogeco subsidiary) serving the Eastern US with internet, voice, TV, and mobile. Comparable to FTC on multi-service bundles, rural/suburban footprint, and presence in the Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic.
• Allo Communications: Allo Communications is a community-focused fiber-to-the-home ISP serving small cities and rural communities in the Midwest with gigabit speeds and bundles. Highly comparable to FTC as a small-market fiber specialist with strong community ties.

Broad incumbents

• AT&T: AT&T is a national telecom incumbent that operates as FTC's MVNO partner and a potential fiber competitor in overlapping Carolinas markets. Relevant as a broad incumbent and as the wholesale network underpinning FTC's wireless business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi97miU1kuA3-0S2Fhn82aQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FarmersTelephone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farmers-telephone-coop
• Instagraminstagram.com/farmers_telephone_coop
• TikToktiktok.com/@farmers_telephone_coop
• Pinterestpinterest.com/farmerstelephonecoop
• Xx.com/_ftcnet

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 FTC