What Advanced Communications Technology does

Range (operated by Advanced Communications Technology, ACT) is a rural telecommunications cooperative providing fiber-based internet, voice, and managed IT services to residential, business, and wholesale carrier customers across a 30,000-square-mile service area spanning Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota. The company has been operating since 1953 and currently maintains 11-50 employees with headquarters referenced in Forsyth, Montana and corporate presence in Sheridan, Wyoming. Its technology stack centers on owned fiber optic infrastructure extended with managed Wi-Fi and smart home/device management tooling.

The product portfolio is structured as a platform-plus-modules architecture. Residential customers subscribe to high-speed internet (plans starting at $60/month) with attach options including Ultimate Wi-Fi, the Smart Home App, and landline telephone service. Business customers receive high-speed internet, Range Smart Business (managed Wi-Fi with security features), Range Phone Services, and VoIP phone systems, with Managed IT Services layered on for data protection, network security, and help desk support. The wholesale division supplies infrastructure to other carriers via Dark Fiber, Ethernet, Wavelength, and Wireless Backhaul services under multi-year contracts. All customer segments access SmartHub for account management and billing.

Revenue is generated entirely through recurring subscriptions across the three segments, with residential pricing publicly disclosed and business/wholesale priced on a custom quote basis. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct: customers order through the range.net website (with zip-code availability checking), via phone (800.927.2643), or in person at four local offices (Forsyth, Dubois, Sheridan, Worland). Marketing emphasizes local 24/7 support, no data caps, and deep community roots. The most significant recent strategic action is the 2026 Heartland Fiber Project partnership announced to expand high-capacity fiber connectivity into the Upper Midwest.

Name

Advanced Communications Technology

Legal name

Range

Website

https://actaccess.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Range (Advanced Communications Technology) is a rural telecommunications cooperative delivering fiber internet, voice, managed IT, and wholesale carrier services to residential, SMB, and carrier customers across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wholesale Wavelength, Spectrum & Dark Fiber Providers (IRU/Leases) (HDAIALAI)

Keywords

• Fiber internet services
• Rural telecommunications
• Managed IT services
• VoIP phone systems
• Wholesale fiber infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheridan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Residential Internet Services: Monthly subscription-based internet services for residential customers with plans starting at $60/month. Includes high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, and optional landline telephone services.
2. Business Services: Customized internet, phone systems, and managed IT services for business customers. Includes VoIP phone systems and secure Wi-Fi solutions tailored for small to mid-size businesses.
3. Managed IT Services: Technology management services including data protection, help desk support, and network security for businesses.
4. Wholesale Carrier Services: Infrastructure services for other carriers including dark fiber, Ethernet, wavelength, and wireless backhaul solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Advanced Communications Technology, operating as Range, is a full-service rural telecommunications provider delivering high-speed fiber internet, landline and VoIP phone services, managed IT services, and wholesale carrier infrastructure (dark fiber, Ethernet, wavelength, wireless backhaul). The company serves residential households, small and mid-size businesses, and wholesale carriers across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota, with localized sales, installation, and 24/7 technical support delivered through its website, phone channels, and physical offices.

Product overview

Range is a rural telecommunications cooperative offering a platform-plus-modules product architecture serving residential, business, and wholesale carrier segments. The core offerings include high-speed fiber internet for homes and businesses, combined with voice services (landline and VoIP), Ultimate Wi-Fi, and the Smart Home App for residential customers. Business customers receive Range Smart Business (combining secure Wi-Fi and management tools), high-speed internet, Range Phone Services, and VoIP Phone Systems. A significant addition is Managed IT Services providing data protection and help desk support. The wholesale division offers Dark Fiber, Ethernet, Wavelength, and Wireless Backhaul for carrier partners. All customer segments can access SmartHub for account management. The portfolio is unified under the Range brand with products sized for rural communities across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota since 1953.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Range Smart Business: Business internet, Wi-Fi, and technology solutions for small businesses
• Range Smart Home
• Ultimate Wi-Fi
• SmartHub

Products and services

• Residential High-Speed Internet High-speed fiber and traditional internet connectivity delivered to residential households across rural Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota, with subscription plans starting at $60/month. Targeted at individual households and families needing reliable connectivity for streaming, gaming, and communication.
• Ultimate Wi-Fi Premium whole-home Wi-Fi service for residential customers offering enhanced coverage and performance across the household. Designed for Range residential internet subscribers who need reliable Wi-Fi coverage for streaming, gaming, and smart home devices.
• Smart Home App Mobile application for residential customers to manage and control their home network and connected smart home devices. Designed as a companion app to Range residential internet and Ultimate Wi-Fi services.
• Landline Telephone Services Traditional landline voice service for residential customers, providing crystal-clear voice connectivity as an optional add-on to Range residential internet. Aimed at households that want a reliable home phone line in addition to broadband.
• Range Smart Business Integrated business solution combining safe, secure, and smart managed Wi-Fi with management tools, designed for small businesses needing reliable and protected wireless networking. Sold with custom quote-based pricing sized to the customer's requirements.
• Business High-Speed Internet High-speed internet connectivity tailored for business customers with dedicated local support across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and South Dakota. Intended for small and mid-size businesses that need reliable enterprise-grade broadband with local technical assistance.
• Range Phone Services (Business) Business phone services providing reliable voice communication for enterprises and small businesses within Range's service area. Sold as a subscription alongside business internet.
• VoIP Phone Systems Voice over IP business phone solution offering advanced telephony features and flexibility for business communications. Designed for business customers needing modern, feature-rich phone systems integrated with Range's network.
• Managed IT Services Comprehensive managed IT services for businesses including data protection, local help desk support, network security, and end-to-end technology management. Intended for small and mid-size businesses that need outsourced IT operations with local support.
• Dark Fiber Dedicated fiber infrastructure offered to wholesale carrier partners requiring exclusive use of fiber optic connectivity for their networks. Sold on a multi-year contract basis to other telecom carriers and service providers.
• Ethernet (Wholesale) Ethernet connectivity services offered to wholesale carrier partners as part of Range's wholesale infrastructure portfolio. Sold on a multi-year contract basis to telecom operators needing carrier-grade Ethernet transport.
• Wavelength Services Wavelength services for high-capacity data transmission offered to wholesale carrier partners. Designed for carriers needing high-bandwidth transport across Range's regional fiber footprint under multi-year contracts.
• Wireless Backhaul Wireless backhaul connectivity solutions for wholesale carrier partners to extend network reach in Range's rural service area. Sold on a multi-year contract basis.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Heartland Fiber Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRange has announced a partnership launching the Heartland Fiber Project to expand high-capacity connectivity across the Upper Midwest. This represents a major infrastructure expansion initiative to bring fiber internet to underserved rural communities in the region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Consolidated Communications: A fiber and broadband provider serving primarily rural and mid-size markets across 20+ states, with a similar mix of residential, business, and wholesale services. Highly comparable in customer profile, infrastructure model, and rural-focused go-to-market.
• Mid-Rivers Communications: A Montana-based rural communications cooperative offering fiber internet, voice, and IT services. Near-direct comparable given similar cooperative structure, regional geography, and service portfolio.
• Blackfoot Communications: A Montana-based rural telecommunications cooperative providing fiber, voice, and managed IT services to small communities. Closely comparable as a cooperative peer with similar size, geography, and product set.
• TDS Telecom: A rural-focused ILEC providing fiber, broadband, voice, and managed IT services across small communities in 30+ states. Closely comparable operating model with cooperative-like community presence and similar product mix.
• Windstream: A rural and suburban fiber provider offering residential, business, and wholesale services across 18 states. Similar customer profile, product mix, and wholesale carrier infrastructure offerings.

Emerging players

• Vyve Broadband: A rural-focused broadband provider serving smaller communities with fiber and cable internet, voice, and business services. Comparable target customer profile and rural market positioning.
• Viasat: A satellite broadband provider competing for the same rural residential and SMB customer base that Range serves. Not a direct technology competitor but increasingly substitutes for fixed-line service in low-density areas.
• Starlink (SpaceX): LEO satellite broadband service targeting rural and underserved markets. The most strategically relevant competitive threat to Range's rural residential franchise as speeds improve and subscriber costs decline.

Broad incumbents

• Frontier Communications: A larger-scale fiber-overbuilder aggressively expanding rural and suburban fiber networks with significant BEAD funding participation. Comparable technology and customer base but broader geographic footprint and post-bankruptcy scale advantages.
• Lumen Technologies: A major Tier-1 carrier with significant wholesale wavelength, dark fiber, and Ethernet offerings. Comparable on the wholesale carrier services side of Range's business and overlaps on enterprise connectivity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Advanced Communications Technology