The Golden Belt Telephone Association

What The Golden Belt Telephone Association does

The Golden Belt Telephone Association, doing business as GBT Communications, is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative founded in 1953 and headquartered in Rush Center, Kansas. It provides fiber-to-the-home internet, streaming television (StreamIT TV), home voice service, wireless service through a Nex-Tech Wireless reseller partnership, security and surveillance systems, and business IT solutions to residential and business customers across 26+ towns in central and western Kansas spanning more than 3,200 square miles. The cooperative has invested over $46 million in fiber infrastructure since 2007 and reports 97% fiber connectivity to its membership, with multi-gigabit symmetrical residential plans up to 2.5 Gbps and business plans up to 5 Gbps.

The underlying technology consists of an owned fiber network (FTTH), a proprietary streaming TV platform distributed via apps on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android devices, bundled voice and security offerings, and managed business IT services including hosted phone, network security, backups, and endpoint detection. Wireless service is delivered as an authorized agent of Nex-Tech Wireless for 5G coverage. The company reaches customers through five company-owned retail storefronts, phone-based sales and 24/7 help desk support, online self-service signup and bill pay, and a field sales team for business accounts. Marketing is community-driven via newsletter ("The Connection"), social media, blog content, and local event sponsorships.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring monthly subscriptions across internet, TV, voice, and wireless tiers (residential plans from $54.95 to $124.95 per month and business plans from $54.95 to $599.95 per month), supplemented by hardware sales of devices and security equipment, and managed services for business IT customers. The cooperative model returns capital credits to member-owners, with over $6 million retired over the last five years. GBT is governed by a seven-member elected board representing geographic districts, led by General Manager Beau Rebel, and operates without external venture or private equity ownership.

Name

The Golden Belt Telephone Association

Legal name

Golden Belt Telephone Association, Inc.

Website

https://gbta.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GBT Communications is a member-owned Kansas telecommunications cooperative founded in 1953 that delivers fiber internet, streaming TV, voice, wireless, security, and business IT services across 26+ towns in central and western Kansas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators (HDAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators (HDAIACAB), Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC), Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)

Keywords

• Rural broadband services
• Fiber internet service
• Telecommunications cooperative
• Streaming TV service
• Business IT solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rush Center

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Internet Services: Monthly subscription fees for residential and business fiber internet plans ranging from basic speeds to multi-gigabit connections. Revenue generated through tiered pricing based on speed tiers.
2. Video/TV Services (StreamIT): Subscription-based streaming TV service with three tiers (Blue, Gold, Platinum). Revenue from monthly subscription fees, with pricing dependent on channel package selected.
3. Voice/Telephone Services: Home phone service with unlimited local calling and various calling features. Revenue from monthly service fees.
4. Wireless/Mobile Services: Nex-Tech Wireless cellular service resold through GBT locations, including smartphones, tablets, and connected devices with 5G coverage.
5. Device Sales: Sale of smartphones, tablets, internet devices, and accessories through retail store locations.
6. Security System Installation: Professional installation and sale of customized camera systems and security systems for homes and businesses.
7. Business IT Solutions: Managed IT services including network security, backups, firewalls, vulnerability scans, endpoint detection, business class email, and cybersecurity awareness training.
8. Hosted Phone Solutions: Cloud-based business phone systems with customizable features, mobile apps, suitable for work-from-home and multi-location businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GBT Communications provides fiber-to-the-home internet (up to 2.5 Gbps residential, 5 Gbps business), StreamIT streaming TV, home phone (Voice), security and surveillance systems, and 5G wireless service through a member-owned cooperative operating its own fiber network across central and western Kansas. Business customers additionally receive hosted phone systems, managed IT services, and cybersecurity solutions. All services are delivered over GBT's owned fiber infrastructure that covers 97% of its service territory.

Product overview

GBT Communications is a fiber-to-the-home telecommunications cooperative offering a unified portfolio of connectivity and entertainment services. The core offering is Fiber Internet with symmetrical speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps for residential and up to 5 Gbps for business customers. This is bundled with StreamIT TV, a streaming television service with three tiers (Blue, Gold, Platinum) delivering content via apps on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android devices. Additional services include Voice (home phone with unlimited calling and features), Security & Surveillance (camera systems and alarms with remote monitoring), and Nex-Tech Wireless (5G mobile service). Business offerings include dedicated fiber internet, hosted phone solutions, and IT technology solutions covering network security and managed services. All services run over GBT's owned fiber network spanning central and western Kansas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• StreamIT TV: GBT's streaming TV service that allows users to watch live channels, on-demand content, and local Kansas stations on streaming devices.
• Nex-Tech Wireless

Products and services

• Residential Fiber Internet Fiber-to-the-home internet service with symmetrical speeds ranging from 150 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps, no data caps, no throttling, and no overage fees. Targeted at residential customers in central and western Kansas.
• Business Fiber Internet Business-class fiber internet with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps, 24/7/365 support with priority service response, and customized solutions tailored to business needs. Designed for small to medium businesses, farms, and rural enterprises.
• Fixed Wireless Internet Fixed wireless internet service with speeds of 25/5 Mbps, 50/10 Mbps, and 100/10 Mbps for areas where fiber is not yet available. Includes unlimited data with no throttling.
• StreamIT TV GBT's streaming TV service delivered via app on streaming devices including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android devices. Offers three tiers (Blue, Gold, Platinum) ranging from 28 to 150+ channels with cloud DVR, full HD, instant rewind/replay, and integration with other streaming platforms like Netflix and ESPN+.
• Voice (Home Phone) Dependable home phone service with unlimited local calling, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and three-way calling, with no contracts or surprise fees. Targeted at residential customers.
• Security & Surveillance Systems Customized camera and security systems with professional installation, indoor/outdoor cameras, recorded footage, cloud storage options, and remote viewing capability through a mobile app. Available for homes and businesses.
• Nex-Tech Wireless (5G Mobile) 5G wireless cellular service resold through GBT retail locations as an authorized Nex-Tech Wireless agent. Includes smartphones, tablets, and connected devices with 5G network coverage across Kansas.
• Hosted Phone Solutions Cloud-based business phone systems with customizable features, mobile apps, and capabilities suited to work-from-home and multi-location businesses. Targeted at business customers needing flexible phone systems.
• Business IT Technology Solutions Managed IT services for businesses including network security, backups, firewalls, vulnerability scans, endpoint detection, business-class email, cybersecurity awareness training, and remote support and management. Targeted at small and medium businesses in rural Kansas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of members connected to fiber infrastructure
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pawnee CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration with Pawnee County officials in securing and implementing the $6.78 million grant for rural broadband deployment. Partnership involved planning and collaboration that made the grant application successful.
• NCK TechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2022Partnership with NCK Tech to develop the Telecommunications and Network Technology Program. GBT sponsors students in the program and provides internship opportunities. Jadon Copeland of Ness City was the first student sponsored by GBT for this program located in Hays, designed to bring talent back to rural telecommunications companies.
• Nex-Tech WirelesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGBT is an authorized Nex-Tech Wireless agent in central and western Kansas. GBT sells Nex-Tech Wireless cellular plans, smartphones, tablets, and internet devices at their retail locations. Nex-Tech Wireless provides the 5G network coverage for these services.
• Trans-TelminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTelecommunications subcontractor working with GBT on fiber construction projects. Trans-Tel technicians assist with hanging fiber optic mainline during fiber deployment projects in Kansas communities.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nex-Tech: Kansas-based member-owned telephone cooperative providing fiber, wireless, video, and business IT across north-central and western Kansas. Directly comparable cooperative operating model, overlapping Kansas footprint, and the same Nex-Tech Wireless (of which GBT is an authorized agent) 5G platform.
• IdeaTek: Kansas-based fiber-to-the-home and broadband operator serving rural and underserved Kansas communities with fiber internet and voice. Highly comparable on geography, customer base (rural Kansas), and fiber-first product strategy.
• Pioneer Telephone Cooperative (Pioneer Telephone): Oklahoma-based member-owned telephone cooperative operating fiber broadband, video, voice, and wireless across rural Oklahoma. Mirrors GBT's cooperative ownership, rural fiber buildout, and diversified telecom revenue model.
• Cunningham Telephone & Cable: Kansas-based rural telephone cooperative providing fiber internet, video, and phone to western Kansas communities including direct GBT neighbor markets. Closely comparable small rural-Kansas cooperative with fiber-led footprint.
• Kanokla Communications: Kansas rural telephone cooperative providing fiber, video, voice, and wireless services. Comparable cooperative structure, rural service territory, and fiber-led product strategy in the same regional market.
• S&T Communications: Kansas-based rural broadband cooperative delivering fiber internet, video, voice, and managed IT to central and western Kansas. Closely matches GBT in service area, member-owned model, and SMB/residential fiber offerings.
• United Fiber (United Telephone / UNITEL): Multi-state cooperative group of rural telephone companies (Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, etc.) deploying fiber-to-the-home to member-customers. Comparable cooperative scale, fiber expansion story, and rural ISP economics.

Broad incumbents

• Consolidated Communications: Large publicly traded fiber and broadband provider offering internet, TV, and voice to residential and business customers across 20+ states including Kansas. Comparable product portfolio but materially larger scale and national footprint.
• AT&T: National incumbent telco offering fiber-to-the-home, fixed wireless, and wireless services nationwide — overlapping GBT product categories. GBT explicitly positions against AT&T's rural service model and customer experience.
• Vyve Broadband: Rural-focused broadband provider delivering cable/fiber internet, video, and voice to small towns and rural communities across multiple U.S. states. Comparable rural-market focus and product mix at greater geographic scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7Rb72RiRYOZkQNcDusYvag
• Facebookfacebook.com/goldenbelttelephone
• Xx.com/goldenbelttel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 The Golden Belt Telephone Association