3 Rivers Communications
3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned Montana telecommunications cooperative founded in 1953, providing fiber-to-the-home broadband, VoIP voice, and business communications services across 25 rural exchanges, plus Conrad, Shelby, and limited Great Falls.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersFairfield, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What 3 Rivers Communications does
3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative headquartered in Fairfield, Montana, founded in 1953 to provide telephone service to rural Montana communities. The cooperative, legally known as 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc., has evolved over more than 70 years from a traditional telephone utility into a broadband provider operating in 25 local telephone exchanges plus Conrad, Shelby, and limited service in Great Falls, with offices in Fairfield, Big Sky, Conrad, and Shelby. Members elect a Board of Trustees that sets policy, and capital credits are allocated to members based on patronage, with no external parent company or venture capital ownership.
The company's core technology stack is centered on a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network complemented by hybrid fiber optic and copper DSL infrastructure, enabling symmetrical upload/download speeds at the fiber layer. Core products include fiber broadband internet delivered at 100 Mbps, 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gbps tiers; a VoIP-based Digital Voice service with unlimited long distance and more than 20 calling features; Hosted PBX phone systems for businesses; the SmartHub online and mobile account management platform (built on a partner platform); and the 3 Rivers Smart Home App, which is developed by Calix and provides in-home WiFi network management. The cooperative also participates in the federal Lifeline subsidy program for low-income subscribers. Network management practices and the Open Internet Framework comply with FCC requirements, and the cooperative has filed the required Compliance Assurance with the Rural Utilities Service under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The business model is a recurring subscription model built on monthly fees for internet and voice services, supplemented by one-time activation ($45) and installation charges. Pricing varies by technology (fiber vs. copper) and geography, with a $10/month voice add-on available to internet subscribers and a $5 bill credit for three months when customers opt for paperless billing. The company is sales-led, with customer acquisition via phone (800-796-4567 / 406-467-2535), the SmartHub self-service portal, and in-person at local offices. 3 Rivers was recognized in January 2023 as a Smart Rural Community Gig-Certified Provider by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, validating its capability to deliver commercial Gigabit speeds to 95% of its exchanges and FTTH coverage to approximately 85% of potential customers.
3 Rivers Communications firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 3 Rivers Communications
- Legal name
- 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
- Website
- https://3rivers.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- 3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned Montana telecommunications cooperative founded in 1953, providing fiber-to-the-home broadband, VoIP voice, and business communications services across 25 rural exchanges, plus Conrad, Shelby, and limited Great Falls.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
3 Rivers Communications industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Telecommunications Services
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators (HDAIACAG)
Keywords
Where 3 Rivers Communications is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
3 Rivers Communications business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Internet Service Subscriptions: Monthly recurring subscription fees for broadband internet service at various speed tiers (100 Mbps to 1 Gbps), delivered via fiber-to-the-home or copper DSL
- Voice Service Subscriptions: Monthly fees for Digital Voice service and traditional local telephone exchange service, including bundled unlimited long distance and calling features
- Business Services: Customized business communications solutions including internet, digital voice, hosted PBX systems, and long distance for business customers
- Equipment and Installation Fees: One-time activation fees ($45) and installation charges for new service connections and equipment
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | 100 Mbps Fiber Internet |
| Subscription | Monthly | 100 Mbps Copper Internet (Conrad/Shelby) |
| Subscription | Monthly | 100 Mbps Copper Internet (Other Areas) |
| Subscription | Monthly | 250 Mbps Fiber Internet |
| Subscription | Monthly | 500 Mbps Fiber Internet |
| Subscription | Monthly | 1000 Mbps (1 Gig) Fiber Internet |
| Subscription | Monthly | Digital Voice Add-on |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
3 Rivers Communications product offering
Product offeringCore offering
3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative delivering high-speed Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband internet, VoIP-based Digital Voice service, and customized business communications solutions to residential members and business customers across rural Montana. Its portfolio includes fiber broadband at speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, unlimited long distance voice service, Hosted PBX systems, and the SmartHub account management platform, supported by local offices and 24/7 technical support.
Product overview
3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative offering a portfolio of communication services centered on Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband and VoIP voice services. The core offerings consist of Fiber Broadband Internet (with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps) and Digital Voice Service with unlimited long distance. These are complemented by the SmartHub account management platform, Smart Home App for network management, WiFi Optimization service, and Business Services including Hosted PBX systems. The company also supports Lifeline subscribers through federal assistance programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartHub: Customer account management platform available as web portal and mobile app for bill payment, account management, and service access.
- 3 Rivers Smart Home App
Products and services
- Internet Service (Fiber Broadband)
Quantifiable outcome
- Delivers commercial Gigabit speeds to 95% of exchanges (Gig-Certified requirement)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 3 Rivers Communications
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
3 Rivers Communications technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
3 Rivers Communications partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Calix, Inc.coreCalix developed the Smart Home App used by 3 Rivers subscribers. Calix processes subscriber personal information as a service provider for 3 Rivers under applicable privacy and data protection laws.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
3 Rivers Communications competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Consolidated Communications: Regional ILEC/FTTH operator serving portions of Montana with fiber broadband and voice — broader incumbent with overlapping product set but wider geographic scope.
- CenturyLink / Lumen Technologies: Large ILEC with significant rural Montana presence offering legacy DSL and fiber services — broad incumbent competing for the same residential and business customers across overlapping exchanges.
- Spectrum (Charter Communications): National cable MSO with broadband coverage in larger Montana towns — competing for the same residential and SMB customer base where its HFC footprint overlaps 3 Rivers' territory.
Direct peers
- Range Telephone Cooperative: Member-owned cooperative offering fiber broadband and voice services across rural Montana and Wyoming — directly comparable rural cooperative with FTTH-led network and similar gigabit ambitions.
- Mid-Rivers Communications: Montana cooperative providing fiber broadband, voice, and managed business communications across central Montana — directly comparable rural cooperative ISP serving overlapping Montana geographies.
- Triangle Telephone Cooperative Association: Montana member-owned cooperative delivering FTTH broadband, voice, and business communications in central Montana — same cooperative model, same rural fiber ISP category, same state.
- Blackfoot Communications: Western Montana telecommunications cooperative offering fiber broadband, voice, and business services — comparable rural-cooperative ISP with similar FTTH and member-owned structure.
- Nemont Telephone Cooperative: Montana-based member-owned rural telephone cooperative providing fiber broadband, voice, and business services across northeastern Montana — directly comparable rural cooperative ISP serving adjacent Montana territory.
Emerging players
- Starlink (SpaceX): LEO satellite broadband provider explicitly targeting unserved and rural U.S. households — emerging competitive threat to 3 Rivers' rural Montana subscriber base that the company itself now addresses in marketing.
- Montana Internet / local WISPs: Regional wireless internet service providers serving rural Montana with fixed-wireless broadband — emerging competitor addressing the same low-density customer segment where fiber economics are weakest.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
3 Rivers Communications social profiles
Digital presence3 Rivers Communications compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
3 Rivers Communications financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
3 Rivers Communications leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
3 Rivers Communications funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
3 Rivers Communications 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 3 Rivers Communications
What does 3 Rivers Communications do?
3 Rivers Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative delivering high-speed Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband internet, VoIP-based Digital Voice service, and customized business communications solutions to residential members and business customers across rural Montana. Its portfolio includes fiber broadband at speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, unlimited long distance voice service, Hosted PBX systems, and the SmartHub account management platform, supported by local offices and 24/7 technical support.
Is 3 Rivers Communications a public or private company?
3 Rivers Communications is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 3 Rivers Communications founded?
3 Rivers Communications was founded in 1953. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 3 Rivers Communications based?
3 Rivers Communications is headquartered in Fairfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does 3 Rivers Communications make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Internet Service Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are voice Service Subscriptions, business Services and equipment and Installation Fees.
Who are 3 Rivers Communications's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Consolidated Communications, CenturyLink / Lumen Technologies and Spectrum (Charter Communications). Direct peers are Range Telephone Cooperative, Mid-Rivers Communications, Triangle Telephone Cooperative Association, Blackfoot Communications and Nemont Telephone Cooperative. Emerging players are Starlink (SpaceX) and Montana Internet / local WISPs.
Does 3 Rivers Communications have an API?
No public API is recorded for 3 Rivers Communications.
What industry is 3 Rivers Communications in?
3 Rivers Communications's product category is Rural Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIADAE, Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers), with a secondary code of HDAIACAG, Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators. Its SIC code is 4813.