Empire
Empire Fiber Internet (Empire Access) is a privately held, New York–based regional fiber-to-the-premises ISP serving residential and business customers across New York and Pennsylvania with symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gig.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersPrattsburgh, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Empire does
Empire, operating as Empire Fiber Internet and Empire Access, is a privately held regional telecommunications company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Prattsburgh, New York. The company provides residential and business customers in New York and Pennsylvania with 100% fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) internet services delivering symmetrical upload and download speeds. Its core product portfolio consists of three residential tiers — Essential at 500 Mbps, Enhanced at 1 Gig, and Elite at 2 Gig — complemented by add-on services including home phone, whole-home Wi-Fi, and streaming TV. For business customers, Empire offers dedicated fiber solutions targeted at small businesses, enterprise organizations, and multi-dwelling (MDU) properties. Customer-facing network management software (CommandIQ for residential users and CommandWorx for business users) provides device and network control via mobile applications.
The company monetizes entirely through subscription-based recurring monthly fees, supported by a transparent pricing model featuring no contracts, no hidden fees, free professional installation, and a 3-year price lock guarantee on enhanced and elite plans, with a $10 monthly discount for autopay and e-billing enrollment. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through an e-commerce shop (shop.empireaccess.com), phone sales at 844-430-4745, and field technicians for installation and on-the-ground sales, supplemented by content marketing, email, community sponsorships, and local events.
Empire operates as an independent, self-funded regional fiber overbuilder. No external funding rounds, parent company, mergers, acquisitions, leadership changes, or patent portfolio are disclosed in the available data. The company has been actively expanding its network footprint through 2026, bringing service to Livingston, Lehigh Valley PA (its first announced entry into Pennsylvania), Steuben County NY, Wellsville NY, and Victor NY. Recognition includes the 2021 PC Magazine Fastest ISP award, consecutive FLX Finest Best IT Technology Provider and Best of the Twin Tier ISP honors in 2023 and 2024, and the 2025 Nextdoor Most-Loved Business designation.
Empire firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Empire
- Legal name
- Empire Access
- Website
- https://empiretelephone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Empire Fiber Internet (Empire Access) is a privately held, New York–based regional fiber-to-the-premises ISP serving residential and business customers across New York and Pennsylvania with symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gig.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Empire industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fiber Internet Services
- NAICS
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE), Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators (HDAIACAB)
Keywords
Where Empire is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Prattsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Empire business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Residential Fiber Internet Service: Monthly subscription-based internet service for residential customers with tiered plans (Essential, Enhanced, Elite) offering speeds from 500 Mbps to 2 Gig
- Business Fiber Internet Service: Dedicated fiber connectivity solutions for small businesses, enterprise organizations, and multifamily (MDU) properties with scalable options
- Additional Services: Home phone service, whole-home Wi-Fi, and streaming TV services bundled with or sold alongside internet packages
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Essential Plan - 500 Mbps for everyday use |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enhanced Plan - 1 Gig for busy households |
| Subscription | Monthly | Elite Plan - 2 Gig for power users |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Empire product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Empire is a regional fiber internet service provider operating a 100% fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network that delivers symmetrical broadband internet, home phone, whole-home Wi-Fi, and streaming TV services to residential and business customers in New York and Pennsylvania. The company offers tiered residential plans (500 Mbps, 1 Gig, 2 Gig) and dedicated fiber solutions for small businesses, enterprises, and multifamily (MDU) properties.
Product overview
Empire is a fiber internet service provider offering a unified product portfolio centered on residential and business fiber connectivity. The core offering consists of three residential internet service tiers (Essential Plan at 500 Mbps, Enhanced Plan at 1 Gig, and Elite Plan at 2 Gig) with symmetrical speeds and included equipment. These plans are complemented by add-on services including Home Phone, Whole-Home Wi-Fi, and Streaming TV for complete home connectivity. For business customers, Empire provides Small Business Fiber Internet, Enterprise Business Fiber Internet, and Multifamily (MDU) Fiber Internet solutions. The company also offers proprietary network management applications—CommandIQ App for residential customers and CommandWorx App for business customers—to manage network settings and connected devices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Essential Plan Entry-level residential fiber internet plan delivering 500 Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds for everyday streaming, gaming, browsing, and video calls. Includes Wi-Fi router and modem, free professional installation, and built-in 24/7 Wi-Fi security, with no contracts or hidden fees.
- Enhanced Plan Mid-tier residential fiber internet plan providing 1 Gig symmetrical download and upload speeds for busy households. Supports seamless 4K streaming, gaming, and remote work, with built-in parental controls and network-wide device protection, plus all Essential Plan features.
- Elite Plan Premium residential fiber internet plan delivering 2 Gig symmetrical speeds for power users. Supports 4K/8K streaming and gaming with priority performance, advanced network management, full network control, and zero lag, including all Enhanced Plan features.
- Home Phone Residential landline phone service providing voice connectivity bundled with home fiber internet packages.
- Whole-Home Wi-Fi Wi-Fi service delivering comprehensive wireless coverage throughout the entire home, offered as an add-on to residential fiber internet plans.
- Streaming TV Streaming television service enabling residential customers to watch TV content delivered over their fiber internet connection, with access to streaming resources and marketplace tools.
- Small Business Fiber Internet Fiber internet connectivity solutions tailored for small business operations, providing reliable high-speed internet with scalable options to support daily operations and growth.
- Enterprise Business Fiber Internet High-capacity fiber internet solutions designed for enterprise organizations with demanding connectivity requirements and growing communication needs.
- Multifamily Fiber Internet (MDU) Fiber internet service tailored for multi-dwelling communities (MDUs), delivering building-wide fiber connectivity to residents in apartment buildings and housing complexes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Speeds up to 2 Gig available
Companies that use Empire
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Empire technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Empire partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Empire competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Consolidated Communications: Regional fiber and broadband provider (now under Searchlight Capital) serving residential and business customers across 20+ states with FTTH expansion — comparable FTTP deployment strategy in underserved markets.
- Buckeye Broadband: Regional fiber and cable broadband provider serving residential and business customers in Ohio and Michigan with similar gigabit tiers and triple-play bundles.
- Zito Media: Privately held regional fiber and cable broadband provider serving small towns and rural communities across NY, PA, and the Midwest — highly comparable in scale, geography, and customer mix.
- TDS Telecom: Regional wireline and fiber broadband operator serving small-town and rural communities across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast — directly comparable in target market and fiber-over-copper playbook.
- Greenlight Networks: Buffalo, NY-based fiber-to-the-home ISP serving residential and small business customers across upstate New York with symmetrical gigabit speeds — closely comparable in geography, technology (100% FTTP), and customer target.
- Armstrong: Regional fiber and cable broadband provider serving residential and business customers across Pennsylvania and surrounding states with similar triple-play bundles and tiered gigabit plans.
Broad incumbents
- AT&T Fiber: National FTTH provider with extensive fiber footprint across NY and PA — represents the largest competitive threat in shared geographies and the upper bound on residential ARPU benchmarks.
- Frontier Communications: Large-scale fiber ISP aggressively expanding FTTP across NY, PA, and 25+ other states — directly overlaps Empire's territories with significant capital and national scale.
- Brightspeed: Apollo-backed fiber overbuilder rapidly deploying FTTH across 20 states including the Northeast — competing for the same small-market fiber overbuild opportunity as Empire.
- Verizon Fios: Major nationwide FTTH provider offering symmetrical gigabit service — represents the scaled, well-capitalized incumbent fiber benchmark Empire competes against in overlapping markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Empire social profiles
Digital presenceEmpire financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Empire leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Empire funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Empire 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 Empire
What does Empire do?
Empire is a regional fiber internet service provider operating a 100% fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network that delivers symmetrical broadband internet, home phone, whole-home Wi-Fi, and streaming TV services to residential and business customers in New York and Pennsylvania. The company offers tiered residential plans (500 Mbps, 1 Gig, 2 Gig) and dedicated fiber solutions for small businesses, enterprises, and multifamily (MDU) properties.
Is Empire a public or private company?
Empire is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Empire founded?
Empire was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Empire based?
Empire is headquartered in Prattsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Empire make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Residential Fiber Internet Service is the primary driver. The others are business Fiber Internet Service and additional Services.
Who are Empire's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Consolidated Communications, Buckeye Broadband, Zito Media, TDS Telecom, Greenlight Networks and Armstrong. Broad incumbents are AT&T Fiber, Frontier Communications, Brightspeed and Verizon Fios.
Does Empire have an API?
No public API is recorded for Empire.
What industry is Empire in?
Empire's product category is Fiber Internet Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIABAC, Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers, with a secondary code of HDAIADAE, Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers). Its NAICS code is 51711.