Long Lines
Long Lines Broadband is a regional telecommunications provider delivering residential fiber internet, IPTV, and business connectivity across 27-29 communities in Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota, operating 1,165+ miles of owned fiber and serving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Schurz Communications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersSergeant Bluff, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Long Lines does
Long Lines Broadband is a privately held regional telecommunications provider headquartered in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, serving residential, business, and wholesale customers across 27-29 communities in Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota. Founded in 1941 as Northwest Iowa Telephone by Arthur Long and rebranded as Long Lines in 2001, the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Schurz Communications since March 2015. The company employs 51-100 people and operates four physical retail stores, a 4,000 sq ft secure data center built into a hillside at the Western Iowa Tech Community College campus in Sioux City, and over 1,165 miles of owned fiber infrastructure.
The core technology stack is a 100% Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in flagship communities such as Sergeant Bluff, South Sioux City, and Storm Lake (the latter at ~99% coverage), supplemented by DOCSIS 3.0 cable broadband and an IPTV streaming platform. Residential services are marketed under the Flight Fiber, Smart WiFi (powered by Calix's CommandIQ app), Flight Video (145+ streaming channels, launched October 2024), and Flight Mobile sub-brands, with speed tiers ranging from 300 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps and a 2.3 Gbps tier announced on the roadmap. Business services span dedicated fiber up to 10 Gbps, T-1 circuits, Ethernet, VoIP business phone, business television, multi-dwelling unit fiber, secure data center colocation, and managed services; the OTAVA partnership extends the stack into multi-cloud, cloud security, and managed Microsoft solutions.
The business model is recurring-subscription across residential and business customers, with no data caps on residential plans, no contracts beyond promotional commitment periods, a 5-year price lock for new residential customers, and a $175 early termination fee within commitment periods. Go-to-market combines direct sales via phone (712-271-4000 / 712-271-5000 for business), an e-commerce ordering portal (ecomm.longlines.com), retail stores, and a community-based marketing approach through local Chamber memberships and sponsorships. Recent capital deployment includes $2.5M in private equity for the 2018 Flight Gigabit launch and a $25M, five-year rural fiber expansion announced in December 2024, partially funded through Iowa and South Dakota state broadband grants.
Long Lines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Long Lines
- Legal name
- Long Lines Broadband
- Website
- https://longlines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Long Lines Broadband is a regional telecommunications provider delivering residential fiber internet, IPTV, and business connectivity across 27-29 communities in Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota, operating 1,165+ miles of owned fiber and serving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Schurz Communications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Long Lines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Communications Services, Nec (4899)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC), Residential/Broadband ISPs (Consumer Internet) (HDAIADAA), Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI), Rural & Universal Service Fixed Broadband Providers (HDAIABAJ)
Keywords
Where Long Lines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sergeant Bluff
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Long Lines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Residential Internet Service: Monthly subscription fees for high-speed internet across multiple speed tiers (300 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps) delivered over fiber or cable. Includes unlimited data on all plans with no data caps.
- Flight Video (IPTV Streaming): Monthly subscription for streaming television service delivered over internet, replacing traditional linear cable TV. Includes 145+ streaming channels and cloud DVR. Requires separate streaming device or Long Lines Force 1 box per TV.
- Business Internet & Communications: Business-grade internet services including T-1 connections (1.5 Mbps), Ethernet, and fiber connections up to 10 Gbps. Also includes business phone (VoIP/T1) and television services.
- Equipment Rental: Monthly rental fees for equipment including DOCSIS 3.0+ cable modems, Smart WiFi modem and extender units, and Force 1 streaming boxes for Flight Video.
- Flight Mobile Wireless: Monthly subscription for mobile wireless service offered as an add-on to existing broadband subscribers.
- Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) Services: Bulk/fiber internet and video services for property owners of apartments, senior living, and condominiums, with each unit receiving dedicated fiber connectivity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Internet - Ultra 1.5 Gbps |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Internet - Turbo 1 Gbps |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Internet - Fast 500 Mbps |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Internet - Standard 300 Mbps |
| Subscription | Monthly | Flight Mobile Wireless |
| Subscription | Monthly | Flight Video Streaming Service |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Early Termination Fee |
| Subscription | Monthly | Smart WiFi Add-on |
| Subscription | Monthly | Business T-1 Connection |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Flight Video Minimum Speed Requirement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Long Lines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Long Lines Broadband delivers residential and business telecommunications services over an owned 100% Fiber-to-the-Home network spanning the tri-state region of Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota. Core offerings include high-speed residential internet (up to 1.5 Gbps symmetrical via Flight Fiber FTTH), Flight Video IPTV streaming with 145+ channels, Flight Mobile wireless, Smart WiFi mesh networking, Business Internet/Enterprise Solutions up to 10G, Managed Services, Cloud Data solutions via OTAVA partnership, Secure Data Center colocation, Business Phone, Business Television, and Multi-Dwelling Unit fiber services.
Product overview
Long Lines Broadband is a regional telecommunications provider delivering residential and business communications services across the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The company's product portfolio is organized around three core service categories: Residential Services (high-speed internet with multiple speed tiers including Flight Fiber FTTH up to 1.5 Gbps, Smart WiFi whole-home coverage, Flight Video IPTV streaming with 145+ channels), Business Services (Enterprise Solutions with fiber connections up to 10G, Managed Services, Cloud Data via OTAVA partnership, Secure Data Center colocation, Business Phone with T1 capabilities, Business Television for hospitality/MDU, and Multi-Dwelling Unit fiber solutions), and Mobile (Flight Mobile wireless service). The company emphasizes unlimited data on all residential plans, no contracts, and local customer and technical support as key differentiators. Long Lines operates a 100% fiber-to-the-home network in many of its service communities including South Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, and Storm Lake.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Flight Fiber: Direct fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband internet service offering speeds up to 1.5 Gbps with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
- Flight Video
- Flight Mobile
- CommandIQ
Products and services
- Flight Fiber Premium fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) direct connection service for residential customers offering symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 1.5 Gbps (1,500 Mbps) with no data caps, professional installation, and 24/7 local tech support.
- High-Speed Residential Internet High-speed residential broadband internet service delivering reliable connectivity with multiple speed tiers up to 1.5 Gbps, unlimited data on all plans, no contracts or hidden fees, and 24/7 tech support.
- Smart WiFi Whole-home WiFi coverage system with mesh networking providing a seamless coverage blanket, dynamic frequency selection to reduce interference, and management features including parental controls and guest networks via the CommandIQ app. Free for 2 years with new residential internet service.
- Flight Video IPTV streaming service delivering television content over the internet with 145+ streaming channels, cloud-based DVR functionality, and availability on smart TVs, streaming devices, tablets, smartphones, and web browsers. Replaces traditional cable TV.
- Flight Mobile Mobile wireless service offered at $10/month for one year for new customers as an add-on to existing broadband service.
- Business Internet Business-class internet connectivity with multiple speed options up to 1 Gbps, including T-1 and Ethernet connections, flexible plans, and 24/7 US-based business class support.
- Enterprise Solutions Comprehensive business solutions featuring direct fiber connections up to 10 Gbps with high security and reliability, scalable technology for moving big data efficiently while controlling IT costs.
- Managed Services Comprehensive network management and support solutions for businesses including managed network infrastructure, configuration, and ongoing technical management delivered by Long Lines.
- Cloud Data (OTAVA Partnership) Cloud and data protection solutions offered in partnership with OTAVA, including multi-cloud infrastructure (public, private, hybrid), cloud security, managed Microsoft solutions, desktop-as-a-service, cloud migration, edge computing, and managed backup with disaster recovery services.
- Secure Data Center Business continuation and disaster recovery facility built into a hillside with concrete/steel construction at Western Iowa Tech Community College campus in Sioux City, IA. Features 3,972 sq ft facility, colocation, multiple carrier access, and robust power/cooling infrastructure for colocation and disaster recovery.
- Business Phone Business voice service using T1 equipment with integrated communications capabilities including standard business lines, long distance options, and calling features such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Voicemail, Call Forwarding, and 3-way Calling.
- Business Television Business television service with hundreds of channels including 100+ HD channels, available in Standard Cable, Bulk Cable, and Business Cable rate options for hotels, restaurants, bars, MDUs, and other businesses.
- Multi-Dwelling Units (MDU) Fiber internet service specifically designed for multi-dwelling properties including apartment buildings, senior living communities, and condominiums, offering dedicated 100% fiber-optic connection to each unit with no bandwidth sharing and no construction costs for property owners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 500 new miles of fiber deployed across rural tri-state region through $25M investment, providing first-ever FTTH connections to underserved communities
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Long Lines
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Long Lines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Long Lines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- OTAVAcoreLong Lines Broadband partnered with OTAVA to offer enterprise-grade cloud and data protection solutions for SMBs, including multi-cloud infrastructure, cloud security (threat detection, encryption, firewall management), managed Microsoft solutions, backup and disaster recovery, and edge computing. Sold through Long Lines Broadband's business team (712-271-5000).
- Calix, Inc.coreCalix, Inc. developed the CommandIQ mobile application for Long Lines Broadband subscribers, providing cloud and software services including WiFi management, device viewing, parental controls, and guest network setup. Long Lines Broadband is the controller of subscriber personal information; Calix acts as processor/service provider.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Long Lines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Premier Communications: Iowa-based rural fiber cooperative offering broadband, TV, and phone in northwest Iowa — geographic overlap with Long Lines' core territory and a comparable rural FTTH operating model, including similar reliance on state broadband grants.
- Antietam Broadband: Schurz Communications subsidiary offering cable, internet, and phone services in western Maryland — same corporate parent and broadly equivalent mid-size regional telco profile, useful as a benchmark for Schurz broadband unit economics.
- NKTelco: Another Schurz Communications family broadband property providing fiber, video, and phone services in rural Ohio — same parent, similar footprint size and product mix, useful as a direct comparable on operating economics.
- Consolidated Communications: Public rural-focused fiber and broadband provider serving small communities across 20+ states; directly comparable on rural FTTH strategy, enterprise services, and competitive positioning against national incumbents.
- Hiawatha Broadband Corporation: Sister company under Schurz Communications; operates as a regional fiber/cable/broadband provider serving southeast Minnesota with a similar full-service residential and business model, making it the closest operational comparable.
- Midcontinent Communications: Regional cable/broadband operator serving rural and small-town markets across the upper Midwest (North/South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin) with comparable FTTH buildouts and a similar small-market residential+enterprise model.
Emerging players
- Starlink (SpaceX): LEO satellite broadband service rapidly expanding in rural U.S. markets; not a traditional ISP peer but the most disruptive competitive threat to rural FTTH economics, particularly in Long Lines' lower-density expansion territories.
Broad incumbents
- Mediacom Communications: Large regional cable/broadband provider covering much of Iowa with hybrid fiber-coaxial service; the primary incumbent competitor in Long Lines' service area, useful as a benchmark for cable-versus-fiber competitive dynamics.
- Frontier Communications: Large incumbent ILEC aggressively building fiber-to-the-home across rural and suburban markets nationally; comparable as a competitor in adjacent rural territories and as a scale benchmark for fiber build economics.
- Sparklight (Cable One): Public rural/suburban-focused cable broadband operator serving small and mid-sized markets across 24 states; comparable in rural broadband targeting strategy and in the cable-versus-fiber competitive set Long Lines faces.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Long Lines social profiles
Digital presenceLong Lines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Long Lines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Long Lines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Long Lines 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 Long Lines
What does Long Lines do?
Long Lines Broadband delivers residential and business telecommunications services over an owned 100% Fiber-to-the-Home network spanning the tri-state region of Northwest Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota. Core offerings include high-speed residential internet (up to 1.5 Gbps symmetrical via Flight Fiber FTTH), Flight Video IPTV streaming with 145+ channels, Flight Mobile wireless, Smart WiFi mesh networking, Business Internet/Enterprise Solutions up to 10G, Managed Services, Cloud Data solutions via OTAVA partnership, Secure Data Center colocation, Business Phone, Business Television, and Multi-Dwelling Unit fiber services.
Is Long Lines a public or private company?
Long Lines is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Long Lines founded?
Long Lines was founded in 1941. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Long Lines based?
Long Lines is headquartered in Sergeant Bluff, United States, in the North America region.
How does Long Lines make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Residential Internet Service is the primary driver. The others are flight Video (IPTV Streaming), business Internet & Communications, equipment Rental, flight Mobile Wireless and multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) Services.
Who are Long Lines's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Premier Communications, Antietam Broadband, NKTelco, Consolidated Communications, Hiawatha Broadband Corporation and Midcontinent Communications. Starlink (SpaceX) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Mediacom Communications, Frontier Communications and Sparklight (Cable One).
Does Long Lines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Long Lines.
What industry is Long Lines in?
Long Lines's product category is Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIADAE, Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers), with a secondary code of HDAIABAC, Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers. Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 4813.