What Midstate Communications does

Midstate Communications is a member-owned telephone membership cooperative headquartered in Kimball, South Dakota, delivering fiber-to-the-home broadband, landline telephone, and IPTV streaming TV to residential and small-business members across 11 telephone exchanges in central South Dakota. Founded in 1952 as Midstate Telephone Company, the cooperative assembled its current footprint through a series of exchange acquisitions between 1955 and 1998 (Kimball, White Lake, Stickney, Gann Valley, Pukwana, New Holland, Delmont, Fort Thompson, Platte, and Geddes) and now services nearly 5,000 access lines on 100% FTTH infrastructure, with symmetric gigabit plans, 5 ms latency, and unlimited data. The service stack is built on a Calix GigaSpire-based Managed Wi-Fi layer (with ProtectIQ network security and ExperienceIQ parental controls managed through the CommandIQ mobile app) layered onto the fiber plant, and includes a self-developed IPTV product (Midstate X-Stream) delivered via Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV endpoints, plus a member webmail platform and the eBill mobile app.

The business model is a subscription cooperative: monthly recurring revenue from internet tiers ($74.95–$138.95/mo), the X-Stream TV plan ($117.55/mo, includes retransmission fees), and Internet + Phone bundles ($82.22–$150.11/mo), supplemented by long-distance usage plans, managed Wi-Fi add-ons, premium channels, hardware sales (HP computers, printers, accessories), and pass-through FCC Universal Service Fund fees. Midstate sells directly through two local retail-style offices (Kimball HQ and Chamberlain), an online apply-for-service flow, phone/email/text sales, and a 24/7 SMS support line, and operates as an NTCA member under cooperative governance with a seven-member elected board. Rather than returning margins to outside shareholders, the cooperative periodically distributes capital credits to member-owners (over $1M returned in July 2025 from the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2024 service years), reinforcing the member-ownership value proposition that differentiates Midstate from investor-owned rural broadband providers.

Name

Midstate Communications

Legal name

Midstate Communications, Inc.

Website

https://web.midstatesd.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Midstate Communications is a member-owned South Dakota telephone cooperative delivering fiber-to-the-home internet, landline telephone, and IPTV streaming TV to nearly 5,000 access lines across 11 central-South-Dakota exchanges, with capital credits returned to member-owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rural & Universal Service Fixed Broadband Providers (HDAIABAJ)

Keywords

• Fiber internet service
• Rural telephone cooperative
• IPTV streaming service
• Fiber-to-the-home broadband
• Local telephone service

Headquarters

HQ city

Kimball

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Fiber Internet subscriptions: Recurring monthly subscriptions for residential and business fiber internet. Three published tiers: Quick Connect 250 ($74.95/mo), Quick Connect 500 ($112.95/mo), and Quick Connect 1 GIG ($138.95/mo). Optional Router Lease ($8.95/mo) and Managed Wi-Fi + Wire Maintenance bundle ($8.95/mo, mesh $2/mo extra). 6-month service agreement with early termination fee. One-time fees: $25 activation, $5/1.75% late fee, $225 router purchase.
2. Midstate X-Stream TV subscriptions: Recurring monthly IPTV subscription at $117.55/month (includes $42 retransmission fees for KDLT/KSFY/KELO/KTTW). Requires Midstate Internet service. 2 simultaneous streams included; additional streams available.
3. Premium movie channels and Cloud DVR: Add-on monthly subscriptions for premium channels (HBO $19, Showtime $19, Cinemax $12.45, Starz & Encore $12.45) and Cloud DVR storage plans (250 GB at $7/mo, 512 GB at $10/mo).
4. Local and long-distance telephone service: Recurring monthly telephone service (often bundled with internet at a discount). Long-distance plans include: Freedom Plan minute packages (60 min/$6, 150 min/$10, 200 min/$15, plus $10 per additional 150 min), "The Real Deal" usage-based plans (12-14 cents/min), "Right on the Money" ($0.109/min + $3.95 monthly fee), "Anytime Anywhere Plus" ($0.20/min), 800 Service, and Budget Toll feature. Free unlimited local and incoming calls on Freedom Plan.
5. Bundle discounts: Discounted bundle pricing when internet and phone are combined: 1 Gig Internet + Phone $150.11/mo, 500/500 Internet + Phone $122.21/mo, 250/250 Internet + Phone $82.22/mo (sales tax not included). Also $1.50/mo autopay+paperless discount and 10% internet discount for customers age 65+.
6. Computer and equipment hardware sales: One-time hardware sales of HP laptops, all-in-one desktops, printers, accessories, batteries, and Brother printer ink sold through the Midstate offices in Kimball and Chamberlain. Items include HP 15.6" Laptop $699, HP 23" AIO $1,310, HP 27" AIO $1,322, Desktop Printer $135, Wireless Keyboard & Mouse $39, Battery Backup $114.35, Brother Printer Ink $19.99.
7. Universal Service Fund pass-through: Collection of FCC-set Universal Service Fees on customer bills, contributed to the federal Universal Service Fund (schools, libraries, rural health care, high-cost telecom areas). Percentage changes quarterly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Midstate Communications is a member-owned telephone membership cooperative that delivers fiber-to-the-home broadband internet (Quick Connect 250/500/1 GIG), local and long-distance telephone service, and Midstate X-Stream IPTV television to nearly 5,000 access lines across 11 telephone exchanges in central South Dakota. The cooperative also provides managed Wi-Fi with security and parental controls, computer/equipment retail sales, webmail, and accessibility services, all delivered over its own 100% FTTH network.

Product overview

Midstate Communications operates a tightly integrated single-provider telecom bundle rather than a multi-module SaaS platform: fiber-to-the-home broadband (Quick Connect 250/500/1 GIG) anchors the offering, with local telephone (Local Telephone Service) and Long Distance Telephone Service running over the same fiber/membership cooperative footprint in central South Dakota. On top of that connectivity, Midstate sells Midstate X-Stream Streaming TV (an IPTV/streaming service requiring Midstate internet), a Managed Wi-Fi + Wire Maintenance add-on (GigaSpire router with CommandIQ, ProtectIQ, and ExperienceIQ), the eBill Mobile App and Midstate Webmail self-service tools, plus a retail Computer Sales catalog (HP laptops/AIOs, printers, accessories) and accessibility/community programs such as the Talking Guide, Lifeline, and the Midstate Scholarship Program. Most services are delivered over the same fiber network and bundled via Internet + Phone packages, with no public API; integration is primarily at the device layer (Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, GigaSpire/Calix stack) rather than via a developer platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Midstate X-Stream: Midstate's branded streaming TV service delivered over Midstate's fiber-optic internet, offering HD channels, cloud DVR, and access on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV devices.
• Midstate Messenger

Products and services

• Quick Connect Fiber Internet Fiber-to-the-home broadband service for residential and business customers in central South Dakota, delivered across eleven exchanges. Plans are symmetrical with unlimited data: Quick Connect 250 (250/250 Mbps, $74.95/mo), Quick Connect 500 (500/500 Mbps, $112.95/mo), and Quick Connect 1 GIG (1000/1000 Mbps, $138.95/mo).
• Local Telephone Service Local landline telephone service across eleven central South Dakota exchanges with a suite of custom calling, caller ID, convenience dialing, call forwarding/transfer, selective acceptance/rejection, and toll-restriction features.
• Long Distance Telephone Service Interstate/intrastate long-distance plans billed on the customer's local Midstate bill, including The Real Deal (volume-tiered per-minute pricing), Right on the Money ($0.109/min + $3.95 monthly fee), Any Time Anywhere Plus ($0.20/min with annual averaging credit), 800 Gold Calling Plan, Budget Toll, and Freedom Plan minute packages.
• Midstate X-Stream Streaming TV IPTV/streaming TV service delivered over Midstate's fiber internet with 2 simultaneous streams for $117.55/month (includes $42 retransmission fee), HD channels, local content, cloud DVR add-ons (250 GB for $7 or 500 GB for $10), HBO/Showtime/Cinemax/Starz-Encore premium add-ons, and apps for Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV.
• Managed Wi-Fi + Wire Maintenance Subscription add-on bundling a managed Calix GigaSpire router, optional mesh extender ($2/mo), CommandIQ app, ProtectIQ network security, ExperienceIQ parental controls, guest network setup, and inside-wire maintenance for $8.95/month.
• eBill Mobile App Free Android and iOS application for Midstate customers to view current and past invoices, pay their bill, review payment history, look up directory phone numbers, and read the Midstate Messenger newsletter.
• Midstate Webmail Email service for subscribers with webmail at webmail.midstatesd.net, POP/IMAP/SMTP access, spam-filter controls, and optional two-factor authentication. 24-hour tech support line at 605-778-8028.
• Computer Sales Retail channel selling HP 15.6" non-touch laptops ($699), HP 23" all-in-one non-touch computers ($1,310), HP 27" all-in-one computers ($1,322), desktop printers ($135), Brother printer ink ($19.99), wireless keyboard & mouse sets ($39), and battery backups ($114.35). Midstate supports only the systems it sells.
• Accessible TV (Talking Guide) Voice-enabled IPTV device with a talking guide that reads channel names, program titles, descriptions, and provides audio description of visual program elements, available on request for blind or visually impaired Midstate TV customers.
• Lifeline Assistance Program Federal Lifeline-supported discount program helping qualifying Midstate telephone or broadband customers reduce their monthly bill, applied via getinternet.gov.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% Fiber To The Home coverage across serving area
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered mid-tier community partner, state-level industry partner, core streaming platform partner, core managed wi-fi technology partner, accessibility service partner, customer benefit partner, content access partner and regulator (not a commercial partner).

• Foundation for Rural Service (FRS)mid-tier community partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidstate is an NTCA member company that sponsors students for the FRS scholarship program. FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to rural students since 1994. Scholarship values range from $500 to $9,000; a single application qualifies a student for all FRS scholarships.
• South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA)state-level industry partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDTA awards scholarships annually, which Midstate Communications promotes to local students via its scholarships page. SDTA serves as a state-level industry association partner.
• Amazon (Fire TV)core streaming platform partnerOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMidstate X-Stream is compatible with Amazon Fire TV devices including Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Midstate publishes install videos, an Amazon Fire device user guide, and Amazon affiliate links recommending specific Fire TV hardware on its TV page.
• Rokucore streaming platform partnerOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMidstate X-Stream is compatible with Roku devices including Roku Streaming Stick+ and Roku Ultra. Midstate publishes a Roku user guide and Amazon affiliate links recommending Roku Ultra hardware.
• Apple TVcore streaming platform partnerOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMidstate X-Stream is compatible with Apple TV 4K. Midstate publishes Apple TV install tutorials on its YouTube channel and links to the Apple shop for Apple TV hardware purchases.
• CommandIQ / ProtectIQ / ExperienceIQ (Calix-based smart home platform)core managed wi-fi technology partnerTechnology or IntegrationMidstate's Managed Wi-Fi service runs on Calix GigaSpire hardware with the CommandIQ mobile app for subscriber self-management. ProtectIQ provides network security (anti-virus, anti-ransomware, intrusion detection) and ExperienceIQ provides parental controls - both integrated into the GigaSpire and managed through CommandIQ.
• Relay South Dakotaaccessibility service partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidstate Communications links to Relay South Dakota (relaysd.com), the state's telecommunications relay service for deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-disabled users, providing accessibility for telephone customers.
• TV On My Side (TV Negotiations)customer benefit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMidstate directs customers to tvonmyside.com, a service that helps negotiate lower cable/streaming bills, listed in the Help section under TV.
• WatchTVEverywhere (WTVE)content access partnerTechnology or IntegrationMidstate customers can authenticate and stream additional content via WatchTVEverywhere (wtve.net) using their Midstate subscription credentials, indicated by the partner code 'mid045'.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)regulator (not a commercial partner)OthersMidstate files Broadband Facts labels with the FCC under fixed broadband consumer disclosure rules and contributes to the federal Universal Service Fund via customer-billed USF fees that the FCC sets quarterly.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Consolidated Telcom: North Dakota rural ILEC/cooperative-style provider (Dickinson, ND) offering fiber, voice, and TV across multiple exchanges. Comparable in rural multi-exchange FTTH delivery and triple-play mix, with a slightly larger footprint.
• West River Telecommunications Cooperative: Member-owned cooperative (Bison, SD / Mobridge, SD region) delivering fiber, voice, and video to rural western/north-central South Dakota. Comparable cooperative scale, NTCA membership, and rural FTTH business model.
• Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative: Member-owned telephone cooperative headquartered in Wall, SD, serving rural western South Dakota with fiber, telephone, and TV. Closest direct peer in scale, structure, and product mix to Midstate Communications.
• Venture Communications Cooperative: South Dakota telephone cooperative (Highmore, SD) providing fiber internet, telephone, and TV across rural central SD. Direct comparable on cooperative structure, FTTH deployment, and triple-play bundle.
• Santel Communications Cooperative: Member-owned cooperative (Wessington Springs, SD) providing fiber internet, telephone, and TV in rural central/eastern South Dakota. Closely comparable in cooperative structure, exchange footprint, and triple-play offering.
• James Valley Telecommunications: South Dakota cooperative serving the Huron/Mitchell area with fiber broadband, telephone, and TV. Direct peer with similar size, governance model, and product portfolio to Midstate.

Broad incumbents

• Midcontinent Communications: Regional incumbent cable/broadband provider (Sioux Falls, SD) offering residential and business internet, TV, and voice across the upper Midwest. A larger, broader incumbent that competes for similar residential and SMB customers in parts of Midstate's regional footprint.
• Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink): Large incumbent telecom (formerly CenturyLink) providing fiber, copper, and wireless services across rural and metro South Dakota. A broad incumbent that competes for residential and business voice/broadband customers in some of Midstate's serving territory.
• SDN Communications: Regional fiber backbone consortium owned by South Dakota cooperatives and independent telcos (Sioux Falls, SD). Provides wholesale transport and business services across SD; Midstate is a member-owner and uses SDN for upstream speed-test infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Starlink (SpaceX): SpaceX's low-earth-orbit satellite broadband service now available across rural South Dakota. A non-fiber emerging competitor that bypasses Midstate's buried FTTH plant and is increasingly relevant for the rural, low-density customers Midstate serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbIzHIbIefhCq_VO0a05dMQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/midstatecommunications

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Midstate Communications