What Loretto Telecom does

Loretto Telephone Company, Inc., doing business as Loretto Telecom (a SkyBest Company), is a privately held rural telecommunications provider headquartered in Loretto, Tennessee. The company delivers fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband, traditional voice and long-distance services, and bundled DIRECTV television to residential and small-business customers across more than 14 communities spanning over 400 square miles of Lawrence County in southern middle Tennessee. As of 2025 it serves approximately 6,000 customers over a network comprising 450+ miles of distribution fiber and 100 miles of ring fiber, tracing its operating history to 1946 and its telephone infrastructure roots to 1897; it has been a subsidiary of SkyBest Communications since 2018.

The core product set centers on residential and business fiber internet plans offering symmetrical speeds from 500 Mbps up to 1 Gbps with no data caps, delivered over GPON architecture using GigaCenter ONTs. Customer-premise equipment includes the SkyBLAST Wi-Fi 6 booster with the SkyBlastIQ mobile app, plus ExperienceIQ parental controls and ProtectIQ network-level security as add-on modules. Voice services include local lines and tiered long-distance plans ranging from $0.15/min flat rate to $39.95/month unlimited; the Lifeline federal subsidy (a $9.25/month discount for eligible low-income households) is also offered.

Loretto Telecom generates revenue almost exclusively through recurring monthly subscriptions billed via its SmartHub self-service portal, supplemented by small fees for long-distance minutes, voice feature add-ons, and DIRECTV bundle resale. Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and direct-to-SMB through phone-based sales, the SmartHub web/app portal, a dedicated business fiber interest form, and a physical business office in Loretto; community engagement is reinforced through a $25 Fiberhood referral program, five CARES Act-funded public Wi-Fi hotspots, and a local scholarship initiative. The company holds NTCA Smart Rural Community Gig Certified Provider status and is a member of the Tennessee Broadband Association.

Name

Loretto Telecom

Legal name

Loretto Telephone Company, Inc.

Website

https://lorettotel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Loretto Telecom is a rural Tennessee telecommunications provider, subsidiary of SkyBest Communications since 2018, delivering fiber-to-the-home broadband (up to 1 Gbps), voice, and DIRECTV bundles to approximately 6,000 residential and small-business customers across 14+ communities in Lawrence County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications / Fiber Broadband Services

NAICS

Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators (HDAIACAB), Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators (HDAIACAG), Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC)

Keywords

• Rural fiber broadband
• Residential internet service
• Business fiber internet
• Telephone voice services
• Long distance calling

Headquarters

HQ city

Loretto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Residential Fiber Internet: Monthly recurring subscription for high-speed fiber internet connectivity with plans ranging from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) symmetrical speeds. Revenue is recurring and subscription-based, billed monthly via SmartHub portal. No data caps on fiber plans.
2. Business Fiber Internet: Monthly recurring subscription for business-class fiber internet connectivity with speeds up to 1 Gbps, dedicated fiber network access, and priority support. Plans are quoted on a business fiber interest form and likely negotiated based on business requirements.
3. Voice Services: Local and long-distance telephone services with multiple calling plans. Long distance plans range from $12.95/month (150 min) to $39.95/month (unlimited). Additional features like voicemail, caller ID, call waiting available as add-ons with monthly fees ranging from $1.75 to $16.00 per feature.
4. DIRECTV Partnership: As a DIRECTV streaming partner, Loretto Telecom bundles DIRECTV television service with internet plans. Revenue from this stream is derived from bundled service agreements where television service is resold alongside internet connectivity. This creates a land-and-expand dynamic encouraging customers to consolidate services.
5. Lifeline Federal Subsidy: Loretto Telecom participates in the federal Lifeline program, offering a $9.25 monthly discount on broadband service for eligible low-income households (income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines or participation in qualifying programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI). This represents a subsidy stream from the Universal Service Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Loretto Telecom provides fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband internet (500 Mbps to 1 Gbps symmetrical), local and long-distance telephone voice services, the SkyBLAST WiFi 6 booster add-on, and bundled DIRECTV entertainment to residential and business customers in Lawrence County, Tennessee. The company operates 450+ miles of distribution fiber across 400+ square miles serving approximately 6,000 customers, with no data caps on fiber plans and federal Lifeline subsidy participation for low-income households.

Product overview

Loretto Telecom is a telecommunications provider offering a portfolio of connectivity and entertainment services. The core product portfolio includes residential and business fiber internet plans (starting at 500 Mbps up to 1 Gbps) as an alternative to satellite internet, complemented by traditional voice and long-distance telephone services. Add-on modules include the SkyBLAST Wi-Fi Booster with WiFi 6 technology and its associated SkyBlastIQ mobile app, which includes ExperienceIQ parental controls and ProtectIQ network security features. The company also offers bundled DIRECTV entertainment services through a partnership. A community-focused initiative includes the Legacy Scholarship program for students in technological fields.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkyBLAST: Wi-Fi booster service using WiFi 6 technology that provides enhanced wireless coverage, speed, and security for residential and business customers.
• SkyBlastIQ
• SmartHub
• Smart Rural Community

Products and services

• Residential Fiber Internet High-speed fiber-to-the-home internet for residential customers offering symmetrical upload and download speeds starting at 500 Mbps up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), with a dedicated (non-shared) fiber connection and no data caps. Targets households in Lawrence County, Tennessee for streaming, gaming, remote work, video calls, and multi-device smart home usage.
• Business Fiber Internet Fiber-optic internet plans for local businesses offering speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) on a 100% dedicated fiber-optic network, with quick upload and download speeds, dependable 24/7 connectivity, and priority support. Targeted at small and medium businesses within the Lawrence County service area; pricing is quoted via a Business Fiber Interest form.
• SkyBLAST Wi-Fi Booster WiFi 6 (802.11ax) wireless booster offering wall-to-wall in-home coverage with 8 simultaneous data streams, delivering 3x faster speeds, 7x improved battery life for connected devices, 4x higher capacity, 5% lower latency, and enhanced security via unclonable function technology and EXOS classification engine. Marketed as an add-on to Loretto Telecom's fiber internet service for residential and business customers.
• Voice Telephone Service Local telephone service for residential and business customers in Lawrence County, Tennessee, with optional add-on calling features such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, and other enhanced telecommunications features billed as monthly add-on fees ranging from $1.75 to $16.00 per feature.
• Long Distance Calling Plans Tailored residential long-distance calling plans including a flat-rate option at $0.15 per minute (no monthly fee), 150 minutes nationwide calling for $12.95/month, 600 minutes nationwide calling for $26.95/month, and an Unlimited Calling Plan (UCP) at $39.95/month for unlimited residential long-distance calling within the Continental US, with additional minutes billed at $0.15/min on tiered plans.
• DIRECTV Bundled Entertainment Bundled entertainment service offered in partnership with DIRECTV, providing access to an extensive channel lineup, premium networks, sports packages, and on-demand content integrated with Loretto Telecom internet service. Sold as a combined bill with fiber internet to residential customers in the Lawrence County service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• No data caps on fiber plans, enabling unlimited streaming, gaming, and remote work without overage fees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tennessee Broadband AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2020Loretto Telecom is a member of the Tennessee Broadband Association (TNBA), a consortium of independent and cooperatively owned rural broadband providers in Tennessee. TNBA coordinated the FCC's Keep Americans Connected Pledge during COVID-19 and advocates for rural broadband expansion. TNBA members connect nearly 30% of Tennessee with broadband.
• SkyBest Communications (Parent Company)coreOthers · 1 January 2018SkyBest Communications acquired Loretto Telecom in 2018, making it a subsidiary/brand under the SkyBest umbrella. Kim Shepherd serves as CEO of SkyBest, with Jason Shelton as GM of Loretto Telecom. The acquisition enabled Loretto Telecom to expand fiber infrastructure investment and benefit from parent company resources and expertise.
• DIRECTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLoretto Telecom operates as a DIRECTV streaming partner, bundling DIRECTV television service with fiber internet. The partnership allows Loretto to offer integrated entertainment and connectivity packages, leveraging the DIRECTV brand and content library while providing customer convenience through consolidated billing.
• NTCA - The Rural Broadband AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoretto Telecom is a member of NTCA's Smart Rural Community program and holds Gig Certified Provider status. This partnership provides marketing credibility, industry standards alignment, and access to rural broadband advocacy and best practices.
• Tennessee 811minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoretto Telecom partners with Tennessee 811 (Call Before You Dig) to coordinate underground utility locating services, ensuring safe excavation practices and preventing service disruptions in their service territory.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BrightRidge (formerly Powell Valley Electric Co-op): BrightRidge is a Tennessee-based electric cooperative that built and operates a fiber-to-the-home network serving rural northeast Tennessee. Comparable as a cooperative-style rural fiber ISP with similar customer demographics and gigabit service offerings.
• United Communications: United Communications is a Middle Tennessee-based fiber and voice provider serving rural and suburban communities south of Nashville. Comparable in scale (sub-50k customers), FTTH technology, and subscription-based residential/business fiber model.
• Ben Lomand Connect: Ben Lomand Connect is a Tennessee-based cooperative fiber broadband and voice provider serving rural communities in middle Tennessee. Highly comparable in customer base (rural residents/SMBs), technology (FTTH), and revenue model (subscription fiber + voice).
• Citizens Connected: Citizens Connected is a fiber internet and voice provider serving rural communities in southern middle Tennessee. Direct overlap with Loretto in geographic footprint and rural FTTH delivery model.
• SkyBest Communications: SkyBest is the parent company that acquired Loretto Telecom in 2018 and shares the same FTTH and voice service portfolio across western North Carolina and Tennessee. Operates the same GPON fiber technology, SkyBLAST Wi-Fi, and SmartHub platform, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Highland Telephone Cooperative: Highland Telephone Cooperative is a rural Tennessee cooperative providing FTTH broadband, voice, and video services to underserved communities in the Cumberland Plateau region. Directly comparable in business model (cooperative/incumbent), service mix, and rural Tennessee footprint.

Broad incumbents

• AT&T Fiber:

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lorettotelecom
• Facebookfacebook.com/LorettoTelecom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/loretto-telephone-company-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/lorettotel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Loretto Telecom