Yellowstone Fiber
Yellowstone Fiber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open-access fiber-to-the-home network operator in Gallatin County, Montana, owning the fiber plant and wholesaling capacity to four ISP partners serving residential, business, and government customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBelgrade, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Yellowstone Fiber does
Yellowstone Fiber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open-access fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network operator headquartered in Belgrade, Montana. Founded in 2015 as Bozeman Fiber and rebranded in 2025 to reflect a broader geographic footprint, the company owns and operates the physical fiber plant across Gallatin County and sells wholesale network access to multiple independent internet service providers — currently Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, and XMission — who deliver retail service to end users. Network operations and customer service are run in partnership with UTOPIA Fiber, the largest open-access network operator in the United States. The company serves residential customers, businesses, government entities (including the City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, and Bozeman School District), and developers.
The network is built on GPON and XGS-PON passive optical architecture, delivering symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps to residences and up to 100 Gbps to businesses over direct, dedicated (non-shared) fiber connections. Engineering features include a redundant mainline loop architecture and weather-resistant infrastructure. Construction is funded by a $65 million private financing round closed in December 2021, building on an initial $4 million CRA loan from 2015, and targets approximately 22,000 homes, businesses, and public buildings across Gallatin County.
Yellowstone Fiber generates revenue through recurring wholesale fees paid by ISP partners for use of the fiber plant, with all surplus reinvested into network expansion and debt service rather than distributed. Residential end-user pricing, set by the ISPs, ranges from $69.95/month at 250 Mbps to $245/month at 10 Gbps, with roughly 90% of subscribers on the 1 Gbps tier at $77.99/month; business pricing is custom. End customers are billed by their chosen ISP, not by Yellowstone Fiber directly.
Yellowstone Fiber firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Yellowstone Fiber
- Legal name
- Yellowstone Fiber
- Website
- https://yellowstonefiber.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Yellowstone Fiber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open-access fiber-to-the-home network operator in Gallatin County, Montana, owning the fiber plant and wholesaling capacity to four ISP partners serving residential, business, and government customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Yellowstone Fiber industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fiber Internet Services (Telecommunications)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators (HDAIACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Neutral-Host Fiber & Shared Access Network Operators (HDAIACAJ), Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP/FTTH) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAC), Rural Broadband & Cooperative Fiber Operators (HDAIACAG)
Keywords
Where Yellowstone Fiber is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belgrade
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Yellowstone Fiber business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wholesale Network Access Fees from ISPs: Yellowstone Fiber generates revenue by charging ISPs (Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, XMission) wholesale fees for access to its fiber infrastructure. ISPs then sell internet services to end customers, creating a two-sided marketplace model where Yellowstone's revenue is derived from the ISPs rather than directly from residential consumers.
- Anchor Tenant / Public Institution Network Services: Yellowstone Fiber originally served as a nonprofit providing fiber connectivity to anchor public institutions (city of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Bozeman School District) and commercial buildings (Cannery district, downtown Bozeman) via a fiber ring network funded by an initial $4M CRA loan from 8 banks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | 250 Mbps Symmetrical Plan — entry-level fiber |
| Subscription | Monthly | 1 Gbps Symmetrical Plan — most popular tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | 2.5 Gbps Symmetrical Plan — high-performance tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | 10 Gbps Symmetrical Plan — ultra-fast flagship tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | Business Plans — custom enterprise tier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Yellowstone Fiber product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yellowstone Fiber is a nonprofit open-access fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network operator that builds and maintains the physical fiber infrastructure in Gallatin County, Montana. The company sells wholesale network access to multiple competing ISPs (Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, XMission) who deliver retail internet services to residential and business customers over its fiber network, offering symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps for homes and 100 Gbps for businesses.
Product overview
Yellowstone Fiber is a non-profit open access fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network operator serving Gallatin County, Montana. The company operates a physical fiber infrastructure network and partners with multiple ISPs (Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, and XMission) who deliver internet services to end customers over Yellowstone Fiber's network. The core offerings are Residential Fiber Internet (250 Mbps to 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds, starting at $69.95/month) and Business Fiber Internet (up to 100 Gbps). Yellowstone Fiber does not sell internet directly to consumers; instead, customers select an ISP partner who manages their service. The company was formerly known as Bozeman Fiber, launched commercially in 2017, and underwent a major network construction project starting in 2022.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Fiber Internet High-speed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet service delivered directly to single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and HOA communities across Bozeman and Gallatin County, Montana. Offers symmetrical upload and download speeds ranging from 250 Mbps to 10 Gbps, with no installation fees and month-to-month contracts through ISP partners Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, and XMission.
- Business Fiber Internet Enterprise and business fiber internet services for small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprise and corporate accounts, government entities, developers, and MDU/apartment complex operators across Bozeman and Gallatin County. Supports symmetrical speeds up to 100 Gbps with custom pricing handled via direct inquiry. Includes dedicated connections, government services, developer/MDU services, and small business offerings.
- Open Access Fiber Network Infrastructure Wholesale open-access fiber infrastructure (FTTH) that multiple Internet Service Providers use to deliver retail internet services to end customers. Yellowstone Fiber owns and maintains the physical fiber network (conduit, fiber lines, ONT equipment) while ISPs compete on service and pricing over the same shared infrastructure.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of residential customers choose 1 Gbps plan (vs. typical industry adoption of ~30%)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Yellowstone Fiber
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Yellowstone Fiber technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Yellowstone Fiber partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- UTOPIA Fiber (continued operational partnership)flagshipUTOPIA Fiber continues as the operational partner managing the Yellowstone Fiber network, delivering network operations and customer service. Jeff Erwin, COO of UTOPIA Fiber, remains on the Yellowstone Fiber board.
- Original Anchor Institution Partners (City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Bozeman School District)coreThe original nonprofit was created in 2015 at the initiative of the Bozeman Economic Development Director and Chamber of Commerce, who identified lack of high-speed broadband as a barrier to business growth. The City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, and Bozeman School District partnered as anchor tenants and co-funders of the initial fiber ring infrastructure.
- UTOPIA FiberflagshipUTOPIA Fiber (Utah-based, nation's largest open-access network operator) formed an operational partnership with Yellowstone Fiber in late 2020. UTOPIA Fiber manages network operations, customer service, and provides technical and operational expertise. Jeff Erwin, COO of UTOPIA Fiber, serves as a Yellowstone Fiber board member. This partnership enabled rapid execution — Yellowstone raised $65M and began construction within six months of the partnership formation. UTOPIA Fiber supports the nonprofit mission by delivering seamless operations and responsive customer service.
- Global NetcoreOne of four ISPs operating on the Yellowstone Fiber open-access network. Global Net provides retail internet services to residential and business customers. Contact: (406) 587-5095, [email protected]. Offers static IP at $7.50/month for residential.
- Sumo FibercoreOne of four ISPs operating on the Yellowstone Fiber open-access network. Sumo Fiber provides month-to-month retail internet services with no data cap. Offers static IP at $5 for 1 IP or $15 for 5 IPs. Router rental/purchase available. Contact: (406) 924-7866, [email protected].
- Xiphos (Hoplite Industries)coreOne of four ISPs operating on the Yellowstone Fiber open-access network. Xiphos, operated by Hoplite Industries, provides retail internet services with a one-year term commitment. Offers static IP at $9/month for residential (free on commercial). Router leases available for $15/month. Contact: (406) 451-0010, [email protected].
- XMissioncoreOne of four ISPs operating on the Yellowstone Fiber open-access network. XMission provides month-to-month data plans (no contract) with no data cap. Offers static IPs for $5, with additional IPs sold in blocks of 8 or 16. VOIP service available on a 2-year contract. Router rentals available. Contact: (801) 539-0852, [email protected].
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Yellowstone Fiber competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Ting Internet: Ting Internet is a smaller, fiber-focused ISP expanding in select US cities with symmetrical gigabit service. It competes against the same cable incumbents as Yellowstone and targets similar residential/prosumer segments, though it uses a closed (single-ISP) retail model rather than open access.
Broad incumbents
- Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink): Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) is the dominant incumbent telecom in Montana offering DSL and legacy fiber. It is the broadband incumbent Yellowstone's network explicitly aims to displace in Gallatin County, with overlapping residential broadband service.
- Metronet: Metronet is a large multi-state FTTH operator selling symmetrical gigabit and multi-gig residential service. It is one of the largest fiber ISPs in the Midwest/South and competes with open-access networks like Yellowstone by offering a vertically integrated alternative.
- Charter Communications (Spectrum): Charter/Spectrum is the dominant cable broadband provider in Bozeman and across Montana using HFC shared plant. It competes head-to-head with Yellowstone's fiber offering in residential broadband and is the primary incumbent Yellowstone overbuilds.
- Consolidated Communications (Consolidated Communications / MetroNet): Consolidated Communications is a regional incumbent fiber/telco serving rural and small-metro markets across the western and central US with FTTH overbuilds. It overlaps Yellowstone's geographic profile (rural Montana) and product set (residential/business fiber broadband), albeit as a vertically integrated carrier.
Direct peers
- SiFi Networks: SiFi Networks finances, builds, and operates open-access fiber networks for cities and utilities across the US, similar to Yellowstone's nonprofit, city-anchored model. Comparable GTM (city RFPs, anchor-tenant builds, multi-ISP wholesale).
- UTOPIA Fiber: UTOPIA Fiber is the nation's largest open-access FTTH network operator and Yellowstone's operational partner. UTOPIA built and runs fiber infrastructure in Utah cities that multiple ISPs retail over - exactly Yellowstone's operating model in Bozeman. They share board leadership (Jeff Erwin) and a playbook.
- Allo Communications: Allo Communications builds and operates municipal open-access fiber networks in the Midwest, with multiple ISPs retailing over its fiber. Like Yellowstone, it sells wholesale dark/L2 services to ISPs and serves both residential and business customers with symmetric gigabit tiers.
- NextLight (Longmont, CO): Longmont's NextLight is a municipal open-access fiber utility serving a single Colorado city with symmetrical gigabit tiers and multi-ISP wholesale. Structurally similar to Yellowstone: city-anchored, nonprofit/government-backed, fiber overbuild competing against cable incumbents.
Regional players
- Montana Opticom / Blackfoot Communications: Blackfoot Communications is a regional Montana-based telecom originally planned as one of six ISPs on Yellowstone's network. It provides business and residential connectivity across western Montana, partially overlapping Yellowstone's broader Montana GTM even though it does not currently operate on Yellowstone's plant.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Yellowstone Fiber social profiles
Digital presenceYellowstone Fiber financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Yellowstone Fiber leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Yellowstone Fiber funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Yellowstone Fiber 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 Yellowstone Fiber
What does Yellowstone Fiber do?
Yellowstone Fiber is a nonprofit open-access fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network operator that builds and maintains the physical fiber infrastructure in Gallatin County, Montana. The company sells wholesale network access to multiple competing ISPs (Global Net, Sumo Fiber, Xiphos, XMission) who deliver retail internet services to residential and business customers over its fiber network, offering symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps for homes and 100 Gbps for businesses.
Is Yellowstone Fiber a public or private company?
Yellowstone Fiber is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Yellowstone Fiber founded?
Yellowstone Fiber was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Yellowstone Fiber based?
Yellowstone Fiber is headquartered in Belgrade, United States, in the North America region.
How does Yellowstone Fiber make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Network Access Fees from ISPs are the primary driver. The others are anchor Tenant / Public Institution Network Services.
Who are Yellowstone Fiber's main competitors?
Ting Internet is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink), Metronet, Charter Communications (Spectrum) and Consolidated Communications (Consolidated Communications / MetroNet). Direct peers are SiFi Networks, UTOPIA Fiber, Allo Communications and NextLight (Longmont, CO). Montana Opticom / Blackfoot Communications is listed as a regional player.
Does Yellowstone Fiber have an API?
No public API is recorded for Yellowstone Fiber.
What industry is Yellowstone Fiber in?
Yellowstone Fiber's product category is Fiber Internet Services (Telecommunications). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIACAB, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Operators, with a secondary code of HDAIACAJ, Neutral-Host Fiber & Shared Access Network Operators.