About NRTC

The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,300 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. We help rural electric and telephone utilities strengthen their businesses with solutions uniquely suited to the needs of rural consumers.

NRTC was founded in 1986 by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). Our mission is to lead and support our members in developing telecommunications technologies and other products that strengthen their businesses.

In the early 1990s, we forged a critical partnership with DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. NRTC members invested more than $100 million toward launching the nation's first and most successful high-power direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system, thereby acquiring exclusive sales rights to 8 percent of DIRECTV households. NRTC has since become the leading distributor of satellite television service and hardware to rural America. Today, NRTC serves more than 1.7 million rural consumers, nearly 20 percent of all DIRECTV subscribers.

Building on our success in bringing satellite television to rural America, NRTC has remained focused on the future, keeping our eyes on the rapidly changing rural market and developing applications to meet the needs of our members and their customers. In this way, NRTC helps rural utilities connect their communities to the future.

NRTC Press Releases

April 30, 2002: NRTC Introduces DIRECWAY® Business Edition Satellite Internet Offering
April 29, 2002: NRTC And YDI Join Forces To Provide Wireless Internet Solution To Rural America
January 18, 2002: DOTCOOP Domain Names Can Now Be Used
March 12, 2001: NRTC Announces Strategic Partnerships With DirecPC and StarBand
February 16, 2000: NRTC CEO Praises House Agriculture Committee For Moving To Close The Rural Digital Divide

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