In today’s world, reliable communication and high-speed internet are not luxuries—they are essential tools for education, work, health care, and connection. For rural communities especially, telecom cooperatives like Scio Mutual Telephone Association play a vital role in delivering these services with a focus on people, not profits.

A telecom cooperative is owned by its members—the customers themselves. Unlike large, investor-owned corporations, co-ops are guided by local boards elected from and by the membership. This ensures decisions are made with the community’s needs in mind rather than distant shareholders. Members are invited to attend the annual meeting, have a voice in how the cooperative is run, and can help shape services and priorities for the benefit of everyone.

One of the greatest advantages of membership is reinvestment. Any revenue beyond operating costs is funneled back into improving the network, expanding service areas, and keeping prices fair. In many cases, members may even receive capital credits—a tangible return on their investment in the cooperative. The recent price reductions for internet services are a prime example of this reinvestment into the membership and community.

Membership also builds stronger local economies. Jobs are created and dollars stay in the community, supporting other small businesses and services. Co-ops often partner with schools, libraries, and civic organizations to provide resources that help communities thrive.

Equally important is the cooperative’s commitment to future-focused technology. Many have led the charge in building fiber-optic networks, ensuring rural residents enjoy the same cutting-edge connectivity as those in urban areas. For families, that means smoother streaming and learning at home. For businesses, it means reliable tools to compete in a global marketplace.

Joining a telecom cooperative like SMTA is more than signing up for service—it’s becoming part of a community-owned solution. Membership ensures you’re not just a customer, but a stakeholder in your community’s future.