GVTC Communications, the largest rural telephone cooperative in Texas, will give a $4.96 million pay-out to its member-owners next month.

A cooperative, or co-op, is a business that is owned and controlled by the very same customers who use its services. Many industries have ventured into different types of cooperatives throughout the years. Today's co-ops offer a diverse mixture such as natural foods, financial services, farm products, hardware, electricity, and communications. In all cooperatives, the people have the power.

America has more than 580 small rural telephone cooperatives and commercial companies. The Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (TSTCI), here, provides access to advanced telecommunications which are available to almost 50 percent of Texas' rural areas.

The San Antonio Business Journal said: “As a non-profit entity, any revenues over and above GVTC's operating expenses are returned to its member-owners in the form of capital credits. Refunds are made on a proportional share basis based on the amount of money each member spends on telephone services.”

GVTC began more than half a century ago as a telephone cooperative with the purpose of providing modern phone service to remote parts of the Texas Hill Country and other rural areas to the north of San Antonio. GVTC is a 42,000-line, non-profit cooperative which returns all revenue gains above its costs back to its members. Their members will receive their pay-back on June 25. X


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