Regina, SK – Providing leading-edge technology, at a reasonable, competitive price remains the focus of local co-operative Access Communications. The company’s menu of services continues to expand, as earnings from the not-for-profit co-operative are reinvested into the co-operative, improving services and contributing to Saskatchewan communities. This is one of many reasons why National Co-op Week is the perfect time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions and impact co-operatives, like Access Communications, have in our communities.
Access Communications has operated as a not-for-profit community-owned co-operative since 1978 and has grown and diversified to become a market leader and one of Saskatchewan’s largest telecommunications companies. Access connects 235 communities across the province over their reliable hybrid fibre network by offering wired broadband Internet, point-to-point and wireless broadband Internet across 160,000 sq. km. of rural areas of Saskatchewan; along with TV, Phone and Security Monitoring.
Access is guided by an elected board of directors from across Saskatchewan. As a not-for-profit, community-owned co-operative, 100 percent of its earnings are reinvested in Saskatchewan each year. “Earnings of the
Co-operative are not returned to our membership as dividends; instead, every penny earned is reinvested into the services we provide and into broadening our Access7 community channel programming,” said Jim Deane, Chief Executive Officer, Access Communications Co-operative. “It is this business model which allows us the opportunity to continue to offer our customers some of the lowest service rates in the country and has allowed us to reinvest more than $100 million in the past five years into our business, our communities and our future.”
Individual membership is open to any resident, located in an Access service area, who is 18 years of age and older and is a Canadian citizen. Also, any organization with community, member or patron service objectives may apply to become a member organization. Application forms are available online at www.myaccess.ca and
in all Access stores.
Setting Access Communications apart is its community channels. A full five percent of the Co-operative’s broadcast revenues are reinvested back into community programming on Access7. Our Community Producer program engages local community groups and individuals to produce their own shows with the supporting expertise of the Access7 production staff. We are proud that over 55 percent of content is produced by local volunteers. In addition to broadcasting a variety of on-location events, Access7 also encourages community groups to appear as guests on the channel’s magazine show, Talk of the Town to discuss their organization,
or to promote upcoming events.
Whether it be bringing you entertainment from around the world, or covering the events that matter in your community, Access Communications continues to prove that not-for-profit, community ownership works well, and contributes significantly to the quality of life in the communities they serve – proving local co-operative ownership works.
Interested in learning more about our Co-operative? Last year we celebrated 40 years of co-operative excellence. Visit www.myaccess.ca to watch our retrospective documentary.
About Access Communications Co-operative
Access Communications Co-operative is one of Saskatchewan’s largest telecommunications companies, but we do so much more than provide reliable, affordable Internet, television, telephone and security services. What makes Access unique is our involvement in the communities we serve, especially through our Access7 community channels.
Access Communications began serving customers in 1978. For over 40 years, we have grown into a province-wide co-operative serving over 235 communities and 160,000 sq. km of rural areas in Saskatchewan. As a not-for-profit co-operative, we invest 100% of our earnings back into the communities and rural areas where we live and do business. To learn more about our Co-operative, visit www.myaccess.ca.