Become a Member

Who Can Become a Member?

Eligibility is based on a company meeting NCTC’s definition of a facilities-based provider by delivering last mile video and/or broadband services to consumers or businesses via the applicant’s terrestrial network for the purpose of supporting the telecommunications services industry.

Types of companies that could be eligible for Membership include:

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ISPs

Electric-cooperative

Electric Cooperatives

Fiber-Networks

Regional Fiber Networks

Municipalities

Municipalities

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WISPs

But at this time, NCTC is not accepting applications from OTT providers, satellite video or broadband providers, pure WISPs and wireless voice and data service providers.

Our Bylaws require us to evaluate applicants based on several criteria including financial responsibility, technical ability/experience, adequate facilities, compliance with our current agreements and other items. Questions in the application give us the minimal information to evaluate the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements.

Per the NCTC Bylaws, the term “Member” represents two membership categories: Content Affiliate and Technology Affiliate

Content Affiliate 

Applicants are currently or intend to offer video services and are applying with the intention of participating in the master agreements NCTC negotiates with the programming networks for linear video content access, with suppliers and vendors for discount pricing on products and services and with carriers for competitive rates on IP transit and transport (point-to-point), managed Wi-fi and smart home services.

Technology Affiliates

Applicants do not currently nor intend to offer video services and are applying with the intention of participating in the master agreements NCTC negotiates with streaming content providers that allow for Technology Affiliates (currently includes: Amazon, Cheddar, Curiosity Stream, MobiTV, FuboTV, Hopster, Hulu, Vu-IT, Philo and Zone TV), with suppliers and vendors for discounted pricing on products and services and with carriers for competitive rates on IP transit and transport (point-to-point), managed Wi-fi and smart home services.

Services Offered to Members: 

Below lists the types of agreements NCTC negotiates for the benefit of our Members.

Video-Content

Linear Video Content (Programming)  

Competitive pricing and terms with more than 200 networks, consisting of large media companies, independent networks, and broadcast station owners. and the following efficiencies:

  • NCTC manages all aspects of content provider billing and provide a consolidated breakdown of monthly fees for each Member.
  • NCTC works with content providers to secure marketing dollars and/or promotional support opportunities.
  • NCTC provides guidance and forecasting tools to help Members manage costs.
  • NCTC provides guidance and overview of new agreements through the use of webinars, notices and direct one-on-one communication.

Equipment_and_Services

Equipment and Services (Group Purchasing)

Competitive pricing on products ranging from fiber cable and CPE hardware to video solutions from nearly 100 suppliers offering thousands of products to our Members along with the following efficiencies:

  • Dedicated webstore serves as a one-stop shop for hardware, software and services.
  • Members work with a single point of contact at NCTC for purchases from multiple suppliers and for multiple products.

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Advanced Technology and Platforms (Video Solutions)

Competitive rates with companies offering technologies that allow Members to provide their subscribers with an intuitive, multi-screen experience and improve their product margins.

  • NCTC develops solutions that meet consumer demands for more flexibility, more choices and more interactivity.
  • NCTC negotiates and maintain agreement with strategic partners in the advanced video platform space.
  • Agreements include efficiencies normally only available to large providers including full launch support, fast-tracking of OTT provider/app deals, a managed road map and NCTC expertise on the platforms.

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Internet Software and Access (Broadband Solutions)

Competitive rates on IP transit and transport (point-to-point), managed home Wi-Fi and smart home services.

  • NCTC negotiates agreements with strategic carriers and CPE partners to obtain lower rates, better terms and dedicated support.

Application Review Process

Before you begin completing your membership application, please take a few minutes to click on each of the headers below to learn more about our application review process, membership factors, costs and other important details. Then, when you are ready to proceed, click on the Membership Application link below to start your online membership application.

Membership Application

There is a $1000 application fee due upon submission. NCTC will not begin the review until the application fee is received (please submit the fee to NCTC at at the time the completed application is submitted. NCTC will not begin the review until the application fee is received (please submit the fee to 11200 Corporate Avenue, Lenexa, KS 66219).

Complete Applications: If an application is submitted with missing or incomplete information, NCTC will contact the applicant to secure any additional information. Applicant will have 30 days to provide the additional information. If the applicant fails to provide a response after 30 days, the application file shall be closed and the application fee will be refunded. 

Timeline: Please allow 30 business days for NCTC staff to review the application. Applicants will be notified via email and written correspondence (via USPS) of approval or denial.

Offer of Membership: If NCTC approves the Membership Application, it will notify applicant via letter and e-mail and will provide the applicant with a list of activation steps required to finalize membership. NCTC reserves the right to attach one or more conditions to any offer of membership. Applicants offered membership have 30 days to complete the activation steps required for membership or the membership file will be closed.

Acceptance of Membership: Membership shall be finalized upon completion of the activation steps described in applicant’s approval letter. The membership fee is due at that time.

Denial and Additional Conditions: NCTC reserves the right in NCTC’s sole discretion, to deny any application, to waive or modify any membership factor(s) and to provide an offer of membership with the best interests of the membership in mind. NCTC is not under obligation to provide a membership to any party. NCTC will notify applicant in writing if its membership application is denied. Misstatements or noncompliance with requirements on the application are reasons for automatic denial.

Cost and Fees

  • An Application Fee of $1,000 is payable to National Content & Technology Cooperative, Inc.
  • Applicants that are offered membership in NCTC will have their $1,000 Application Fee applied to the Initial Membership Fee.
  • The Initial Membership Fee is calculated with the following information requested in the application:
    • Content Affiliates: $1.00 per the projected number of video homes passed in the applicant's intended service area in 2 years. With a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $100,000.
    • Technology Affiliates: $.50 per the projected number of broadband homes passed in the applicant's intended service area in 2 years. With a minimum of $3,500 and a maximum of $100,000.
  • There may be additional requirements for membership based on answers provided in the application. As a result, there may be other fees, dues, charges or costs associated with membership, participation, the Membership Application or the membership activation process, such as:
    • Any expenses incurred by NCTC, including legal expenses, shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. NCTC will provide a reasonable estimation of said expenses in the event they are necessary.
    • Pursuant to its bylaws, NCTC shall not admit a new member owning, operating, or controlling any telecommunications system for which any payment to NCTC has not been paid or resolved by any predecessor entity.
  • The NCTC bylaws provide provisions for NCTC to impose annual dues in accordance with such schedule as may be adopted by the Board of Directors or fees as may be determined by the President (Section 2.07). At the present time, NCTC is not imposing annual dues.

Discloser and Disclaimers

  • Confidentiality: All responses shall be considered confidential and will not be shared.
  • Application Changes: While NCTC tries not to make changes to the application often, NCTC reserves the right to change the application at any time. In the event there is a change to the application, Applicant shall be responsible for completing the most up to date application. NCTC will notify application with open application of any changes to the online application
  • Membership is No Guarantee of Access to Master Agreements: As each master agreement with programmers, hardware and/or service suppliers has its own participation requirements, an Applicant granted membership in the NCTC has no guarantee that it shall be permitted to participate in any master agreement, as the Member may not qualify to participate in one or more master agreements.
  • Minimum Data Reporting Requirements:
    • For Content Affiliates:
      • Report the company's total number of video subscribers by the 25th of every month to generate the company's monthly programming content invoice.
      • Report the company's total number of broadband subscribers, if any, by May of each year to calculate the number of votes allotted to the company.
      • Designated Advantage Administrators verify the contacts NCTC have on file are accurate or provide any necessary updates, by Jan 1 each year.
    • For Technology Affiliates:
      • Report the company's total number of broadband subscribers, if any, by May of each year to calculate the number of votes allotted to the company.
      • Report the company's non-labor capital expenditures (*by November 1st of each year)
      • Designated Advantage Administrators verify the contacts NCTC have on file are accurate or provide any necessary updates, by Jan 1 each year.
  • Minimum Participation Requirements:
    • For Content Affiliates: Within three hundred sixty-five (365) days after the effective date of the NCTC Member Agreement meet the following:
      • Member must maintain participation in at least two (2) Master Agreements with programmers from the network family groups (currently A&E, Discovery/Scripps, Disney/ESPN, Fox Cable Networks NCBUniversal, , Turner Networks and Viacom; subject to change and verification in the Offer of Membership letter) and at least one (1) other master programming agreement of the Member's choosing for the remainder of the Member Agreement
      • And for only the first year of Membership, purchase at least $10 per the total number of video subscribers being reported to NCTC on the 1 year anniversary of the Member Agreement in equipment, advanced platform and/or broadband solutions services.
        • There is a 1% service fee added to all equipment order invoices before shipping and taxes and is capped at $7,500 per calendar year.
    • For Technology Affiliates: On an annual basis, each Technology Affiliate is asked to spend a minimum of 5% of the company's annual non-labor capital expenditures each fiscal year in equipment, advanced platform and/or broadband solutions services through NCTC. A minimum purchase fee shall be charged each year that will be generated by the purchases a Technology Affiliates makes through NCTC. 
      • The minimum participation fee shall be calculated in accordance with the following schedule. NCTC will request each Technology Affiliates to provide their annual non-labor capital expenditures by November 1st every year and a fee schedule shall be issued for the following year.
        • Under $30M non labor capital expenditures: $7,500 annual fee
        • $30M - $50M non labor capital expenditures: $15,000 annual fee
        • Above $50M non labor capital expenditures: $25,000 annual fee
      • For equipment order invoices only, a 1% service fee will be added before shipping and taxes, but does not include an annual cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does membership in the NCTC mean my company can automatically participate in all broadband, programming and hardware agreements with NCTC?
A: No. Each agreement is unique and a member may not qualify to participate in every agreement. NCTC has negotiated. Further, in certain circumstances, NCTC may prohibit a member from participating in an agreement in its sole discretion.
Q: My company is buying an existing NCTC member company (or cable system); will I have to go through the application process?
A: Pursuant to NCTC's bylaws, NCTC membership is not assignable or transferable. Members are encouraged when selling their systems to contact NCTC as soon as possible so we can work with the acquiring entity. In any situation where there is a change of control or ownership of an NCTC member company or its cable systems, NCTC reserves the right to evaluate the membership eligibility of the acquiring or controlling entity.
Q: I was an NCTC member years ago and sold my systems. Can I reactivate my membership?
A: No. NCTC membership belongs to the legal operating entity engaged in providing services and is not transferable. If your company sold, shut down or otherwise quit participating under NCTC master agreements for any reason; your company's membership was terminated. NCTC does not reactivate memberships and a new Membership Application will have to be completed along with payment of the necessary fees
Q: Can I use my membership to acquire programming for my subsidiary or affiliated cable systems?
A: Typically, a member may only provision programming and hardware for the member entity and those cable systems it directly owns and controls. A Member may not provision programming and hardware for a parent, sister company or other entity outside the Member's control.
Q: Can another entity (i.e. a parent company, affiliate or other subsidiary company) pay for programming or hardware on behalf of the Member?
A: Not for the programming content agreements, in many of these agreement with the programming networks, all payments to NCTC for programming need to come directly from the Member and not a third party.
B. But NCTC has created a process to allow a Member's parent, subsidiary and/or affiliate company purchase broadband, equipment and/or technology without making the related entity a Content or Technology Affiliate.
Q: What will NCTC do with any additional information collected from my company?
A: From time to time, NCTC may request information from members that can aid in negotiations with programmers or technology companies. This information is not shared with any outside company except in the aggregate (i.e.: 625 members expressed interest in launching a new network or members plan to purchase 1,500 CMTS units in the next 12 months, etc.) Member cooperation in providing this information is an important part of NCTC's efforts to secure better pricing, terms and conditions for member companies.
Q: Will NCTC keep my materials confidential?
A: NCTC will share your information only with NCTC employees authorized to review the material consistent with NCTC's Confidentiality Policy.