Welcome to the National Content and Technology Cooperative, better known as NCTC. Becoming a member is easy and below are just some of the benefits National Content & Technology has to offer!

 

What is NCTC?

NCTC is a membership-based cooperative that supports 700+ members, including independent broadband providers and pay-tv operators in all 50 US states and territories. We strive to bring competitive terms and pricing to our members through partnerships with broadband and cable industry suppliers, as well as content providers. We negotiate agreements in areas such as:

  • Internet Software and Access (Broadband Solutions)
  • Equipment and Services (Group Purchasing)
  • Advanced Technology and Platforms (Video Solutions)
  • Linear Video Content (Programming)

MVNO

NCTC’s turnkey MVNO service enables members to easily and seamlessly deliver member-branded mobile phone services to their customers. NCTC and our industry-leading partners have come together to make it simple to offer flexible and affordable plans, the latest devices, and world-class service and support all under the member operator’s brand.

 

Broadband Solutions

Our IP Transit & Transport program helps members save thousands on IP transit and transport costs, provides diversity and redundancy options with a growing number of well-established national and regional carriers, and delivers defined service level commitments. These features create value and convenience for members. Our network broadband solutions range from partnering with award-winning SaaS-based analytic tools to improve network performance to providing CDN technology and cloud services. We also offer managed Wi-Fi solutions with best-in-class products and whole-home solutions to deliver an outstanding experience for broadband subscribers, which helps reduce customer churn.

 

Group Purchasing

Our Group Purchasing team brings members and supplier partners together to offer exceptional products and services at a great value. The collective buying power of our membership results in savings and increased business efficiencies. Plus, our online member-only store, Marketplace, streamlines the process through end-to-end shopping, tracking for order and invoice statuses, real-time supplier listing updates, modern search capability, and a request-for-quote feature.

 

Connectivity Exchange

NCTC’s Connectivity Exchange program aggregates participating members’ individual networks to present a unified network footprint reaching across the United States. Our custom, member-only, quote-to-order selling platform simplifies the complex process of winning bids to provide network services to national brands and large-scale RFPs. With the automation of the Connectivity Exchange platform, Buyers can find and order connectivity in rural areas quickly and easily. Members are covered under each Buyer-NCTC negotiated master service agreement. In addition, being a part of the Connectivity Exchange allows for simplified, consolidated billing for buyers and sellers alike through the NCTC.

 

Programming

The NCTC programming team supports members by providing the content strategies necessary to navigate this fast-changing industry. Using industry trends, consumer insights, and decades of experience, NCTC guides members through complex programming negotiations and paves the way for innovative action plans.

 

Video Solutions

NCTC partners with video solutions providers to offer members new ways to think about the evolving pay TV and broadband ecosystems. We identify video platform technologies that provide consumers with an intuitive, multiscreen experience and improve member product margins. NCTC’s agreements allow smaller members to provide advanced, feature-rich offerings that help them remain competitive in their markets.

 

Member Education & Networking

Members of the NCTC have several educational and networking opportunities throughout the year. From our regular array of informational webinars to our large member-only conferences — The Independent Show and Winter Educational Conference — members find value in learning from each other, supplier partners, and industry experts.

Become an NCTC Member!

NCTC has products and services to help you grow your business, remain competitive, and ultimately keep up with customer demand. We take on a lot of the operational time and process, so you don’t have to!

Want to receive more information about NCTC? Please fill out the form below and let us know what you are interested in learning more about!

Who Can Become A Member?

Eligibility

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

Companies potentially eligible for NCTC membership include:

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Electric Cooperatives

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ISPs

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Regional Fiber Networks

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Municipalities

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WISPs

Not Eligible for Membership

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

Evaluating Membership

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 provide the minimal information to evaluate the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements.

Evaluations are completed by an internal team of finance, legal and technology experts and all materials provided as part of the application are treated as confidential information and not shared with anyone outside NCTC.

NCTC membership represents two categories:

Content Affiliate

Applicants are currently or intend to offer linear video services and are applying intending to participate in all master agreements NCTC negotiates including:

  • Programming networks for linear and “Over the Top” video content access.
  • Supplier and vendor agreement for discounted pricing on products and services.
  • Carrier contracts for competitive rates on IP transit and transport (point to point), managed Wi-Fi and smart home services.
  • MVNO agreement to provide your customers mobile phone services.
  • Ability to earn revenues through the sale of your company’s circuits via the Connectivity Exchange.
  • Access to NCTC’s The Independent Show, Winter Education Conference and regional meetings.

Technology Affiliates

Applicants that do not currently nor intend to offer linear video services and are applying intending to participate in the other master agreements NCTC negotiates including:

  • With streaming content providers (currently including Cheddar, Curiosity Stream, TiVo, FuboTV, Hopster, Hulu, Vu-IT, and Zone TV).
  • With suppliers and vendors for discounted pricing on products and services.
  • With carriers for competitive rates on IP transit and transport (point to point), managed Wi-Fi and smart home services.
  • MVNO agreement to provide your customers mobile phone services.
  • Ability to earn revenues through the sale of your company’s circuits via the Connectivity Exchange.
  • Access to NCTC’s The Independent Show, Winter Education Conference and regional meetings.

Application Review Process

Before completing your membership application, please take a few minutes to click on each header below to learn more about our application review process, membership factors, costs and other important details. When you are ready to start your online membership application, click on the link below.

There is a non-refundable $1,000 application fee due upon submission. Please submit the fee to NCTC (9401 Indian Creek Parkway Suite 500, Overland Park, KS 66210) when the completed application is submitted. NCTC will not begin the review until the application fee is received.

Incomplete Applications

If an application is submitted with missing or incomplete information, NCTC will contact the applicant to secure any additional information. The applicant will have 30 days to provide the additional information. If the applicant fails to respond after 30 days, the application file shall be closed, and NCTC will refund the application fee.

Offer of Membership

If NCTC approves the membership application, it will notify the applicant and provide a list of activation steps required to finalize membership. NCTC reserves the right to attach one or more conditions to any membership offer. Applicants offered membership have 30 days to complete the activation steps required for membership, or the membership file will be closed.

Denial

NCTC will notify the applicant in writing if its membership application is denied. Misstatements or noncompliance with requirements on the application are reasons for automatic denial.

Timeline

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

Denial and Additional Conditions

NCTC reserves the right, in NCTC’s sole discretion, to deny any application, waive or modify any membership factor(s), and 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.

Acceptance of Membership

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

Confidentiality

NCTC does not share information with any third parties and all reviews are handled internally by NCTC employees.

Connected Supplier Partnership Program

Our Connected Supplier Partnership Program is designed to serve members and support suppliers because we are all STRONGER TOGETHER! We are committed to serving as a consistent link between members and supplier partners, offering education, innovation, speed to market, operational efficiencies and value — so we all grow together.

This program comprises three different supplier partner levels: Premier Partner, Preferred Partner and Approved Partner. Each level has specific benefits that will help expand your reach within the NCTC and our members.

From customized go-to-market strategies to lead generation, we have a program that is right for you! If you are interested in moving up to the next level or have questions, please reach out to your main NCTC contact or email: nctcpartnerships@nctconline.org.