About

Wiatel has been providing telecommunications services to our owner/members since 1949. While the types of services we offer have changed over the last 50+ years, our commitment to service has remained our top priority. Wiatel continually strives to provide the most current, technologically-advanced services to our members in all 12 northwest Iowa communities that we serve.  We are proud to provide unmatched customer service, technical capabilities, knowledgeable personnel and superior services.  We enjoy serving all of our current customers and look forward to serving tomorrow's new customers.

-Heath Mallory, CEO– Wiatel

Wiatel is a Cooperative.  What Is a Cooperative?

A cooperative is a nonprofit form of business. Unlike other businesses, a cooperative is owned and controlled by the people who use it; its members. A cooperative operates for the benefit of its members, not for a small group of investors or a single owner. As a member of Wiatel (Western Iowa Telephone), you share in the profits made by the telephone company in the form of capital credits. All Wiatel customers except Kingsley are Wiatel Cooperative members.

How do I become a Member?

As a subscriber to Wiatel (Western Iowa Telephone) you are automatically a member. When you signed up for telephone service, you also signed a membership card to the cooperative which entitles you to all the benefits of being a member. (Kingsley customers cannot be Cooperative members)

How am I represented as a Member?

You are represented by individuals in your community, Wiatel’s (Western Iowa Telephone's) Board of Directors. As a member, each year you are sent a ballot to vote for the director positions up for election. There is at least one director from each of the cooperative's eight exchanges on the board. Each director holds a three-year term after which he/she must run again. These board members represent the members in their exchange and make decisions concerning the cooperative in all members' best interest. However, as a member you may contact the office at any time with questions or concerns. You are also encouraged to attend the cooperative's annual meeting held each year at which the directors are elected and cooperative happenings are discussed.

What are Capital Credits?

Each year Wiatel’s (Western Iowa Telephone's) profits, the difference between the amount of money made by the company and its expenses paid out, are calculated and allocated to all of the cooperative member's capital credit accounts. The amount allocated to your account each year is based on your patronage, or business with the cooperative (including outgoing and incoming long distance calls). This dollar amount will fluctuate year to year based on the cooperative's profit margin and your patronage.

What is an Allocation Notice?

Each year you are a member you will receive an allocation notice. This notice informs you of the amount of Wiatel’s (Western Iowa Telephone's) profits that have been allocated to your capital credit account for the previous year. For example, in 2010 you would have received an allocation notice for 2009. This statement also informs you of your total accumulation of capital credits that have not yet been paid.

When will I receive payment for these Capital Credits?

Payment of capital credits is determined by the Board of Directors. Between the time you receive your allocation notice and the time it is paid, the money continues to be used by your cooperative to maintain and improve its telephone facilities to provide all members with the best telephone service possible. The time frame between notification and payment of capital credits is based on the needs of the cooperative and the ability, from a cash position, to pay the capital credits to its members.

Even if you move out of the Wiatel (Western Iowa Telephone) service area, you will continue to receive your capital credits for the years you were a member. Lump sum payments of capital credits are made only to an estate upon the death of a member.

Wiatel Board of Directors

Russ Walker (President – Moville)

Don Wohlert (Vice President – Bronson)

Steven Witt (Treasurer – Lawton)

Deb Sulsberger (Secretary – Hornick)

Scott Blakely (Smithland)

Douglas Baird (Climbing Hill)

Doug Johnson (Oto)

Pat Rogers (Moville)

Mike Bruning (Turin – Castana)