Ripton Broadband Cooperative

The Ripton Broadband Cooperative (RBC) provides wireless broadband Internet service to nearly all of Ripton. You do not have to be a coop member to get service. To request service email info@riptonbroadband.com , we will contact you and schedule a site survey. Be sure to include a phone number and service address when requesting Internet service. For pricing and service level options see the signup form, print it and mail it to: Ripton Broadband Cooperative, P.O. Box 212, Ripton, VT 05766

We can customize service levels for businesses and aim to make service affordable for all.

The Cooperative:

Several years ago Ripton residents investigated options for high speed Internet service and found no provider to offer service to a rural mountain town with a small population; it was too difficult and costly. We decided to do it ourselves and formed a member cooperative, raised funds, received grants and loans, and worked with a new business, North Branch Networks to bring high speed Internet to town. In 2006 our network went "live" and we've been learning and growing ever since. As of 2010 our debt is paid and our goal of providing coverage to all the major residential areas of town is accomplished.

A coop is about community involvement. Unlike a business, the co-op has the goal of fast Internet access for all members of the community. You and your neighbors control your connection to the world!

Members vs Subscribers:

In 2009 coop members voted to provide service to "subscribers". This change allowed residents to receive service as subscribers without paying a $200 member share. Only members have voting rights in the cooperative and the potential of receiving dividends. By law, the Board must return a portion of the profits to member-stockholders each year there is an excess.

The Network:

Bandwidth is transmitted from Middlebury to towers in Cornwall and Ripton, then to radio locations in Ripton. Radios are installed on roofs, walls, or trees and have a wire that is run into the building it serves. The coop owns the radio. The coop member or subscriber must purchase a network router and ups battery backup device.

Board of Directors:

The Cooperative is governed by a member elected Board who report to cooperative members at an annual meeting during the first three months of the calendar year.

Current Board of Directors: Perry Hanson, Bryan Alexander, Rick Klein, Phillip Bullied, Robert Wagner, Ned Horning.

Past Directors: Alison Joseph Dickinson, Bill Biederman, Charles Billings, Win Colwell, Carol Kulczyk, Paonia Ezrine N'Shaiha.


Ripton Broadband Cooperative, P.O. Box 212, Ripton, VT 05766
info@riptonbroadband.com	Network Status or 802-382-8700 option 1
The Ripton Broadband Cooperative (RBC) provides wireless broadband Internet service to nearly all of Ripton. You do not have to be a coop member to get service. To request service email info@riptonbroadband.com , we will contact you and schedule a site survey. Be sure to include a phone number and service address when requesting Internet service. For pricing and service level options see the signup form, print it and mail it to: Ripton Broadband Cooperative, P.O. Box 212, Ripton, VT 05766 We can customize service levels for businesses and aim to make service affordable for all. The Cooperative: Several years ago Ripton residents investigated options for high speed Internet service and found no provider to offer service to a rural mountain town with a small population; it was too difficult and costly. We decided to do it ourselves and formed a member cooperative, raised funds, received grants and loans, and worked with a new business, North Branch Networks to bring high speed Internet to town. In 2006 our network went "live" and we've been learning and growing ever since. As of 2010 our debt is paid and our goal of providing coverage to all the major residential areas of town is accomplished. Why a Co-op? A coop is about community involvement. Unlike a business, the co-op has the goal of fast Internet access for all members of the community. You and your neighbors control your connection to the world! Members vs Subscribers: In 2009 coop members voted to provide service to "subscribers". This change allowed residents to receive service as subscribers without paying a $200 member share. Only members have voting rights in the cooperative and the potential of receiving dividends. By law, the Board must return a portion of the profits to member-stockholders each year there is an excess. The Network: Bandwidth is transmitted from Middlebury to towers in Cornwall and Ripton, then to radio locations in Ripton. Radios are installed on roofs, walls, or trees and have a wire that is run into the building it serves. The coop owns the radio. The coop member or subscriber must purchase a network router and ups battery backup device. Board of Directors: The Cooperative is governed by a member elected Board who report to cooperative members at an annual meeting during the first three months of the calendar year. Current Board of Directors: Perry Hanson, Bryan Alexander, Rick Klein, Phillip Bullied, Robert Wagner, Ned Horning. Past Directors: Alison Joseph Dickinson, Bill Biederman, Charles Billings, Win Colwell, Carol Kulczyk, Paonia Ezrine N'Shaiha. Internet Service Provider: North Branch Networks, led by Jeremy Grip Bookkeeping and accounting: Misasi & Misasi, CPAs, of Middlebury. Website Hosting: Riptonbroadband.com is hosted by Vermont Web Works
Previous updates	RBC email address signup
Ripton Broadband Cooperative, P.O. Box 212, Ripton, VT 05766
info@riptonbroadband.com	Network Status 802/382-8700 option 1

Membership Packet [pdf, 148 kb]	RBC Service Sign-up form [pdf, 56 kb]