ATC Communications Revenue and Competitors

ATC Communications (Albion Telephone Company Inc.) has been a family owned business since the company was pioneered in 1929 by Jeannette Breslin and her husband Mike. Mike and Jeannette purchased the telephone system soon after their arrival in Albion, Idaho. Mike passed away only six months after the family had moved to this small rural community from Sherwood, North Dakota. Initially the company consisted of 18 magneto crank phones in the town of Albion, a few broken down pine poles and several hundred feet of iron wire. Some of the wire had been strung on fence posts to save the expense of a telephone pole. The company was initially operated by Jeannette and her husband Mike and Jeannette's son Victor Redman and his wife Mildred. Jeannette was the backbone of the company and Victor was the dreamer and expander. The company was originally operated as a side line and what little money was made went directly back into the business. During the years prior to dial service as we know it today, Jeannette sat at a magneto switchboard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One of Victor's children would spell her during times of sickness or other times when she was unable to work. She operated this magneto switchboard and a next generation common battery board for over 35 years of her life and was known by members of the area as "Central". She was well known in the community for her kindness and caring nature and was loved by all who knew her. She also acted as the town's only nurse, providing medical aid to all who required it. The company continued to grow and in 1954 had expanded telephone lines to the outlying communities of Almo, Elba and Malta. After the death of both Jeannette and Victor in early 1963, and the subsequent death of Vic's wife Mildred in 1965, the operation was left in the hands of ODeen Redman, their son. The company continued to expand with the purchase of the Holbrook Exchange in 1967 and the addition of the Raft River Exchange in 1976. Telephone service has continued to grow and improve through the years. In October of 1996 Albion Telephone Company formed a subsidiary company called Westel, Inc. which purchased the exchanges in Arco, Howe, Moore, Mackay and Malad from US West. The total company now serves nearly 5,000 subscribers in a 4000 square mile area in 5 counties and 2 states. In January of 2000, Albion Telephone Company and Westel were merged and the company now operates as ATCCommunications. ATC Communications continues to operate as a family business with ODeen serving as President and CEO, his wife Darla as Executive Secretary and their son Rich as Vice President. ODeen's brother Barry serves as Treasurer and works as the Outside Plant Manager. A complete listing of the management team can be found by clicking here. ATC Communications now provides internet access through Atcnet.net in all of the following communities: Albion, Almo, Elba, Malta, Raft River, Arco, Howe, Moore, Mackay, Malad and Holbrook, Idaho. In addition they provide dial-up access to Idaho Falls, Pocatello and most other communities in southeastern Idaho. In addition to regular dial-up access, they provide high speed DSL in selected areas. The company formed a new subsidiary called ATC Long Distance which now offers interstate and intrastate long distance, credit cards and personal 800 numbers. They offer long distance service to all telephone customers throughout southern Idaho. ATC recently formed a new wireless cellular company with three other local exchange telephone companies. This new partnership was named Syringa Wireless. Our new store for Syringa Wireless is now open in Albion, with new cell phones and accessories. Syringa Wireless stores are also now open for business in Arco and Malad. In addition, stores are located in Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls. ATC Communications can be reached by dialing 208 673-5335 during normal business hours. If you wish to Email the company,click here.