First incorporated in 1919 and becoming a cooperative in 1961, the Panora Cooperative Telephone Association serves over 2,000 customers in Guthrie County, Iowa. The number of customers has grown nearly three-fold since 1970 due to the construction of, and associated lakefront development around, Lake Panorama, which is located just north of the city of Panora.
The cooperative can count on an annual increase of 30 homes in their service area as development continues, along with expansions of existing, and the addition of new businesses and services that develop to serve this popular recreation area.
The timeline below provides a brief overview of the telephone history in and around the Panora area.
1897
At least one local line was put into operation.
1900s
Switchboards established in Panora and local areas.
1960s
New aerial cable installed; automatic number identification added to the switch.
1970s
Telephone and paging services added; underground cable placed around Lake Panorama.
1980s
Panora Coop Cablevision founded. Digital switching system installed. Became an equal access telephone company through Iowa Network Services (INS). Invested in wireless communications to provide cellular coverage in our service area.
1990s
Fiber Optics brought enhanced technology in Internet services to the customers door steps.
Economic development became a part of the telecommunications profile in the 1990s with the purchase of Rosehill Business Park, 110 acres of commercial property east of Panora on Highway 44 and a 12 acre residential subdivision called Dream Acres in the northeast section of the city.
2000 and beyond
More fiber optics installed through out exchange, plus remote-switching centers that allow high-speed data capabilities in areas that could not be reached effectively prior to the expansion.
