Much has changed from when we started delivering telephone service to our community in 1896. Therefore, we’ll keep evolving with the times. We now provide fiber optic internet, phone services, tv, and more to our residential and business customers. One thing that will stay the same is who we are and what we believe our purpose is. We’ve always had high standards and big goals, but our feet have always — and will always — been firmly planted on solid ground.

Fast fiber internet is something new for us, but it’s delivered with the same old-fashioned, community-focused values and purpose that we started with. No matter what the future holds or where the road leads us next, everything we do comes back to these five simple principles.

What We Say Is What We Mean.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying one thing and meaning another. But life is too short to spend time and energy trying to decipher mixed messages or reading between the lines.

Part of our purpose is to build trust with our neighbors and customers. We stand by our word, and we’ll always back them up through action.

What You See Is What You Get

The world is full of things that seem too good to be true. For example, deals that seem low at first but then quickly go up, and situations where appearance and reality couldn’t be further apart. Nobody enjoys the “bait and switch” or feeling like they’re getting the runaround. That’s why we’ve intended to do things differently from the start. Doing business with us, whether for business or residential purposes, means no “gotchas,” no sleight of hand, and no second guessing yourself. And no contracts to keep you locked in.

Care For Our Neighbors

Counting on each other, watching out for friends and family, giving back to the community … those are the building blocks of real relationships and the ingredients of a life worth living. You know your neighbors will be there for you … what if a company you work with did the same?

Community is where we started, and community is what we’ll always come back to. The support of the neighborhoods where we live, work, and play is what made our success possible. And our commitment to caring for the places we come from in big and little ways, from sponsoring local sports teams and giving back to area charities to building relationships with our customers and taking extra time to solve problems the right way is a point of pride that keeps us focused on what matters most — you.

Treat People Like People

Doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, not because we have to but because we want to. Treating people with kindness and decency. Giving others what we’d like to receive. All our other values are built on this purpose. It’s a principle that guides everything we do. It shows in the relationships we have with the people we serve.

Lead By Example

Words are easy. Action takes effort. And going the extra mile is always worth it. It’s why we have employees who love what they do and have been with us for decades. Our employees who go the extra mile are why customers will ask for people by name when they need help. It’s why people like Sidney in Hornell, Eric in Corning, Veda in Elmira, and Jason in Big Flats have no regrets about making the switch to Empire Access. We say what we’ll do, and then follow through.

The large, nationwide companies might have more reach, recognition, and resources, and that’s okay. There are three things we do better — taking time to get to know our customers by name, giving them the complete focus they deserve, and providing outstanding service. Everything that defines Empire Access comes back to people — the people we know, the people we are, and the people we serve. At the end of the day, we’re more than just another fiber internet provider — we’re a people company that happens to specialize in keeping people connected.