1941
Our story begins
Arthur Long purchased the telephone exchanges of Sergeant Bluff, Salix and Sloan, Iowa, using a mortgage on farmland inherited from his father. He named the company Northwest Iowa Telephone.
Rooted in Siouxland.
Connecting Our Communities Since 1941.
From our beginnings as a local telephone company to today’s broadband connections, Long Lines has grown alongside the communities we serve.
A Local Beginning. A Lasting Connection.
Long Lines began in 1941 with three Iowa communities and a commitment to keeping people connected. Through decades of change, that connection to Siouxland has remained at the heart of our story.
1968
The next generation
After graduating from college, Chuck Long joined the family business. As party lines gave way to private telephone lines in the early 1970s, customers gained greater privacy and new ways to connect.
1980s
Connections beyond Siouxland
Northwest Iowa Telephone signed an Equal-Access Agreement with MCI. Chuck Long helped expand MCI telemarketing call centers nationwide, creating thousands of jobs. The centers were later sold back to MCI.
1997
More ways to stay connected
The company began designing, building and operating community networks for phone, cable television and internet service, often in partnership with municipalities.
2001
A familiar name takes shape
After 60 years in business, Northwest Iowa Telephone and its related companies officially became known as Long Lines.
2000s
Growing with our communities
Long Lines expanded service across the tri-state area, including a fiber network in South Sioux City, Nebraska. In December 2005, the purchase of two wireless providers launched Long Lines Wireless.
2013
A new chapter for wireless
AT&T purchased the Long Lines Wireless division in December 2013.
2015
Joining the Schurz family
In March 2015, Long Lines became a wholly owned subsidiary of Schurz Communications.
2022
Bringing fiber to rural South Dakota
Long Lines expanded its fiber network into rural areas around Jefferson and Elk Point, South Dakota.
2023
A new way to watch
Long Lines introduced Flight Video, a streaming television platform that brought a new way to watch to our customers.
2025
Fiber reaches more neighbors
Fiber expansion continued into Dakota City, Nebraska, and rural areas around Sergeant Bluff, Salix and Sloan, Iowa.
2026
Taking your connection on the go
Long Lines introduced Flight Mobile phone service, adding another way to keep our customers connected.
Still Growing. Still Connected.
Today, Long Lines continues to connect homes and businesses throughout Siouxland, building on a history that began with three neighboring communities.
Visit our local stores in Sergeant Bluff, IA, South Sioux City, NE and Storm Lake, IA.