For over a century, our mission has been simple: to unite communities with advanced solutions rooted in family values. Discover how our journey from a single telephone line to a regional leader has been defined by integrity, trust, and a deep commitment to the people we serve.
As a leader in the telecommunications landscape, Empire Access is a testament to what quality service should look like in the digital age. We consistently stand out by delivering not just internet, but an exceptional experience defined by lightning-fast, symmetrical speeds and unwavering reliability.
Our commitment to network stability ensures a seamless data superhighway for streaming, gaming, and working from home, all without the worry of interruptions. We believe in providing outstanding value through competitive rates, zero hidden fees, and no long-term contracts. Above all, our reputation as an industry leader is built on a foundation of stellar customer care, where our responsive and knowledgeable team is always ready to ensure your digital life runs smoothly.
We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Living and working in the areas we serve, our team is an extended family dedicated to making our communities stronger.
At Empire Access, our commitment to the communities we serve extends beyond providing exceptional internet service. We are proud to be active members of the local Chambers of Commerce throughout our service areas. This is more than a membership—it’s a partnership. By collaborating with local businesses and community leaders, we ensure that we are deeply connected to the needs and aspirations of our neighbors. We believe that a strong local economy benefits everyone, and we are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and vitality of the communities we and our employees are privileged to call home.
We partner with local counties to bring high-speed fiber internet to rural communities across New York and Pennsylvania. Through these partnerships, we are closing the digital divide and ensuring that residents and businesses in rural areas have access to the same reliable and symmetrical internet speeds as their urban counterparts. By leveraging grant funding and collaborating with local governments, we are building a future where everyone has the connectivity they need to learn, work, and thrive.
We are proud of our journey and the communities that have been a part of our story. This timeline highlights our continuous drive to innovate and expand, always with our communities in mind.
The Prattsburgh Phone Company [later known as Empire Access] is established in Prattsburgh, NY, with a single telephone line.
The company was formally incorporated as the Prattsburgh Home Telephone Company.
The Wagner family purchases the company, beginning decades of growth and family ownership.
The company expands into Pennsylvania with the acquisition of the North Penn Telephone Company.
Empire grows through a series of acquisitions of smaller telephone companies, including those in Hector, Caywood, Lodi, Valois, Burdett, East Pembroke, and Odessa, solidifying its presence in NY and PA.
The company officially changes its name to Empire Telephone Company.
With the advancements in communication technology and the company’s ambitious growth, Empire Access entered the digital era in 1984 when the first digital switch was put into service.
The company becomes known as Empire Access.
Empire becomes a technological pioneer, being the first independent telephone company in New York to connect with NYNEX via an OC-03 SONET fiber interface.
The company begins a new chapter by offering DSL internet services, shifting its focus toward modern data communication.
Empire Access launches a major expansion of its fiber-to-the-home services, reaching communities in the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Pennsylvania from Hornell to Naples, Watkins Glen to Sayre, and beyond.
Service is expanded to Batavia, NY.
The company is awarded “Best Internet Service Provider” in the Southern Tier region of New York for the 2nd year in a row.
The company expands its fiber optic network into Victor, New York, leveraging an acquired county fiber network.
Empire Access focuses on community support during the pandemic, providing free Wi-Fi hotspots in Prattsburgh and partnered on USDA ReConnect grants to bring fiber to Yates and Madison counties.
A partnership with Nokia enables an upgrade to deliver service to the Greater Binghamton region.
A partnership is established with Madison County to bring fiber connectivity to nearly 7,600 households in the region as part of the USDA ReConnect grant.
Empire Access is recognized by PCMag as the Fastest Internet Provider in the U.S., a major national award that solidifies its reputation for speed and performance.
The company is once again named the Fastest ISP in the Northeast by PCMag and announces its expansion into Scranton, PA.
The company’s growth accelerates with a significant number of new service launches in communities from Horseheads, Cortland, Elmira, Mt Morris, Endicott, Dansville, Canandaigua, to Bloomsburg, Hazleton, Nanticoke.
Empire Access secures a majority investment from Antin Infrastructure Partners, a step that enables further expansion and growth.
Empire Access receives the 2023 Best of Twin Tiers award for the best internet, satellite, and cable service provider and receives the Gold Award for IT/Office Technology from the FLX Finest awards.
Empire Access expands services to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and dramatically boosts its residential upload speeds.
Empire Access announces a massive upgrade to its residential internet upload speeds: a 1000 percent boost that makes it symmetrical to download speeds.
Empire Access is named a key partner in a $26 million ConnectALL Grant to expand fiber access to nearly 11,000 homes and businesses in Oswego County, New York.
Empire Access receives the Gold Award for IT/Office Technology from the FLX Finest awards.
This is our story, woven into the fabric of the communities we serve. From our humble origins in Prattsburgh to our pioneering role in fiber technology, our journey has always been about bringing people closer. Learn more about us by exploring our blog, “Empire News & Community Updates,” and by visiting our “In the Community” page.
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All new customers receive a $200 Amazon gift card just in time for those Black Friday deals.
Limited-Time Offer!
Offer Eligibility: New Empire Access customers who sign up for residential internet service [the enhanced or elite plan] between October 6, 2025, and October 31, 2025, at midnight Eastern Time are eligible to receive a one-time $200 Amazon Gift Card. You must place your fiber internet order online to qualify. Customer can participate in only one promo at a time.
Redemption Process: After paying for your first month of active service, customers will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem their one-time $200 Amazon Gift Card.
Additional Terms: This offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated. Empire Access reserves the right to modify or terminate this promotion at any time. Misuse or abuse of the offer may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of any remaining value.
By participating in this promotion, customers agree to these terms and conditions.
This is the plan for those who demand the best and won’t compromise on speed. The Elite plan delivers our most powerful connection, designed for the most demanding online activities. This is your no-lag, no-buffer experience for competitive gaming, large file uploads, and streaming high-quality video across multiple screens. It’s the ultimate performance that gives you a seamless, flawless connection, every time.
The elite plan is ideal for power users, streamers, or professionals who need the fastest possible speeds.
When life gets busy, your internet shouldn’t slow down. This plan is built for the connected household where multiple devices are running at once. Whether it’s remote work, homework, online gaming, or streaming in 4K, this plan provides the balance of speed and performance you need to keep everyone in the family connected and happy, all at the same time. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing your connection can handle whatever life throws at it.
The enhanced plan is ideal for homes with multiple users and devices.
This is our most straightforward plan, designed for the quiet moments and simple needs of one or two people. It’s the perfect foundation for staying connected without overpaying. We focus on providing a reliable, no-frills connection for everything from checking email and browsing the web to streaming your favorite shows in standard definition. It’s internet that just works, providing the reliability you need at a price you’ll love.
The essential plan is ideal for individuals or couples who are not heavy streamers or gamers.
We determined this based on the information you provided about your average daily internet usage.
Ready to move to high-speed fiber internet? We’d love to have you join us. To get started, click on the Check Availability button.
Our Customer Support is open and available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
800-338-3300
Receive a $200 MyBundle Streaming Choice Card when you sign up online for one of our fiber internet plans.
Limited-Time Offer!
Offer Eligibility: New Empire Access customers who sign up for residential internet service between July 24, 2025, and August 15, 2025, at midnight Eastern Time are eligible to receive a one-time $200 Streaming Choice Card. You must place your fiber internet order online to qualify. Customer can participate in only one promo at a time.
Redemption Process: After maintaining 60 days of active service following installation, and so long as the account remains in good standing, customers will receive an email from MyBundle with instructions on how to redeem their one-time $200 Streaming Choice Card. Customers must complete the redemption within 90 days of receiving the email, or the offer will expire.
Streaming Choice Card Issuance: The Streaming Choice Card will be provided as a one-time $200 virtual card that can be used toward streaming services, including new or existing subscriptions.
Usage Guidelines: The $200 Streaming Choice Card must be used within 12 months of issuance, or any remaining balance will be forfeited.
Service Changes: If a customer cancels Empire Access service or their account is not in good standing before the bonus card is issued, they will forfeit eligibility for the offer.
Additional Terms: This offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated. Empire Access and MyBundle reserve the right to modify or terminate this promotion at any time. Misuse or abuse of the offer may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of any remaining value.
By participating in this promotion, customers agree to these terms and conditions.
Receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for our enhanced or elite fiber internet plans or a $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for the essential fiber internet plan.
Limited-Time Offer!
$100 Amazon Gift Card for enhanced & elite fiber internet plans
$50 Amazon Gift Card for the essentials fiber internet plan
Online offer only.
*Gift cards will be processed via email and distributed to eligible Empire Access customers who are active and in good standing after 3 months of service. Must be placing a new serviceable order to receive the promotion- pending installations are not eligible. The Amazon Gift Card can not be transferred as cash value. Order must be placed between 6/6/25 – 6/15/25 11:59 PM EST.
