In late 2003, nine small independent telephone companies formed a partnership known as Northern Iowa Communications Partners (NICP). The founding companies were Terril Telephone Cooperative, Lone Rock Cooperative Telephone, Palmer Mutual Telephone Co., Independent Networks, River Valley Telecommunications Coop, Ayrshire Farmers Mutual Telephone Co. Northwest Telephone Cooperative Association, Ringsted Telephone Co., and Royal Telephone Co. Spencer Municipal Utilities also participates in the group thru a 28E agreement.