In 1920, Jerry Raak from Orange City purchased the company from John Van Royen and Case Van Zyl. At this point, the Company was comprised of 425 rural and two subscribers and was renamed Hospers Telephone Company. It was run by Jerry and his new bride Ruth with the help of a few switchboard operators.

Jerry’s son Don came to work for the Company in 1937. The first telephone cable was buried in town that year, with all digging done by hand. The rural area surrounding Hospers was served by several Co-Op farmer owned companies for which Hospers Telephone Co. served as switch. Each Co-Op contracted with Hospers to do all maintenance and construction.

Switchboard Operators became unnecessary in 1957 when a Leich dial switchboard was installed. Telephone subscribers in and around Hospers could now dial direct. The rural lines were split so that were were no more than ten parties per line while subscribers in Hospers had two to three per line.

Shortly after Jerry Raak’s death in 1966, Hospers Telephone Co. began purchasing rural lines from the Co-Op companies purchasing the last one in 1970. Also in 1970, the company buried cable to the rural area around Hospers, which, along with a switchboard expansion, allowed for private lines.

Don’s son Dave joined the company in 1974. In 1975, the last of the cable in town was buried and arial lines removed. In that same year ground was broken for a new office building in its present location. Also a North NX-2A switchboard was installed, which would provide totally private lines and all touch tone calling.

In 1984 the Company recognized a need to diversify if it were to remain progressive. That year two paging systems were installed: one at Hospers and another at Le Mars, Iowa. An Interconnect company was organized that year to sell, install, and maintain phone systems outside of the Hospers service area. A new Corporation called Hastel Corporation was begun for this purpose.

In 1984, after 47 years of service to the telephone industry Don Raak retired from the company while staying on as President of the Board. Dave Raak was elected Manager.

In July, 1989 equal access was provided to enable customers to choose their own long distance company.

Hospers Telephone Company purchased a cable television system in January 1996, servicing the towns of Hospers, Sheldon, and Sibley.  Later Ashton was added and in October 2008 Ocheyedan.

Hospers Telephone Company is now doing business as 

HTC Communications. We feel this name more accurately reflects our core business, a total communications company.