(a) The articles of consolidation must:
(1) conform substantially to original articles of incorporation of a telephone cooperative; and
(2) be executed, acknowledged, filed, and recorded in the same manner as original articles of incorporation.
(b) The directors named in the consolidation agreement shall as incorporators sign and acknowledge the articles of consolidation.

(c) The secretary of state shall charge and collect a fee of $50 for filing articles of consolidation.
(d) When the secretary of state accepts the articles of consolidation for filing and recording and issues a certificate of consolidation, the proposed consolidated telephone cooperative described in the articles under its designated name exists as a body corporate, with all the powers of a telephone cooperative originally organized under this chapter.