Thanks to Ann Higgins for the heads up. I’m full of news from HickoryTech today. Telecompetitor reports that HickoryTech has purchased IdeaOne, a company that provides…

data networking, Internet, colocation, phone and hosting services to approximately 3,600 business and residential customers in the Fargo area.

It seems a sign of a local company looking to serve their customers into the future. The acquisition will add 225 miles of fiber to their regional network. The article goes on to offer HickoryTech’s perspective…

“This acquisition further advances our strategy of growing our business and broadband services,” said John Finke, HickoryTech president and chief executive officer in a press release. “Last year, we extended our fiber network to Fargo. This transaction gives us immediate access to the market, making our entire portfolio of business services available to IdeaOne customers. The completion of our Broadband stimulus route from Brainerd, Minn. to Fargo, North Dakota in 2012 will further enhance our capabilities and services in this market.”