Paul Bunyan Communications announces…

Construction is finishing up on Paul Bunyan Communications’ all-fiber optic broadband expansion project in Itasca and St. Louis Counties, with the GigaZone® all-fiber optic Internet & WiFi becoming available to over 600 homes and businesses over the next few months.
The western most part of the project is done and services are now available. This includes portions of Carpenter Township and the unorganized township east of Carpenter Township.
Construction in Sturgeon Township and the western part of Alango Township is done with fiber splicing in progress. Service installations are expected to begin by early December.
Construction is finishing up in Field Township and northern Alango Township. Once completed fiber splicing will begin. Service installations are expected to begin over winter.
“We’re excited to be installing services in the areas we’ve completed so far, and we expect the project to be completed as planned,” said Chad Bullock, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Reliable internet is critical for work, education, healthcare, and staying connected, and we are proud to start delivering that through our all-fiber optic network to more homes and businesses in St. Louis and Itasca Counties.”
Those included in the expansion will have access to GigaZone® Internet and WiFi, offering speeds up to 10 Gig and the reliability needed to support today’s connected homes and businesses. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance calling, will also be available. Business customers will benefit from Managed IT Business Services such as VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management.
Residents and businesses in any of these areas can sign up anytime. If the cooperative cannot bring the network up the location before winter, crews will return to make that connection and install services in the spring.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit http://www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
This project is made possible through the State of Minnesota, Department of Employment & Economic Development, Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. This project is estimated to cost $7,810,355, with the State of Minnesota’s Low-Population Density Program grant contributing $3,924,157, Paul Bunyan Communications investing $2,203,928, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.