Paul Bunyan Communications announces…

Paul Bunyan Communications has started expanding its GigaZone® all-fiber optic network in an area of southwest downtown Hibbing.
This expansion project includes over 800 locations in an area that stretches from Old Hwy 169 east to 1st Avenue and north to 28th Street West. It includes portions of Ansley Rd, Corey Tracts Rd, 1st-9th Ave W, Dillon Rd, and 28th-41st St W.
Construction will take place over the next few weeks with services expected to be available over the winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service. Sign up online at https://paulbunyan.net/ or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. The cooperative is also holding an in-person sign up day event on Tuesday, October 13 from 3-7 p.m. at the Hibbing City Memorial Building at 400 East 23rd Street.
There is no construction fee to get connected and there is no membership fee to join the cooperative. Membership begins when you subscribe to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
Once the new all-fiber optic network is operational, homes and businesses can get fast, dependable GigaZone® Internet and WiFi built to keep every device connected. Voice services, including unlimited local and long-distance will also be available. Business customers will gain access to Managed IT Business Services like VOIP, Disaster Backup and Recovery, and Network Management. In addition, Paul Bunyan Communications is an authorized DIRECTV dealer and certified Apple Service Center.
“It’s important for anyone in the expansion area who wants to get connected to sign up within the next few weeks. By signing up before construction crews leave the area, you’ll be in the best position to have your services installed once the network becomes operational this winter. We will return to connect additional locations in the future, but those who wait to sign up may not be able to get connected until next summer,”said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
For more than 70 years, Paul Bunyan Communications has brought the latest communications technology to communities across northern Minnesota. Today, the cooperative provides high-quality, reliable Internet & WiFi services across more than 6,000 square miles, including neighboring rural communities and cities such as Buhl, Cook, Britt, Marble, Nashwauk, and Keewatin.
The cooperative will expand further in the city of Hibbing in 2027. More information on those plans will be released once finalized.

Paul Bunyan Communications announces...

Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its GigaZone® all-fiber optic network to the city of Hibbing and is asking residents and businesses complete a survey to help the cooperative determine the timeline and scope of the project.
The short online survey is available online at hibbingsurvey.com and will remain open through October 14.
“We serve portions of the rural areas around the city of Hibbing, and we’ve heard from several residents and businesses of the community who are interested in our service,” said Chad Bullock, CEO/General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “This survey will give the entire Hibbing community an opportunity to let us know directly if they would like us to bring GigaZone all-fiber optic Internet & our full suite of technology services to their homes and businesses”.
The cooperative has already determined it will start expansion construction soon in two areas of the city of Hibbing that includes over 880 locations. To check to see if your location is in this fall’s expansion plans and to sign up visit https://paulbunyan.net/gigazone/availability-map/
For more than 70 years, Paul Bunyan Communications has brought the latest communications technology to communities across northern Minnesota. Today, the cooperative provides high-quality, reliable Internet & WiFi services across more than 6,000 square miles, including neighboring rural communities and cities such as Buhl, Cook, Britt, Marble, Nashwauk, and Keewatin.
As a member-owned cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications carefully evaluates potential expansion opportunities. Community interest, available funding, construction logistics, and the need for services are among the factors considered when determining where to expand its all-fiber optic network.
“We want to hear from Hibbing,” Bullock added. “The more information we have about the level of interest throughout the city, the better we can establish the scope and timelines for the project”.
Hibbing residents and businesses interested in GigaZone® Internet & WiFi are encouraged to complete the short survey at hibbingsurvey.com. There is no obligation to sign up for service by completing the survey.
More information about Paul Bunyan Communications, including services and pricing is available at paulbunyan.net.

Paul Bunyan Communications announces…

broadband expansion project in Hubbard County, bringing the GigaZone® all-fiber optic network one step closer to more than 220 homes and businesses.
This expansion is taking place in two areas of Hubbard County:
Areas of Henrietta and Todd Townships south of Fishhook Lake
The area south of Fishhook Lake is finished and services are now available. Todd Township construction will begin soon and is expected to be completed by the end of construction season.
Areas south and west of Long Lake in Hubbard Township. Construction is almost done. Fiber splicing will follow with services anticipated becoming available by the end of the year.
“We’re excited to be nearing the finish line on this important project,” said Chad Bullock, CEO of Paul Bunyan Communications. “This expansion reflects our continued commitment to bringing essential, high-speed broadband to underserved areas. Reliable internet is critical for work, education, healthcare, and staying connected, and we’re proud to deliver that through our all-fiber optic network.”
Once activated, customers 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.
“This project represents a significant upgrade for these townships,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our all-fiber optic network is built for performance and future growth, ensuring these communities have the connectivity they need for years to come.”
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up now if they have not already done so to ensure timely connection as service becomes available. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative; membership begins when subscribing to GigaZone® Internet or local phone service.
To check availability or sign up for service, visit http://www.paulbunyan.net, call, or stop by the cooperative’s headquarters in Bemidji.
This project is made possible through a USDA ReConnect Round 3 grant award. The portion of construction built with grant dollars will be an estimated $500,000.

Update from Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications started construction in late April on expanding the all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 600 more locations in Itasca and St. Louis County across five townships.
This project includes areas south and west of the city of Cook including parts of the following townships: Alango, Carpenter, Field, Sturgeon, and an unorganized township east of Carpenter.
Currently crews are working in Sturgeon, Field, and Alango townships. The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed within the next 4-6 weeks with services expected to become available by winter. There is no construction fee to get connected, by signing up for services a location gets on the construction list.
The first stage of the construction process is installing the main fiber network which is followed by installing the connections up to individual homes and businesses that have signed up to be connected. Once those two stages are completed, our clean up/restoration crews will come through, and our team will work to splice the fiber network. Once it is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations. A video on how the construction process works is located on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube channel at:

For those unfamiliar with Paul Bunyan Communications, we are a member-owned broadband cooperative that has served northern Minnesota since 1952. There are no membership fees or annual dues, membership is gained when a resident or business subscribes to local phone service or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service. The cooperative headquarters is in Bemidji with a Customer Service & Technology Center located in Grand Rapids.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done quickly and easily online at paulbunyan.net or in person at one of our office locations.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.
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.

From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion across Central Aitkin County is progressing as planned. The project area includes the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack, as well as portions of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships. Once completed over 2,400 homes & businesses will have access to the all-fiber optic network and the services it provides.
Currently crews are working in areas south of Sandy Lake Reservoir and west of Lake Minnewawa. They are still working north of McGregor and will soon be heading east towards Tamarack. Construction in the city of McGregor is almost done.
Paul Bunyan Communications will be at the Aitkin Chamber of Commerce Riverboat Days on Saturday, August 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the vendor fair area and we will be at Palisade Riverfest on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please stop by to learn about our expansion, services, and cooperative plus pick up a free fast charging power cube while supplies last.
The first stage of the construction process is installing the main fiber network which is followed by installing the connections up to individual homes and businesses that have signed up to be connected. Once those two stages are completed, our clean up/restoration crews will come through, and our team will work to splice the fiber network. Once it is operational in a project area, customers who signed up for service will be contacted to schedule service installations. A video on how the construction process works is located on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube channel at:

Paul Bunyan Communications is a member-owned broadband cooperative that has served northern Minnesota since 1952. There are no membership fees or annual dues, membership is gained when a resident or business subscribes to local phone service or GigaZone® Broadband Internet service. The cooperative headquarters is in Bemidji with a Customer Service & Technology Center located in Grand Rapids.
Sign Up Now to Ensure Fiber Optic Connection Residents and businesses in these expansion areas are encouraged to sign up for service now, before construction crews move on to ensure the fiber optic connection is brought up to the location. That can be done quickly and easily online at paulbunyan.net or in person at one of our office locations.
Services Available Upon Completion Once the network is live, customers will have access to Paul Bunyan’s GigaZone® services, including high-speed fiber-optic Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig and dependable, low-cost unlimited local and long-distance GigaZone® voice services.