Category Archives: FTTH

Mediacom Communications announces 5-Gig in parts of Scott, Waseca, Nicollet, Le Sueur and McLeod Counties

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Global Newswire reports...

Mediacom Communications today announced the launch of its new 5-Gig Internet service, the fastest residential speed tier ever offered by Mediacom, reinforcing its continued investment in next-generation network capabilities to meet evolving consumer needs.

The new 5-Gig Internet service will be made immediately available to more than 500,000 homes passed nationally. Many Minnesota communities including Belle Plaine, Hutchinson, Montgomery, St. Peter, and Waseca will be included in the initial rollout. Mediacom expects to extend 5-Gig availability to more than one million homes by the end of the year as part of its multi-gig deployment strategy.

Community Networks offers a look at fiber in the US via Fiber First conference

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The Institute for Local Self Reliance (aka Community Networks) reports…

As reported by Telecompetitor, Bolton said, there are now over 1,500 active fiber providers operating nationally, with 42 new market entrants and 715 providers that doubled their footprints in just the past six months.

Meanwhile, he said, independent ISPs, electric cooperatives, and municipal networks together accounted for about 40 percent of all fiber deployment in 2025 – “a sign that the buildout is increasingly being driven by community-rooted operators, not just national giants.”

But the conference’s panel sessions made it clear that translating increased fiber demand into deploying networks is getting harder and more expensive, with one panelist describing it like going “from a sprint into a marathon.”

During a Broadband Breakfast Live event at the conference, Josh Summit, director of outside plant engineering and construction at Glo Fiber/Shentel, said that there has been a roughly 300 percent increase in pole make-ready costs over the past five years and that rural fiber deployments that once cost between $20,000 and $25,000 per mile are as expensive as $100,000 per mile, which he attributed to stricter pole loading requirements and “preexisting noncompliance being charged to new attachers.”

The conference also highlighted the mounting opposition and tensions related to the construction of AI hyperscale data centers, which panelists said are increasingly following cheap rural electricity away from traditional hubs like Loudoun County, Virginia while running into local opposition in communities across the country, as some states consider data center moratoriums.

Still, despite the challenges, there was an air of optimism from conference organizers, as the FBA said it is seeing record membership growth – up 16 percent year-over-year, with more than 8,000 broadband professionals now represented.

Midco and Switch announce a multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in the Midwest

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This highlights our neighbors in North Dakota more than Minnesota, but MidCo announces…

Midco and Switch are proud to announce a five-year, multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in Ellendale, North Dakota.

“This connectivity deal strengthens Midco’s position as the nation’s largest 400G circuit provider1, enabling hyperscalers and data centers to grow with confidence,” said Midco President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Dold. “With unmatched network customization, engineering responsiveness and high-capacity transport reach, Midco is redefining what high-bandwidth fiber connectivity can deliver.”
The agreement includes more than 500 individual 400 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) circuits delivered across two geographically diverse routes, providing full path redundancy between Ellendale, ND and Chicago, IL. In total, the network enables 200 terabits of capacity.

They do frame it from a regional level…

“This partnership demonstrates that the Midwest is open for business,” said Midco Director of Wholesale Jeff Sanders. “It shows that our region, with its favorable climate, abundant natural resources, renewable energy and strong business environment, continues to be the optimal location for data centers and hyperscalers. Our network covers the heart of the region, and our long-haul routes connect business customers to major points of presence sites like Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago and Denver, allowing the transmission of massive volumes of voice, video and data at reliable 400G speeds.”

Fiber Broadband says Precision Agriculture needs fiber

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Fiber Broadband Association releases a report that outlines the benefits of fiber for precision agriculture…

Precision Ag depends on data and broadband networks. Farming is transforming into a highly connected, data-driven industry and this shift fundamentally changes the broadband requirements of rural America.

Current 100/20 Mbps thresholds do not reflect these realities and risk prematurely classifying agricultural communities as “served,” but a symmetrical baseline of at least 100/100 Mbps better reflects the operational demands of Precision Ag today and the technologies emerging over the next decade. Among broadband technologies, fiber remains uniquely positioned to meet these requirements due to its symmetric capacity, extremely low latency, and virtually unlimited scalability.

To ensure U.S. agriculture remains competitive and resilient, broadband policy must evolve past minimum speed thresholds and “good enough” infrastructure to reflect the realities of data-driven farming. Investing in scalable fiber infrastructure ensures that rural America and the nation’s food supply remain competitive in a rapidly evolving agricultural economy.

It makes sense that the Fiber Broadband Association would feel that way. They also list some increased needs they predict will happen as a result of AI…

Practically, technology advancements and AI integration push networks toward the following requirements:
• More upstream throughput (moving raw/processed data to models)
• Lower-latency access (interactive recommendations and control)
• More reliability (automation cannot “pause” for a flaky link or bad weather)
• Edge computing architectures (local processing plus cloud synchronization)
• Scalability (more devices and higher data rates over time)
• Security (critical operational data, ransomware risks, supply chain access)

Willmar Council seeks bids to turn former wastewater treatment plant into the network operations center for Willmar Connect.

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The West Central Tribune reports…

During a brief 15-minute Willmar City Council meeting last week, the council approved more than $6.2 million in street improvement projects to be completed this summer.

The council accepted the low bids and approved the as-bid budgets for the reconstruction of Fourth Street Southwest, several seal-coating projects and stormwater improvements.

The council during the May 4 meeting also authorized the advertisement for bids for renovation of the former wastewater treatment plant building on Fifth Street Southeast to be the network operations center for the citywide broadband project known as Willmar Connect.

More info on the Willmar Connect project…

Willmar Connect is the city’s plan to construct a city-owned, open-access broadband network that will be operated and managed by Hometown Fiber. Multiple internet service providers can operate on the network, paying fees to the city that will generate revenue to service the debt and interest on the bonds issued to pay for network construction.

Phase one of the project will take place this year, constructing the network operations center and installing fiber-optic lines for all businesses and residences west of First Street South between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue.

Phase two of the project will install fiber-optic lines for businesses and residences south of 19th Avenue and east of First Street South and is expected to commence next year. Phase three, expected in 2028, will finish the installation of fiber-optic lines north of Highway 12.

 

Views on fiber from Fiber to the Future in Minnesota

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Joan Engebretson recently wrote in Telecompetitor about her experience at a Fiber to the Future in Minnesota last week…

I had a chance to connect with some of them at an industry event in Minneapolis last week organized by optical fiber manufacturer Clearfield.

The event, billed as “Fiber to the Future,” brought together people from network operators, government, media, and the supply chain. Here are a few of the things we heard from the burning souls in attendance.

The article mentioned a few views from the industry…

  • “This is not about internet access; it’s about the future prosperity of this country,” said Bob Thompson, CEO of Underline, a network operator focused on deploying what he calls “fiber-to-the-community.”
  • Gary Bolton, president of the Fiber Broadband Association, offered an equally passionate take on the importance of ubiquitous high-speed broadband.
    “It’s about improving quality of life for generations to come,” he said.
  • When [CEO Cheri] Beranek founded Clearfield, her goal was to enable broadband and the lifestyle that it can support, she said.
    “Rural America is the foundation of this country,” she argued.

Bluepeak expands broadband to Fulda and Jasper MN (Murray & Rock Counties)

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Bluepeak announces…

Bluepeak, a leading provider of high‑speed internet, is excited to announce that internet speeds in the communities of Black Hawk, Piedmont, Summerset, Fulda (MN), Jasper (MN), and several areas in and around Rapid City have doubled as part of a recently completed network upgrade. As a result, thousands of homes can now access up to 2 Gig internet, delivering faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved reliability across every connected device in the home.

In addition, Bluepeak’s 500 Mbps and 1 Gig plans now include symmetrical upload and download speeds. These upgrades provide households with more consistent performance, making it easier to stream, game, and work simultaneously across multiple devices. For more information on the new speeds, residents can check address availability at mybluepeak.com/fasterspeeds.

Mediacom adds more than 400 miles of fiber to services almost 4000 locations

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Broadband Companies reports…

Mediacom Communications said Tuesday it has finished 12 fiber broadband projects across Minnesota ahead of schedule, adding more than 400 miles of last‑mile fiber and bringing service to roughly 3,900 homes and businesses. The company, also known as Mediacom, described the work as a two‑year effort carried out in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), with a combined public‑private investment of more than $24 million.

Company officials said about 90% of the new fiber miles were laid in some of Minnesota’s hardest‑to‑serve areas, including the Iron Range in the state’s north.

Mediacom reported it invested more than $13 million of private capital and used $11 million in DEED grant funding; the carrier also said it leveraged those projects to extend service to an additional 1,600 locations using private dollars.

Bluepeak offers 2 Gig broadband speeds in Worthington

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Bluepeak announces…

Bluepeak, a leading provider of high-speed internet, is excited to announce that internet speeds in Worthington have doubled as part of an ongoing network upgrade. Customers can now access up to 2 Gig internet, delivering faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved reliability for every connected device in the home.

In addition, Bluepeak’s 500 Mbps and 1 Gig plans now include symmetrical upload and download speeds. These speed upgrades provide equally fast performance, so households can stream, game, and work simultaneously on multiple devices, with greater ease and consistency.

Fast just got faster in Worthington! For more details on the new speeds, readers can visit mybluepeak.com/fasterspeeds.

This upgrade is also just the beginning. Bluepeak recently launched a transformative, multi-million multi-year fiber overbuild across southwest Minnesota. Worthington is slated to be included in the fiber overbuild this year, with construction expected to begin in early summer. This expansion will continue to significantly enhance internet performance and reliability for Worthington’s residents.

Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion projects estimated at almost $8 million

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The Timbeyjay reports on expansion of broadband in Northen Minnesota…

Paul Bunyan Communications is planning a significant expansion of its all-fiber optic network in parts of St. Louis and Itasca counties this year, bringing high-speed broadband service to more than 600 homes and businesses across five townships near Cook.
The project will extend the cooperative’s GigaZone network into areas south and west of Cook, including portions of Alango, Carpenter, Field, and Sturgeon townships, along with an unorganized township east of Carpenter.

I wrote about the expansions earlier, the Timberjay takes a look funding…

The total cost is estimated at $7,810,355, with funding coming from a combination of state, regional, local, and cooperative sources.
The largest share of funding, $3,924,157, is being provided through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Low-Density Population Broadband Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Paul Bunyan Communications is contributing $2,203,928 toward the project.
Additional support includes $1,000,000 from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, $583,250 from St. Louis County, and smaller contributions from local townships, including $41,200 from Alango Township, $17,800 from Field Township, and $40,000 from Sturgeon Township.

And a look at the larger industry and funding…

These local expansions are taking place amid broader policy changes that could shape the future of broadband deployment across the state.
Federal changes to broadband funding rules are influencing how projects are selected in Minnesota. Updated guidance issued in 2025 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shifted the BEAD program toward a more “technology-neutral” approach, requiring states to consider a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite options when awarding funds, rather than prioritizing fiber by default.
Minnesota’s approved BEAD plan reflects that shift, with state officials anticipating a combination of technologies to reach unserved areas, particularly in remote locations where fiber deployment is more costly. Analysts say the policy change has already begun to affect outcomes, with fiber accounting for a smaller share of proposed or funded projects than originally expected and more funding directed toward wireless and satellite options. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, which is overseeing roughly $652 million in federal funding, continues to work through how those federal requirements will shape final project selections and the pace of expansion across rural parts of the state.
At the same time, the shift has raised ongoing questions about long-term performance differences between technologies. Fiber networks like Paul Bunyan Communications’ GigaZone are capable of speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, far exceeding federal minimum broadband standards, while satellite-based services such as Starlink typically deliver speeds closer to 250 megabits per second, according to federal and industry data, a gap that can affect reliability, latency, and long-term scalability for users.

Fiber cables help understand modern farming in a surprising way

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For folks who like a deep dive, Grist outlines an unexpected benefit of fiber to the farm…

Fiber optic cables, of all things, have now exposed just how badly tilling messes with a farm’s ability to retain moisture. Using a technology known as distributed acoustic sensing, or DAS, scientists analyzed how seismic waves disturbed the cable as they rippled through harrowed fields compared to adjacent undisturbed plots. This created subtly distinct signals, showing that plowing obliterates the “capillaries” that carry water like tiny interconnected reservoirs.

The findings point to a serious problem with modern agriculture, to be sure, but also to solutions. “Regenerative farming practices based on principles of no-till — combined with cover crops and a diversity of crops — can basically lead to less agrochemical reliance, better soil organic matter contents, comparable yields, [and] lower diesel use,” said David Montgomery, a geomorphologist at the University of Washington and coauthor of a new paper describing the research.

Paul Bunyan Communications expands fiber to more than 3,200 Homes and Businesses in Northern Minnesota

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More good news from Paul Bunyan, this news includes updates I shared from Aitkin and St Louis & Itasca Counties yesterday but also includes Hubbard County updates…

Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 3,200 more locations in areas of Aitkin, Hubbard, and St. Louis counties in 2026.
Aitkin County
Over 2,400 locations in central Aitkin County including the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack along with areas of Clark, Haugen, Jevne, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.
Itasca County/St. Louis County
Over 600 locations in areas of the following townships in St Louis and Itasca County: Alango, Sturgeon, Field, Carpenter, and Unorganized Township east of Carpenter Township. These areas are south and west of the city of Cook.
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 (IRRRB) investing $1,000,000, St. Louis County investing $583,250, Alango Township $41,200, Field Township $17,800, and Sturgeon Township $40,000.
Hubbard County
Over 225 locations in southern Hubbard County including areas of Henrietta and Todd Townships south of Fishhook Lake and areas south and west of Long Lake in Hubbard Township.
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.
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.
Construction will take place over the summer with services expected to be available by winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service before construction leaves the area. Sign up online at https://paulbunyan.net/, over the phone, or in person at our offices in Bemidji and Grand Rapids.
“We’re excited to share our plans to expand gigabit broadband access to more residents and businesses,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Our cooperative remains committed to delivering these essential services to communities across northern Minnesota.”

Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 2,400 Homes and Businesses in Central Aitkin County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications will be expanding its all-fiber optic network, the GigaZone®, to over 2,400 more locations in Aitkin County this year.
This expansion in central Aitkin County includes the cities of McGregor, Palisade, and Tamarack along with areas of Clark, Haugen, Libby, Logan, McGregor, Shamrock, and Workman Townships.
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. There is no membership fee to join the cooperative. membership begins when you subscribe to GigaZone™ Internet or local phone service.
Construction will take place over the summer with services expected to be available by winter. To get connected, residents and businesses need to sign up for service before construction leaves the area. Sign up online, over the phone, or in person at our Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. To check to see if a specific location is within an expansion area and sign up for services, visit https://paulbunyan.net/
“We’re excited to share our plans to expand into additional areas of Aitkin County, bringing gigabit broadband to more residents and businesses,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Our cooperative remains committed to delivering this essential service to communities across northern Minnesota.”
“This project represents a major service upgrade for these areas,” said Leo Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Without true high-speed internet, everyday tasks, whether for work, school, or business, can be extremely challenging. Our all-fiber optic network delivers fast, reliable connectivity with speeds up to 10 Gig, and it will be a game changer for these communities.”

Bluepeak expands fiber to East Grand Forks

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From KROX radio...

Bluepeak, a leading provider of high-speed fiber internet across Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Texas, and Wyoming, is proud to announce its expansion into East Grand Forks, Minnesota. This investment brings next-generation Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) internet to homes and businesses, strengthening the city’s digital infrastructure and supporting its growth in an increasingly connected world.

Paul Bunyan Communications finishes broadband expansion in Great Scott and unorganzied Township in St. Louis County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed construction of its all-fiber optic GigaZone® network, bringing fast, reliable Internet access to more than 350 homes and businesses in Great Scott Township and an unorganized township north of Great Scott in St. Louis County. The completed expansion includes the areas surrounding Dark Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Fourteen, and Lake Leander. Residents and businesses who have signed up for service are now being contacted to schedule installation.
“This project represents more than new infrastructure, it’s about delivering Internet and WiFi for the way people live and work today,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Completing this all-fiber optic expansion ensures residents and businesses in these areas have the dependable, high-speed connectivity they need for everyday life, economic opportunity, and staying connected to what matters most.”
Paul Bunyan Communications’ all-fiber optic network delivers both upload and download speeds up to 10 Gig, supporting the growing demands of modern households and businesses.
“With an all-fiber network, customers experience consistent, reliable performance across everything they do, whether that’s remote work and learning, telehealth visits, running a business, or streaming entertainment,” said Brian Bissonette, Marketing Supervisor at Paul Bunyan Communications. “This level of connectivity truly changes how people can live, work, and stay connected.”
The project was made possible in part through a $400,000 St. Louis County Broadband Grant and a $217,000 Broadband Grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR).
Homes and businesses within the completed expansion area that have not yet signed up for service may still do so. When feasible, the cooperative will return to bring the network to additional locations with no construction fee.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications. Membership is included when subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check whether a specific location is included in the expansion area and to learn more about the construction process, visit www.paulbunyan.net