Blackfoot Communications has revealed plans to deploy fiber to the premises (FTTP) to four counties in Montana. The project will cost more than $76 million, more than $60 million of which will come from ConnectMT grants awarded by the State of Montana. Blackfoot Communications will supply the rest of the investment.
The service provider received seven grants to cover FTTP deployment in Granite, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sanders counties. Individual communities that will be targeted as part of the roll out include Darby, Drummond, Philipsburg, Plains, and Potomac. Blackfoot Communications expects network construction to begin this spring and finish in 2026.
“Blackfoot Communications is proud to put these funds to work in rural Montana,” said Jason Williams, CEO. “Access to high-speed internet is essential for businesses, education, and families, and these grants help us reach underserved communities in Western Montana. As a Montana-based company with nearly 70 years of experience building and operating networks, we look forward to continuing to help strengthen rural communities across Western Montana and connecting more Montana businesses, schools, and homes to fast, reliable broadband.”
The new FTTP infrastructure will complement the fiber broadband networks Blackfoot Communications already operates in Thompson Falls and St. Ignatius. The company also has FTTP deployment projects underway in west of Anaconda, including the Georgetown Lake area.
In addition to Western Montana, Blackfoot Communications also serves parts of Eastern Idaho.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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