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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