BUHLER, Kan. — IdeaTek Telcom announces it will deliver gigabit-speed fiber internet service to over 4,500 unserved or underserved locations in rural Reno, Sedgwick, and Harvey counties.

More than 650 miles of new fiber-optic broadband infrastructure will be laid, representing a direct investment in the local rural economies of more than $8 million within the first five years. IdeaTek expects to utilize multiple local contractors and add up to 10 full-time high-tech jobs to its workforce based out of Buhler, Kansas.

The internet build was made possible by the FCC Connect America Fund (CAF II), which assists in funding projects in rural areas that lack broadband services. IdeaTek is the only fiber-optic service provider in Kansas to commit to delivering gigabit fiber-optic infrastructure under the CAF II federal awards.

Those who live in the area should visit ideatek.com/freedom and enter their address to see if their home or business is in the planned build. The project will take three to five years to complete, and IdeaTek will prioritize the rollout to areas that show the highest interest first.

“This project represents true Internet freedom for the first time to the rural residents and businesses of our deployment areas. Our gigabit internet will be 200 times faster than their current service, providing equal to or better service than can be found in the largest cities in Kansas,” Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek’s CIO and managing partner said. “We see ourselves as internet freedom fighters, working to free rural Kansans who are burdened with poor service that doesn’t keep up with the demands of modern life. A dirt road is no longer an excuse for poor broadband service.”

Service deployment in Reno and Harvey counties has begun. Currently, most Sedgwick County deployments are on hold due to permitting complications being encountered with the Sedgwick County public works department.