Fiber Expansion Progressing in Rural Circle and Plevna

Mid-Rivers Communications’ fiber construction contractor MP Nexlevel has made great progress this year on projects in rural Circle, setting more than one record for distances plowed in a single day.

Most of the summer’s construction has focused on the Circle North and South projects. After the Labor Day break, crews will move back to the Plevna exchange to complete the BLM permitting areas and finish all routes on that project. They will then go back to work on the Circle North project in the BLM areas as weather conditions this fall allow. Crews have been taking extra precautions recently to prevent fires due to dry conditions in the region.

The two Circle rural projects represent an estimated capital investment of over $22 Million and span a combined 756 miles of fiber construction. The 2026 projects will reach over 750 very rural subscriber locations with fiber to the home.

Before customers can be moved to the new fiber lines, each section must be constructed, tested, approved, and released for final cutovers. After test results are reviewed, Mid-Rivers will contact customers in the area to schedule appointments. Connecting individual locations can take several weeks or months after fiber is plowed. This year, however, splicing and testing are being completed much more closely behind the construction crews. The first fiber route built in 2026 has already been released for subscriber cutovers.

There is no charge for moving customers to fiber and no equipment fees.  Mid-Rivers technicians will supply all necessary equipment during installation. As cutovers begin in each area, Mid-Rivers reminds customers to be wary of scammers with no affiliation who may call, email or text about purchasing fiber equipment. Customers who receive these types of calls should not provide any personal or financial information or schedule any appointments and hang up immediately. When in doubt, subscribers should contact Mid-Rivers directly.

Fiber offers the fastest and most reliable connection of any Internet technology available today. It also replaces the old copper telephone lines, enabling clear and reliable voice service.

Mid-Rivers Communications is a local cooperative provider serving 30,000 square miles of Eastern and Central Montana.