Mid-Rivers Communications constructed just over 550 miles of new fiber cable during 2025 in the rural areas surrounding Ekalaka, Lindsay, Plevna, and Richey, pushing our total locations now connected to fiber beyond 11,000.  Crews are gearing up now to complete the rural Plevna project and begin work on 2026 projects in the rural Circle area.

The Mid-Rivers Board of Trustees has approved two new contracts for this year’s Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) construction:

• Circle North FTTP: 391 miles of construction to 490 locations
• Circle South FTTP: 365 miles of construction to 269 locations

These two projects represent an estimated capital investment of over $22 Million. Contractor MP Nexlevel will construct these projects, so residents should expect to see their vehicles and equipment around the area.

Crews will also continue splicing and testing the fiber placed in 2025. Each span of new fiber must be constructed, tested, approved, and released for final cutovers before customers can be moved to the new fiber lines. Once test results are reviewed, Mid-Rivers will contact customers in the area to schedule cutovers. It can take several weeks or months from the time fiber is plowed for individual locations to be connected.

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 your area, please be wary of scammers with no affiliation with Mid-Rivers who may call, email or text you about purchasing fiber equipment. If you receive these types of calls, do not provide any personal or financial information or schedule any appointments, and hang up immediately. When in doubt, please 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 cooperative provider serving 30,000 square miles of Eastern and Central Montana.

Mid-Rivers Communications is pleased to announce the award of 130 scholarships to students from the Cooperative’s service area, an increase of 94 scholarships over the original 36 planned. Last fall, the Cooperative announced the availability of 30 Higher Education Scholarships of $3,000 each, and six Dawson Community College/Miles Community College Scholarships of $3,500 each. However, following a review of the applicants and funds available for scholarships, the Mid-Rivers Board of Trustees voted to expand the awards to include scholarships for every eligible applicant.

Mid-Rivers Communications recognizes the importance of local emergency services and has a long record of supporting these organizations. The cooperative recently donated a total of $27,000 to support 21 Emergency Medical Service (EMS)/ambulance service providers and 33 fire departments across the Mid-Rivers Service Area.