MontanaSky expands fiber network to Whitefish
MontanaSky Fiber Optic Technician, Jake Hicks, splicing fiber for the Whitefish network build. (Provided photo)
MontanaSky recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. Pictured is Whitefish Chamber ambassadors holding the ribbon, and MontanaSky’s management team there to celebrate; (from left to right) Jeremy Holm, Outside Plant Director; Anthony Rogers, IT Department Manager; Ryan Bowman, CEO; Eric Waier, Wireless Department Director; Amber Pacheco-Holm, Sales & Marketing Manager. (Provided photo)
MontanaSky Networks continues its efforts to increase access to high speed broadband by investing in Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTX) expansion in Whitefish. MontanaSky is celebrating 28 years of delivering reliable internet connections in northwest Montana, and continues to focus on expanding its fiber network.
According to the company, broadband expansion is growing in importance.
“As our communities grow, our infrastructure has to keep up,” said Sales and Marketing Manager Amber Pacheco-Holm.
According to MontanaSky, most people in Whitefish city limits only have two choices: DSL or Cable. Both of these technologies operate off copper lines, and most of this infrastructure was installed decades ago. With unprecedented growth in the area, Whitefish was due for an upgrade to fiber optics.
Phase one of this expansion has been installed from Highway 93 east to Park Avenue, and from East Second Street south to Whitefish River.
MontanaSky CEO Ryan Bowman said, “The internet business is going to see a huge metamorphosis over the next five years. More government money is being poured into the industry than ever before… MontanaSky sees an opportunity to offer fiber to-the-home for the first time to folks that live in town…”
As CEO, Bowman has fostered an innovative company culture and continues to focus on expanding data services to rural areas that have been neglected by the large telcos.
“Our fiber lines and equipment are all brand-new, so the reliability and consistency will be far superior to the older tech,” he said. “We also like to think that folks in the Flathead Valley would rather do business with a local company than a multi-state mega corp. We’re being very competitive with price-point, offering the same or lower than the competition.”
The new fiber services in Whitefish will include internet as fast as 1Gpbs upload and download, and come with free Advanced Wi-Fi equipment that can be controlled from a smartphone. MontanaSky currently operates over 240 route-miles of fiber, transmits wireless SkyConnect internet from 148 access points and is quickly expanding their direct fiber offerings.
Like all of MontanaSky’s expansion projects, this work has been completed 100% locally. The company’s expert Fiber-Optic team, led by Fiber Master Journeyman Jeremy Holm, has engineered, constructed and will be installing and supporting this new network expansion. Holm, brings his 25 years of technical field knowledge and expertise in the fiber industry to MontanaSky.
“We’re here to provide the best broadband available from our team of home-grown talent to our neighbors who struggle with slow and unreliable internet, and MontanaSky is investing private dollars to do so,” said Pacheco Holm. “Our pockets are not as deep as Charter’s are, but our commitment to serving NW Montana surpasses theirs, and we’re dedicated in doing so.”
MontanaSky’s Whitefish expansion will bring best-in-class internet to a growing community with a local commitment that is unmatched. Next will be MontanaSky’s Columbia Falls FTTX expansion.
For more information on MontanaSky, future fiber projects, or to sign up for services, contact the local office at 406-752-4335 or visit montanasky.net
