Board Member Spotlight: First State Bank

City Connect FORT DODGE

“Something Epic” is happening at Fort Dodge Fiber! Site surveys have begun for a sector of local registrants, and the city’s staff have begun conducting alpha and beta testing to ensure that servers will be ready for usage this spring. The city’s new municipal broadband utility began construction in the fall 2022 and will bring a reliable, community-built fiber network to Fort Dodge. “Fort Dodge Fiber had a busy 2022 and we’re off to a great start in 2023,” said Nick Ekel, Customer Experience Manager. “Most visible to Fort Dodgers were our contractors, MP Nexlevel, who were hard at work installing conduit that will constitute our fiber “ring” around Fort Dodge. Installing the ring will allow us to get started on bringing fiber to homes and businesses once the spring thaw sets in.” Fort Dodge Fiber has also partnered with Patriot Communications, LLC from Cedar Rapids to begin conducting homeowner and business site surveys within the first “ring” which includes some of the downtown area, north along North 7th Street and North 15th Street, just before the trail through Snell Crawford Park. The fiber was started from City Hall which is where all of the network equipment and connections are located and branches out throughout town. The next major section of the ring will include the northeast section of Fort Dodge.

“Patriot Communications has worked with New Hampton and Vinton municipal broadband utilities and will be workABOUT US ing with Fort Dodge as well,” said Ekel. “They have trained technicians who have begun contacting residents within the first ring to schedule a site survey. These Together we’re building an ultrafast fiber-optic network that connects Fort Dodge technicians will come to your business or home and meet with the property owner to find where the fiber should be brought to the world and the future! Building this network takes skill and patience as we work to connect every resident and business in Fort Dodge. Along the way, we will ask for in underground to the building. They will your help getting your home or business ready to Welcome Limitless Possibilities! install a gray utility box on the exterior of the building.” OUR SERVICES With Real Internet you’re not just a consumer of downloadable content, you are ready to create a new future for yourself and all of us. With Real Voice you’ve got all the benefits of a traditional landline but carried over strands of glass fiber that have set the standard for reliability.

According to Ekel, the technician will also need to enter the building to find the best location to place the optical network terminal should the property owner choose to purchase services through Fort Dodge Fiber.

“Once these site surveys have been completed, property owners will have a waiting period while construction makes it to their neighborhood,” added Ekel. “The response of our business community towards our product offerings has been nothing short of enthusiastic,” said Ekel. “Of particular interest is our symmetrical upload and download speeds, which will enable businesses to transfer large files quickly. Fort Dodge businesses are excited about the proven reliability of fiber internet service.”

Residents and business owners are still able to register for a fiber drop by logging on to FortDodgeFiber.com. “Tenants should reach out to their property manager to find out if their rental property has been registered for a fiber drop as well,” added Ekel. “While Fort Dodge Fiber is in the construction phase, we will cover the costs of the site survey and fiber drop.”

The Fort Dodge Fiber customer experience center, located at 617 Central Avenue, is also now open to the public with staff available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. ABOUT US “When the city began the process of creating a broadband utility, having a fully staffed customer service center was a top priority,” said Ekel. “We have seen a steady stream of Together we’re building an ultrafast fiber-optic network that connects Fort Dodge residents coming in to have their questions answered.” to the world and the future! Building this network takes skill and patience as we work to connect every resident and business in Fort Dodge. Along the way, we will ask for Fort Dodge is now the second largest city in Iowa with a municipal broadband utility. your help getting your home or business ready to Welcome Limitless Possibilities! OUR SERVICES With Real Internet you’re not just a consumer of downloadable content, you are ready to create a new future for yourself and all of us. With Real Voice you’ve got all the benefits of a traditional landline but carried over strands of glass fiber that have set the standard for reliability.

Fort Dodge businesses have also been registering for the city’s municipal broadband utility as well.

Together we’re building an ultrafast fiber-optic network that connects Fort Dodge ABOUT USINTERESTED? Take the first step and register! There’s no obligation and no billing until services are available and you have Register Now! to the world and the future! Building this network takes skill and patience as we work confirmed the services you want to receive. to connect every resident and business in Fort Dodge. Along the way, we will ask for your help getting your home or business ready to Welcome Limitless Possibilities! OUR SERVICES