City Connect FORT DODGE

Fort Dodge Fiber

Fort Dodge Fiber is ready for a very busy construction season ahead. The process of bringing community-built reliable broadband internet service to Fort Dodge has been years in the making, and this spring Fort Dodge Fiber is making that dream come true for Fort Dodge residents and business owners.

The first fiber drops in the ‘Green Zone’ are anticipated to be installed in mid-May.

“We are so excited to be moving forward this spring,” said Nick Ekel, Fort Dodge Fiber Customer Experience Manager. “We’ve anxiously waited through the winter season knowing that as soon as the ground thawed that we’d be able to begin construction in the Green Zone and connect our first customers.”

More than 4,700 properties have been registered with Fort Dodge Fiber and site surveys are underway with Iowa-based partner Patriot Communications. These site surveys for homeowners and businesses help construction crews know where the fiber should be brought up to the building.

“Patriot Communications has worked with New Hampton and Vinton municipal broadband utilities, and we are excited to have them here in Fort Dodge,” said Ekel. “They have trained technicians who have begun contacting residents to schedule a site survey. These technicians will come to your business or home and meet with the property owner both inside and outside of the building.”

During the site survey, photos will be taken of the property to communicate with the team as to the best route to place the fiber line. At that time, the crew will also place a gray utility box on the side of your building or home.

Fort Dodge Residents will notice different colored flags in their yards. It is important to know that these flags communicate where the underground utilities are so that we know of a clear path to place the fiber underground. Please do not move these flags.

Fort Dodge Fiber’s contractor, MP Nexlevel, will then lay the fiber to the right of way of your street. Another Fort Dodge Fiber contractor, TekLink, will be responsible for installing the fiber drops. TekLink will utilize a vibration plow which will bring the fiber up to the gray utility box from the right-of-way at a depth of 12-18” underground.

“It is important to know that there will be a waiting period between your fiber drop being installed and when you will receive Fort Dodge Fiber services. Our timeline is dependent upon weather, construction, and the availability of our installation technicians.” said Ekel.

If your property is in the ‘Green Zone’ you will be the first to receive Fort Dodge Fiber services. If you are in the ‘Green Zone’ and have not completed your site survey, please call Fort Dodge Fiber directly at 515-515-5000.

If you have not registered your property for Fort Dodge Fiber, a fiber optic service line will not be installed during the construction phase. If you choose to have a line installed after the construction phase has ended, you may be required to pay for service line installation or wait until installation crews are available.

Fiber internet is coming to Fort Dodge. Take the first step and register for service. When your zone is ready to begin service, we’ll contact you to sign up and get started!

*Service start dates are subject to change due to possible delays such as weather. Cabinet boundaries and their applicable addresses are subject to change during the design process. These changes are made based on the most suitable fiber route and costs associated with the route. These are preliminary timelines and are subject to change and FDF is not liable for changes.