ITC is excited to announce a fiber-optic expansion to areas of rural western Yellow Medicine County. Please see map below for project area. The project does not include areas within the city limits of Canby, St. Leo, or Porter. To ensure rural area residents have access to world-class telecommunications services, ITC continues to expand its network. The introduction of fiber-optic infrastructure in rural areas of Yellow Medicine County exemplifies ITC's ongoing commitment to strengthening connectivity in this region.
Along with ITC's investment in the fiber-optic expansion, this project was awarded a Border-to-Border Broadband Grant from the Low-Population Density Program that is administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Office of Broadband Development. Broadband expansion is a major priority for the Walz-Flanagan Administration and DEED. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number CPFFN0179 awarded to the State of Minnesota by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. "There is extraordinary momentum behind our work to connect more Minnesotans to broadband," said Governor Tim Walz. "Broadband is an essential component of our state's infrastructure and it's a lifeline for Minnesota students, workers, small businesses, families, and communities. We're making big investments in the future of our economy and workforce, while ensuring Minnesotans stay connected to the people who matter most."
This new fiber-optic connection will offer residents and businesses a reliable, unlimited, Fiber-Fast Internet connection, local phone service, and streaming TV option. Broadband is vital for economic development in rural areas, providing an always-on connection to the rest of the world.
Q: What is fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP)?
FTTP is a technology that uses a fiber-optic cable, connected directly to your location, instead of copper cable, to deliver telephone and ultra-fast Internet service. A fiber-optic cable is not a cable at all, but an ultra-clear strand of glass about the thickness of a human hair which allows communication to move at the speed of light.
Q: Why do I want this?
Fiber is the latest and greatest technology option for delivering communication services including telephone and ultra-fast Internet. The fiber connection is reliable and future proof.
Q: Do fiber-optic facilities to my premise increase my property value?
Yes! According to a study from the FTTH Council, fiber-delivered Internet boosts home values by up to 3.1 percent. Source: www.fiberbroadband.org/blog/study-shows-home-values-up-3.1-with-access-to-fiber
Q: I already have an Internet connection. Why should I consider ITC?
ITC’s fiber-optic Internet service provides ultra-fast speeds not available elsewhere. You also get a dedicated connection where you do not share Internet service with your neighbors as you may with other providers. It is also faster and more reliable than your current provider. The packages are unlimited with no data caps.
Q: What services will be available and what are the costs?
ITC will be offering Fiber-Fast Internet, Phone Service, and ITC Stream, a streaming TV option. Please enter your service address for pricing info.
Q: What is the estimated total of government taxes and surcharges?
Depending on the services you subscribe to currently, the fees could be less than your current provider.
Q: What are your normal, everyday rates after the promotional period ends?
The prices provided are ITC’s normal, everyday rates.
Q: Why are upload speeds important?
Upload speeds allow you to upload pictures, back-up your computer, sync your files to other devices, and share large files much faster. Anyone who works from home and connects to a remote network, plays games online, or bids on sites such as eBay are thrilled with such a fast upload speed.
Q: Will I be able to keep my current telephone number?
Yes, you can keep your existing number at no extra charge.
Q: Do you have a seasonal service option?
Yes. You can put your services on vacation for up to 6 months. There is a $35 fee for phone and a $35 fee for Internet/ITC Stream to vacation the services but no monthly charges while on vacation and no charge to turn the services back on.
Q: How soon will I be able to sign up for your services?
You can sign up for service now by filling out the online application or calling our office at 1.888.201.2929. If you are ready to sign up for services, please complete the online application. Please note that you will have the opportunity to make changes to your service options once the application is submitted. A customer service representative will follow up and review the application and cover any questions you may have. If you are not ready to sign up for service, please fill out a fiber drop permission form so you can utilize the fiber-optics in the future.
Q: When will construction begin?
Construction is set to begin in the Spring of 2024.
Q: What is involved in the construction process?
- After the application is completed or fiber permission is given, an ITC representative will contact you to set up a pre-construction site visit by a technician. At the pre-construction visit, the fiber route will be discussed, and the junction box will be installed on the side of your home or business.
- Anderson Underground is the contractor working with ITC. While the contractor constructs mainline fiber in the public rights-of-way, it is considerably more cost effective for you to allow the contractor to lay a line to your home at the same time. You, as the property owner, will need to complete the application or drop permission form granting us permission to construct on your property.
- After the fiber has been buried, it will need to be spliced together into one network.
- The fiber cable will be spliced from the junction box to the inside of your home or office. The fiber-optics will be connected to an electronics device and a power supply unit. Both will be installed inside your home or office.
- The electronics will be powered from your home or business.
Q: What about existing buried facilities on my property such as power lines, sprinkler systems, etc.?
Anderson Underground will contact Gopher State One Call to have all registered underground facilities marked and located. However, if you have any extra facilities such as sump pump lines, sprinkler systems, drain tiles, customer-owned electric, telephone, and/or coaxial cables, or invisible dog fences buried on your property, please make sure you let us know. We will discuss this at the pre-fiber construction site visit.
Q: Who is responsible for the electrical connection?
As mentioned above, FTTP requires an electrical connection powered directly from your home or office. If an electrical outlet needs to be installed, we will hire an electrician to install the outlet needed for the electronics.
Q: Will my home or office need to be rewired to connect to the fiber?
No, typically, your building’s existing wiring should work. Additional wiring may be needed to connect devices or to extend a wireless access point for additional Wi-Fi coverage. If this is the case, the technician will discuss packages and pricing at the pre-construction appointment.
Q: What if I have another building on my property and would like services brought to that structure as well as my home, can that be done?
Additional structures at the same physical address can have service brought to them. An ITC technician will review the pricing options to extend service during the pre-fiber site visit.
Q: If I decline to sign the permission form at this time and later want the FTTP line installed, what will the cost be to me?
ITC is offering free installation of the fiber-optics with no obligation to sign up for service now. If you do not give permission for the fiber-optics to be installed now, there may be costs associated with bringing the fiber-optics to your location in the future.
Q: What about construction clean up?
Once the project is complete, we will clean up and reseed grass as needed.
Q: I’m a renter, what do I need to do to receive your services?
The owner of the property will need to sign a form granting us permission to bury a fiber-optic line to the building in which you live. We will be happy to provide more information to the owner of the property. Please provide the owner’s name and any contact information you may have in the notes section of the application.
Q: What will the property owner be charged when signing the permission form?
Signing the agreement does not cost the property owner anything, nor does it obligate them to subscribe to any services.
Q: Additional questions?
If you have questions, please call our office at 1.888.201.2929, Option 4. To sign up, please fill out the online application.
Check out what a few of our recent expansion customers had to say about ITC and our service:
It is a great thing that ITC is now in our community. The other options honestly, don't have near the support/customer service/reasonable pricing that ITC does. Installation was great, and fast, and the internet after the first days has been better than one would expect. It's been a flawless transition. Thank you! - Alan
ITC has allowed me to work from home more efficiently. It has provided a stable connection without lag time and having to constantly reset the router. The customer service from ITC at all aspects has been superior. It has made me realize what an excellent company this is to work with and how fortunate we are to be a part of this project. Thank you ITC! We are so thankful! - Jill