A faster internet service Federated Broadband's services expand into Cottonwood County Federated Broadband, a division of Federated Rural Electric Associa- tion, is expanding high-speed in- ternet access across rural southern Minnesota, with a major fiber optic buildout planned for the Mt. Lake area beginning this spring. The project is designed to bring faster, more reliable internet con- nectivity to residents and businesses who have historically had fewer options than larger urban communi- ties. Federated Broadband provides fixed wireless internet, fiber optic internet, home phone service and streaming TV. In recent years, the cooperative has increasingly focused on fiber, which offers significantly higher speeds and more consistent performance. "Federated Broadband is a mostly rural and small-community pro- vider," said Katrina Frisch, Broad- band Marketing Associate for the coop. "We pride ourselves on being the local option. We live in the same areas we're your friends, your family, your neighbors. When you call, you're talking to someone who knows the community. And if there's an issue, we typically can send a technician out the same day, not two weeks later." Fiber optic internet works differ- ently than traditional wireless or satellite service. Instead of sending signals through the air via radio waves, fiber uses a direct cable con- nection ground typically buried under- running from the main network directly to homes and busi- nesses. Data travels through strands of glass using pulses of light, al- lowing for extremely fast and stable transmission. "That direct connection takes away a lot of the environmental factors we deal with in Minnesota," Frisch said. "With satellite or fixed wireless, snow, ice, fog, heavy rain and wind can interfere with signals. With fiber, you're not dealing with those same issues because it's a buried connection straight to the home." Because the signal travels inside the fiber line itself, it avoids the congestion and interference that can slow other types of service. The result is higher speeds and more consistent performance - especially important as households have more connected devices, streaming ser- vices, remote work tools and online. learning platforms. Construction in Mt. Lake is sched- uled to begin in May, as soon as the ground conditions allow crews to start underground work. Frisch said the project is currently in its final engineering and permit- ting stages, including coordination with city, county, state and railroad authorities. The build will pass roughly 900 properties in Mt. Lake-meaning the main fiber line will run by about 900 homes and businesses, each with the opportunity to connect. From start to finish, citywide fiber construction typically takes about six months, based on similar recent projects. "There are three construction phases that have to occur before we can start home installations," Frisch said, noting that mainline construc- tion, drop placement and splicing must be completed first. "Our hope is that by early fall, we'll be able to start connecting homes that want service." Property owners who want fiber connected to their home or business. will need to complete a construc- tion consent form granting crews permission to bring a fiber drop onto private property. Federated Broad- band will arrange for public utility locates and asks owners to help iden- tify any private lines such as sprin- kler systems or buried pet fences. The Mt. Lake build is part of a broader 60-mile fiber infrastructure ring across Cottonwood County that is already about 75% complete. That backbone will allow the cooperative to expand outward and reach more rural customers over time. Much of the expansion is support- ed by state grants and partnerships with local governments to keep monthly service rates affordable. Connecting our neighbors. empowering our communities Fiber optic internet is growing in Cottonwood County! Fast, reliable, gig-speed internet service. Perfect for: Remote work & school Gaming Telehealth Smart home set-ups 4K/Ultra HD streaming Video & file sharing Monthly fiber service rates starting at $70/month Streaming TV service starting at $85/month Residential VOIP phone service for $30/month ederated= 507-847-3520 ° 800-321-3520 Rural Electric & Broadband www.federatedbroadband.coop A faster internet service Federated Broadband's services expand into Cottonwood County Federated Broadband , a division of Federated Rural Electric Associa- tion , is expanding high - speed in- ternet access across rural southern Minnesota , with a major fiber optic buildout planned for the Mt. Lake area beginning this spring . The project is designed to bring faster , more reliable internet con- nectivity to residents and businesses who have historically had fewer options than larger urban communi- ties . Federated Broadband provides fixed wireless internet , fiber optic internet , home phone service and streaming TV . In recent years , the cooperative has increasingly focused on fiber , which offers significantly higher speeds and more consistent performance . " Federated Broadband is a mostly rural and small - community pro- vider , " said Katrina Frisch , Broad- band Marketing Associate for the coop . " We pride ourselves on being the local option . We live in the same areas we're your friends , your family , your neighbors . When you call , you're talking to someone who knows the community . And if there's an issue , we typically can send a technician out the same day , not two weeks later . " Fiber optic internet works differ- ently than traditional wireless or satellite service . Instead of sending signals through the air via radio waves , fiber uses a direct cable con- nection ground typically buried under- running from the main network directly to homes and busi- nesses . Data travels through strands of glass using pulses of light , al- lowing for extremely fast and stable transmission . " That direct connection takes away a lot of the environmental factors we deal with in Minnesota , " Frisch said . " With satellite or fixed wireless , snow , ice , fog , heavy rain and wind can interfere with signals . With fiber , you're not dealing with those same issues because it's a buried connection straight to the home . " Because the signal travels inside the fiber line itself , it avoids the congestion and interference that can slow other types of service . The result is higher speeds and more consistent performance - especially important as households have more connected devices , streaming ser- vices , remote work tools and online . learning platforms . Construction in Mt. Lake is sched- uled to begin in May , as soon as the ground conditions allow crews to start underground work . Frisch said the project is currently in its final engineering and permit- ting stages , including coordination with city , county , state and railroad authorities . The build will pass roughly 900 properties in Mt. Lake - meaning the main fiber line will run by about 900 homes and businesses , each with the opportunity to connect . From start to finish , citywide fiber construction typically takes about six months , based on similar recent projects . " There are three construction phases that have to occur before we can start home installations , " Frisch said , noting that mainline construc- tion , drop placement and splicing must be completed first . " Our hope is that by early fall , we'll be able to start connecting homes that want service . " Property owners who want fiber connected to their home or business . will need to complete a construc- tion consent form granting crews permission to bring a fiber drop onto private property . Federated Broad- band will arrange for public utility locates and asks owners to help iden- tify any private lines such as sprin- kler systems or buried pet fences . The Mt. Lake build is part of a broader 60 - mile fiber infrastructure ring across Cottonwood County that is already about 75 % complete . That backbone will allow the cooperative to expand outward and reach more rural customers over time . Much of the expansion is support- ed by state grants and partnerships with local governments to keep monthly service rates affordable . Connecting our neighbors . empowering our communities Fiber optic internet is growing in Cottonwood County ! Fast , reliable , gig - speed internet service . Perfect for : Remote work & school Gaming Telehealth Smart home set - ups 4K / Ultra HD streaming Video & file sharing Monthly fiber service rates starting at $ 70 / month Streaming TV service starting at $ 85 / month Residential VOIP phone service for $ 30 / month ederated = 507-847-3520 ° 800-321-3520 Rural Electric & Broadband www.federatedbroadband.coop