Fiber optic expansion includes Flathead – Ronan company using federal money to expand fiber-optic lines

The Ronan Telephone Co. will use $13 million in federal stimulus money to expand fiber optic lines throughout Northwest Montana, including the Flathead Valley.

The Montana West fiber optic project is part of the nationwide broadband technology opportunity program. In this area the project involves installing 330 miles of new fiber optic cable in Northwestern Montana, including 90 "dark" fibers, which are installed during construction but won’t be used immediately, creating future capacity, according to Ronan Telephone Co. Chief Executive Officer Jay Preston Jr., who recently briefed the Flathead County commissioners on the company’s plans.

SHELLEY RIDENOUR/Daily Inter Lake

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