IdeaTek is bringing gigabit fiber internet to Winfield

WINFIELD, Kansas – Super-fast fiber internet service will soon be available to hundreds of Winfield families and businesses, thanks to IdeaTek. 

The Buhler-based internet company will begin construction this August. By fall, IdeaTek will begin delivering unlimited and uncapped speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second to the city’s first few neighborhoods.

IdeaTek’s 100-percent fiber investment of nearly $6.5 million will connect over 5,200 homes and businesses to fiber. 

Investment in fiber is a scalable solution for Kansas’ future growth. While some providers use the term “Fiber-Powered” to hide the fact that they are using outdated technology, IdeaTek invests in true fiber connections to offer symmetrical upload and download speeds, enhanced reliability and scalable capacities for the city of Winfield. IdeaTek also provides more affordable pricing compared to current, often less reliable, service providers in the city.

“At IdeaTek, our mission is to bring Internet Freedom to every part of Kansas by delivering high-speed fiber internet where it’s needed most,” said Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek’s co-founder and chief innovation officer. “True fiber internet is the gold standard in connectivity, laying the groundwork for innovation, creativity and progress in today’s digital world. 

“We’re thrilled to make this a reality in Winfield, ensuring all residents have access to the best technology for high-speed broadband.” 

Building fiber infrastructure takes time, but residents will soon look forward to:

• Symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second
• Unlimited data with no throttling or lag time
• No annual contracts
• Friendly, Kansas-based customer support

To see if your home is in IdeaTek’s service area and to be one of the first to receive service, sign up at hookmeup.ideatek.com.

Community Investment

IdeaTek’s mission is to help deliver fiber to every Kansas doorstep, no matter where they live or their situation. The company has already invested more than $175 million in Kansas so far, and crews are currently building fiber to several Kansas cities, including Mulvane, Derby, Hutchinson, Newton, Augusta, Ark City, Dodge City and Garden City. 

Access to fiber internet will provide significant advantages for residents and businesses, said Winfield Mayor Brenda Butters. She noted that in 2020, the city created a new Comprehensive Plan based on extensive community feedback. 

“That plan has driven our focus over the last four years,” Butters said. “One of the goals was improving and strengthening access to reliable fiber broadband internet. IdeaTek’s investment of high-speed fiber to the home and business in Winfield is a big win from an economic and community development standpoint.”

“This reflects our laser focus – together with the Winfield Chamber of Commerce, Southwestern College, Cowley College and Cowley County Economic Development – of being a community that is open for business and growth with exciting housing projects, tourism and entertainment promotion and the long-term vision of building businesses across our downtown and industrial parks,” Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall added.

Remote work, online education options, telehealth services, online supply chain and precision manufacturing processes demand access to reliable fiber broadband internet, Wall said. 

“Business investment and expansion is a competitive fight. IdeaTek’s Winfield fiber expansion is just one more reason for companies to invest here in Winfield,” he said.

Celebrating its 25th year in business this year, IdeaTek was founded in 1999 by Friesen and four friends while attending Buhler High School. Today, the company employs over 160 Kansans and is continuing to grow. IdeaTek has deployed over 6,500 miles of fiber and built 150 fixed wireless towers, serving customers in 100 Kansas communities.