MARION, Kansas – Super-fast fiber internet service is now available to hundreds of Marion families and businesses, thanks to a $1.6 million investment from IdeaTek.
The Buhler-based company will deliver unlimited, uncapped speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second citywide, giving nearly 1,100 homes and businesses access to future-proof, 100% fiber technology.
Marion City Councilman Tim Baxa emphasized the importance of dependable, high-speed internet in driving community growth and economic progress, opening doors to new opportunities.
“Bringing fiber internet to every home in the city of Marion isn’t just about addressing current needs — it’s also about preparing for the future,” he said. “We’re thrilled to work with IdeaTek to bring cutting-edge, reliable fiber internet to our community, ensuring homes and businesses stay connected and giving our city the tools to thrive.”
Investing in fiber is a scalable solution for Kansas’ future growth. While some providers use terms like “Fiber-Powered” to disguise outdated technology, IdeaTek invests in true 100% fiber connections, offering symmetrical speeds, better reliability and scalable capacity — all at more affordable pricing than many existing providers.
“At IdeaTek, we’re committed to bringing our high-speed fiber internet to every corner of Kansas, and we’re excited to make it a reality in Marion,” said Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek’s co-founder and chief innovation officer. “True fiber internet is the gold standard in internet connectivity. Some may think the average user doesn’t need fiber, but we believe everyone deserves the best possible online experience. Whether you’re casually browsing or online gaming, our fiber network delivers unparalleled reliability. IdeaTek’s ultimate goal is to provide fiber to all Kansas residents because fiber is hands-down the best technology for high-speed broadband.”
Friesen added, “We’re so confident you will prefer our service over others that we don’t require contacts. We’ll provide you with the best service, so we’re not worried about you leaving.”
Marion residents can soon enjoy:
- Symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second, perfect for streaming, gaming and working from home.
- Unlimited data with no throttling, interruptions or lag time— internet when you need it most.
- No annual contracts, offering flexibility and freedom.
- Friendly, Kansas-based customer support that’s just a call away.
- A future-proof, 100% fiber network built for long-term reliability and scalability.
Some Marion neighborhoods will be ready for service installation early this spring. To check if your home is in IdeaTek’s service area and to sign up for service, visit hookmeup.ideatek.com.
Community Investment
IdeaTek is strengthening its regional presence. The company has already built fiber in the nearby McPherson, Newton, North Newton, Hesston and Hutchinson communities.
IdeaTek is also expanding its efforts to close the digital divide in rural Butler and Marion counties with the support of a $900,000 grant from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. The funding, coupled with IdeaTek’s private investment of nearly $1 million, will enable the construction of 40 miles of new fiber infrastructure, bringing high-speed fiber internet to over 600 residents and businesses in underserved communities of Elbing, Whitewater and Burns.
In addition to fiber, IdeaTek recently acquired the Kansas operations of Rise Broadband, allowing the company to expand high-speed wireless options to rural areas of Marion County. This ensures even more residents, regardless of location, benefit from reliable and fast internet service.
Celebrating its 25th year in business in 2024, IdeaTek was founded in 1999 by Friesen and four friends while attending Buhler High School. Today, the company employs more than 180 Kansans and continues to grow. IdeaTek has deployed over 6,500 miles of fiber and built 150 fixed wireless towers, serving customers in 100 Kansas communities. Learn more at ideatek.com.
About IdeaTek Telcom
IdeaTek Telcom is a Buhler, Kansas-based broadband service provider with the mission of “fighting for Internet Freedom.” IdeaTek uses a unique and innovative approach to deploy scalable, long-term fiber-optic infrastructure, working to bridge the digital divide in Kansas communities. IdeaTek is a champion for broadband equity and is committed to enriching the communities they serve. The company was recently named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies for the 10th time.
