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Media Note: A groundbreaking ceremony with state officials is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 18 at Cremer Hall on the Emporia State University campus. The event is open to the public.
BUHLER, Kansas – IdeaTek is proud to be part of the State of Kansas’ landmark initiative to build the first leg of the Freestate Middle Mile Network — a 670-mile open-access fiber network designed to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the state.
The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development and the Kansas Department of Transportation are leading this first-of-its-kind statewide project, which brings together public, private and nonprofit partners to build scalable infrastructure that supports last-mile internet providers — especially those working to connect rural and underserved areas.
The project is funded by a nearly $43 million federal grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Kansas was one of only a handful of states to receive the competitive grant. The grant supports the department’s goal of making Kansas a national leader in digital infrastructure.
IdeaTek will begin construction on the statewide project later this year. This project will connect anchor points and institutions in Kansas City, Emporia, Pittsburg and Wichita.
A groundbreaking ceremony with state officials is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 18 at Emporia State University. The event is open to the public.
Once complete, the network will expand reach for internet service providers like IdeaTek, increase capacity for anchor institutions and improve access for unserved and underserved households. By creating greater competition in local markets, the project also aims to help drive down costs and improve broadband access for all Kansans.
“Being part of the State of Kansas’ Freestate Middle Mile Project is a pivotal step toward ensuring Kansas Internet providers themselves have the connectivity they need to ensure every Kansas internet customer, no matter where they live, has access to reliable, sustainable, high-speed internet,” said Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek’s co-founder and chief innovation officer. “By building this critical infrastructure, we’re not only addressing current connectivity gaps but also laying the groundwork for our state’s forward-leaning strategies in intelligent infrastructure for transportation, agriculture and the overall gig economy.”
The statewide network will offer both dark and lit fiber services. This gives providers of all sizes, from local internet service providers to regional carriers, the tools they need to expand their networks and reach more customers. The project will also help establish new internet exchange points across the state, boosting performance and driving more competition in local markets.
“The Freestate Middle Mile Network, which is publicly funded and publicly owned, showcases our state’s financial stewardship and strategic approach to improve the digital landscape,” Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “It not only brings federal dollars into Kansas, but ensures those dollars stay here by supporting our communities and driving local economic growth.”
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 7,500 miles of fiber and built 150 fixed wireless towers, serving customers in over 110 Kansas communities.
In 2024 alone, IdeaTek expanded fiber service to several communities, including Mulvane, Derby, Hutchinson, Newton, Augusta, Dodge City and Garden City. Guided by its mission to bring Internet Freedom to all Kansans, IdeaTek is dedicated to building the fiber infrastructure that connects communities and creates opportunities for every Kansan.
“This expansion is just the beginning,” Friesen said. “We believe every Kansan deserves access to fast, affordable internet — no matter where they live. Middle-mile infrastructure is the backbone of that vision.”
For more information on the Freestate Middle Mile project, visit ideatek.com/middle-mile.
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 11th time.