KanREN partner in Freestate Middle Mile Network

KanREN is excited to announce our partnership with the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD), Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), and other partners throughout the state of Kansas to build and connect 682 miles of fiber optic network. The finished fiber network will connect Liberal to Garden City, Pratt to Wichita, Kismet to Minneola, Wichita to Pittsburg, and Pittsburg to Overland Park.

In a press release, Governor Kelly announced the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) has awarded the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) nearly $43 million to develop infrastructure key to expanding affordable high-speed internet to remote and underserved communities. The open-access “middle mile” infrastructure will connect local Internet networks, primarily in rural areas, to major, high-capacity national and regional networks.  

The grant application was submitted in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Research and Education Network (KanREN), and private providers. Governor Kelly sent a letter in support of the application. 

Learn more by visiting the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Middle Mile page.

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