Ground Breaking for Southwest Minnesota Broadband Network

LAKEFIELD, MN – More than 80 people attended the ground-breaking ceremony for Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) in Lakefield, Minn. The SMBS network, owned by eight rural communities, will extend the existing community broadband network in the town of Windom to the eight communities of Bingham Lake, Brewster, Heron Lake, Jackson, Lakefield, Okabena, Round Lake and Wilder. The network, which received broadband stimulus funding, will include a 125-mile fiber ring connecting the eight communities and FTTP infrastructure passing more than 3,500 premises. SMBS will deliver triple-play services to area residents and businesses.