Expansion Projects

Paul Bunyan Telephone became one of the first telecommunication companies in the country to build a brand new network into a previously monopoly regulated environment. It started in 1999 with construction in parts of the Bemidji Township, Northern Township, and City of Bemidji. Since that time we’ve constructed to, and now serve, four additional cities (Grand Rapids, LaPrairie, Cohasset, Bemidji), dozens of townships, and we have overbuilt the entire Bemidji telephone exchange.

Specific expansion projects are determined on an annual basis only and this year we will be expanding into two new telephone exchanges and several new townships. (see below)

While further expansion is expected, no specific plans exist past the current year due to the many factors that fluctuate annually and can affect such decisions. Our cooperative will continue to consider reaching out to new areas where it is economically viable and technically feasible. Annual expansion plans are usually determined by May of each year.
 

2008 Expansion Plans

Lake George

Expansion will continue in the Lake George/Itasca State Park area, covering the remaining locations within the 266 landline phone exchange not reached in 2007.

Cass Lake

2008 expansion will cover the remaining locations within the Cass Lake Telephone Exchange (current 335 or 339 phone prefix).

Those residents/businesses included in 2008 expansion construction plans will be notified by direct mail this summer as construction approaches the neighborhood.

Construction expansion takes 6-9 months to complete prior to services becoming available. We hope to provide services to 2008 expansion locations no later than May of 2009. Expansion construction depends upon many factors beyond the cooperative’s control and therefore is not guaranteed to every location.
 

Past Expansion Projects

2007 Expansion - Completed

All services are now available in the areas covered by our 2007 expansion. These areas include the City of Lake George and parts of the Lake George Township, the Ten Lake Township of Beltrami County and part of the Pike Bay Township in Cass County and north of the City of Cohasset west to Deer River.

City of Grand Rapids - Completed

Started in 2005, completed 2007. Service is available to all locations within the city limits of the City of Grand Rapids.

City of Cohasset - Completed

Started in 2004, completed 2006. Service is available to all locations within the city limits of the City of Cohasset.

Bemidji Telephone Exchange - Completed

Started in 1999, completed in 2006. Service is available to all locations within the Bemidji Telephone Exchange, those with landline phone prefixes of 751, 755, or 759 prior to 1999.