Expansion Projects

Paul Bunyan Communications 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 the Bemidji area and since that time we have built out the entire Bemidji telephone exchange, all areas within the cities of Cohasset, Grand Rapids, and LaPrairie, along with areas including Lake George, Cass Lake, and many townships near those municipalities.
 

Expansion Plans

2012

Paul Bunyan Communications has been granted a $19.7 million loan through the USDA's Rural Utility Service broadband loan program to expand to rural areas of the Park Rapids telephone exchange and to all locations within the Trout Lake Township just east of Grand Rapids.
However, due to recent changes to Universal Service funding and long distance access rate regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it is unknown at this time how much, if any expansion will be economically feasible in the future.

Any determination on expansion and the specific areas it would include in 2012 will be determined in April/May.

The physical construction of the network is the first part of the process. It usually takes 9-12 months from when the physical line has been installed to when services are available. So those locations that are constructed in the spring/summer/fall will not have services available until spring/summer 2013.

Once operational, all of the services we provide will become available. One line of local phone service is required for a location to join the cooperative and receive Broadband Internet and PBTV services

Trout Lake Township

Expected to include the entire township

Rural Park Rapids

Expected to include rural locations within the Park Rapids telephone exchange (732) only. This will include Emmaville and Two Inlets. It will not include the City of Park Rapids or any locations outside of the 732 telephone exchange.
 

Past Expansion Projects

Cass Lake

Started in 2007, completed in 2008. Service is available to most, but not all locations within the Cass Lake telephone exchange (335 landline phone exchange).  However, due to permitting issues, we were not able to expand to all areas as previously planned.

For those locations within the Cass Lake telephone exchange that were not constructed to, we do not know if or when we will be able to expand to your area. Our cooperative is trying to expedite the permitting process but it is beyond our control.

Lake George - Completed

Started in 2007, completed in 2008. Service is available to all locations within the Lake George/Itasca State Park area (266 landline phone exchange).

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.