KWIKOM Breaks Ground for Fiber Internet Expansion into Gardner, KS

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KWIKOM announced a major development this week that will bring ultra-high-speed fiber broadband services to Northern Gardner and surrounding rural areas. Construction has recently begun and will rapidly expand in the coming weeks and months.

With over a decade of experience providing ISP services in Johnson County, KWIKOM has been a pioneer in investing in rural broadband infrastructure throughout the region. Zach Peres, President and Founder of KWIKOM, expressed his gratitude for the support received, saying, “The progress we’ve made to date would not have been possible without the level of support and collaboration we have received from the City of Gardner and the State of Kansas’ Office of Broadband Development.”

Residents and businesses within KWIKOM’s Gardner fiber area will benefit from internet speeds of up to 2 Gbps for residents and up to 10 Gbps for businesses, along with a range of phone and video services. The state-of-the-art 100 Gbps backbone design ensures that Gardner will be well-prepared to meet the growing bandwidth demands of the future.

Todd Winters, Mayor of Gardner, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “This partnership with KWIKOM is going to make a tremendous impact on our community. Access to reliable and high-speed broadband is essential for our residents and businesses to thrive in today’s digital age. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision for a digitally connected Gardner.”

From telecommuting to telemedicine and distance learning to businesses relying on the cloud, having access to reliable and affordable broadband is now a fundamental requirement. KWIKOM’s $6 million investment in Gardner’s fiber future will enable phase one customers to access fiber Internet and phone services by early 2024, with phase two customers soon to follow.

 

KWIKOM Expands Fiber Network to Ottawa and throughout Franklin County, KS

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$12 million dollar fiber investment will bring state-of-the-art telecom services to over 7,200 homes and businesses in Ottawa, Wellsville, Pomona, Williamsburg and surrounding areas

As part of KWIKOM’s longstanding commitment to deliver affordable, reliable broadband connectivity in Franklin County, Kansas, we are pleased to announce that construction of a state-of-the-art fiber network is underway in Ottawa and Wellsville, and will soon begin in Williamsburg and Homewood.

In addition, through a partnership with the State of Kansas Office of Broadband Development, The City of Pomona, the City of Quenemo, and the Franklin County Development Council, construction is in progress to bring fiber to Pomona, Quenemo, and over 20 square miles of rural area between Ottawa and Quenemo.

KWIKOM’s fiber-optic expansion project in Franklin County is a focused part of our ongoing efforts to connect our friends and neighbors throughout Kansas with high quality, affordable fiber-optic internet. KWIKOM began its investment in Franklin County a decade ago to help bridge the digital divide for the historically underserved, and to ensure Franklin County has a network that is technically capable of meeting the present and future technology needs of its residents and businesses.

“Broadband access is essential in today’s digital age, serving as the backbone of economic growth and community development,” said Ryland Miller, President & CEO of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce. “KWIKOM’s initiative promises to invigorate our local economy, boost our businesses and enhance the quality of life of our citizens. Broadband expansion is a game-changer and a signal to the region that Ottawa is primed for growth.”

KWIKOM’s nearly $12 million dollar capital investment in Franklin County will provide almost 200 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure to connect over 7,200 homes, businesses, anchor institutions, and agricultural facilities in the County. This expansion will fully serve every home in Ottawa, Wellsville, Pomona, and Williamsburg as well as much of the surrounding rural community.

KWIKOM will offer symmetrical broadband packages ranging from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps for residents and up to 10 Gbps for businesses, with customizable, DIA packages available to businesses and anchor institutions.

“We appreciate and value the relationships we have developed with the residents, businesses, and leaders in Franklin County over the past decade as we have grown our broadband service throughout the County. We are excited to bring fiber Internet service along with the quality local customer service, technical support, and professional installation our Franklin County customers and partners have come to expect from us,” said Zach Peres, KWIKOM’s President and Founder. “We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our employees, friends, and customers in Franklin County for your support now, and over the last ten years.”

According to Mike Brigman, President of WANRack, KWIKOM’s parent company, “I applaud the work of Zach Peres and the entire KWIKOM team in working alongside community leaders to address their broadband needs and to bring high speed internet access to residents and businesses across the County. The team is working diligently to begin providing services to residents and business before the end of 2023.”

 

Two Kansas-based Fiber Companies Join Forces

Two Kansas-based Fiber Companies Join Forces
January 13, 2023

Iola, KS (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Iola, Kansas-based KwiKom Communications (“KwiKom”), a leader of fixed wireless and fiber-to-the-premise Internet in Kansas and surrounding states has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by WANRack, LLC (“WANRack”), a national leader of custom fiber optic network deployments headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. KwiKom builds and operates fiber optic and fixed wireless broadband networks that serve residential and business customers in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The two companies will continue operating under their respective brands following the acquisition.

Zach Peres, President of KwiKom stated: “KwiKom’s mission is to connect communities, big and small.  Our team has built a great network and business over the past 10 years, and we are geared up for future growth!  In partnership with WANRack and their financial partner, CBRE Investment Management, we will now be able to exponentially advance our strategic goals.  The two companies are an excellent fit!”

“We are extremely excited to welcome KwiKom into the WANRack family,” said Mike Brigman, WANRack’s President & Chief Operating Officer.  “KwiKom has a proven track record of stellar customer service and capacity to expand.  Their high-caliber team and impressive services portfolio align perfectly with WANRack’s vision for growth.”

About KwiKom
KwiKom provides internet and voice services, with video service launching in the first quarter of 2023.  Founded in 2010, KwiKom’s ever-expanding network services an area of more than 30,000 square miles, across 75 counties in four states.  For the last five years, KwiKom has been expanding into gigabit fiber network services to homes and businesses across multiple markets in Kansas. KwiKom looks forward to continuing to serve these areas, contributing a superior level of service and customer support. We strive to meet the home, business, and educational needs and demands of our consumers. While there will be no changes for existing customers, this new partnership will allow us to expand and upgrade even faster and to provide the world class service our customers expect and deserve. To learn more about KwiKom, visit www.KwiKom.com

About WANRack
WANRack provides high-bandwidth, fiber-based infrastructure and related services to schools, hospitals, libraries, enterprise and carrier customers throughout the continental United States. Service offerings include E-Rate-compliant lit fiber, dark fiber, and special construction solutions. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the company provides bespoke fiber solutions, which eliminates countless points of failure found in typical legacy networks. To learn more about WANRack, visit www.wanrack.com.

Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant Awardees

Governor Laura Kelly has announced this year’s awardees for the Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant. KwiKom is pleased to be among the 11 recipients for this year’s funding. The $992,380 project awarded to KwiKom will deliver 10 gigabit capable fiber to the doorstep of every home and business in north Paola, Kansas.

KwiKom appreciates the state’s continued investment in broadband expansion to under-served areas across the state and the recognition that fiber-optic internet is a critical infrastructure investment that will deliver significant, measurable, and long-lasting returns. The City of Paola will benefit from this partnership for years to come and we are excited to begin the work. We are also thankful for the collaborative efforts from the citizens, businesses, and leaders in Paola as well as the Kansas State Department of Commerce that will help bring this project to fruition. 

KwiKom Communications is a fixed wireless and fiber optic Internet company, headquartered in Iola, Kansas, providing service in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

KwiKom Communications Acquires BBWI.net Broadband Wireless Internet

KwiKom Communications Acquires BBWI.net Broadband Wireless Internet

December 2021 – KwiKom Communications is pleased to announce the purchase of BBWI.net’s assets. BBWI.net provided broadband wireless Internet to support territories spanning portions of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. This acquisition is a positive evolution that will accompany KwiKom’s already robust and growing fixed wireless and fiber optic Internet networks. In addition, KwiKom is excited to provide state-of-the-art products and opportunities to new and existing customers.

KwiKom looks forward to continuing to serve the area, contributing a superior level of service and customer support. We strive to meet the home, business, and educational needs and demands of our consumers. When asked about the acquisition, KwiKom President, Zachery Peres stated, “This is a terrific advancement to bring reliable and truly unlimited Internet to more communities.” Upgrade and expansion plans are underway and we are excited to bring staff from BBWI.net over to join in these efforts.

KwiKom Communications is a fixed wireless and fiber optic Internet company, with headquarters in Iola, Kansas. KwiKom takes pride in providing world class service with a philosophy based on treating people the way we want to be treated – with transparency, respect, and excellence. Accompanied by a passion for customer service, we are enthusiastic for the future and welcome BBWI.net subscribers to the KwiKom Family.

Grant Awarded to KwiKom for Fiber Expansion in Neosho and Wilson Counties

KwiKom Communications in partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Broadband Development, has been awarded a Broadband Acceleration Grant to expand fiber optic Internet access in the towns of Thayer, Altoona, and Fredonia, Kansas. Receiving the Broadband Acceleration Grant will bring Internet access to an additional 829 households, 42 businesses, three educational institutions, three municipal organizations, and two healthcare organizations. KwiKom will be constructing state-of-the-art gigabit fiber connectivity to the homes and businesses of these communities within the next 12 months. With recent events it has became clear how important Internet is for education, work, and healthcare, as well as where it lacks today. Feedback from these communities has shown that the options today, where present, are insufficient and unreliable. KwiKom is committed to expanding Internet access to offer connectivity to these communities. The total investment for this project is $663,970 with fifty percent being invested by KwiKom, and $331,985 awarded from the Grant.

“The efficient infrastructure deployments enabled through these grants is vital to making scarce funding dollars stretch as far as possible by building on previous successes in our pandemic response programs,” Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Stanley Adams said. “Governor Kelly recognizes that robust broadband access is necessary for all communities, and I appreciate her commitment to this effort. As a result, many more Kansans will be connected.”

KwiKom is also currently constructing fiber in the communities of Iola, Garnett, Greeley, and Osawatomie, with plans to continue expanding to other future communities. In addition to fiber construction KwiKom is also continuing to expand its fixed wireless to additional rural areas and communities across Kansas.

“Internet access is more essential now than ever before, and our team has done, and will continue doing, an excellent job connecting our neighbors across Kansas,” President of KwiKom Communications Zachery Peres said. “We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas through this private public investment to expand Internet access.”

The Broadband Acceleration Grant program was created in fall 2020 to bring critically needed broadband access to Kansas communities through a competitive, matching infrastructure investment program. Overseen by the Office of Broadband Development this is the initial year in a strategic, ten year, $85 million dollar investment in the state broadband infrastructure funded in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). This initial round of $5 million in grant awards are matched with $5 million in private contributions from the awardees, equating to a $10 million total investment in broadband infrastructure across Kansas.

KwiKom Communications is a Kansas corporation, headquartered in Iola, Kansas, with the mission of providing excellent service and support. KwiKom provides Internet and telephone services, with a growing fixed wireless network area of 22,000 square miles including over 45 counties in Kansas and Missouri. In addition to fixed wireless, since 2017, KwiKom has been expanding gigabit fiber optic network services to the home and business in communities across Kansas.

Midwest Connections, Inc Acquisition

KwiKom Communications is happy to announce the purchase of Midwest Connections, Inc’s assets. With a territory spanning 10 counties in eastern Kansas and 3 counties in western Missouri, this acquisition is a welcome development that will enhance KwiKom’s already robust and rapidly growing fixed wireless and fiber optic network as well as provide exciting opportunities to new and existing customers.

KwiKom looks forward to continuing to serve the area, providing the level of service and customer support you need to meet home, business, and educational challenges we are all currently facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upgrade and expansion plans are underway and we are excited to bring staff from Midwest Connections over to join us in our efforts.

Current Midwest Connections customers will not need to take any immediate action and internet service plans will remain the same through the network transition. KwiKom will continue billing services as normal, and will be contacting subscribers to provide guidance on how to update billing and account information, as well as discuss service plan changes as network upgrades are completed in the area. Midwest Connections subscribers will also now have the ability to purchase phone service for their home or business.

KwiKom Communications is a fixed wireless and fiber optic internet company headquartered in Iola, Kansas, that takes pride in providing excellent service to their subscribers, who are also neighbors. KwiKom’s customer service philosophy is based on treating people the way we want to be treated—with transparency, respect, and excellence—accompanied by a passion for customer service which sets KwiKom apart from other providers. We are excited for the future, and look forward to welcoming you to the Kwikom family.

DBM Communications Acquisition

KwiKom Communications is happy to announce the purchase of Augusta, Kansas based fixed wireless internet provider DBM Communications. Providing a high level of customer service to DBM subscribers is important to KwiKom and the transition is planned to be transparent. The KwiKom team will integrate and make upgrades to the DBM network in the near future.

With the ongoing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic KwiKom understands that fast, reliable high speed Internet is especially important right now due to the number of individuals required to work and follow online learning at home.

“DBM has been great to work with, and we look forward to the continued expansion of rural, and in-town high speed internet in the Augusta area” said KwiKom President, Zachery Peres. “KwiKom looks forward to continued service expansion and improvements as we work with communities to bridge the digital divide.”

KwiKom Communications is a fixed wireless and fiber optic Internet service provider bringing reliable, quality, unlimited high-speed internet to rural and in-town areas. KwiKom’s home office is located in Iola, KS, which makes KwiKom a proud Kansas company. KwiKom’s customer service philosophy is based on treating people with transparency, respect, and excellence.

Wisper ISP and KwiKom Communications Announce Purchase of Pixius Communications, LLC

Wisper ISP and KwiKom Communications are happy to announce the purchase of Pixius Communications, LLC. Wisper will be acquiring Pixius customers within the Kansas City, MO and Western Missouri area. KwiKom will procure the Pixius customers within the Wichita, KS and Central Kansas area.

All three companies are working to make the change as smooth a transition as possible for the Pixius customers. Wisper and KwiKom look forward to providing a high level of customer service to Pixius customers. The teams at Wisper and KwiKom plan to make upgrades to the Pixius network shortly after gaining access. Both companies understand that fast, reliable high-speed Internet is especially important right now due to the number of individuals required to work and follow online learning at home due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.

“KwiKom and Pixius have been great to work with,” said Wisper CEO, Nathan Stooke. “Wisper looks forward to continue building a friendship in hopes that we can work together to conquer the digital divide.”

KwiKom will be adding Pixius employees to their team. The engineering staff at Pixius has developed a strong network and KwiKom is excited to bring on their knowledge and experience to assist with their build-out and upgrade efforts.

When asked about the acquisition, KwiKom VP, Zachery Peres stated, “This is a great step to bring reliable unlimited Internet to more Kansas communities.”

Wisper ISP, Inc. is a wireless Internet service provider that brings unlimited high-speed Internet to customers in both rural and metropolitan communities. Wisper customers receive fast, reliable service and friendly, helpful customer service. Wisper connects you when others can’t.

KwiKom Communications is a wireless and fiber optic Internet service provider bringing reliable, quality, unlimited high-speed internet to rural and in-town areas. KwiKom’s home office is located in Iola, KS, which makes KwiKom a proud Kansas company. KwiKom’s customer service philosophy is based on treating people with transparency, respect, and excellence.