We’re expanding fiber to enrich lives
fiber information center
Today, fiber internet (broadband) is as important as electricity was in the 1930s. The disparity of fiber internet availability across Iowa left many rural residents and businesses without the reliable, ultra-fast internet they need.
That’s why fiber construction is a key project for Marne Elk Horn as well as many other internet providers. Fiber networks are the undisputed technology leader in providing super-fast and reliable internet service, now and in the future. Over 70% of our communities — including Brayton, Elk Horn, Marne, McClelland, Kimballton, Avoca, Underwood, and Walnut — are served by fiber today, and by 2025, we expect it to be 100% fiber.
Fiber Construction UPDATES BY AREA:
Please be aware that fiber construction schedules may fluctuate depending on the availability of supplies, weather, and other factors.
- Rural Underwood East of I-80 - Give us a call to get connected today!
- Rural Underwood West of I-80 - Give us a call to get connected today!
- City of Minden - Construction in progress.
- Rural Avoca Area - Give us a call to get connected today!
- City of Shelby - Give us a call to get connected today!
- City of Crescent - Construction to begin Spring of 2025.
With the oversight of a progressive Board of Directors, Marne Elk Horn is focused on additional opportunities for fiber expansion. Watch for more news on continued fiber deployment in southwest Iowa by Marne Elk Horn.
Fiber construction map
Click here to expand map.
- Currently served by fiber
- Construction in progress - Next steps: Splicing & Testing
- Construction to begin 2025!
Fiber construction map
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- 1. Currently served by fiber
- 2. Neola - Currently served by fiber
- 3. Rural Underwood East - Currently served by fiber
- 4. Rural Underwood West - Currently Connecting Customers!
- 5. Exira - Currently served by fiber
- 6. Rural Avoca - Planned for 2024
- 7. Shelby - Planned for 2024
- 8. Minden - Construction in progress
Check out our progress in Exira from last fall.
Benefits of a Fiber Optic Network
Much Faster Internet Speeds
No other type of network even comes close to the internet speeds provided by a fiber optic network. You can get access to internet speeds up to 1 Gigabit, which is equivalent to an amazingly fast 1,000 Mbps! Fiber is the gold standard that’s not yet available in many rural areas. Marne Elk Horn is proud to bring you (or soon bring you) the fiber services others can only dream of getting.
Huge Bandwidth Capabilities
Fiber offers nearly unlimited bandwidth, meaning how much information a connection can carry at one time. Even with internet usage growing, fiber will serve us well, long into the future.
Increased Reliability
Fiber is extremely reliable due to both deployment methods and intrinsic characteristics of the fiber itself. It’s typically buried underground rather than strung along utility poles, which protects fiber from weather, wind, and wide temperature fluctuations. Unlike DSL and cable, fiber optic internet does not use electricity to send its signal. Instead, it sends packets of light down tiny strands of glass. This means that outside forces such as power lines, electrical storms, and other sources of electronic interference do not affect fiber optics.
Increased Opportunities for Economic Development
Access to a fiber network can help a community attract new business, encourage business growth, and expand work-from-home options.
If you haven’t yet, please call to make our appointment today at 712-784-2211.
Rural Underwood West
Fiber Connection Phases
Fiber construction in Rural Underwood (West of I-80) is complete! We are currently splicing and testing in phases. As those phases are complete, we will be able to connect customers.
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Phase 1 - 3
If you are located in that area, we will be reaching out to you soon to schedule an appointment to be connected. If you are ready for fiber prior to hearing from us, please feel free to contact us. -
Phases 4 - 8
Splicing and testing will continue throughout the coming weeks. We expect to be tested and ready to connect customers by May 2024.
Please see the map on the right showing the phases. Zoom in on your location to determine which phase your address is in or click here to expand map and enter your address in the search bar..
Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Click here to expand map.
fiber history
Fall 2021 - Marne Elk Horn Accepts $4.5M Award to Expand Fiber Internet Further in Western Iowa
In the next several years, underserved Internet customers in western Iowa will be served with Marne Elk Horn fiber Internet after we complete fiber projects in the region. Recently, we announced our acceptance of the $4.5 million grant award from the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant program, which included the details of the locations that will receive fiber as a result of the grant.
Fiber to be Completed in Neola in 2022
In 2022 Marne Elk Horn will complete the fiber project in the City of Neola, which was started in 2021 as part of the company’s vision to serve all customers in our services areas with fiber.
Plans for Exira & Rural Underwood
Also next year, we will begin work in the community of Exira and the Iowa grant awarded area near Underwood (see map for details of the project area). Over 70% of our communities, including Brayton, Elk Horn, Marne, McClelland, Kimballton, Avoca, Underwood & Walnut are served by fiber today, and by 2025, we expect to be 100% fiber.
“Projects like this are tremendous for customers and are necessary for Marne Elk Horn to participate in. We’re pleased to announce details of all we have been working on,” said Rachel Hamilton, CEO. “It’s important to remember that under normal circumstances projects of this size take a couple of construction seasons to complete. Right now things aren’t normal. It’s difficult to acquire materials, electronics and contractor crews, which impacts our ability to build these areas as quickly as we’d like.”
“Projects like this are tremendous for customers and are necessary for Marne Elk Horn to participate in. We’re pleased to announce details of all we have been working on,” said Rachel Hamilton, CEO. “It’s important to remember that under normal circumstances projects of this size take a couple of construction seasons to complete. Right now things aren’t normal. It’s difficult to acquire materials, electronics and contractor crews, which impacts our ability to build these areas as quickly as we’d like.”
Need for Fiber in Rural Areas
Today, broadband (fiber Internet) is as important as electricity was in the 1930s. The disparity of available broadband Internet offerings across the state has left many rural residents and businesses without the reliable, ultra-fast fiber Internet that most Marne Elk Horn customers receive today. This fact was exacerbated and exposed further by the pandemic when families needed to work and attend school from home.