Frontier Coop – Broadband Connectivity Project:
New Broadband Towers Released in Butler County with Microsoft, Land O’Lakes & Nextlink Internet
Frontier Cooperative locations to boost internet speeds and provide broadband connectivity to local members and residents have now been installed in Bellwood, David City, Dwight, Brainard and Garrison.
November 5, 2021 (Lincoln, Nebr.) – In continuing with Frontier Cooperative’s collaboration with Microsoft, Land O’Lakes and Nextlink Internet, a new tower providing high-speed internet is now available in Bellwood, with David City, Dwight, Brainard and Garrison towers scheduled to go live in the near future.
This is a part of the efforts to expand broadband internet access to residents and commercial business areas within a five- to 10-mile radius of several of Frontier Coop’s locations. Over the scope of the project, Nextlink will continue to install high-speed broadband technology to nearly 30 Frontier elevator facilities, improving access to broadband connectivity throughout the area. This effort to improve internet connectivity aims to directly benefit residents in these rural areas who currently lack adequate broadband service at home.
Not only is broadband becoming increasingly critical to daily life, but it also offers farmers the opportunity to engage in precision agriculture, increasing yields, improving productivity, and boosting profits. Yet, 60 percent of farmers say they lack the connectivity needed to run their business. This effort by Frontier, Nextlink, Microsoft and Land O’Lakes aims to address these gaps.
Packages will range from $49 to $119 (15Mbps to 100Mpbs download speeds), and Frontier Coop employees and patrons are eligible for discounts with proper documentation.
This project is part of ongoing efforts by Land O’Lakes, Microsoft, and Nextlink to address the rural broadband gap across the United States. Frontier Coop is part of the Land O’Lakes member network, and Nextlink is a Microsoft Airband Initiative partner. Through its Airband Initiative, Microsoft aims to extend broadband access to 3 million people who reside in unserved or underserved rural areas in the United States by partnering with internet service providers and others supporting connectivity solutions. Similarly, Land O’Lakes and its cooperative network are helping bridge the digital divide with awareness and advocacy through its American Connection Project.
“High-speed internet doesn’t have to be a luxury,” said Jeremy Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer at Frontier Cooperative. “In an increasingly connected world, high-speed internet is a necessity to help connect the farm, the family and the community. Frontier is proud to work with Land O’Lakes, Microsoft and Nextlink to make a difference in rural America.”
“We’re so excited to be working with Frontier Cooperative to bring real solutions for the lack of broadband access in these communities,” said Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes. “As a farmer-owned co-op with deep roots across rural America, Land O’Lakes will continue to raise awareness and devise more ways to increase access to digital connectivity for all Americans.”
“We’re just grateful for the opportunity to partner with Frontier Cooperative, a pillar in the communities they serve, along with Land O’Lakes and Microsoft Airband Initiative to bring critical, quality high-speed Internet to enable economic development through lower cost precision agriculture solutions, home-based employment and learning, and telemedicine to more and more small towns and rural communities,” said Katy Keenie, Nextlink VP Sales & Marketing.
“Too many in rural America lack access to the digital opportunities that are facilitated through reliable high-speed internet,” said Vickie Robinson, general manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. “Through connectivity efforts like this, we can help level the playing field and improve livelihoods in these previously under-connected communities.”
# # #
About Frontier Cooperative
Frontier Cooperative is a full-service, member-owned cooperative operating primarily throughout eastern Nebraska. Frontier offers products and services in Grain, Agronomy, Feed and Energy and has been proudly serving local producers for over 100 years.
About Nextlink Internet
Nextlink Internet is a rural-focused provider of internet and phone services to residential, business, institutional and governmental customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. The company is a fully IP-based, carrier-class network with 75,000 customers, more than 800 team members with local community presence, and extensive fiber and wireless infrastructure. As an active participant in the Federal Communications Commission’s programs to close the digital divide, Nextlink is working to connect thousands more homes, schools, libraries, medical centers, and businesses in small communities across 11 mid-western states. For more information: https://nextlinkinternet.com. For current service areas see: Nextlink Coverage Map.
About Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2019 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 212 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands and businesses in agriculture and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra, LLC. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.
Media Inquiries
Frontier Cooperative: Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO l 402-937-1800 Ext. 2006 l jeremy.wilhelm@frontiercooperative.com
Nextlink Internet Media Relations: 855-698-5465 MediaRelations@team.nxlink.com
Land O’Lakes, Inc.: Natalie Long l 651-368-5600 l nlong@landolakes.com