Project Update
USDA ReConnect Fiber Expansion Project
Last Updated: October 27, 2026
Most fiber construction in rural Comstock and rural Sabin is complete, and Red River Communications is working through the final steps to bring fiber internet service to the area.
While we’ve made significant progress, we still need to complete additional fiber connections, install network equipment, and finish testing before we can begin scheduling customer installations.
We know many residents are eager to get connected. We’re committed to keeping you informed with construction updates as we hit project milestones and work to bring reliable fiber internet service to your home. See more details below.
What’s Been Accomplished
Most fiber construction throughout rural Comstock and rural Sabin is complete. The new network facility is in place in Comstock, and all customers who pre-ordered services from Red River have had their pre-wire appointment, and the fiber drop (connections from our mainline to each location) is complete.
All required federal environmental permits and approvals have also been received. These requirements contributed to earlier construction delays but are no longer holding up the project.
What’s Happening Now
Crews are continuing splicing efforts throughout the project. You will see equipment from our contractor, Ramstad Fiber-Optic Splicing, throughout the service area over the next couple of months.
At the new Comstock network facility, preparations continue while we await permanent electrical service and delivery of essential network equipment. Equipment shipping delays, due to tariffs and supply chain issues, have pushed back this portion of the project, with delivery currently expected in late November.
What’s Next
Once the remaining fiber connections are complete and the necessary equipment is installed and powered, our team will begin final testing of the network, equipment, and individual customer connections.
We need to complete these steps before we can begin scheduling home installations. As soon as we complete our construction phase, we will provide a timeline for when we will begin installing services to customers.
We appreciate your continued patience as we complete this important project. Red River Communications remains committed to bringing reliable, high-speed fiber internet service to rural Comstock and rural Sabin.
Anything you should be doing?
Already signed up? There’s nothing more you need to do right now. Red River Communications will contact you when we’re ready to begin scheduling installation appointments.
Not signed up yet? Get started today by submitting your service request online. Sign Up for Fiber Internet
Project Progress Tracker
Here’s where the project stands as of October 27, 2026.
Current Project Phase:
Phase 3 – Construction
Phase 1: Planning
Design and engineering – Complete
Local & State Permits – Complete
Federal and Environmental Permits – Complete
Phase 2: Service Pre-orders
Sign Up for Services – Complete
Pre-wire appointments – Complete
*Still need to sign up? Contact us or sign up online.
Phase 3 | Stage 1 – Mainline Construction
Mainline Construction – In Progress
Phase 3 | Stage 2 – Fiber Drops
Fiber Drops to all pre-order locations – Complete
Phase 3 | Stage 3 – Splicing
Fiber-Optic Splicing – In Progress
Fiber-Optic Testing – Not Started
Fiber-Optic Lit – Not Started
Phase 4: Installation
Service Installation – Not Started*
*Red River will contact customers to schedule the installation.
Why Isn’t My Fiber Ready Yet?
You may have noticed fiber lines installed near your home and wondered why internet service isn’t available yet.
Installing the fiber lines is just one part of building a new fiber-optic broadband network. Those lines must also connect to the larger network, install and power the equipment that delivers internet service, and test the entire system.
Although construction is nearly complete, these final steps are essential to making sure your service works reliably from day one.
About this Project
Red River Communications is expanding its fiber-optic network to bring reliable, high-speed internet service to rural homes and businesses in Rural Comstock and Rural Sabin, Minnesota. The USDA ReConnect Program helps make this project possible by funding broadband expansion in rural communities. Beyond the grant-funded locations, Red River Communications has expanded the project footprint to properties adjacent to the grant area, fully funded by the Cooperative.
Once complete, the new fiber network will provide residents and businesses with access to fast, dependable internet service, supporting everything from working and learning at home to streaming, staying connected, and operating local businesses.
Get Ready to Connect—Apply Today!
If you haven’t submitted your fiber service application yet, now is the time! Pre-ordering service before the project is complete allows Red River to use the awarded grant dollars effectively and keep service affordable for future fiber internet customers.
What Fiber Internet Will Mean for You
Fiber-optic internet is more than just faster speeds. It’s a better internet experience designed to keep up with the way we live and work today. Once connected to Red River Communications’ fiber network, rural Comstock and Sabin residents and businesses will enjoy a more reliable connection, faster speeds, and more online activity without slowing down.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Faster Speeds, Less Waiting: Download large files, stream your favorite shows, and browse the internet with less buffering and fewer interruptions.
- Everyone Connected at Once: Stream, game, work from home, and video chat on multiple devices without fighting over bandwidth.
- Better Video Calls and Remote Work: Enjoy smoother video meetings, faster file uploads, and a more dependable connection for remote work and online learning.
- A Boost for Local Businesses: Faster uploads and downloads, reliable cloud-based applications, and improved connectivity to support everyday business operations.
- Built for the Future: Fiber technology is designed to handle growing internet demands, supporting new devices, technology, and opportunities for years to come.
The bottom line: Whether you’re running a business, managing a busy household, or simply enjoying your favorite shows, fiber internet will make staying connected easier, faster, and more dependable.
Please note that the map is a representation, not the exact location of our construction route. For more information about this project, please contact our office at 701-553-8309.
Questions?
We’re here to help! If you have questions about construction, service availability, or how to apply, please contact our team or visit the Home Internet or Business Internet pages on this site.
Thank you for your patience and support as we wrap up this exciting project. We can’t wait to welcome more of you to the fiber-fast future in rural Comstock and Sabin, Minnesota.
Past Project Updates:
Happy New Year! Fiber internet is on its way to Rural Comstock and Sabin, Minnesota!
We’re happy to let you know that we’re starting Phase 2 of our fiber-optic broadband project in rural Comstock and Sabin, MN. Thanks to support from the USDA RECONNECT Grant Program, we’ll soon be bringing high-speed fiber internet to your home.
Now is the time to choose your fiber-powered services, like high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, phone, digital TV, and security cameras. Check the flyer we’ve included for more details about what we offer.
In the next few weeks, our sales associate Wayne Steiner will be visiting homes in your area. He’s here to help you sign up, answer your questions, and support you during the fiber installation.
Let’s Get Started: Early Sign-up Promotions
For a limited time, you can get a $200 bill credit when you sign up early. This is our way of saying thank you for your patience as we worked through the USDA grant process.
By signing up now, you will receive:
- $200 Bill Credit – This one-time credit will be applied to your account 30 days after you’re connected (on your second bill).
- FREE standard fiber construction, which usually costs between $1,000 and $20,000 to bring our network to a rural property.
- FREE installation of fiber servicesin your home
- FREE installation of your whole-home Managed Wi-Fi system
Thank you, and we look forward to bringing you FiberFAST™ high-speed internet!
Sincerely,
Your friends and neighbors at Red River Communications
December 2025
Dear Residents and Businesses in Rural Comstock and Rural Sabin,
We are excited to share an update on a project that will bring world-class fiber broadband to your community. Last December, Red River Communications was awarded a USDA ReConnect Grant to expand high-speed fiber internet to rural Comstock and Sabin, Minnesota. This investment will provide homes, farms, and businesses with reliable, future-proof connectivity, ensuring your community is connected on par with the rest of our region.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON:
Over the past year, our team has been working on engineering, planning, and getting federal permits for this project. This process takes time, as each mile of fiber must be mapped and approved before work can begin. Because this is a federally funded project, every step requires national-level review and approval.
We know this process has been slower than expected due to long federal response times. Thank you for your patience as we work through these requirements. While you may not see much happening yet, we are making steady progress behind the scenes and are eager to bring fiber broadband to your community as soon as we can.
NEXT STEPS: What to Expect in 2026
Mid-January 2026:
Service sign-up will begin. To make sure we get you connected as soon as possible, it is very important that you select your services in advance so our construction crews know to bring service to your property. Watch your mail next month for information about services, pricing, and promotions, exclusive to the Rural Comstock – Rural Sabin project.
Spring 2026:
Construction is planned to start when the ground thaws. First, we’ll mark routes and get sites ready. We’ll let you know the timeline and which areas will get fiber first.
Thank you for your support. We’re excited to bring this new connection to your community. Remember to watch for our sales and sign-up information in January!
Red River Communications Receives $5.16 Million Federal Award to Expand High-Speed Internet in Clay County, Minnesota.
Abercrombie, ND (December 23, 2024) – Red River Rural Telephone Association, doing business as Red River Communications, is excited to announce a $5,166,742 investment from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program. This funding will enable the deployment of a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, bringing high-speed internet access to underserved areas in Clay County, Minnesota.
This project will directly impact 482 residents, 17 businesses, 55 farms, and one educational facility across an 82.3-square-mile area. By delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity to 163 households, this initiative will strengthen the community’s digital infrastructure, fostering economic growth, improving access to educational resources, and enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
“This investment underscores the critical role broadband plays in rural communities,” said Tom Steinolfson, Red River Communications’ General Manager and CEO. “Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Thanks to this funding, Red River Communications can ensure that more people in Clay County have the connectivity they need to succeed in today’s digital age.”
The fiber network will deliver broadband speeds that meet or exceed modern demands, empowering residents and businesses to participate fully in the digital economy. Whether it’s for distance learning, telehealth, precision agriculture, or e-commerce, this investment will bridge the digital divide for rural Minnesotans.
The funding for this project was made possible through the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which provides financial support for broadband infrastructure in rural areas across the United States. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have both strongly advocated for rural broadband expansion, emphasizing its vital role in supporting education, healthcare, and economic development.
“Bringing high-speed internet to rural Minnesota is about ensuring everyone has the tools they need to thrive,” Senator Smith said in a statement celebrating recent broadband announcements in the state.
Red River Communications remains committed to enhancing connectivity and promoting equitable access to technology in the rural communities it serves. Construction on the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, with plans to bring the upgraded services online shortly after the mainline infrastructure is completed, pending any potential delays.
For more information about Red River Communications and its broadband initiatives, please visit www.redrivercomm.com or contact them at 701-553-8309.
About Red River Communications
Headquartered in Abercrombie, North Dakota, Red River Rural Telephone Association, dba Red River Communications, is a leading-edge broadband and telecommunications cooperative. Committed to delivering state-of-the-art technology to customers throughout the region, Red River Communications provides fiber broadband internet, phone, digital TV, wireless internet, and cellular services to over 4,500 customers across southeast North Dakota and west-central Minnesota. Red River Communications has deployed a fiber-optic network spanning nearly 3,000 miles and is expanding in several communities. This year, the cooperative celebrates its 71st anniversary of supporting the communities it calls home. Visit redrivercomm.com for additional information.
CONTACT INFO:
Kari Kleingartner
Marketing Specialist, Red River Communications
Main: 701-553- 8309 | Direct: 701-553-8225
Customer support
If you’re having trouble with your services, our customer experience team is always happy to assist you. Also, we have created helpful online resources and step-by-step user guides that you can access here at any time.
