BEAD BARGAIN ROUND APPLICATION - BEK COMMUNICATIONS - EAST 1
BEK Communications aims to improve network access for 257 non-served and under-served locations. The proposed NTIA broadband project will extend state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) connectivity to the rural areas surrounding Casselton, Mapleton, as well as in and around Prosper and Amenia—spanning rural Cass County and nearby communities in eastern North Dakota, one of the most sparsely populated regions in the state, averaging just 1.574 customers per square mile. The project will utilize redundant carrier grade Cisco transport systems as well as Calix access electronics to construct a buried, all-fiber network capable of delivering symmetrical 5 Gbps speeds and beyond, with ultra-low latency and exceptional reliability. Over a planned two-year timeline, BEK will execute a carefully phased buildout, advancing through detailed engineering, permitting, and construction. Once complete, BEK’s resilient fiber network will transform one of North Dakota’s most rural regions into a fully connected community—driving economic opportunity, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring reliable access to high-speed internet for generations.