The City Fiber Project

FMTC was proud to announce the ‘City Fiber Project’ in the spring of 2024. Plans for this project include bringing fiber to the cities of Clarinda, Red Oak, Bedford & Corning. In May of 2024, we began working with construction partners to build the fiber network in eastern Red Oak and western Clarinda. Main line construction progressed thru 2024 with over 650 customers committing to getting fiber at their location.

Plans call for continued construction and customer signs ups thru the end of 2024 and into the spring of 2025.

Sign Up for Service

1. The first step is to determine if you are in the current fiber build area. Click the ‘Start Here - Enter Your Address and Sign Up’ button below.

2. Enter your address. If your address is in the fiber build area, you may choose the Internet speed you want, as well as Phone service if needed. Complete all application fields in the ‘Contact Information’ and ‘Submit’.

3. An FMTC Customer Service Representative will contact you with the next steps.

Not in the current build area?

If your address is not in the current fiber build area, we would still appreciate your product choices & contact information. When we bring service to your area, we will contact you to complete the next steps.

City Fiber Project Build Maps

City Fiber Project Pricing

Pricing for residential Fiber Internet and phone service may be found by clicking on the adjacent image. Business pricing can be seen using the link below. Our residential Internet speeds start at 250Mb (businesses start at 500Mb) and go all the way up to 1Gig. And, you get that same bandwidth (sometimes referred to as speed) for both upload and download.

What’s included with FMTC Internet?

1. u4 WiFi Router, ProtectIQ & FMTC Connect App - with your $5.95 router you receive the state-of-the-art Calix u4 WiFi router, ProtectIQ cyber security and the FMTC Connect app to control your network.

2. Upgrade to the u6 WiFi Router for only $9.95 and, in addition to ProtectIQ & the FMTC Connect app, you’ll also receive ExperienceIQ to monitor, prioritize & filter online traffic.

Learn more about Calix routers, ProtectIQ, FMTC Connect app & ExperienceIQ

Get Business Pricing

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions!

General Questions

Q: Is a contract required for services?

A: FMTC uses an application for services, rather than a contract. When you sign up/complete an application and get a free drop (the strand of fiber from our fiber distribution network to your house), you are committing to take service from us for 1 year. We would like to remind everyone not to sign any contracts with current providers. Sometimes current providers will see someone is bringing fiber and then try to tie customers into contracts so the customer can’t leave poor service for GREAT fiber Internet now that it is available.

Q: Are there fees to be connected to the fiber network?

A: No, there are no construction fees to have fiber connected to your home. But if you get a free drop you are required to take Internet services from us for at least 1 year. Once you have fiber, you’ll never give it up!

Q: Is everyone in town getting a fiber drop (the strand of fiber from our fiber distribution network to your house) to their house? In other words, is FMTC bringing fiber to everyone?

A: We are building the network in the entire build area, so everyone can get our fiber Internet when they want it. When you sign up and commit to taking service from FMTC you will get a free fiber drop to your home.

Q: Where and when will FMTC be building Fiber internet? (see maps above on Sign up page)

A: In 2024 (phase 1), we will be building in two places - one zone in Red Oak, and one zone in Clarinda. In 2025 (phase 2) & 2026 (phase 3), we will be evaluating building in Bedford, Corning, and the remaining areas in Red Oak and Clarinda. See maps above. We are building our fiber network in the entire build zone, so that everyone can get service when they want it. See the notes about about how to get the connection (drop) to your home.

Q: When will FMTC be starting the project and when will the project be done?

A: Construction crews started in May of 2024. ‘24 installations are expected to take place from mid summer to winter. We expect the entire project to be completed in the winter of 2026; as we all know weather can impact construction plans. Installations will happen in each zone when connectivity is available and ready for customers.

Q: How did FMTC determine where and when to build?

A: For ‘24, we developed the plan based on where we could connect the most customers quickly. Final engineering work is still being done for Bedford and Corning. We will consider a number of factors for ‘25, and one will be where is there the most interest in getting FMTC Fiber. Phase 2 plans will be announced in late ‘24.

Q: What services/products will FMTC offer? (See pricing)

A: Internet up to 1Gig (1,000Mb). We also have 250Mb, 500Mb and 750Mb, in addition to phone service. All Internet products are symmetrical (meaning the same speed for upload and download.) All Internet products include the FMTC Connect smartphone app, to control your WiFi experience, and ProtectIQ which operates on the Internet router to protect all your locally connected devices. While the 10Gig product is not yet priced, the fiber network we are building can deliver 10Gig (10,000Mb) per customer - if and when that is needed!

Q: What happens when I sign up?

A: You will get a follow up email from us, and depending on when you sign up some time may pass before construction progresses to the point that we can do customer installations. When the time comes, we will connect fiber to your home from the main fiber at the time of sign up. There will be a $50-$100 installation fee based on the products you subscribe to.

Construction Related Questions

Q: What are all the flags in my yard for?
A: The flags and spray paint markings inform construction crews where current underground facilities are located, so they can be avoided. Please leave all flags in place until the construction crews have completed work in your area. Yes, we know flags can be difficult to mow around, but knowing where your current gas and electrical (and all other utilities) are buried is important for crew safety and to keep your services from being disrupted.

Q: I have an irrigation system or an underground dog fence, do I need to mark them?
A: Yes, if you have installed anything like an irrigation system, an underground dog fence, or electrical power to a shed or detached garage - please mark it. Property owners are the only ones who know where those type of underground items are located, so the property owner is responsible for marking them, so our crews can avoid them.

Q: Why is there a pedestal in my yard, but not in every yard?
A: Pedestals and underground vaults are necessary to allow us to build, install and maintain our fiber network. Networks are designed to have as few as possible, but as many as required. Pedestals, vaults and main line fiber are installed in utility easements specified by the city.

Q: How long will the flags be in place?
A: Normally a week or two. We call in locates at least 2 days before we need the locates to be done, so when we arrive in that area, we can build the network and avoid existing underground facilities.

Q: How long does construction take?
A: Construction in the build zones for ‘24 will start May 6th and are expected to be completed in late September. Installations are likely to continue into the fall and early winter. Weather during the construction season can impact timelines.

The Steps of Fiber Construction

🚧 Network design - Prior to construction, our engineers planned the network which includes the routes the fiber will take, as well as the size of the fiber needed for both current and future needs of customers.

👷🏻‍♂️ Permits and Locates - Our staff works with local city leaders to get appropriate permits. At least two days before construction happens in an area, our team will request locates for all underground utilities. They will be marked by each utility company with colored flags and spray paint.

🚧 Construction of Main Line Fiber - The main line fiber is the core of the construction for the project. The main line fiber network that allows everyone in the build area to have fiber Internet - once a drop (the final piece of fiber that connects home to main line fiber) is put in place. Our construction contractors will use cable plows, directional boring equipment, and other digging equipment to place conduit, fiber cable, pedestals and vaults that will house the fiber network.

👷🏻‍♂️ Drop Installation, splicing & testing - This is the part of the process where we connect fiber from the main line to the home or business of a customer who signs up. After the drop is put in the ground, it needs to be spliced to the main line fiber AND connected at your home. Then our technical staff will test the fiber to assure data will pass across the network properly.

🚧 Installation at your home - Most often installations will be schedule on a separate day from when the drop is installed - to assure the testing can be done. During installation, FMTC technicians along with staff from our construction partner, will install the internet router you choose, get your WiFi network up and running, and help you install the FMTC Connect app - to allow you to control your WiFi network. They will make sure your service is working properly and before they leave your home.

Read the media announcements about the City Fiber Project…