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Blackfoot Telecommunications is working to provide expanded services to its customers in Sanders County and Northwest Montana. The company on Wednesday announced that it is partnering with Advanced Communications Technology (ACT) to offer additional network services.

Wil Anderson, spokesperson for Blackfoot, said that the new relationship will allow Blackfoot customers access to extended service through ACT. “It helps expand our reach,” Anderson said.

Anderson stated that the companies will be able to leverage each other’s network, and customers will end up seeing faster data speeds and online transactional speeds. “We’re trying to reach a broader set of customers,” he said. While business customers will see the most impact with the new partnership, Anderson said residential customers will also see improved services.

Blackfoot also is working on a network upgrade in the Thompson Falls area, replacing outdated copper cables with fiber optic lines.

The company said that the project will ensure that Blackfoot is able to offer affordable and reliable services to their customers. Some of the copper cables have been buried in the ground for more than 30 years, which is near the end of their useful life, and need to be replaced.

Communication about the project was sent out to Blackfoot’s customers locally. Even if residents or businesses do not currently have Blackfoot services, routes have been engineered to ensure that services will be available if requested in the future.

No disruption to current services is expected as the work progresses. Engineers have been working to designate the best routes, applying for relevant permits and licenses. The company said that even though routes go to homes and businesses, they will not construct any facilities on property without prior approval of the owner.

Blackfoot stated that construction will primarily take place within city and county road right of ways. The company has contracted with Mid-State Consultants and Diversified Solutions to complete the project. More information throughout the project is available at blackfoot.com/networkupgrades.