Building the Future: Our ReConnect 1 Fiber-to-the-HomeProject Underway

Kanokla is excited to announce that construction has begun on our long-awaited ReConnect 1 Fiber-to-the-Home Project. This project represents a major investment in the future of our rural communities - bringing world-class fiber internet to homes and businesses across parts of Kay and Osage counties in Oklahoma, and Cowley and Sumner counties in Kansas.

How We Got Here

Kanokla was awarded the USDA ReConnect 1 Grant in April 2020 to deliver high-speed broadband to the underserved rural areas of Shidler, Wynona, Grainola, Webb City, and Foraker. While the journey from award to construction has taken time with unexpected delays, the project is finally moving forward.

Delays over the past few years stemmed from several unavoidable challenges, including COVID-19, environmental and regulatory reviews, and supply chain shortages for critical materials. Through patience, determination, and careful planning, we are now on track to deliver on that original vision–buried, gig-speed fiber to every home and business in our areas of Osage County.

About the Project

The ReConnect 1 build is divided into two phases:

Phase 1 began the week of August 18, 2025, with an expected duration of 240 working days. This phase covers 168.62 miles of mainline fiber and 31.02 miles of service line entrances across Kay and Osage counties in Oklahoma, and Cowley and Sumner counties in Kansas. If weather and logistics cooperate, Phase 1 construction should wrap up by August 2026. Customer conversions to the new fiber network are expected to begin as early as this December in the towns of Shidler and Wynona.

Phase 2 will follow shortly after Phase 1 completion and includes approximately 129.55 miles of mainline fiber and 6.39 miles of service entrances in Kay and Osage counties, Oklahoma.

Our project partners include Monte R. Lee & Company (MRL) of Oklahoma City, serving as the project engineer, and North Central Service Inc. (NCS) of Bemidji, Minnesota, as the primary construction contractor.

What This Means for You

This new fiber network will deliver symmetrical speeds of up to 2 Gbps—meaning upload and download speeds are equally fast—for every home and business in the new build-out areas. Whether you’re working remotely, streaming, learning online, or running a business, this technology ensures reliable, lightning-fast connectivity for years to come. One of the best things about fiber technology, is there is room to grow anytime in the future from our current 2 Gbps offering.

To ensure your property is ready to connect, please visit https://eweb.kanokla.com/buildout/ to sign up for a service entrance drop. Early registration helps us plan efficient construction routes and gets your home connected sooner. Once construction is over, we will officially be retiring the old copper lines.

As construction progresses, you may see workers and vehicles marked with Kanokla, NCS, or MRL logos in your area. If any issues arise with infrastructure or property during construction, rest assured—we will make sure all concerns are resolved to your satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

At Kanokla, we believe that rural communities deserve the same connectivity and opportunities as anywhere else. The ReConnect 1 Project is just one of the many ways we’re investing in the region’s future—strengthening local economies, supporting families, and ensuring our members stay connected to the world around them. Together, we’re building a stronger, faster, and more connected future for the communities we call home.