First Step Internet deployed 551 miles of fiber, completed construction on nine microwave towers, and completed 72 fixed microwave paths through June 2013. The new 550-mile high-speed fiber network extends broadband Internet coverage across Idaho’s rural counties of Latah, Idaho, Clearwater, Lewis, and Nez Perce. First Step Internet also activated a wireless area network that covered more than 150 miles and connected approximately 45 community anchor institutions, including libraries, schools, health clinics, and government buildings. Once completed, the network will provide wireless Internet access to more than 20,000 households, 700 businesses, and 50 community anchor institutions.

First Step Internet’s network will also complement the Nez Perce Tribe’s BTOP grant that is providing high-speed, affordable broadband services across 1,200 square miles of tribal land. When completed, these two grants will provide complete broadband coverage for members of the tribe.