This fall Alliance is buying Leap Communications fiber-optic network.
A similar dedication to serving rural communities led the co-founders of Leap Communications to sell its fiber-optic network to Alliance Communications.
“The transition should be easy for customers because Alliance, like Leap, is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge services to rural communities,” said Tyler DeNeui, a co-founder of Leap. “We both offer fiber-optic internet and use many of the same equipment and software vendors. Plus, our service areas are next door to each other.”
DeNeui and Jason Dabbert founded Leap Communications in 2016 as a fixed wireless internet service provider based out of Parker, S.D. Over the past few years, Leap started converting most of its wireless customers to fiber and began expanding into new territories.
Alliance will continue with Leap’s fiber conversion and expansion plans within the areas outlined on the map. Leap wireless customers not scheduled to get fiber should contact Leap regarding their service.
Dabbert and DeNeui said Leap and Alliance share similar missions.
“Alliance has a reputation of treating its customers with the utmost respect and care,” Dabbert said. “Plus, they’ve been in business for a long time, and they were one of the first companies to start offering fiber internet in South Dakota.”
Who is Alliance Communications?
Alliance Communications serves portions of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The company has been in business for 68 years and started offering fiber-optic internet almost two decades ago.
Alliance currently has business offices in Baltic, Brandon, and Garretson and employs people throughout its service area. Plus, several Alliance technicians are based out of a warehouse in rural Harrisburg.
“Nearly all our employees live in the area, and we respond quickly to service calls,” said Alliance General Manager/CEO Ross Petrick said. “We pride ourselves on our customer service.”
How will the sale impact Leap customers?
Even though Alliance is buying Leap Communications’ fiber network, the impact on customers will be minimal, Petrick said.
Customers who currently have fiber will continue receiving their bills from Leap for a few more months. Then later this fall, they’ll start receiving their bills from Alliance Communications. Alliance will contact customers to update their billing information and switch out some equipment at their location.
Customers who already have fiber internet from Leap will be transitioned to an Alliance plan with a similar cost. Most customers will receive more speed for approximately the same price. With Alliance, customers can always change their plans without penalty.
For those who are waiting to be connected to fiber, Leap and Alliance will work together to finish the cutover process. They’ll contact customers to schedule their installation and discuss the services they’re interested in receiving.
Areas already under construction will be connected throughout the rest of 2024. For areas south of Lennox where construction has NOT started, fiber-optic network construction will begin in the spring of 2025. Then home installations should start in the summer or fall of 2025.
Alliance will be introducing itself to customers through mailings, e-newsletters, social media posts, and a booth at the Turner County Fair this August. Those who want to learn more about Alliance Communications can visit alliancecom.net/leap.
“We’re excited to carry on Leap’s dedication of offering cutting-edge services that aren’t available even in larger cities,” Petrick said. “