Nonprofit Reports Double-Digit Subscriber Growth and High Residential Demand for Open-Access 10 Gig Fiber
(Bozeman, MT…. July 22, 2025)…. Yellowstone Fiber announced today that Sid Boswell has been appointed chief executive officer, succeeding the previous CEO who retired in 2024. Over the past year, the local nonprofit more than doubled its subscriber take rate in Bozeman, connecting thousands of homes and businesses. Nearly 90% of residential customers choose 1 Gig service, triple the typical industry adoption of 30%, and well above even the most competitive fiber markets at 50% to 60%.
“Bringing fiber broadband to Bozeman is essential,” said Sid Boswell, CEO of Yellowstone Fiber. “Our open access network offers more choice, reliable dedicated connections, and competitive pricing with speeds up to 10 Gig for homes and 100 Gig for businesses. Even with Montana’s tough winters and rocky soil, our team is meeting projections and delivering future-proof infrastructure that fosters competition and helps keep prices low for the community.”
Boswell said that construction on the Yellowstone Fiber network has ramped up to full speed for the summer. The network secured more funding to improve access to high-speed fiber internet in Bozeman at no cost or risk to local taxpayers. The investment focuses on neighborhoods still lacking fast, reliable internet, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds with low latency to reduce lag, and no buffering or throttling. Yellowstone Fiber provides residents and businesses with more choice while supporting the community with infrastructure that enables economic development, telemedicine, public safety, and education.
“Maintaining build momentum for community needs is critical, and Sid Boswell’s leadership comes at an important time for Yellowstone Fiber,” said Jeff Erwin, COO of UTOPIA Fiber and Yellowstone Fiber board member. “The strong subscriber growth over the past year shows Bozeman’s continuing demand for reliable, high-speed internet and real choice. As a community-focused nonprofit, Yellowstone Fiber is dedicated to serving local needs. As Yellowstone Fiber’s operational partner, UTOPIA Fiber supports that mission by managing the network and delivering seamless operations and responsive customer service.”
Fiber Construction: Schedule and Service Options
While Montana’s construction season is short, Yellowstone Fiber typically builds from May through October. During colder months, the team continues with aerial installations where available and offers promotions for residents to reserve their spot when full construction resumes in the spring. The Yellowstone Fiber network is expected to serve approximately 22,000 homes, businesses, and public buildings in Bozeman. Businesses can access symmetrical speeds of 100 Gigabits per second (Gbps). Residential customers can choose plans with symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps delivered over a direct fiber-to-the-home connection. Plans start at $65 per month with no required contract.
Open Access Fiber: More Choice for Bozeman
Yellowstone Fiber uses an open-access infrastructure model in which it owns and builds the fiber network while UTOPIA Fiber manages its operations and customer service. Yellowstone does not sell internet service directly. Instead, it partners with multiple private-sector internet service providers (ISPs) who use the network to offer a variety of service packages and pricing options. This approach fosters customer-benefitting competition and gives Bozeman residents the freedom to choose the provider and plan that fits their needs. Yellowstone Fiber customers can also switch ISPs easily from month-to-month without penalties, service calls, or equipment changes.
Built for Bozeman: Sponsoring Music on Main 2025
Yellowstone Fiber is a nonprofit built by and for the Bozeman community, with investment that stays right here in Gallatin County. As the “hometown internet” option, Yellowstone Fiber is proud to support local events and is a sponsor of Music on Main 2025. Residents are invited to visit the Yellowstone Fiber booth on August 7 to learn more about the open access network, sign up for service, and receive a $25 Amazon gift card after installation as part of a special in-person event promotion.
About Yellowstone Fiber
Yellowstone Fiber, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015, is a community-focused, open access network providing future-proof, high-speed fiber internet in Bozeman, Montana. As an open access infrastructure provider, Yellowstone Fiber allows multiple internet service providers (ISPs) to compete on its network, offering residents and businesses a variety of service packages and pricing choices. By enabling competition among providers, Yellowstone Fiber improves connectivity, supports economic development, and facilitates access to services such as telemedicine, public safety, and education. Anchor operations began in fall 2016, with commercial operations launching in February 2017. In 2021, Yellowstone Fiber formed an operational partnership with UTOPIA Fiber, the nation’s largest and most successful open-access fiber network, to bring fiber-to-the-home services in Bozeman. For more information, visit yellowstonefiber.com
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