About BEK Communications
Built by Neighbors. Owned by Members. Since 1952.
In 1952, rural families in Burleigh, Emmons, and Kidder counties (BEK) wanted something most of the country already had: private phone lines in their homes. Large phone companies didn’t see value in investing in the small communities. So, friends and neighbors formed their own cooperative and built the lines themselves.
Our Story
Through the years, the cooperative continued to embrace that innovative spirit. Today, BEK provides a variety of communications products and services that are making a difference in homes and businesses. In 2004, BEK decided to pioneer fiber-to-the-home service for rural North Dakota subscribers. This time, fiber brought farm and small-town families the kind of connection many bigger cities were still waiting for. That investment changed what was possible.
From Phone Lines to Fiber
Fiber made room for gigabit internet, crystal-clear phone service, and local television. It also made BEK one of the fastest internet providers in the state, an honor we earned from BroadbandNow in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
BEK serves thousands of members and customers in the districts that make up our service area. With offices in Steele, Bismarck, and Valley City, and more than 9,000 miles of state-of-the-art fiber lines buried underground, BEK continues to provide telecommunication solutions that make our communities better.
Still Owned by Our Members
Since 1952, not much has changed in how the cooperative operates. Members are owners and elect the Board of Directors, who help shape the cooperative’s future.
Mission & Values
Quality service, responsible decisions, and a commitment to the communities where we live and work. See what guides us.
Learn MoreHonors & Awards
From pioneering fiber-to-the-home in rural North Dakota to national cybersecurity recognition, see how BEK’s work has been honored.
Learn MoreCareers
Build what’s next with BEK. We’re building fiber networks, delivering business technology, producing local television, and connecting the communities we serve.
Learn MoreStill Growing
Over the years, BEK has continued to invest in its fiber network and the technology that powers today’s services. Through ongoing monitoring, upgrades, and expansion, BEK is building a network designed to meet growing demands. As our communities grow and evolve, BEK grows with them, ensuring they have the connections they need today and into the future.