IdeaTek Acquires Velocity, Expanding Fiber and Wireless Service Across South-Central Kansas
EL DORADO, KANSAS — IdeaTek Telcom, a Kansas-based fiber internet provider, has acquired Velocity, the high-speed internet division of Butler Electric Cooperative, headquartered in El Dorado. The acquisition expands IdeaTek’s fiber and wireless footprint across south-central Kansas.
Both IdeaTek and Velocity share a dedication to Kansas communities and the importance of local, personalized support. The acquisition of Velocity aligns with IdeaTek’s core mission of providing high-speed internet to underserved areas. It extends IdeaTek’s fiber service to the communities of Rose Hill and El Dorado, along with wireless coverage across Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, Cowley, Marion, Greenwood and Chase counties.
IdeaTek plans to introduce its industry-leading 8-gigabit residential service, featuring unlimited data and no contracts, giving residents access to an even faster connection. IdeaTek also plans to continue its investment in fiber infrastructure in rural areas currently served by Velocity’s wireless service.
To complement its fiber expansion, IdeaTek will utilize Velocity’s Tarana wireless technology. This equipment allows IdeaTek to deliver wireless speeds of up to 1 Gbps, ensuring that even the most remote residents in the service area — where fiber may not yet reach — have access to gigabit-level connectivity.
“We are excited to welcome Velocity customers to the IdeaTek team,” said Daniel Friesen, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of IdeaTek. “We want to build on what Velocity started and continue providing best-in-class services while exploring opportunities for future expansion and innovation in the region.”
The transition allows both organizations to lean into their specific strengths: Butler Electric Cooperative will refocus on its 88-year legacy of providing safe, reliable electric service, while IdeaTek brings a singular, specialized focus to the region’s digital infrastructure.
“We are proud of what Velocity has accomplished,” said Kevin Brownlee, CEO of Butler Electric Cooperative. “This move ensures customers continue to receive high-quality internet service from a company whose primary focus is broadband, while Butler Electric continues serving our members with excellence in electric service. We want to express our gratitude to the communities we have served over the past eight years.”
The transaction officially closed in February 2026. IdeaTek will begin the integration process immediately to ensure a seamless transition for all Velocity customers.”
About the Companies
Velocity
Velocity was launched in 2018 as a division of Butler Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility with a 75-year history of serving south-central Kansas. Created as a grassroots effort to provide electrical cooperative members with reliable internet access, Velocity was the first electric cooperative in Kansas to launch a fiber-to-the-home project. Headquartered in El Dorado, the company provides fiber and wireless internet to thousands of residents across Butler, Sedgwick, Harvey, Cowley, Marion, Chase and Greenwood counties.
IdeaTek
IdeaTek was founded in 1999 by Daniel Friesen and four friends while attending Buhler High School. Today, with the mission of “fighting for Internet Freedom,” the company employs more than 220 Kansans and continues to grow. IdeaTek has deployed over 7,500 miles of fiber and built 150 fixed wireless towers, serving customers in over 120 Kansas communities. IdeaTek uses a unique and innovative approach to deploy scalable, long-term fiber-optic infrastructure, working to bridge the digital divide in Kansas communities. IdeaTek is a champion for broadband equity and is committed to enriching the communities they serve. The company was recently named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies for the 11th time.