HISTORY

Our Story
The SDN Communications executive team of Ryan Dutton, Ryan Punt, Sarah Tuntland and Jake VanDewater pose for a photo outside of the SDN building

The independent telephone companies of South Dakota connected their networks to establish the South Dakota Network (SDN) in 1989 to offer better long distance options to their customers. They have a history of always looking for better ways to serve their rural customers with big-city services.

In 1992, they opened our Sioux Falls office with nine employees.

As data and internet traffic started using the telephone network, SDN's network expanded.

In 2007, we built the Research, Education and Economic Development (REED) Network to connect all six public universities, the EROS Data Center and Sanford Lab at Homestake as a giant research tool.

Two years later, a $20 million federal broadband stimulus grant helped extend the SDN fiber network to hospitals, schools, libraries and public safety facilities in the state.

In 2011, we completed the first phase of a four-phase data center project. Each phase offers 10,000 square feet of raised floor space with suites that range in size from 1,000 to 10,000 square feet.

Today, the 17 owner companies, we call them Members, serve more than 80 percent of South Dakota’s geography. Nine of those companies’ general managers serve on our Board of Directors.

The network now touches more than 300 communities within South Dakota and eight states and offers connectivity to other regional and national networks.

First South Dakota Network Building
REED Network Map
BTOP Ground Breaking
SDN Data Center Construction
Keep Reading

Our Milestones

  1. Growth of company impresses two longtime employees
    SDN Communications is observing its 30th anniversary this year. In observance of the milestone, the company’s longest-serving male and female employees were asked to reflect on their careers.
  2. SDN’s only two CEOs reflect on company’s 30 eventful years
    SDN Communications is celebrating 30 successful years of business in the Sioux Falls region with a pledge that the company’s fiber footprint will keep getting bigger and better.
  3. Board guides successful, 30-year evolution of SDN
    Three decades of expanding services and market area have altered SDN Communications in a number of fundamental and obvious ways. One interesting, secondary change has been in how competitors perceive the successful company.
  4. SDN’s first 25 years include several significant milestones
    The creation of the South Dakota Network 25 years ago marked the start of the company that does business today as SDN Communications. SDN has become the premier, regional provider of broadband connectivity and related technology services for businesses.