Pioneer Communications Takes Helping Stance

Pioneer Communications is local.

"And when you call us, you're going to get us," said Marketing Manager Bravane Phelps in a recent interview. "You're not going to get someone from another country or another part of the nation. When you call you will get someone from Pioneer Communications - our people in Southwest Kansas. That's something we are very proud of. And, there are no voice prompts - you don't have to push five different buttons to get in touch with a person."

Phelps said it is their "stance" at Pioneer to "help their community members".

"Investing in our community - helping to support the football teams, baseball teams, forensic teams.... We believe support is one of the best things we can do," he said. "And fortunately we have the business and space to do so."

Customers are key to Pioneer.

"Ultimately, our goals at the end of the day, are to provide great customer experiences for our customers," Phelps said. "We want to be a local presence. We are here in your community. We are your neighbors, your friends, coaches..."

Plans for the future?

"We plan to continue to grow our fiber network - fiber is king," Phelps said. "We do have some other technology, but it isn't as reliable as fiber. The good thing about fiber is it is weather proof, so chances of service being interrupted are less. It's newer technology and has a lot of capabilities such as telehealth. Southwest Kansas and Western Kansas can be a place where they can work from home and connect with global markets in Dallas, Denver, California or wherever having that (fiber) connection allows them to do that."

Pioneer is grateful.

"We have been here 75 years and we plan to be here another 75," Phelps said. "We are very grateful to our community and our members for their support. We couldn't do what we do without you and our staff who have boots on the ground. We are fortunate to have a staff that has been here a long time."