In Missouri’s Callaway County, expanding fiber internet access isn’t just about digging trenches, it’s about meeting high customer demand, working around rural infrastructure, and delivering reliable results without delay. Callabyte Technology needed a construction partner that could keep up with their growth, adapt to changing conditions, and work as an extension of their internal team.
That’s why Sellenriek Construction was the clear choice. With a history of collaboration and a hands-on approach, Sellenriek has helped Callabyte roll out fiber across neighborhoods, farmlands, and everything in between, keeping projects moving while delivering high-quality, ready-to-activate infrastructure.
CHALLENGES
Building fiber in Callaway County came with its share of logistical hurdles. While the terrain was mostly rural, it still required extensive directional drilling to avoid obstacles like water lines, driveways, and private utility crossings. In many instances, the team encountered unexpected field conditions that forced on-the-spot changes to bore paths and construction strategy.
Timelines were tight, and customer demand was high. That meant there was little room for delay or do-overs. Every day on-site needed to be productive, precise, and coordinated to keep builds moving and ensure that homes were ready for service as soon as possible.
PROCESS
Sellenriek Construction worked across multiple phases in Callaway County, leveraging long-term familiarity with the region and a well-established workflow with Callabyte’s internal teams.
Each job began with permitting and utility coordination, often involving road districts, municipalities, and state agencies. From there, Sellenriek handled all aerial and underground work, including directional drilling, cable plowing, conduit placement, and drop installation to homes and businesses.
Because Callabyte often works on tight schedules and staggered builds, Sellenriek’s adaptability was critical. The crews adjusted in real time to permitting delays, weather shifts, and community requests, all while keeping Callabyte updated with progress reports and site visibility.
Sellenriek’s field team also maintained a close relationship with Callabyte’s network design and planning departments. This allowed for smoother project execution, fewer surprises, and fast resolution when unexpected obstacles, like field mismatches or unclear locates, arose.
RESULTS
The Callabyte-Sellenriek partnership in Callaway County has resulted in hundreds of rural and suburban customers gaining access to reliable, high-speed internet. Sellenriek Construction continues to serve as a trusted construction partner for Callabyte, helping them scale quickly and efficiently while minimizing delays and maintaining the service quality their customers expect.
Our ability to manage entire builds, from pole setting and conduit trenching, to final drops, means Callabyte can focus on growth, sales, and customer service while trusting Sellenriek to handle the field.
As Joe Oden, Director of Operations at Sellenriek Construction put it, “We’ve built a rhythm with Callabyte. They know we’re going to get it done, and we know how they work. That’s what keeps projects moving.”
CONCLUSION
This project exemplifies how long-term partnerships rooted in trust, adaptability, and communication can accelerate broadband deployment in rural regions. With Sellenriek Construction, Callabyte Technology has gained more than a contractor, they’ve secured a committed infrastructure partner that grows with them.
