Mille Lacs Reservation
| Year | Rank | 100/20 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1 of 11 | 100% |
| 2021 | #7 of 11 | 72.54% |
| 2019 | #5 of 11 | 61.07% |
Mille Lacs Reservation has seen steady progress toward ubiquitous broadband over the years. In 2015, Mille Lacs County developed a broadband feasibility study that included a brief statement on connectivity on the reservation; they were focusing fiber on their casino, tribal headquarters and a few other businesses.
In April 2021, Mille Lacs Tribal Economy started working with the Blandin Foundation on a 15-week course of study and education about broadband for a community team.
In October 2021, the Tribal Economy received $6,670 from the Initiative Foundation for a 12-month case study on broadband services and experiences among the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe districts.
In June 2022, they received $3.1 million in ARPA funding to boost entrepreneurialism. While not directly related to broadband access, it would boost broadband use.
In October 2024, the Institute for Local Self Reliance featured Fond du Lac and other MN tribals communities building broadband reporting that since 2021, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe had been exploring other options to bring better connectivity to the Reservation. A Tribally owned entity, Mille Lacs Corporate Venture, began a partnership that year with cooperative Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC). In 2023, the Tribe was awarded a Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program grant to help support the construction of a Tribally-owned fiber-to-the-home network that will be operated by CTC.
Household Density
.33
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
Yes
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
Savage Communications Inc. (SCI) – Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Onamia) Broadband Expansion – GRANT $70,261
This last mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project will serve 102 unserved households within the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation in Mille Lacs County. In a funding partnership with the State of Minnesota and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, SCI Broadband will bring service levels of 1 Gbps down and 20 Mbps upload, exceeding the 2022 and 2026 state speed goals. SCI will leverage its existing middle mile infrastructure to deploy a last mile fiber solution, improving access to education, telemedicine, telecommuting, and economic development for the project area.