Ojibwe Tribe Launches Largest Off-Reservation Broadband Network in Wisconsin

The $72 million project will bring high-speed internet to 4,600 homes and businesses, most of them non-tribal.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:39am

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The Sokaogon Mole Lake Ojibwe Tribe in northeast Wisconsin is launching a $72 million project to build the largest off-reservation tribally owned and operated broadband network in the state's history. The project will install 900 miles of fiber-optic cable across Forest County, serving about 4,600 homes and businesses, the majority of which are non-tribal. Tribal officials worked closely with state and local governments to secure federal funding and gain support for the initiative, which they say will provide faster and more reliable internet service than what is currently available in the rural region, including Elon Musk's Starlink.

Why it matters

The lack of high-speed, reliable internet service has been a longstanding issue for rural communities in northeast Wisconsin, which was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were forced to work and learn from home. The Ojibwe tribe's broadband network aims to address this digital divide and provide essential connectivity to underserved households, including tribal and non-tribal residents.

The details

The $72 million NibiLink broadband project will be built over the next four years, installing 900 miles of fiber-optic cable across Forest County. The network will serve about 4,600 homes and businesses, the majority of which are non-tribal. Tribal officials worked closely with state and local governments, including Gov. Tony Evers, State Sen. Mary Felzkowski, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, to secure federal funding and gain support for the initiative. They convinced non-tribal officials of the need and the tribe's ability to lead the project, which will provide faster and more reliable internet service than what is currently available in the region, including Elon Musk's Starlink.

  • The project is expected to be completed in about four years.
  • Tribal officials began working to secure funding and support for the project about three years ago.

The players

Sokaogon Mole Lake Ojibwe Tribe

A Native American tribe in northeast Wisconsin that is launching the largest off-reservation tribally owned and operated broadband network in the state's history.

Jason Nielitz

Chief information officer for the Mole Lake Tribe and a key figure in the broadband project.

Robert Van Zile

Chairman of the Mole Lake Tribe and involved in the broadband initiative.

Maia Kegley

Tribal secretary for Mole Lake and involved in the naming and purpose of the broadband network.

Tony Evers

Governor of Wisconsin who joined tribal officials in announcing the broadband project.

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What they’re saying

“This is about kids who should be able to do homework at the kitchen table – not in the parking lot. It's about elders being able to see a doctor from home without fighting a bad connection.”

— Jason Nielitz, Chief information officer, Mole Lake Tribe

“NibiLink was chosen with deep intention. Nibi, meaning 'water' (from Ojibwe), represents life, movement and continuity. Water sustains us. Water connects us. Water reminds us that everything flows together. And much like water, connection is essential. …Technology may be the tool, but community is the purpose.”

— Maia Kegley, Tribal secretary, Mole Lake Tribe

What’s next

Tribal and government officials will work together on the permitting process to install the fiber-optic cables across Forest County over the next four years.

The takeaway

The Ojibwe tribe's broadband initiative demonstrates how tribal leadership and collaboration with state and local governments can help bridge the digital divide in rural communities, providing essential high-speed internet access that was previously unavailable.