Broadband Profiles of MN Native Reservation
The great news for Minnesota Native communities, looking at the FCC National Broadband Map the tribal counties and communities all show 100 percent coverage for broadband at speeds of 100 Mbps down and 25 up. Learn more about the individual reservations below:
- Bois Forte Tribal Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
- Fond du Lac Tribal Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
- Grand Portage Tribal Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
- Leech Lake Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
- Lower Sioux Indian Community Broadband Profile 2024
- Mille Lacs Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
- Prairie Island Indian Community Broadband Profile 2024
- Red Lake Nation Broadband Profile 2024
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Broadband Profile 2024
- Upper Sioux Community Broadband Profile 2024
- White Earth Reservation Broadband Profile 2024
The MN Broadband Task Force Report
The Minnesota 2024 Broadband Task Force report is available on the Office of Broadband Development site. The recommendations in the report outline a clear path forward to ensure equitable broadband access across Minnesota. Key actions include reinstating a program similar to the ACP, supporting local workforce training initiatives, streamlining permitting processes, and addressing funding gaps to meet the state’s broadband goals by 2026. Sustaining and expanding programs like the Line Extension Connection Program will ensure that no community is left behind in this critical effort.
The Task Force discussed the report in the January meeting.
State News
- MN Bill introduced: SF883 provide sales tax exemption for fiber and conduit used in broadband
- MN Bill introduced: SF868 allow MN Broadband grants to fund fixed wireless and clarifying mapping requirements
- MN Bill Introduced: SF740 repeal certain labor standards requirements in MN broadband grant applications
- MN bill introduced: S.F. No. 843: increase State match in Lower Population Density grants to 90 percent
- Broadband Presentation to MN Senate Committee on Ag, Vet, Broadband and Rural Dev (Jan 29, 2025)
- Benton Institute looks at Minnesota’s Digital Equity Capacity Funds Plan
- Proposed MN bill would limit placement of new data centers
- Senator Westrom wants to “address the Democrat-led burdensome changes to broadband policy last year”
- Is Minnesota prepared to tackle digital literacy?
- Senator Putnam thinks MN Agriculture at legislature may be focused
- Governor Walz releases budget; will discuss DEED budget on Jan 21
- FCC announces Cybersecurity Pilot Program Participants including 12 in MN
- More on mega data centers in Minnesota: Looking at power, water, noise pollution
- Trends Rural Minnesotans can expect in the tech industry
- Senator Putnam announces subcommittee on Veterans as part of Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development Committee
- Local Estimates of Internet Adoption (Project LEIA) percent and ranking by County in MN
Federal
- FCC Chair ends required environmental reviews for infrastructure builds
- President Trump orders a pause on all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government
- Broadband access associated with fewer COVID cases and deaths
- Biden Recommendations for $369 Million Digital Equity Act awards includes1 MN groups
- Taxpayers Protection Alliance concerned about policies around BEAD funding
- Quick fact report: 97 percent of Americans say they use the Internet
- Looking at State of Digital Inclusion in the States
- The role of libraries in community digital equity initiatives and coalitions
- What is the human infrastructure of broadband? Ask the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society
- Benton outlines reasons Congress should revisit strategies for affordable broadband
- Biden Recommendations for $250 Million Digital Equity Act awards includes 2 MN groups
Vendor/Technology News
Office of Broadband Development Updates:
- Broadband Matters OBD Updates Jan 30, 2025: Pre-Qualification Portal is Open – Task Force meets Feb 13
- OBD Office Hours Jan 28, 2025: The BEAD Prequalification Portal is Open
- OBD Office Hours Jan 21, 2025: NTIA approves final list of BEAD eligible locations
- Broadband Matters OBD Updates Jan 15, 2025: Upcoming meetings and Task Force meetings notes
- Broadband Matters OBD Updates: Register for Weekly Office Hours
- EVENT: MN OBD BEAD Program, 2025 Update in Minnesota notes and vide
- EVENT: MN Office of Broadband Development Digital Equity Act, 2025 Update in Minnesota notes and video
Local Broadband News
Credit River
New MN City Credit River is looking at hiring a lobbyist
Farmington
Farmington residents have concerns about proposed data center (Dakota County)
HBC Expands Flight Fiber Part of an $8M investment in Farmington (Dakota County)
Willmar
Charter Communications helps Willmar Community Center to kickstart a mobile lab
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT Feb 13: MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Feb 11-13 2025: America’s Seed Fund Week – Virtual Road Tour
- EVENT Mar 13: Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize”
- EVENT Thursday, March 20 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT April 12: GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji
- EVENT Thursday, April 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, May 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, June 11 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, August 21 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, September 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, October 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, November 13 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, December 18MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force 2024 seat open
- OPPORTUNITY: Dakota County Fiber Optic Network RFQ due Feb 14, 2025
- OPPORTUNITY: Open seat on Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council
- OPPORTUNITY: Submit Your Nomination for the 2025 Intelligent Community Awards
- OPPORTUNITY: Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants deadline March 6, 2025
- OPPORTUNITY: Open seat on Launch Minnesota Advisory Board