Category Archives: MN

MN Star Tribune compare growth of AI and data centers with growth of broadband

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Minnesota Star Tribune columnist compares growth of AI and data centers with expansion of broadband in 2000. He starts with the history…

Everyone in business these days seems to be searching for a tale from history to meaningfully describe the growing importance of AI. I personally think it will transform the way people work with their digital devices and information. But we’re at a very confusing time in its development.

So the tale in history I’m going to invoke comes from the late 1990s and early 2000s: the time when the internet was in its hockey-stick period of fast adoption.

The buildout of the commercial internet had enormous effects on company valuations, but also on the nation’s physical environment, just as AI now does. Many people have forgotten how much the nation was ripped up to build what was initially called an “information superhighway” but eventually became known as the broadband network.

In July 2001, the longtime tech writer of the Star Tribune, Steve Alexander, wrote, “The information superhighway is getting wider in the Twin Cities.” He then described plans to lay fiber-optic lines along Interstate 94 and Interstate 35E in St. Paul — at a cost of around $10 million.

How quaint that seems when set against the multibillion-dollar expense of a single data center in 2026.

And talks about what he sees today…

Today, I’m very reluctant to say AI is being overhyped or overbuilt. And I wouldn’t even try to predict the effect AI will have on jobs and the environment.

AI may very well turn out to be overinvested in, however. The entire case for massive data centers may be overturned by an advance in software programming or by the decentralization of processing power as chip technology advances. AI companies’ debt loads may become too much to bear, even if the companies turn fabulously profitable. I remember stories about broadband buildouts appeared not long before a big crash in internet-related stocks.

The commercial internet did justify its investment, despite the bursting of an initial bubble that wiped out billions in shareholder value.

At the moment, however, the numbers on AI investments are jaw-dropping, even if you’ve got the mouth of a hippo.

Rural broadband advocates in MN hopeful new law will prevent missed future funding

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Regular readers will recognize the story that the Minnesota Star Tribune tells of grant funds lost because of light scrutiny on applicants for federal funding. Broadband advocates are hoping that a new law will help protect loss in the future…

So some locals were optimistic when, in 2020, LTD Broadband, a company with Minnesota ties, received more than a billion dollars in federal funding to provide broadband to rural areas like Le Sueur County. Because of the provisional grant, the county found itself shut out of state funding for its own programs because of possible overlap with LTD territories — even though officials in Le Sueur worried the company’s efforts would fail.

LTD’s plans fell apart in 2022 after state and federal regulators revoked key licenses and canceled grants after determining the company couldn’t fulfill its promises.

The result has been missed opportunities for the county, said Barbara Droher Kline, a financial planner and rural broadband consultant for Le Sueur County. She and other broadband advocates said they hope a new federal law will force the U.S. government to do a better job vetting broadband internet providers and their promises.

The Rural Broadband Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, directs the Federal Communications Commission to provide more thorough scrutiny.

“The new FCC vetting process will confirm that providers have the ability — financially, technically and operationally — to follow through with their commitments,” Klobuchar said in a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune. “This will prevent situations where companies that win federal funding to deploy rural broadband cannot actually deliver service.”

Advocates say the impetus for the law came from the fallout with LTD. The company, which rebranded in 2023 and is now known as GigFire, did not respond to requests for comment.

Arvig Appoints Ben Wiechman as Chief Technology Officer

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Business Insider reports…

Arvig has announced the promotion of Ben Wiechman to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Wiechman, who previously served as the Director of Network Strategy and Engineering, will now provide overall leadership for Arvig’s technology strategy—ensuring that its broadband network, systems, and technology investments are secure, reliable, and scalable for the future.

Prior to his appointment as CTO, Wiechman led Arvig’s network engineering and service delivery teams.

Student works with seniors to create online world that merges current and historical look of neighborhood

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I used to write a lot more about “seniors getting seniors online” and other tools to maximize use of broadband. So when I saw this project happening near my neighborhood in St Paul I had to share. I can see the application in every neighborhood or small town as a way to bring seniors (or in this case, sophomores) and seniors together and maybe create a unique tourism tool.

MinnPost reports…

“Do you know you can go on your phone and there’s this game where you can see the old Rondo and the new Rondo?”

It’s called the “Rondo-verse” – a video game aiming to give a sense not only of historic Rondo, but also its present-day vibrancy.

As co-creator Benny Roberts said, “It’s important for me that the community that I come from and was raised in isn’t defined by the thing that happened to it.”

The project is a collaboration between Jolie Davis, a sophomore biology major at Macalester College and Roberts, the executive director of Rondo’s Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.

Using funding from the center’s historical archive program, Roberts was able to hire Davis for 10 weeks and figure out how to showcase Rondo in a unique way.

Davis suggested using Roblox – a platform where users can create their own video games and experiences. Roberts initially pitched The Sims, but acknowledged that Roblox was the right call given its wild popularity with kids and teenagers.

“The Sims feels like my generation,” he said, laughing.

To help create a vision of Rondo’s history, they worked with a group of about 15 community elders – people who knew what it was like to live, work and grow up in Rondo first hand.

 

EVENT May 21: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting

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From the Office of Broadband Development...

Agenda: Broadband Task Force, May Meeting

Date: 05/21/2026

Virtual Meeting Join the meeting now.

· Meeting ID and Pass Code: 264 866 276 637 50 and nR3hC3Lr

· Dial in by phone: +1 651-395-7448,,157228567# · Join on a video conferencing device: Tenant key, mn@m.webex.com. Video ID: 112 567 815 8

Meeting Agenda

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.

Welcome from Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and approval of minutes from February and April Task Force meetings.

10:05 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Open the floor for Task Force member share-out from the April 29 in-person meeting: did any topics come up in discussion that should be considered for the annual report; are there any speakers that would be helpful to hear from at future Task Force meetings?

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Presentation from Godfrey Enjady (President, National Tribal Telecommunications Association) on the Connect New Mexico Broadband Tribal Working Group and overview of leadership on the National Tribal Telecommunications Association 2026 NTTA Broadband Midwest Regional Summit.

10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Presentation from Anis Khemakhem (Chief Commercial Officer, Clearfield Inc.) on workforce development and BABA compliance and its practical implications on broadband deployment.

11:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m., Break

11:25 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Office of Broadband Development (OBD) overview and updates from Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD).

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Open the floor to other business, next meeting Thursday June 18 (virtual), and meeting wrap-up.

 

Office of Broadband Update May 20: Line Extension, BEAD and upcoming meetings

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 bidding window closes May 22
  • Broadband Task Force, May meeting plans
  • Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 bidding window closes May 22

The Round 5 Provider Bidding Application and Line Extension Program Guide, with guidance for the fast-tracked round are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

The bidding window for the fast-tracked Round 5 opened April 22 and bids are due May 22, 2026 by 1:30 p.m. CT.

Registration is open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the program and OBD expects to announce a sixth round of the program with standard timelines using state funds later in 2026.

More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

Broadband Task Force, May meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will meet virtually on Thursday May 21 at 10 a.m. CT.

The May meeting will feature two Tribal broadband experts who will address topics on workforce development, supply chain issues, and broadband expansion: Godfrey Enjady (President of the National Tribal Telecommunications Association-NTTA) and Anis Khemakhem (Chief Commercial Officer at Clearfield Inc.).

  • NTTA advocates for its member telephone companies and supports efforts to deliver modern telecommunications services to Tribal lands.
  • Clearfield, Inc. launched the Tribal Broadband Training Initiative, providing a no-cost Fiber Optic Technician Course to Native American communities. The program aims to create pathways to living-wage careers and connect Tribal lands with high-speed fiber broadband. Clearfield also complies with Build America Buy America (BABA) and manufactures fiber optic connectivity and management products.

The meeting is virtual and open to the public. The meeting agenda with Teams link to join is available on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

OBD continues to work on contracting and environmental review. Additional and updated resources on the OBD BEAD webpage include:

OBD appreciates its ongoing partnerships across community, regional, state, and federal levels and the people, places, and events our office gets to in small ways be apart of and we will be featuring shared photos over the summer to recognize and appreciate this impact. 

A MN bill for an act relating to telecommunications is signed into law (HF4052)

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Inside Towers reports...

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the signing of HF 4052 into law on May 7, representing the first major modernization of Minnesota’s landline telephone regulatory structure in more than 40 years. The legislation updates a regulatory framework originally developed long before the emergence of telephone competition and evolving communications technologies. HF 4052, Waltz’s office said, “reflects the changing realities of the telecommunications marketplace while maintaining consumer protections and regulatory oversight.”

…

The new law was the result of a collaborative effort among the MTA, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, all of whom worked together to develop a balanced approach to modernization that meets the needs of consumers, providers, and regulators alike. …

HF 4052 is expected to serve as a foundation for continued discussions about ensuring Minnesota’s telecommunications policies remain responsive to changing technologies and consumer needs.

DCN, Range, and WIN Technology create Heartland Fiber Project to expand fiber in the Midwest

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DCN reports…

DCN, Range, and WIN Technology, three regional backbone fiber providers, today announced a joint investment to expand high‑capacity fiber infrastructure across the America’s heartland. The initiative, known as the Heartland Fiber Project, will create a new long‑haul fiber route designed to increase network capacity, resiliency, and flexibility to support the rapidly growing connectivity requirements across the industry and meet demand from AI hyperscale data center development in the region.

The Heartland Fiber Project will span seven states – Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois – establishing a route containing high fiber count and future path conduit to support future growth between Denver and Chicago. The $700 million investment represents a 2,000-mile expansion of regional network infrastructure that is designed to deliver the scale, resiliency, and performance demanded by next‑generation AI workloads and hyperscale computing environments.

Artificial intelligence has dramatically increased the amount of data that must move quickly and reliably between data centers. Hyperscale operators are increasingly turning to America’s heartland due to available land, access to power, and favorable climate conditions that help improve energy efficiency. These developments are driving the need for purpose‑built fiber infrastructure capable of supporting massive, sustained bandwidth requirements.

The expanded network created through the Heartland Fiber Project is designed to help meet these evolving requirements while allowing DCN, Range, and WIN to continue delivering high‑quality service to customers across healthcare, education, government, finance, manufacturing, and wholesale and wireless markets.

Gateway Fiber asks FCC to get involved with rights-of-way issues in Minnesota

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

A dispute between Minnesota cities and broadband provider Gateway Fiber is escalating at the Federal Communications Commission, with both sides accusing the other of delaying fiber deployment and misrepresenting state franchising law.

Gateway Fiber, a Missouri-based broadband provider led by CEO Chris Surdo, recently asked the FCC to intervene after several Minnesota cities allegedly refused to issue right-of-way permits unless the company first obtained local cable franchise agreements.

Midco and Switch announce a multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in the Midwest

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This highlights our neighbors in North Dakota more than Minnesota, but MidCo announces…

Midco and Switch are proud to announce a five-year, multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in Ellendale, North Dakota.

“This connectivity deal strengthens Midco’s position as the nation’s largest 400G circuit provider1, enabling hyperscalers and data centers to grow with confidence,” said Midco President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Dold. “With unmatched network customization, engineering responsiveness and high-capacity transport reach, Midco is redefining what high-bandwidth fiber connectivity can deliver.”
The agreement includes more than 500 individual 400 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) circuits delivered across two geographically diverse routes, providing full path redundancy between Ellendale, ND and Chicago, IL. In total, the network enables 200 terabits of capacity.

They do frame it from a regional level…

“This partnership demonstrates that the Midwest is open for business,” said Midco Director of Wholesale Jeff Sanders. “It shows that our region, with its favorable climate, abundant natural resources, renewable energy and strong business environment, continues to be the optimal location for data centers and hyperscalers. Our network covers the heart of the region, and our long-haul routes connect business customers to major points of presence sites like Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago and Denver, allowing the transmission of massive volumes of voice, video and data at reliable 400G speeds.”

Groundbreaking for Willmar Connect, a city-owned, citywide broadband project, happened May 12

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The West Central Tribune reports...

It’s official. The city of Willmar is on its way to becoming a “gig-city” following the groundbreaking for Willmar Connect — a city-owned, citywide broadband network.

“Willmar Connect will help ensure that Willmar is connected and in a position of success for generations,” said Willmar Mayor Doug Reese. “Years from now, we will look back on today as the moment Willmar took control of its digital future and invested boldly in the next generation.”

The article reports on the history and context of the project…

The city will own the infrastructure and Willmar Connect will be operated and managed by Hometown Fiber. Multiple internet service providers will operate on the open-access network, paying fees that will generate revenue to service the debt and interest on the bonds issued to fund network construction.

Kramer Service Group of Wisconsin was awarded the bid to construct phase one of the project at a cost of approximately $8.2 million. Phase one includes installing the network infrastructure to all businesses and residences west of First Street between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue, excluding the Willmar Industrial Park.

The city is continuing to pursue an approximately $1.5 million economic development grant that will build out fiber, as well as other infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer, in the Willmar Industrial Park.

In April, the Willmar City Council approved the issuance of approximately $8.3 million in general obligation tax abatement bonds at approximately 3.9% interest to fund construction of phase one.

Phase two of the project will build out the network in the southern and eastern portions of the city and phase three will build it out to the north. The total cost if all three phases are completed exceeds $30 million, including debt service and interest on the bonds. Phase two and three are expected to be completed in the next few years.

FCC to investigating potential fraud in E-Rate program in Minnesota

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The FCC reports...

Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the
Commission has sent three Letters of Inquiry to Minnesota educational institutions to investigate
potential misuse of federal funds disbursed through the E-Rate program. This marks the latest effort
by the Commission to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Universal Service Fund (USF) programs.
The USF’s E-Rate program helps schools and libraries obtain affordable telecommunications and
information services so students, teachers, and library patrons can take advantage of online
opportunities. The program has provided support to over 132,000 schools and libraries across the
country by funding discounts on Internet access and Wi-Fi services.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
“The FCC is committed to stopping bad actors from defrauding our USF programs, including those
who target our E-Rate program as a way to line their own pockets. When billions of dollars are at
stake, we need to ensure that the Commission’s programs are working efficiently and effectively. By
requesting critical program information from Minnesota educational institutions suspected of
wrongdoing within this program, we’re taking that initial and critical step towards being well
informed, good stewards of federal dollars to ensure program funds are being used for their intended
purposes.”
Additional Background Information:
Chairman Carr continues to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all USF programs to ensure taxpayer
dollars are protected. In April 2026, Chairman Carr announced the suspension of seven individuals
involved in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme targeting the E-Rate program. As part of the FCC’s
efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Universal Service Fund programs, the FCC recently voted
on updates to its suspension and debarment rules that enable the agency to take quicker and more
comprehensive action against wrongdoers

Rural Broadband Protection Act requires the FCC to screen applicants for solvency before making awards

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports…

On May 11, 2026, President Trump signed the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 (S. 98) into law. The new law requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to screen applicants for high-cost universal service broadband funding before committing funds, and sets minimum financial penalties for applicants who default before receiving funding.

The example of need the author includes happened in Minnesota…

When the FCC ran the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)—a reverse auction that in 2020 initially awarded $9.23 billion to bring broadband to 5,220,833 locations in 49 states—the Commission largely assessed winning bidders’ qualifications after the auction was over, through a post-bid, “long-form” application process (a detailed post-auction filing in which winning bidders were required to demonstrate their qualifications). The result was a wave of defaults and denials that left roughly 1.9 million of those locations without the broadband service the FCC had promised RDOF would make possible.

The most prominent example: the FCC ultimately denied the program’s largest winning bidder, LTD Broadband, a Minnesota-based fixed wireless provider, which initially won $1.3 billion in RDOF awards, after concluding the company “was not reasonably capable of offering the required gigabit-speed, low-latency service throughout the broad areas where it won auction support.”1 That determination came only after the auction had closed and the award had been tentatively made.

The root of the change…

The Rural Broadband Protection Act is Congress’s answer. The law amends Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934—the statutory foundation of the Universal Service Fund (USF)—by adding a new subsection (“m”) that requires the FCC to screen applicants before making awards, and to set minimum financial penalties for those who default before funding flows.

Willmar Council seeks bids to turn former wastewater treatment plant into the network operations center for Willmar Connect.

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The West Central Tribune reports…

During a brief 15-minute Willmar City Council meeting last week, the council approved more than $6.2 million in street improvement projects to be completed this summer.

The council accepted the low bids and approved the as-bid budgets for the reconstruction of Fourth Street Southwest, several seal-coating projects and stormwater improvements.

The council during the May 4 meeting also authorized the advertisement for bids for renovation of the former wastewater treatment plant building on Fifth Street Southeast to be the network operations center for the citywide broadband project known as Willmar Connect.

More info on the Willmar Connect project…

Willmar Connect is the city’s plan to construct a city-owned, open-access broadband network that will be operated and managed by Hometown Fiber. Multiple internet service providers can operate on the network, paying fees to the city that will generate revenue to service the debt and interest on the bonds issued to pay for network construction.

Phase one of the project will take place this year, constructing the network operations center and installing fiber-optic lines for all businesses and residences west of First Street South between U.S. Highway 12 and 19th Avenue.

Phase two of the project will install fiber-optic lines for businesses and residences south of 19th Avenue and east of First Street South and is expected to commence next year. Phase three, expected in 2028, will finish the installation of fiber-optic lines north of Highway 12.

 

City of Superior (WI) expands ConnectSuperior broadband by 1000 locations

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WDIO reports…

On Friday, the City of Superior kicked off the second phase of expanding its ConnectSuperior fiber broadband internet network.

This phase aims to add another 1,100 homes and businesses to the network, increasing the service area to more than 2,000 passings. …

Residents in the current service areas can now sign up to schedule free service installation, while those in the new North End area will be able to sign up in mid-summer.

To learn more about the project, click here.