- Details
- By Chez Oxendine
- Economic Development
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska launched a 10-gigabit fiber network Wednesday that connects 158 homes in White Cloud, Kan., marking a significant infrastructure investment for the rural community.
The tribally owned network delivers speeds roughly 400% faster than the area’s previous average of 2 megabits per second. Before the launch, 91% of White Cloud was considered “underserved” by Federal Communications Commission broadband standards, which require minimum speeds of 25 megabit download and 3 megabit upload.
The Iowa Tribe owns the new circuit, giving it greater control over its economic prospects, according to Chairman Tim Rhodd, who said the high-speed network “is about connection, opportunity and sovereignty.”
The tribe funded the $1.3 million project primarily through a Kansas Office of Broadband Development grant, with additional resources from the City of White Cloud and Rainbow Telecommunications.
Grey Snow Communications, the tribe's wholly owned broadband subsidiary, managed construction and laid 45,000 feet of aerial and underground fiber throughout the community.
Tribal ownership of the network allows the Iowa Tribe to retain subscription revenues that would otherwise flow to outside providers. Those funds can support community programs, workforce development and other tribal enterprises.
The project addresses connectivity gaps that became apparent during the pandemic, when tribal members struggled with telehealth appointments, remote learning and business operations on unreliable internet connections.
Community Impact Director Missty Slater said the network supports everything from healthcare and education to economic development for tribal members starting businesses.
The tribe plans to expand the network to additional homes and launch digital literacy programs for members getting online for the first time.
“It's been a struggle in the past — it's been difficult to stay connected with our citizens," Slater said. "Now we're improving that, and we're looking forward to being more connected as a community.”
The White Cloud project reflects a broader movement across Indian Country, where tribes increasingly view broadband infrastructure as essential as water rights — and seek to own and control their digital networks rather than remain customers of outside providers, per prior Tribal Business News reporting.
