3 Tribal Broadband Models—What Works Best for You?

A man using tribal broadband on his laptop for a video call

Investing in broadband means investing in much more than a network. You want to offer more than just fast internet—you want to create a safe and prosperous community where people feel supported. You want to build a thriving workforce with better access to career and educational opportunities within your community and beyond. Most importantly, you want a sustainable broadband business—a simple, automated infrastructure that ensures your community is set up for success for generations to come.

Navigating your broadband journey involves collaboration with many different stakeholders—partners, vendors, regulatory advisors, and other key individuals. It’s important to keep your tribal internet needs at the forefront, focusing on a broadband strategy that delivers value for your entire community.

Community-centered broadband projects can take different forms. Each broadband ownership model impacts assets, sovereignty, and liability, so careful planning is essential. Here are three models for you to consider:

Full tribal ownership and operation. Fully owning and operating your broadband infrastructure, including pricing, support, and marketing, offers the greatest degree of control and flexibility. With this option, you can maintain the highest level of sovereignty for your broadband project. From start to finish, you are empowered to make decisions as they best serve your community. However, this model can be complex and costly, requiring significant capital and resources to manage your entire project.
Tribally owned infrastructure with a third-party service provider. Owning your broadband network while outsourcing operations such as pricing, support, and marketing to an experienced third-party BSP (traditional BSPs, electric co-ops, or other utility providers) can accelerate your project. This approach yields greater efficiencies, allowing time to build your own team’s expertise before taking on more responsibilities. Taking time to find the right partner who understands your vision and the unique needs of your community is crucial for a successful working relationship.
Co-owned infrastructure with another tribe or entity. Operating your broadband network as a partnership with another tribe or entity requires clear communication and understanding of roles and responsibilities. The advantage here is economies of scale—shared goals, shared geographic areas, shared resources—making the project more cost-effective and sustainable. The downside is increased complexity or “too many cooks in the kitchen,” especially if not all parties are experienced in deploying or managing broadband networks.

Choosing the right broadband strategy for your community requires careful consideration—there is no “one-size-fits-all" model. Here are some tips for evaluating your options:

Consider the way broadband operations will be structured and overseen within the tribe.

Lean on best practices from other tribes that have deployed broadband.

In conversations with third-party BSPs, ensure their goals align with yours.

In taking the broadband leap, you’re building a legacy for the future—don’t rush and stay informed.

Find out how Calix can guide you through your tribal broadband deployment strategy—explore our playbook, “The Broadband Success Playbook for Tribes.”