In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed $16 million broadband and cellular infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity in Sawyer County. The project includes the construction of four new towers and approximately 115 miles of fiber optic cable. However, concerns were raised regarding the project's cost and the potential reduction of redundancy in the network, which could impact reliability.

One alternative presented involved scaling back the project to a $10 million budget, which would reduce the fiber mileage to about 70 miles. While this option would still provide connectivity to key tower sites, it would eliminate some redundancy, raising concerns about potential outages if the fiber were to be damaged. Officials emphasized that while cuts to the fiber are rare, the absence of a redundant route could lead to longer downtimes in the event of a network failure.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders, including the LCO tribal governing board, to ensure that the infrastructure aligns with community needs and respects tribal sovereignty. Currently, no formal partnerships have been established with the tribe regarding the project.

Officials noted that the project is not solely about broadband; it also aims to enhance emergency communications for law enforcement and public safety services. The integration of cellular and broadband services is seen as a way to maximize the utility of the infrastructure being built.

Concerns were voiced by some board members about the county's involvement in providing broadband services, with calls to refocus on the primary goal of improving emergency communications. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the implications of both project options and to engage with local partners to ensure a comprehensive approach to connectivity in the region.