Jeff Little, vice president of the western region for Palmetto Engineering and Consulting, said, “Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring, with service offerings launching in 2026.”
According to the release, Oglala Lakota Telecommunications is a tribally owned company.
The investment is part of two major broadband infrastructure projects aimed at aiding high-speed Internet access for the reservation.
"These transformative initiatives will expand reliable broadband service to thousands of residents, businesses and community institutions, strengthening education, healthcare, economic development, public safety, and digital sovereignty across the region," the press release said.
The two projects include the $19.6 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Fixed Wireless Project supported by fiber optic backhaul infrastructure and a $34.9 million Fiber-to-the-Home project funded through the USDA ReConnect Program.
“Getting the pilot project advanced will go a long way toward solidifying who we are as a company,” said OLT Board Secretary/Treasurer, Dwight Weston.
The Fixed Wireless Project is said to bring service to 99.94% of currently unserved locations on the reservation, according to the release.
“This project closes the digital divide for nearly every unserved location on Pine Ridge. Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it is essential infrastructure that is a human right. This $54.5 million investment secures the Oglala Lakota Nation’s digital sovereignty and ensures that our people, no matter how remote, have access to education, telehealth, economic opportunity, emergency services, and cultural preservation. We are grateful for the support of Tribal Council, each of the standing committees, and our district representatives. With their support, we are building fiber and advanced fixed wireless infrastructure that will strengthen our Nation for generations to come," Petra Wilson, Chairperson, OLT Board of Directors, said.
The Fiber-to-the-Home ReConnect Project will bring direct, high-speed connectivity to homes and businesses in the communities of:
• Swett
• Batesland
• Denby
• Wounded Knee
• Manderson
• Porcupine
• Sharps Corner
• The outskirts of Kyle
The service area includes approximately 4,137 people, 846 households, 13 businesses, and 9 community anchor institutions, including schools, healthcare facilities, and public service organizations.
“Bringing fiber directly to homes in some of the most remote areas of our nation is transformational,” said Wilson. “This investment empowers our youth, strengthens our healthcare systems, supports tribal sovereignty, and creates the digital foundation for long-term economic growth.”
Expanded broadband access will support:
• Remote education and workforce training
• Telehealth and behavioral health services
• Small business development and entrepreneurship
• Government operations and emergency response communications
• Cultural preservation and digital storytelling
• Digital sovereignty and self-determination
Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring, with service offerings launching in 2026.
©2026 Rapid City Journal, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
