Challenge

A sovereign tribal nation was being held captive by a local internet service provider (ISP) that had effectively established a monopoly in the region. The ISP charged exorbitant rates for minimal speeds, leaving the tribe with limited connectivity and little recourse. This not only drained financial resources but also threatened to hinder community services, government operations, and future economic development.

Relying on a single provider created both financial and operational vulnerabilities. The tribe recognized the need for a self-sufficient, reliable, and secure network that would free them from dependency while meeting the demands of their members and operations.

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Approach

DeSoto partnered with tribal leadership and the internal IT team to design and deploy a complete alternative network solution. Key steps included:

• Onsite Analysis: Conducted a detailed study of the tribe’s facilities, bandwidth needs, and geographic constraints.
• Starlink Integration: Evaluated and deployed Starlink satellite technology to provide high-speed connectivity in areas underserved by traditional ISPs.
• Stand-Alone Secure Network: Architected a dedicated, compliant network infrastructure—ensuring the tribe maintained full control over access, monitoring, and data security.
• Redundancy & Resilience: Implemented backup systems to safeguard against outages and guarantee continuity of service.
• Sovereignty First: Built the solution to prioritize tribal independence, ensuring long-term sustainability without reliance on monopolistic providers.

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Results

The new system delivered measurable impact and strategic freedom:

• 99% Uptime: Reliable connectivity supports government operations and member services without costly interruptions.
• Cost Savings: Freed the tribe from exorbitant subscription fees, redirecting funds to other priorities.
• Independent Infrastructure: A sovereign, stand-alone network puts the tribe in full control of its digital environment.
• Resilience & Security: Backups and safeguards ensure the system remains reliable and secure even under stress.
• Empowered IT Team: The internal staff gained tools and authority to manage the system confidently.

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