Small Staff, Big Impact: 4 Tips for Maximizing Tribal Broadband Resources

As someone who was part of a team who spent six years building Mohawk Networks, I know firsthand the reality that many tribally owned broadband providers face, often launching with lean teams and tight budgets. But that doesn’t mean they have to think small. Tribal broadband leaders across the country are making bold strides to strengthen connectivity and build lasting momentum. By leveraging innovative services, smart tools, creative partnerships, and a community-first mindset, they’re proving you don’t need a big team to make a big difference.
 

Here are four tips for maximizing impact without maxing out your teams:

1. Partner strategically to amplify resources. Partnerships can offer tribal providers the best of both worlds—you can retain control of your network while benefiting from years of specialist experience. When developing their network, Seneca Energy and Telecom took a hybrid approach: They own the infrastructure, while a third-party service provider manages the day-to-day operations. This let Seneca Energy launch quickly, generate revenue early, and build internal capacity over time.
   
   Small teams don’t need to go it alone, but you must choose wisely. Partner with those who understand your mission, share your values, and support your growth. They must act like extensions of your team.
   
   
2. Boost efficiency with the right tools. When every team member wears multiple hats, equipping them with the right tools is essential. At Mohawk Networks, as the community became more connected and added devices in their homes, many subscribers were unknowingly exceeding their bandwidth limits. This led to a rise in support calls from subscribers who didn’t understand why their service was slowing down. The team needed better insights to educate their subscribers and resolve issues over the phone.
   
   The key is managing your network and services from a single platform. Tools like Calix Service Cloud simplify support, automate provisioning and diagnostics, and even handle FCC performance testing, freeing up your team to focus on growth. The result? A smoother subscriber experience and a more efficient team. Every minute saved adds value to your community.
   
   
3. Deliver exceptional experiences and drive sustainable growth. Once your main services are up and running, it’s a great time to think about what else you can offer to bring in more revenue and support your community in new ways. Fort Mojave Telecommunications started out by providing much-needed connectivity to schools, cultural resources, social services, and businesses like casinos on their reservation. Their longer-term strategy is to expand off-reservation to other underserved towns and cities. This will give the tribe a new economic vehicle, allowing them to invest in other ventures, including additional utilities. 
   
   When you build your network on the Calix Broadband Platform and growing range of SmartLife™ managed services, you can easily expand your offerings for residents and address additional market segments like small businesses, multi-dwelling units (MDUs), or community Wi-Fi. This approach not only fuels business growth—it also enriches the everyday experiences of your community, from how they live and work to how they learn and connect.
   
   
4. Invest in your people to build long-term capacity. Hiring locally and developing talent from within your community isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a smart long-term strategy. Training programs like Calix Success Education help tribal providers grow internal expertise, reduce reliance on consultants, and create clear career paths for community members. It’s about empowering people, building loyalty, and strengthening the future of your network from the inside out.
   
   Siyeh Communications is doing just that—investing in their team through Calix University courses to build technical skills, elevate customer service, and get the most out of their technology. With a growing business and service area that spans over 4,000 subscribers on and off the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, they’re demonstrating that local talent can drive long-term success. When broadband becomes a source of opportunity, the entire community benefits.   

Building a tribally owned broadband provider isn’t easy. It takes a lot of determination, but it’s deeply meaningful. During my time at Mohawk Networks, I saw firsthand how connectivity empowered community members to build businesses rooted in the Mohawk tradition—basket makers, artisans, and traditional storytellers now share their work with the world. That’s why it matters to have partners who understand where you’re coming from and what your community needs to thrive. At Calix, we’re here to support that journey with the services, tools, and guidance to help you deliver more than connectivity. 
 

Broadband has the power to become a foundation for growth, resilience, and self-determination—for today and future generations. Download the Tribal Broadband Playbook to learn more today.