Who We Are
Northwest Minnesota Special Access, LLC, is a consortium of 18 Independent Local Exchange Carriers serving northwest Minnesota schools and libraries with ultra-fast broadband.
This 10 Gigabit network delivers Internet and Video service between participating schools and libraries, and to educational resources throughout the world.
Over 45,000 users from 120 schools and libraries in Northwest Minnesota have access to the NMSA network each day.
Northwest Minnesota Special Access works closely with NWLINKS, a consortium of 70 public school districts and four regional public library systems located in northwest Minnesota.
With over 2,500 route miles of fiber covering 20,000 square mile area of some of the most rural parts of Minnesota, NMSA serves a vital role in closing the 'digital divide.'
In addition to providing schools and libraries some of the fastest connections in the U.S., NMSA works closely with NWLINKS for equipment purchases for the schools which allows schools to lease equipment at favorable rates.
Our History
While a loose affiliation of companies provided connectivity as early as 1989, Northwest Minnesota Special Access, LLC, was formed in 1997 by a consortium of 18 Independent Local Exchange Carriers serving northwest Minnesota to address the growing need for broadband connectivity to schools and libraries in the region.
The region's independent Internet Service Providers connected their networks to one another to provide high speed data connectivity. In 2002, the network was upgraded to provide Ethernet services and is now one of the largest Fiber-optic networks devoted to schools and libraries.
The NMSA companies are known for their commitment to a local presence, high standards, and consistent network uptime.
Click here to download
the NMSA overview pdf.
Mission
The mission of Northwest Minnesota Special Access, LLC, is to provide top quality telecommunications and data service to its' customer base, both in its franchised area and competitive areas, in the Northwest Minnesota geographical region.
Vision
To become the entity that is synonymous with providing and meeting all communication needs of Northwestern Minnesota; to become not just the local phone company but also the regional provider of all communications needs.
Member-Owners
