Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) is happy to announce that MLEC Fiber Internet will become available for more customers in 2022. High-speed Internet — or the lack thereof — is an issue in many areas of rural Minnesota. MLEC has provided advanced technology, like electricity back in the 1930s, to areas in Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs Counties for decades. MLEC Fiber Internet is the latest example as it gives rural residents access to the kinds of super-fast service to which city dwellers are accustomed.
The Phase 5 project will pass approximately 300 homes and businesses and will provide up to 1 Gbps symmetrical Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Internet service. FTTH is the fastest and most reliable Internet available. We are excited to, once again, partner with Consolidated Telecommunications Company (CTC) on the construction of this project and expand our MLEC Fiber Internet network. The project area includes the west side of Farm Island Lake, runs east to Sunset Lake, then along Tame Fish Lake Road all the way to Highway 6. The Phase 5 project will create a redundant link to CTC’s existing infrastructure. This will make our fiber network stronger and prevent Internet outages.
In addition to Phase 5, MLEC Fiber has continued construction on our Phase 3, Phase 4, and East Lake projects. If you live in one of the project areas, there is still time to sign up! Crews are working hard to get as many customers connected as possible before winter comes.
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative is always searching and applying for grant opportunities to help bring our members fast, reliable, and local Internet service. Residents in these project areas will have expanded educational, economic, and health care opportunities. MLEC understands that having an Internet connection is more important than ever before. Please continue to read the Outlet, Facebook, and our website for more information and updates on our upcoming fiber projects.
For more information on MLEC Fiber Internet call our office at 218-429-0433 or go to the MLEC Fiber web page.
MLEC is a not-for-profit, electric distribution cooperative owned by the members we serve. We provide service to over 13,000 members in parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs counties. Our headquarters is located at 36559 US Highway 169, one mile east of Aitkin, MN.
Phase 5 is shown below in yellow.
![Phase 5 Project Map](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Phase%205%20Project%20Map.jpg)