Volume 14 | March 2026

While BAND members are connecting rural North Dakota with fiber internet, they also go above and beyond to support their communities’ esports programs. Esports are growing in popularity nationwide—with high school participation having doubled since 2020 to over 200,000 registered players—and many colleges and universities now offer esports majors.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the opening ceremonies of the North Dakota High School State Esports Tournament. BAND served as the event’s platinum sponsor, and many of our member companies sponsor individual teams. Esports are expanding rapidly in North Dakota, with 56 schools and approximately 657 students participating in organized programs during the 2025-26 season—up from just over a dozen in 2021. Some North Dakota schools report that esports involve up to 19% of their student body, with more than 70% of participants previously uninvolved in athletics or other extracurricular activities.

Esports provide students with valuable skills as they prepare for the workforce. Beyond technical and computer proficiency, participants develop teamwork, collaboration, communication, and resilience. Successful esports programs require stable, reliable internet — exactly the service BAND members provide. Fiber internet delivers the ultra-low latency (typically 5–20 ms) and symmetrical high speeds that competitive esports demand. Compared to cable, DSL, or satellite, fiber minimizes lag, jitter, and packet loss—giving North Dakota students a level playing field where every millisecond can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Students compete alongside schoolmates against teams from other schools, much as they would in football or basketball. They have coaches who emphasize healthy gaming habits, including proper nutrition and rest. Competitions take place in supervised environments designed to promote safe gameplay and reduce risks such as exposure to predators, data breaches, or bullying. Students must also meet their schools’ academic requirements to participate.

I believe every student should have the opportunity to join a sport, activity, or club during high school. Not every student is drawn to traditional options like athletics, theatre, art, music, or dance. For some, their strongest connection to school comes from a chessboard or an esports arena.

BAND’s support helps offer a structured way to enjoy a favorite pastime while building valuable life skills which is an excellent investment in our children.

To learn more, visit us online.

BAND is excited to spotlight the North Dakota Telephone Company (NDTC), a valued member dedicated to connecting and enhancing rural North Dakota.

Headquartered in Devils Lake, NDTC serves 11,000 customers across 5,568 square miles with more than 7,000 miles of fiber. As a community-based provider, NDTC’s mission is to deliver a quality communications network that supports local agribusiness, education, healthcare, tourism, public safety, and everyday life — delivering far more than just multi-gig connections.

Our mission has always been to provide a quality communications network that strengthens our communities,” said TeeJay Kurtz, CEO of NDTC. “That means delivering reliable fiber not just for fast speeds, but to power education, healthcare, public safety, and economic growth across rural North Dakota.

Empowering the Next Generation in Education - NDTC actively invests in local youth by funding booster clubs and school activities, supporting Esports and Robotics programs, and hosting onsite tours and career fairs. The company also provides valuable job opportunities for area residents. Notably, one local Esports team has experienced significantly improved performance using NDTC’s 2.5 Gbps service in their training lab.

Enabling Better Healthcare Access - NDTC’s fiber backbone and speeds up to 10 Gbps are transforming medical services. Reliable connectivity powers telehealth and healthcare-adjacent applications, ensuring regional providers can deliver critical care to patients across northeastern North Dakota.

Enhancing the Camping Experience - By extending fiber to campgrounds around Devils Lake, NDTC helps visitors stay connected. Campers can now work remotely, stream entertainment, and share their outdoor adventures while enjoying everything the region has to offer.

Strengthening Public Safety and Surveillance - NDTC is expanding camera system deployments that benefit police, fire departments, city offices, businesses, homeowners, and farmers alike. These tools enable effective remote monitoring of livestock, property, and community areas.

Sharing the Community View with NDTC Webcams - Popular Main Street and Devils Lake webcams provide real-time glimpses of local life. Frequently featured on news programs, these cameras are freely accessible via NDTC’s website and NDTC TV+ service.

A Smart Rural Leader - NDTC is a Smart Rural Community Gig-certified provider serving 42 communities. Through private investment and Universal Service Fund support, the company continues expanding its fiber infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of rural residents and businesses.

NDTC’s work is a powerful example of how targeted broadband investment builds stronger, more resilient rural communities. BAND thanks NDTC for their leadership and commitment to North Dakota.

Learn more at gondtc.com.