Oneida Nation Partners with Northland Communications for Fiber Network

ONEIDA, NY — The Oneida Nation, a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York, announced a new venture with Utica-based Northland Communications to deliver the latest technology to enhance guest services and, at the same time, create a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure for local businesses to use.

The Oneida Nation and Northland Communications will extend a fiber optics network in areas of Central New York that currently are not served by this infrastructure. It will allow numerous local businesses to expand into a higher level in communication technology. Without the Oneida investment, the groundwork for this advanced technology would be years away.

An enormous undertaking, the Oneida Nation’s communication upgrade for its portfolio of enterprises began nine months ago and is expected to be completed in early 2016. The advanced fiber network will provide Oneida Nation businesses, including Turning Stone Resort Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino and SavOn convenience stores, and other local businesses, unlimited bandwidth, secure data connections and increased reliability.

Ongoing Technology Investments
Owner of one of the largest casino and resort facilities on the East Coast and one of Central New York’s largest employers, the Oneida Nation is continuously investing in the latest technology. In the last few years, the Nation has invested more than $15 million in upgrading its technological architecture. Recent examples include a gaming floor upgrade at Turning Stone with Vegas-style cash slot machines and a revolutionary 360-degree loyalty program, TS Rewards, which allows guests to earn and redeem points at all Oneida Nation Enterprise businesses, including casino gaming, golf courses, restaurants, spas, hotels, entertainment, nightlife venues and SāvOn stores.

This level of investment provides Oneida Nation employees the unique opportunity to learn about – and implement — the latest technologies, keeping them at the vanguard of the fast changing IT industry. In addition to local companies like Northland Communications, the Oneida Nation works closely with technology icons including Konami, Bally’s and Neudesic, offering its high-tech workforce frequent opportunities to collaborate with these firms and enhance their career skills.