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Karlstad Chamber of Commerce
March 11, 2026
Business Spotlight: Wiktel

Chamber members were welcomed to Wiktel (Wikstrom Telephone Company) for a tour and behind-the-scenes look at their operations.

Wiktel was founded in 1947 by George Wikstrom Sr., who chose to pursue telecommunications rather than continue farming like previous generations. He began by purchasing private telephone lines that individual farmers owned, which eventually grew into a full telecommunications company and internet provider.

Next year, Wiktel will celebrate 80 years in business!

Today, Wiktel’s service footprint stretches from East Grand Forks to the Northwest Angle, including service to the islands in that region and extending east of Baudette. Their reach across northwest Minnesota is extensive.

Some highlights we learned:

  • 100% fiber internet infrastructure completed as of last year
  • Up to 400 miles of fiber installed annually over the past 17 years
  • 47 employees supporting operations
  • 58 total buildings, many remote and unmanned infrastructure locations
  • Minimum fiber internet speeds of 500 Mbps, with speeds up to 1 GB
  • Recent improvements to stay competitive with providers like Starlink, including eliminating router rental fees while increasing speeds

In addition to internet and telephone service, Wiktel also provides:

  • Cable TV services
  • Security camera systems
  • Business networking and corporate connections
  • Event infrastructure (including large venues like Kickin Up Kountry)
  • Graphic design and website services
  • Phone systems and telecommunications consulting

Chamber members also toured Wiktel’s server room and monitoring systems, where technicians can detect service interruptions or issues in real time. Corey Wikstrom provided a detailed overview of the equipment and systems that keep our region connected.

Wiktel continues to be a cornerstone business in Karlstad, employing local residents and investing in the community.

Thank you to Wiktel for hosting and providing such an informative tour. We appreciate their continued investment in the Karlstad community!