N.D. Cent. Code § 54-59-08
Each state agency and institution that desires access to wide area network services and each county, city, and school district that desires access to wide area network services to transmit voice, data, or video outside that county, city, or school district shall obtain those services from the department. The chief information officer may exempt from the application of this section a county, city, or school district that demonstrates its current wide area network services are more cost-effective for or more appropriate for the specific needs of that county, city, or school district than wide area network services available from the department. For purposes of enhanced 911 and next generation 9-1-1 communications services, governmental entities are exempt from the provisions of this section. In selecting enhanced 911 and next generation 9-1-1 communication network providers, governmental entities shall select providers that are cost-effective, demonstrably reliable, and which follow interoperable standards set by the emergency services communications coordinating committee.
N.D.C.C. § 54-59-08