Project Title:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 835 unserved Native American households, plus 336 businesses and 29 community anchor institutions such as the Boys & Girls Club, Fish Hatchery, Library, and Head Start with fiber-to-the-home and/or fixed wireless service up to 1 Gbps/1 Gbps.
State(s):
New Mexico
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$43,943,116.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Engage in outside plant design, engineering, underground and aerial construction, shelter installation, tower construction, and equipment configuration;
- Construct new middle mile fiber optic transport to Points of Presence (POP) at El Paso, TX to enable connection to the TExas Lone Star Network;
- Install fixed wireless for mobile applications to be used;
- Add 14 towers to the 7 existing towers to deploy 2.5 GHz spectrum service, provide access to cellular services, and increase access to FirstNet - a dedicated public safety network;
- Build a new Data Center that is fault-tolerant with redundant and back-up systems. (Currently using a Tier 2 unfortified structure. Will construct a Tier 4 structure to withstand unpredictable weather (e.g., severe thunderstorms));
- Install a new Network Operations Center (NOC) within the new Data Center containing future proofed technologies;
- Establish a 400 MHz radio system.
This project will:
- Provide reliable, affordable Internet access (up to 1 Gbps) to 835 unserved Native American households, 336 businesses, and 29 community anchor institutions such as the Boys & Girls Club, Early Childhood Education and Head Start programs, the Library, and the Mescalero Elderly Center.
- Improve emergency response times.
- Increase access to healthcare, economic development opportunities, telework, and distance education.
- Support a new SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) to monitor and manage 12 water systems located on the Reservation to provide clean and safe drinking water.
- Increase participation in special Tribal ceremonial events and Tribal rituals.
- Connect Tribal Police, Conservation Law Enforcement, Border Control, and Fire & Rescue.
The project intends to benefit: Tribal residents; first responders; Border Control agents; Conservation Law Enforcement; educators; students; adult learners; Tribal elders; employers; employees; and job seekers.