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 1,379 unserved Native American households, 451 businesses, and 212 anchor institutions, such as libraries and schools, with 1 Gbps symmetrical service.
State(s):
Alaska
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$65,168,000.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Install 683 miles of submarine fiber optic cable connecting 11 geographically dispersed native villages.
- Complete detailed land surveying for routing of the fiber optic cable.
- Obtain permits and complete environmental mitigation where needed.
- Provide fixed wireless to each village including testing and performance verification of equipment.
- Create a Wireless Internet Service Provider to deliver affordable and reliable broadband.
This project will:
- Connect Tribal residents located in 11 remote Arctic villages with reliable and affordable Internet service.
- Create 50 seasonal construction jobs and 12 permanent positions in network engineering, management, and customer service.
- Enhance public safety and emergency response times including search and rescue operations.
- Underwrite the cost of Internet access for 12 months to qualified Tribal members.
- Connect 12 schools, libraries, the vocational technology training center, a community college, Tribal and city governments, the health consortium, and providers of utilities.
- Support the delivery of essential services such as healthcare and education.
- Improve connections between Tribal friends and families.
- Preserve Native language and culture.
- Improve the overall quality of life of Tribal residents.
The project intends to benefit pre-K–12+ students and educators, first responders, Tribal residents, employers and employees, entrepreneurs, health care providers, and their patients.