Project Title:
Broadband adoption and infrastructure build out for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The dual Broadband Use and Adoption and Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies project will assist rural areas with high concentrations of Native Hawaiians in developing programs and resources to address technology gaps and build capacity to use broadband services. This project is expected to enable broadband adoption activities, including telehealth, distance learning, telework, and digital literacy. Additionally, DHHL will conduct a planning study in support of future broadband infrastructure deployment projects. This study will collect data on the availability and efficiency of current services, build an engineering plan for future infrastructure construction, increase collaboration from relevant stakeholders, and ultimately propose a sustainable, hybrid network design broadband infrastructure project.
State(s):
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$17,284,762.85Funding Amount
The Broadband Use and Adoption activities include:
- Increase broadband access through the purchase of broadband equipment and software.
- Fund and deliver remote learning, telehealth, and digital inclusion programs.
- Fund base stations with 13 desktops, 6 laptops, and supplies.
- Fund development of mobile applications.
- Provide stipends to volunteers and survey participants.
- Upgrade existing broadband equipment.
- Distribute 2,418 personal devices.
- Purchase 27 white boards.
- Hire personnel to execute project management and specialist tasks.
- Hire personnel and purchase equipment/contracts specific to telehealth initiatives.
The Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability activities include:
- Survey of unserved Native Hawaiians’ households.
- Asset inventory of the existing infrastructure.
- Development of a state-wide collective broadband strategy.
- Long-term plan for network sustainability.
- Design for fiber or a fiber/wireless hybrid network.
This project will improve technology at education centers and enable remote learning opportunities, fund network mapping of current broadband services, preserve Native Hawaiian cultural initiatives, increase access to broadband equipment, and establish telehealth services. Additionally, the Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability study will provide a developed proposal for future broadband infrastructure projects.
The project intends to benefit at least 10,000 Native Hawaiians who reside on over 200,000 acres of land.