Project Title:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority Broadband Use and Adoption Project
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
Purpose/Type This Broadband Use and Adoption project proposes to address key challenges confronting the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority (CRSTTA). Despite offering broadband service to 90% of 2.8 million acres of the Cheyenne River Reservation, CRSTTA’s broadband subscription penetration is approximately 58% and CRSTTA is unable to reduce its broadband service pricing. The implementation of this project will enable broadband adoption activities, including digital inclusion efforts and affordable broadband programs.
State(s):
-
$2,367,685.00Funding Amount
The project intends to increase broadband adoption among Tribal area residents in three ways:
- CRSTTA will offer a monthly broadband service discount up to $35 for all new and existing residential broadband subscribers for three years. It will also offer higher download and upload speeds ranging from 50/25 Mbps to 250/50 Mbps without service charge increases;
- CRSTTA will increase outreach and education efforts to inform customers about existing federal Lifeline and EBB programs; and
- CRSTTA will develop a “Digital Awareness and Training Program” to increase digital literacy among Tribal communities and households within its service area.
The project’s expected outcome is to increase the number of Tribal households and institutions to 1,732 that subscribe to broadband services as well as shrink the digital divide that exists among Tribal communities via digital literacy programs.
The project will benefit 20 different communities that reside within CRSTTA’s service area, covering 4,676 square miles of Tribal lands.