Project Title:
Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) Pueblo Education Network (PEN)
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber connecting the 700 students in grades 7-12 from the 19 Pueblos, Navajo and Apache Tribes of New Mexico, Zuni Tribe, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, and the Pueblo of Zia with fiber-to-the-home 1 Gbps/1 Gbps service.
State(s):
-
$57,298,683.09Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Construct 336 miles of new fiber optic infrastructure in rural New Mexico enabling Tribal members, businesses, Tribal government entities, and anchor institutions to connect to affordable Internet services.
- The Pueblo Education Network builds middle mile broadband infrastructure for tribes, enabling digital economy participation and effectuating last-mile internet access to homes and anchor institutions.
This project will:
- Connect multiple rural tribal lands in New Mexico cost-effectively using a regional approach.
- Increase tribal participation in the global digital economy.
- Provide Tribal residents, businesses, and anchor institutions with affordable high-speed Internet.
- Create a private education network connecting tribal Pre-K-20 schools and libraries to each other and to national research and education networks.
- Connect rural communities in New Mexico with tribal and non-tribal education entities such as the PFSA State Education Network, New Mexico State Agencies, the federal government, and private businesses.
- Centralize cybersecurity and network operations by sharing cost and expertise.
- Increase enrollment in online classes.
- Increase educational attainment including increasing the pursuit of post-secondary degrees.
- Create student research opportunities.
- Develop historical and cultural activities, and offer training, through Tribal libraries.
- Provide workforce training to Tribal members.
- Increase tribal job opportunities in the information technology field.