Project Title:
Santee Sioux Nation Broadband Initiative
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
This project will deploy a portion of the 40 2.5 GHz channels for 25/3 Wireless Internet Service to provide Telehealth, Distance Learning, and other commercial LTE solutions and wireless services to the Tribal members living on Tribal land in Knox County.
State(s):
-
$500,000.00Funding Amount
Phase 2 activities funded by the NTIA grant will be a continuum of the total funding budget requirements. It will be limited to actual construction and completion of the Tillman Tower 2 and the Casino Tower 3 to obtain complete wireless internet coverage to rural households, both on Indian lands and non-Indian lands, and businesses within range of the Tillman Tower on the east side of Knox County and the Central-South side of Knox County. A lease agreement was negotiated to attach, install, and operate radio and internet communications equipment at the Tillman Tower for governmental functions and for providing 2.5 MHz wireless internet services. Phase Two of this rescoped narrative and accompanying budget involves the construction of a new service tower near the Feather Hill Express convenience store located to the northeast of the Ohiya Casino location. Santee Sioux will construct a new 60 foot to 100-foot tower to elevate the opportunity for 2.5 GHz coverage.
As a result of project implementation, it is expected that a new tower will be built to increase the opportunity for wireless coverage to support the broadband needs of the South and Central portions of the reservation. The Tillman Tower will also be upgraded with more radio and internet communications equipment to provide service to approximately 109 homes, plus Tribal businesses and anchor institutions, at 25/3 speeds for increased governmental functions and expanded wireless coverage.
The residents of the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal land will benefit from the increased capacity and access to 2.5 MHz services.