Project Title:
Tlingit & Haida Regional Infrastructure Deployment Project
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fixed wireless and deploy Low-Earth Orbiting Satellite-enabled service to directly connect 14,032 unserved Native American households with qualifying broadband service of no less than 25/3 Mbps for all with options up to 100 Mbps symmetrical speeds, where available.
State(s):
-
$49,899,103.51Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Erect 16 100-foot monopole towers and retrofit 6 existing towers with broadband equipment to connect 3,448 Native American households to 2.5 GHz fixed wireless at qualifying speeds of 25/3 Mbps or greater.
- Erect nine 100-foot monopole towers and retrofit one existing tower with broadband equipment to connect 3,500 Native American households to 3.5 GHz (CBRS) fixed wireless at qualifying speeds of 25/3 Mbps or greater.
- Purchase devices and subscriptions to connect 68 Native American households to Low-Earth Orbiting Satellite-enabled service at qualifying speeds of 25/3 Mbps or greater.
- Procure and install 7,016 units of Customer Premise Equipment overall for subscribing households.
- Purchase gigabit Direct Internet Access service agreements.
This project will close the digital divide in the Tlingit and Haida unserved communities, strengthen Tribal sovereignty through broadband access, deploy reliable qualifying service that generates governance, public safety, law enforcement, education, health care, and economic development opportunities on par with the lower 48 states, and provide an advanced broadband network that will serve as the foundation for future gigabit connectivity and 5G mobile services for all of Southeast Alaska.
The project intends to benefit all unserved households on the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida lands, 220 Tribal businesses, 64 community anchor institutions, 47 schools, 23 libraries, and all Tribal members that utilize public services.