Project Title:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 1,076 unserved Native American households, plus 18 businesses and 6 community anchor institutions, with fiber-to-the-home with up to 1 Gbps/1 Gbps service.
State(s):
-
$13,855,000.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Upgrade the outdated existing network and extend fiber to unserved area of Moenkopi.
- Install 64.9 miles of last mile fiber to homes located in 12 project service areas.
- Construct 45.7 miles of middle mile fiber from Hoteville, AZ to Moenkopi, AZ as scalable support for multiple 100 Gbps capacity links and to provide redundant Internet service.
- Construct 2 new prefabricated equipment shelters.
- Complete environmental studies associated with fiber deployment ensuring that all regulations are followed.
This project will:
- Give robust, reliable, and cost-effective Internet access, up to 1,000 Mbps, to unserved Tribal members, businesses, and community anchor institutions.
- Provide new fiber-to-the-premises equipment at no cost to the customer.
- Eliminate barriers to broadband connections for low-income Tribal members.
- Create a potential fiber transport between Hopi Telecommunications, Inc., and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, extending broadband to two tribal entities.
- Create up to 5 jobs during the project including construction and heavy equipment operator positions.
- Create 3 permanent full-time jobs including an Outside Plan Technician, a Central Office Technician, and a Customer Service Representative.
- Update their speed schedules from offering minimum threshold services from 4/1 to 25/3.
The project intends to benefit: Tribal residents, students, educators, employers, employees, health care providers, and patients.