Project Title:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Round 1
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 146 unserved Native American households, plus 2 businesses, 10 Tribal government facilities, and 15 community anchor institutions with fiber to the home qualifying broadband service at speeds up to 1 Gbps symmetrical.
State(s):
Kansas
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$3,710,576.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Complete all required natural and cultural resources assessments, complying with all regulations.
- Install 35 miles of buried fiber optic cable at a depth of 42".
- Install FTTP, connecting 146 unserved Native American households to 100 Gigabit ISP/Ethernet Transport networks.
- Plan, engineer, procure, construct, and test the entire system prior to system acceptance.
- Install network operations center equipment in the existing central office located in Netawaka, KS.
- Deploy an all-mobile public safety broadband system.
This project will:
- Connect 146 unserved Native American households, 2 businesses, 10 Tribal government facilities, and 15 community anchor institutions to high-speed, reliable, affordable, scalable, and future-proofed Internet service without any data caps.
- Implement a robust public service communications platform to eliminate communication gaps and make public life-saving services, such as e-911, Tribal police, fire, and EMS more accessible with faster response times.
- Create 3 new jobs to support the new infrastructure.
- Fund scholarships for 2 Tribal members to complete an AAS degree at Highland Community College in Atchison, KS, and fund one 1-year IT technician internship at Giant Communications.
The project intends to benefit Tribal members, educators and students, employers and employees, first responders, and users of social services and workforce development/training programs.