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 6,978 unserved Native American households, plus businesses and community anchor institutions, with fiber-to-the-home and/or fixed wireless to the home 25 Mbps/3 Mbps service.
State(s):
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$9,927,859.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Upgrade (or replace, if necessary) outdated multiplexing equipment in the current middle mile network.
- Install 37.8 miles of underground fiber optic cable in 1.25” ducts to the Fort Apache Reservation.
- Install a pre-fabricated equipment shelter.
- Deploy a fixed wireless connection to the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corp. with 1 Gbps of Internet service.
This project will:
- Provide affordable, enhanced, and scalable Internet service including capacity upgrades to the San Carlos Apache Reservation and a new middle mile fiber connection to the White Mountain Apache community of the Fort Apache Reservation.
- Enable the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corp. to have 1 Gbps Internet service to use telehealth applications to better serve Tribal residents.
- Create 6 jobs for outside fiber plant construction including manual laborers and heavy equipment operators.
- Improve the overall quality of life of Tribal residents.
The project intends to benefit: Tribal members, providers and users of healthcare services and resources, students, educators, employers, employees, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.