Project Title:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber directly connecting 581 unserved Native American households with fiber-to-the-home 1 Gbps/1 Gbps service.
State(s):
Alaska
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$50,651,548.43Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- This is one phase of a 3-phase project that includes constructing a middle mile fiber optic network (under water and on land) directly supporting last mile high-speed Internet connections to 23 Alaskan Native Villages.
- Ensure that environmental, historical, and cultural compliance regulations are met.
- Develop a workforce training program.
- Create long-term sustainability plans.
This project will:
- Deploy a reliable, affordable, scalable, and future-proofed broadband network bridging the digital divide for the foreseeable future in one of the most remote, isolated, high-cost, and difficult to serve areas of the United States.
- Provide up to 1 Gbps service to 100% of project locations.
- Create permanent jobs for Alaska Native and rural residents.
- Bring new opportunities for distance education, telemedicine, public health and safety, and rural economic development.
- Provide an essential tool for cultural survival acting as a hub for language preservation.
- Connect youth and adults with culture-bearing Alaska Native Elders, mentors, and networking resources.
The project intends to benefit residents, students, Alaska Native Elders, mentors, anchor institutions, health care providers, public health and safety entities, and small businesses.