Tribal Broadband Feasibility and Design Project

Stone Lake

Wisconsin

$442,734.00

The proposed planning study will complete a detailed feasibility analysis and broadband design to determine the best way to provide broadband services to its government facilities, business enterprises, and its unserved housing units located on the Reservation.

The project proposes the following activities in support of the broadband infrastructure planning study:

• Perform an assessment of the technical viability and project potential for broadband infrastructure ownership and develop a broadband design engineering approach (technical and feasibility and engineering design)
• Perform an evaluation of potential of partnering opportunities with third party vendors for broadband deployment and services delivery (potential broadband partnerships feasibility and research)
• Determine and documentation of the financial and organizational viability and project potential for delivering broadband services (financial and organizational feasibility)
• Perform research for opportunities that would expand the adoption of broadband services in LCO Reservation (adoption and use roadmap)

Deliver a plan supporting a “shovel ready” project that has been designed, vetted, and achieved leadership and community consensus and approval. The comprehensive analysis will also inform the number of potential jobs created by a future infrastructure deployment project.

The approximately 40% of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians with no internet service available.

Subrecipient activities if applicable

Sokaogon Chippewa Community’s Tribal Broadband Adoption and Use Project

Crandon

Wisconsin

$452,162.00

The Broadband Use and Adoption project will cover the costs of broadband internet services for all Mole Lake Reservation households (approximately 500 Tribal members), including upgrades to service (faster connections) and new modems and routers as needed. The improved internet speeds and free-of-cost internet service will help ensure that this highly rural and geographically isolated community can stay connected, which is especially vital as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to induce shutdowns and necessitates virtual services over in-person. 

The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:

• Promote broadband use and adoption by all Sokaogon Chippewa Community (SCC) households in Mole Lake by upgrading internet connection (including necessary routers and modems) for 180 households and covering monthly broadband internet services;
• Providing technical assistance to the community through a Community Technical Assistant who will work with households one-on-one to ensure access/adoption of broadband, with an emphasis on immediate set-up and helping youth connect to summer school (May-June 2022) and the new school year (September 2022), in addition to upgrading and covering monthly broadband internet services for the recreation center;
• Provide resources to 218 students to support distance learning through procuring equipment, including iPads, and supplemented by the upgraded internet connections;
• Promote telehealth through the procuring of necessary resources, including Internet services and iPads for the clinic and its patients.

Promote broadband adoption activities, telehealth, distance learning, digital inclusion efforts, and the expansion of affordable broadband programs.

The proposed project will cover the entire Lake Mole Reservation and provide assistance to the approximately one third of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community members therein and in nearby communities.  There are 1,377 SCC Tribal members, one third of whom live on the reservation.  The project proposes to benefit those on the reservation and those in nearby communities residing within Astrea’s (ISP) service area.

Subrecipient activities if applicable

Taos Pueblo 2.5 Ghz Spectrum Development Project

Taos

New Mexico

$477,817.00

The proposed project, through a qualified consultant, will conduct comprehensive engineering analysis with respect to the technical design, market conditions and financial requirements of providing broadband services to its community.

The project proposes the following activities in support of the broadband infrastructure planning study:

• Perform an assessment of the technical viability and project potential of the Taos Pueblo Tribe broadband infrastructure deployment creating a broadband design and engineering plan with an emphasis on identification of areas that are unserved and represent the highest need;
• Assess the potential of partnering opportunities with third party vendors for broadband deployment and service delivery;
• Document financial and organizational viability and project potential for delivering broadband service, including research projects that expand the adoption and use of broadband services in the Taos Pueblo Reservation.

Deliver a plan for a “shovel ready” project that has been designed, vetted, and achieved leadership and community consensus and approval. The project is expected to support or inform future workforce training and development under a potential Tribal Utility Authority.

The approximately 2,600 Taos Pueblo Tribal members.

Subrecipient activities if applicable

Bridging the Digital Divide: Supporting job growth, telehealth, and household connectivity for Upper Mattaponi Citizens

King William

Virginia

$473,349.80

The Broadband Use and Adoption project will provide affordable broadband services through payment assistance programming as well as provide citizens in need with laptops. These services will be provided to improve tribal citizens’ access to telehealth, tele-education, and other modern economic development activities that promote job growth and household connectivity for the Upper Mattaponi community.

The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:

• Providing new laptops for 200 Tribal members. This will enable students to engage in much needed distance learning support and provide low-income elders with telehealth access. Additionally, other low-income Tribal members in receipt of equipment will be able to better communicate with the Tribal government.
• Provision of payment assistance support to provide affordable broadband services to 55 low-income households, particularly rural tribal members, who are currently forced to rely on more expensive satellite broadband services.
• Provide project management services through the use of a part-time Project Coordinator who is tasked with conducting citizen outreach and application processing, completing targeted training to better serve citizens, provisioning equipment and serving as the liaison with broadband providers.

Promote broadband adoption activities, telehealth, distance learning, digital inclusion efforts, and the expansion of affordable broadband programs.

The proposed project services are intended to cover the entire geographically diverse tribe and provide direct assistance to the approximately one half of Community members.

Subrecipient activities if applicable

Planning and Development of Broadband Distribution to Government, Commercial, and Residential Areas of the Yavapai-Apache Nation

Camp Verde

Arizona

$500,000.00

This planning study will generate plans and recommendations in establishing the best and most cost-effective approach to update and expand broadband connectivity for the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The plan will leverage experts in broadband operations, engineering, and design to develop and document a sustainable and feasible plan for future infrastructure deployment.

The project proposes the following activities in support of the broadband infrastructure planning study:

• Assess the full determination of broadband needs for the community;
• Establish contracts for each contractor supporting the project plan;
• Completion of a master plan of proposed upgrades and expansions to existing broadband infrastructure;
• Completion of an associated feasibility study;
• Development of an engineering and design plan for infrastructure deployment;
• Completion of a sustainability plan for future broadband operations;
• Document a feasibility determination to establish viability of Tribal ownership.

The study will inform future workforce training and development, design, installation, and operation of upgraded and expanded systems supporting broadband infrastructure on the Tribal land.

The estimated 2,500 members of the Yavapai-Apache Nation

Subrecipient activities if applicable