Arizona tribes to benefit from $33.6M in federal broadband funds

Monday, March 7, 2011  

Four tribes in Arizona will benefit from $33.6 million in federal broadband funds.

The Tohono O'odham Utility Authority will receive $17.4 million to install at least two wireless towers and lay 150 miles of fiber-optic cable. The project will serve 2,918 households on the reservation.

The San Carlos Apache Telecommunications Utility will receive $10.4 million to build four wireless towers and lay fiber-optic cable for a new hospital. The project will serve 1300 homes and 50 public safety officials.

Hopi Telecommunications will receive $3.6 million to lay 61 miles of fiber-optic cable. The project will serve 400 homes.

Finally, J.C. Cullen, Inc will use $2.2 million to bring Internet service to the Havasupai Tribe. The project will serve about 450 people.

The money came from the Broadband Initiatives Program at the USDA Rural Utility Service.

Get the Story:
New online world ahead for Indian reservations (The Arizona Republic 3/6)