Editorial: Navajo Nation needs better broadband services

Tuesday, April 26, 2011  

"The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and Commnet Wireless LLC soon will begin upgrading wireless telephone services on the Navajo Nation. That's good news considering that most residents on the reservation do not have mobile phones, and far fewer households are equipped with basic telephone service.

Now, the success of the project and it meeting the critical needs justifying the funding depends squarely on good management and oversight to see that it gets done.

The agreement comes after both parties successfully secured $32 million in stimulus funds for the $46 million needed for the high-speed network. The development creates NTUA Wireless LLC, of which the tribe has majority ownership.

After the network is in place, about 80 percent of tribal members living on the reservation will have access to the broadband network.

So what does this mean for those in the area?

Businesses can build and expand. Medical and emergency response services can be summoned with the touch of a button. Parents better can keep up with their children, and vice versa."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Navajo tribe needs wireless phone project (The Farmington Daily Times 4/26)

Navajo Nation creates new wireless provider on the reservation (4/5)