Tribal Communities Work to Expand Internet Access
Native American Tribal Communities Receive Federal Funding for Improved Broadband InfrastructureIn the United States, a staggering 18% of indigenous people are without reliable Internet access (nearly five times higher than the non-indigenous non-access rate), and 33% of Native Americans living on reservations rely exclusively on their smartphones. Tribal communities have long suffered from a lack of resources across many areas, but access to the Internet remains a struggle that continues to be exacerbated daily. As our society becomes more reliant on technology - and with nearly all services moving to a virtual or hybrid platform during the Covid-19 pandemic, tribal communities risk falling even further behind.
The Federal government, as part of its broader connectivity initiatives, has earmarked $3 billion for tribal communities to improve their broadband infrastructure through the Tribal Connectivity Program, which is administered via the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration (NTIA). The NTIA received over 300 grant applications before the application deadline passed in September 2021.
Applications are being approved on a rolling basis, with 41 awards totaling $91 million having been granted as of June 2022. The initial allotment for the program was $980 million, but an additional $2 billion in funding was allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by the Biden administration. Currently, over $1.3B worth of tribal broadband applications have been approved.
Private Cellular Networks Can Provide Connectivity By Utilizing Band 41
Now that POTS (plain old telephone system) line maintenance is no longer required by the FCC, they can no longer serve as the foundation for Internet connectivity. As wireless alternatives have become the dominant source of connectivity, the digital age is becoming a bit more accessible within rural areas where laying POTS lines was cost-prohibitive. While some tribal governments are exploring ways to deploy Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) solutions for their communities, the majority have expressed an interest in Private Cellular Networks (PCN), especially considering their recent FCC applications to utilize those frequency bands.
In July 2019, the FCC opened up applications for Rural Tribal Spectrum Opportunities. This program allowed tribal governments to apply for the right to use unlicensed parts of the 2.5GHz spectrum across their tribal lands to create private cellular networks.
Private Cellular Networks (known as Private LTE, PLTE, or PCN) will allow communities to create their own infrastructure without needing to deploy miles upon miles of poles and cables and run wiring right to individual buildings. Additionally, even within communities where FTTH is deployed, PCNs can still be incredibly valuable to tribal government branch offices and to emergency services within mobile computing applications.
Once your tribe's FCC permissions are granted, USAT can procure the necessary hardware from Nokia’s complete communications portfolio - including microwave backhaul, private LTE, optical networking equipment, and FastMile 5G gateways (for residential applications) - to get each tribal communications PCN set-up and online. We’re also an Elite 5G Certified Resale Partner of Cradlepoint, enabling us to supply branch, IoT, and mobile routers capable of connecting to any newly deployed (or existing) PCN that’s in place.
Our trusted partners, Nokia and Cradlepoint, manufacture the top-of-the-line enterprise-grade hardware tribal communities need that USAT can provide. To help make solution deployment even easier in your tribal community, we’ve also partnered with broadband construction firms that are highly skilled and experienced in working on tribal NTIA infrastructure projects.
With USAT’s ongoing cellular device support services, and our construction partners' ongoing maintenance services, you can rest assured of the longevity of the solutions we help you deploy from initial planning throughout the complete solution life-cycle.
For those planning to utilize B41, we can provide the Microwave Backhaul and Private LTE network - including provisioning Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC or NDAC), Nokia AirScale (DAS), and Nokia Modular Private Wireless (Nokia MPW) - to support communications across your entire community. We can also provide connectivity options for tribal communities that plan to use public cellular networks in place of private ones.
Mobile, Branch, IoT, and Residential Networking
For Mobile, Branch, and IoT needs, networking solutions provisioned by USAT and powered by Cradlepoint provide government bodies and private businesses with the coverage, reliability, and access they need to get the job done. Cradlepoint’s remote monitoring and maintenance software options allow teams to complete preventive and routine maintenance and remediate issues immediately without the added time and expense of sending personnel on location.
Additionally, our ruggedized equipment is built to withstand the harshest weather conditions and toughest terrains, making it possible for your routers to remain connected and functional regardless in even the most punishing of environments.
For Residential networking needs, USAT provides connectivity straight to the home with Nokia’s Fiber Optical solutions, and by deploying residential routers such as Nokia FastMile gateways, that can connect to your new B41-based private LTE networks.
Mobile Networking
For tribal communities not utilizing Band 41 and Private Cellular Networks, USAT can provide Nokia Fiber-to-the-Home solutions and FastMile gateways to community residents. And for those that are utilizing Band 41 and PCNs, we can create and deploy a solution that will reach each community residence.
Branch Networking
Administrative offices, community centers, and public buildings can also reap the benefits of broadband connectivity. With branch routers expertly provisioned by USAT, such as the Cradlepoint E3000, your offices and schools can connect to the same network to share resources and streamline operations efficiently.
IoT Connectivity
With the creation of Private Cellular Networks/PLTE, tribal utilities can utilize Cradlepoint IoT routers, such as the IBR600C, IBR900, and R920, for the remote monitoring of their utility infrastructure, including connected devices on their water, electric, and gas distribution systems.
In-Building Wireless Coverage
Large buildings such as schools and medical buildings can also be provisioned with Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) for indoor wireless coverage to ensure that every area within the building has a strong, reliable signal for both learning and public safety communications.
Residential Networking
For tribal communities not utilizing Band 41 and Private Cellular Networks, USAT can provide Nokia Fiber-to-the-Home solutions and FastMile gateways to community residents. And for those that are utilizing Band 41 and PCNs, we can create and deploy a solution that will reach each community residence.
USAT for Broadband Infrastructure Projects
USAT is the partner tribal communities, state governments, and private internet service providers need to maximize the funding allocated to their communications infrastructure and secure lightning-fast connectivity for their communities. We have extensive experience assisting public and private entities in building out Private Cellular Networks and Fiber Optic networks to make broadband internet access a reality for all U.S. citizens.
Contact us to learn how we can help you launch your broadband infrastructure project successfully.
Contact USAT
USAT can help public and private organizations update, manage, and replace cellular hardware for fixed and mobile applications with new 4G and 5G devices from top-tier manufacturers like Cradlepoint and Nokia.
USAT LLC, a key part of the data solutions team at MCA, exists to serve our nations critical infrastructure by creating secure communication networks that pass data wirelessly between key systems — linking remote personnel and machine assets.
We have partnered with industry leaders that manufacture top-of-the-line communications devices, management platforms, and accessories to suit the specific needs of a vast array of industries in a variety of applications and environments.
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