Tlingit & Haida partners with Sitka Tribe of Alaska for broadband project

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Monday, June 27th, 2022 4:20pm

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s broadband department, Tidal Network, has announced it will be working with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to bring internet access to underserved residents in Sitka.

Tidal Network will partner with STA to use and retain its 2.5 GHz spectrum that was granted by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC granted Tlingit & Haida the 2.5 GHz spectrum for several areas in Southeast Alaska earlier this year under a Rural Tribal Priority Window that was available at no cost to federally recognized tribes.

STA applied for and was granted its own portion of the 2.5 GHz spectrum and has signed a long-term lease agreement with Tlingit & Haida. As part of the lease agreement, Tlingit & Haida will provide the infrastructure and technology to bring internet access to the community of Sitka. Tlingit & Haida’s Tidal Network is already fully-funded for the multi-million dollar project with American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“That partnership means we can close the digital divide by using better technology to provide more internet to more people at a lower cost,” explained Broadband Network Architect Chris Cropley.

The 2.5 GHz band is suitable for both mobile coverage and fixed point-to-point uses. Known as Educational Broadband Service, the spectrum was little used, but with advances in technology, it is now positioned to be an important role in the deployment of broadband and other advanced communications services.

Tidal Network Navigator Katelyn Cook is also helping people get a $75/month discount per household and a $75/month plan on Tidal Network through the Emergency Broadband Benefit/Affordability Connectivity Program.

 

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