RAPID CITY, S.D. —When will tribes fully be able to fully engage in owning broadband/Internet companies? So far, only eight tribes in the Unites States own and operate telecommunications company, leaving an estimated 90 percent of Indian lands without broadband access, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office 2006 report.
I’m here at the Indian Telecommunications Initiative Workshop and Round Table Discussion here in Rapid City where experts are discussing broadband access in Indian Country. Eric Jensen, policy advisor to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said the technology gap in Indian Country is endangering the lives of Native people. To wit: On the Navajo Reservation, 6 of 10 people arent’ able to call 911 because the service doesn’t exist for them, said Jensen.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a law that allocates $7.2 billion to expand broadband access to rural and unserved areas in the U.S. The application deadline is Aug. 15.
Jodi Rave
Eleanor Lefthand
Which eight Tribes have broadband companies? Or where can I find that information?
Thanks
Eleanor
Jodi Rave
I will try to post that info. for you Eleanor. Thanks for reading.
GENO1492
8 tribes able to do it, may not sound much but at least its a significant step towards expansion of technology into Indian Country. Which is still much like a frontier in terms of techonlogy age. In the Navajo’s case, its quite a shame. Considering that they are the largest Indian Nation. They still been unable to access the net. Some of its member still and would rather live like they did in the past, this includes living without electricity. To preserve their Navajo traditions and customs.
But the younger generations need to be educated, right? After all, they are born into the advanced technology age.
shana Barehand
You can get information on tribal telephone companies at the Nation tribal telecom association website, http://www.nationaltribaltelecom.org/
Several other tribes have telecom companies that provide broadband
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