NM TRIBAL WIFI HOTSPOT PROGRAM
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAVA Education Project in partnership with the Santa Fe Indian School has created a program to provide mobile WiFi hotspots in Tribal communities. The hotspots will connect to existing Tribal broadband networks, such as those established networks at Tribal libraries, which may be now closed to stop the spread of the highly contagious virus.
The hotspots will provide internet service in preparation of the U.S. Census Bureau resuming field operations, Update Leave or the delivery of census forms to homes on Tribal land in June. The hotspots may also aid in voter registration or absentee voting as 2020 it is a presidential election year, or aid in telehealth consultations.
Click on image to download a flyer.
Tribes will own the equipment and manage it as part of their Tribal broadband network.
ELIGIBILITY
Tribes with existing fiber optic broadband networks are eligible. NAVAEP will provide the funding for the equipment and implementation for Tribes. The SFIS IT Department will provide the installation, and will work with each Tribal IT Department or librarians to finalize equipment orders.
The installation, valued about $2,500, will take half a day, with one or two technicians on-site. The program will provide a Ubiquity-certified network administrator to work with the Tribe’s IT Department to directly configure the access point security measures. The Tribe decide when the wi-fi becomes enabled.
The equipment and installation will be covered by the grant program. SFIS will provide technical assistance and coordination.
TIMELINE
Applications will be accepted starting in May. Tribes will be notified about the installation, which will occur starting in August. Applications will be accepted until July 30 or whenever funding for the project is depleted.
APPLICATION
Click here for the application.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact Ahtza Dawn Chavez, NAVA Education Project Executive Director, at [email protected], or Kim Baca.