Broadband Initiative
Paving the way for Northern Cheyenne Country.
This crucial project originated from the urgent need to ensure internet connectivity throughout Northern Cheyenne country. The importance of this initiative became even more evident during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when students faced challenges attending online classes because of the unreliable internet access in the area.
This project encompasses two main components: the establishment of a charter, NCCC (Northern Cheyenne Communication Corporation) consisting of several members and the subsequent construction phase for implementation in Lame Deer, Montana.
The Northern Cheyenne Tribe successfully received a National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program - Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Projects (Funding Opportunity Number: NTIA-TBC-TBCPO-2021-2006948). The tribe received grant funds in the amount of $52,870,390.74. There is currently no tribally owned network infrastructure on the reservation. Limited Internet and voice services exist at select locations on the reservation, but these services do not reach the vast number of unserved and underserved tribal members. Funds from this grant will be used to install a new Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network, construct a fiber transport route, and build a new Central Office. Tribal leadership believes it is in the best interest of tribal members on the reservation and the proposed network infrastructure will enable the tribe to be self-sufficient.
NCCC office building. Image credit: Lane Spottedelk
Proposed Fiber Network on the Reservation. Image credit: Lane Spottedelk
Funds from this grant will be used to install a new Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network, construct a fiber transport route, and build a new Central Office. Tribal leadership believes it is in the best interest of tribal members on the reservation and the proposed network infrastructure will enable the tribe to be self-sufficient.
Palmetto Engineering/CT&T, Inc. will serve as consultant providing engineering services that includes grant preparation, infrastructure design, inside and outside plant engineering, construction, and budgeting. CT&T, Inc. is a Palmetto Engineering and Consulting company (PEC). PEC is a professional engineering firm holding licensure in 36 states. They currently employ approximately 200 employees and have designed, built, and maintained telecommunication infrastructures for tribal entities over the past 30 years.
Objectives that work towards accomplishing the stated goals of this grant include the following: installing a FTTP network for the unserved and underserved residents; constructing a new fiber transport route; and building a central office. Implementation of this network infrastructure project greatly increases telework opportunities and telehealth access, just to name two. It creates entrepreneurship possibilities for the members of the tribe enabling them to remain on the reservation while having equal job opportunities to those in developed metropolitan areas. Then, when members of the tribe remain as integral contributors, the opportunities improve for self-governance and determination, rooting the people in their rich heritage for generations to come.
Broadband is key to the future of economic development, health, public safety, public works, and education across the rural communities. This new infrastructure will provide the capability for first responders to employ technologies and applications to address critical safety concerns, realize significant economic and time savings, and achieve work process efficiencies.
Jeff Little of Palmetto Engineering addressing the crowd at the Northern Cheyenne Broadband Groundbreaking Ceremony May 22nd, 2024. Image credit: Chloe Ortega | Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Public Information Officer & Web Designer
Northern Cheyenne Tribal President and members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council overturn dirt at the location of the Broadband facility building at the Groundbreaking Ceremony in Lame Deer, Montana on May 22nd, 2024. Image credit: Chloe Ortega | Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Public Information Officer & Web Designer
Broadband connectivity will give residents in remote areas access to hybrid, virtual, distance, and online educational opportunities, both during pandemic periods and non-pandemic times. Broadband will also allow rural residents to participate more broadly in existing and emerging telehealth programs, bringing services to those that are not currently able to access them. Remote areas such as the proposed area do not have the same access to capital as high-density municipalities, which makes funds from this grant vital for the advancement, sustainability, and quality of life improvements. With the realization of this project, these two communities can flourish in ways not possible now, enabling them to compete with fewer constraints in a contemporary world. Northern Cheyenne plans fiber broadband service offerings that support both residential and business customers with symmetrical speeds of 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gbps.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Paving the way for the first ever broadband facility to service the Northern Cheyenne community. - May 22nd, 2024
On May 22nd, 2024, The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held in Lame Deer, Montana to mark the initiation of the construction of the first Broadband Facility in Northern Cheyenne Country. The event was attended by tribal leaders, community members, and project stakeholders, highlighting the significance of improving access to high-speed internet services for the local residents and businesses.
Photo of the Northen Cheyenne Tribal Council and President overturning dirt at the location of the broadband building. Image credit: Chloe Ortega | Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council Public Information Officer & Web Designer.
