[1st-mile-nm] Sacred Wind News

[Richard Lowenberg]

Following are two recent news items on deployments and services being provided 
by Sacred Wind Communications in Navajo communities.
RL

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2 Navajo Chapters Get Phone Service
The Associated Press      Posted: 07/28/2011

www.daily-times.com/farmington-news/ci_18566795 

NAGEEZI, N.M.—Two Navajo chapters in New Mexico are joining the modern age. The infrastructure is in place in the Nageezi and Huerfano chapters that will provide phone and Internet services to 1,500 people in Navajo Housing Authority communities.

The Farmington Daily-Times reports Sacred Wind Communication is using a combination of all available technology to link the most remote homes on the 27,000-square-mile reservation into the digital communication network.
 
Sacred Wind chief operating officer Jon Landstrom says the company is using cable, fiber, radio to provide phone and Internet services to all or part of 22 Navajo chapters.
 
Landstrom says an estimated 94 percent of American households have basic communication services. On the Navajo Nation, fewer than 30 percent can make phone calls from home.
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Remote Navajos Get Solar Phones
By Journal Staff on Mon, Jul 18, 2011       

www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/07/18/biz/outlook/remote-navajos-get-solar-phones.html

 
Sacred Wind Communications has added solar-powered phone service to its product line available on the Navajo Nation.
 
Sacred Wind, in a news release, said it is the first company in New Mexico to offer solar-powered phone service — allowing people without electricity in their homes to now have telephone service.
 
The first Sacred Wind solar customer is Mary Woody of the Huerfano Chapter of the Navajo Nation. She has not been able to get electric service to her home because of right-of-way issues, the company said.
 
“Mary is a grandmother who takes care of her daughter and granddaughter,” said John Badal, Sacred Wind Communications CEO. “She has had no telephone service, and been unable to communicate with people outside the home. This was especially worrisome in the case of an emergency. We are so thrilled to have been able to connect her and provide this much-needed service.”
 
Sacred Wind’s solar technology provides 7 amps and 20 volts of power with a battery that holds a charge for seven days, he said. It is installed for phone service. The company is working on expanding its solar offering to include broadband service as well.
 
“Our intent is to offer these units for elderly customers and people with medical problems who do not have electric service,” Badal added. “Having them connected will provide peace of mind for the customers and their families.”


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Richard Lowenberg
P. O. Box 8001,  Santa Fe, NM  87504
505-989-9110 off.; 505-603-5200 cell
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