From rl at 1st-mile.org Wed Jan 18 09:51:12 2023 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:51:12 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Project linking pueblos to broadband internet well underway Message-ID: <76b3288829fea65a0707db286aa19070@1st-mile.org> Link to the entire article about this important initiative. Excellent work on the part of the Santa Fe Indian School to help fiber connect tribal communities across the state. RL. ------- Project linking pueblos to broadband internet well underway By Margaret O?Hara mohara at sfnewmexican.com Jan 17, 2023 https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/project-linking-pueblos-to-broadband-internet-well-underway/article_81d0544a-9210-11ed-983a-4fa4ad39be46.html Taven Vallo, a 17-year old senior at the Santa Fe Indian School, spent his second year of high school working late into the night. After that day in March 2020, when a loudspeaker announcement told students COVID-19 necessitated an early spring break, Taven returned to the Pueblo of Acoma for online schooling ? without much internet access at home. His household, including an elementary school-age sister trying to succeed in online learning and his mother pursuing a master?s degree at the University of New Mexico while working remotely, relied on a single Wi-Fi hot spot, the size of a smartphone. The hot spot could only manage about three users at a time, so Taven took the night shift, completing his school work from 10 p.m. to the early hours of the morning, around 2 or 3 a.m. Then, he was up at 6 a.m. to start a new school day. School administrators, tribal leaders and other organizations are working to better connect students like Taven and rural, tribal communities to reliable internet access, officials involved told U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich on Tuesday during a visit to the Santa Fe campus. It?s called the Santa Fe Indian School Pueblo Education Network, said Kimball Sekaquaptewa, SFIS? chief technology officer. By late 2025, the hope is, it will connect American Indian communities from Santa Fe to the Zuni Reservation to fiber-optic internet access. (snip) --------------------------------------- Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director 1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200 28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org --------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Mon Feb 27 11:11:50 2023 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:11:50 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in NM Message-ID: Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in NM Feb. 27, 2023 The Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded more than $175 million to 61 colleges and universities as part of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). These new awards cover colleges and universities in 29 states and four territories. https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-175-million-internet-all-grants-61-minority The Connecting Minority Communities pilot program is part of the Biden-Harris Administration?s Internet for All Initiative that will connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. This program specifically directs $268 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 for expanding high-speed Internet access and connectivity to eligible HBCUs, Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), and other Minority-serving institutions (MSIs). List of New Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Awardees in New Mexico: Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell $ 1,945,329.00 Eastern New Mexico University Roswell (ENMUR)'s "Creating Connected Communities to Provide Opportunities (Project C-3PO)" project aims to increase broadband connectivity and computer aptitude in the communities of Roswell, Dexter, Lake Arthur, Hagerman, and Midway, New Mexico. The project can be divided into three parts: (1) Education and Training, (2) Awareness and Access, and (3) Equipment and Support. ENMUR? project activities will: survey community residents to identify gaps in computer literacy; develop computer training courses to be offered at community training locations; train IT support staff to assist with all IT needs on campus and to operate an extended hour computer support hotline; and establish learning centers at community anchor locations. The Awareness and Access activities will survey community residents to identify broadband access needs; develop and launch a marketing campaign; and work with participants to identify and assist them in obtaining low-cost broadband options. In the Equipment and Support category, ENMUR will: create an extended hour computer support hotline for students, community members, and MBEs; utilize hotspots as broadband access points; make laptops available for check out; and set up service plans for hotspots and public wireless systems. New Mexico State University $ 1,686,620.00 New Mexico State University?s ?Bringing Broadband to New Mexico State University and Surrounding Counties? project aims to increase broadband connectivity by installing broadband internet equipment to provide access to individuals in the community. The project activities will expand Internet access on South Campus; install a broadband network infrastructure to Farmington, NM; and purchase equipment and upgrades for additional stations for the Forestry Research center in Mora, NM and the Agricultural Science Center in Alcade, NM. As a result of implementing the project, New Mexico State University will expand and improve its broadband network resulting in better access for individuals on campus and in the community. The expansion to agricultural research and science centers will also improve connectivity for researchers and students to continue to support agricultural research. The upgrade will support online learning, increase the institution?s technology and IT capacity, and continue to provide support for research that sustains and supports New Mexico's diverse environment, farms, ranches, forests, and communities. Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute $ 1,645,133.56 The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute?s ?Parallel Network Upgrade? project aims to expand broadband to improve campus-wide network technology accessibility for students, staff, and faculty. The project activities include preparation, design planning, installation, implementation of the network. SIPI will gather information, initiate the vendor acquisition process, and award a contractor. Then, the contractor will create a map to define existing infrastructure, identify and purchase equipment required to successfully accomplish project goals, and create a network design plan for the campus IT Master Plan. Ultimately, SIPI will install new network-related equipment and replace outdated equipment and software technologies, including firewalls and cloud service servers. Then, the institution will implement trainings, security setup and install, backup procedures, and certification documentation for the upgraded network. Finally, SIPI will carry out service level agreements, emergency support, maintenance/service updates, and customer acceptance. --------------------------------------- Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director 1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200 28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org --------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Fri Mar 10 10:17:26 2023 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:17:26 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] FCC Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grants in NM Message-ID: <12a620e2db92879dd9a9e7d704e42fce@1st-mile.org> March 10, 2023 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced target funding allocations for two Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Programs (ACP Outreach Grant Programs). https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-66m-affordable-broadband-outreach-grants New Mexico awardees are: National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP): City of Albuquerque $400,000 New Mexico Black Leadership Council, Albuquerque $400,000 Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP): Pueblo of Jemez $379,234 Pueblo of Zuni $325,000 --------------------------------------- Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director 1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200 28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org --------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Mon Jun 26 11:37:04 2023 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:37:04 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Biden-Harris Administration Announces State BEAD Allocations Message-ID: <2d23aa3dd78e23a7d0bffdb2c4bd58e0@1st-mile.org> Today's announcement includes BEAD funding for New Mexico: $675,372,311.86 ------ Biden-Harris Administration Announces State Allocations for $42.45 Billion High-Speed Internet Grant Program as Part of Investing in America Agenda https://internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-state-allocations-4245-billion-high-speed-internet WASHINGTON ? The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced how it has allocated funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America. This "Internet for All" initiative is a key component of President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda. States, D.C., and territories will use funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to administer grant programs within their borders. The President, Vice President, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the allocations today at the White House. "What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don't have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now ? you will, thanks to President Biden and his commitment to investing in America," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Whether it's connecting people to the digital economy, manufacturing fiber-optic cable in America, or creating good paying jobs building Internet infrastructure in the states, the investments we're announcing will increase our competitiveness and spur economic growth across the country for years to come." "This is a watershed moment for millions of people across America who lack access to a high-speed Internet connection. Access to Internet service is necessary for work, education, healthcare, and more," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information Alan Davidson. "States can now plan their Internet access grant programs with confidence and engage with communities to ensure this money is spent where it is most needed." "Put simply, high-speed Internet is a necessity in today's society," said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator. "Just like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Act made a historic investment in rural areas bringing electricity to nearly every home in America, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to leaving no community behind as we connect everyone in America to high-speed Internet." The BEAD funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses. Details related to the allocation for the states, D.C., and territories are available on InternetForAll.Gov. https://internetforall.gov/ --------------------------------------- Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director 1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200 28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org --------------------------------------- From rl at 1st-mile.org Fri Aug 25 13:45:54 2023 From: rl at 1st-mile.org (Richard Lowenberg) Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:45:54 -0600 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Pueblo of Pojoaque Awarded Broadband Deployment Funding Message-ID: <850a0ebdebd93dcbbc24e3260689a81c@1st-mile.org> The Biden-Harris Administration Today Announced Nearly $3.5 Million in Internet for All Grants to Tribal Lands https://www.internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-35-million-internet-all-grants-tribal-land The?Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration?(NTIA)?announced today it has awarded seven grants totaling $3,449,227.56 to seven Tribal entities as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). In New Mexico, Pueblo of Pojoaque has been awarded $500,000 for its Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project, which will provide affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service via fiber to 75 tribal households. -- --------------------------------------- Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director 1st-Mile Institute 505-603-5200 28 Sunrise Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 rl at 1st-mile.org www.1st-mile.org --------------------------------------- From john at citylinkfiber.com Tue Nov 7 07:08:50 2023 From: john at citylinkfiber.com (John Brown) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2023 08:08:50 -0700 Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Any providers serving Fort Defiance, AZ Message-ID: Hi, A friend asked if I knew of any reliable ISP's that are able to service the Fort Defiance, AZ area. It is for a commercial client. At present they have Frontier and have had really bad experience with them. If you can, or know a company that can provide service there, please let me know and I'll fwd the contact on to my contact. Thanks