Broadband is the basis and future of economic development, health, and education for Native Americans. However, on Tribal lands, only 65% of the total population has access to broadband. Half of tribal rural households don’t even have access to a fixed wireless internet provider, which is over twice the rate of their non-tribal counterparts.
COVID-19
Covid-19 has made the situation on rural tribal lands worse. Governments can’t operate while people shelter in place with no connectivity at the home. Students forced to shelter in place cannot participate in online classes. Elders need their families and doctors, but can’t venture out and risk exposure. Hotspots are available but only work if there is cell phone signal. Building a private LTE network is one way to connect communities quickly and cheaply.
MuralNet works with Indigenous communities to design, build, and implement sustainable networks.
We help bridge the digital divide by providing infrastructure, consulting, financial, and educational resources so that Tribal nations and Tribally-controlled organizations can build their own networks.