People living in the Hualapai Nation, Mojave County, and La Paz County can expect access to affordable, high-speed broadband internet as early as February as part of the Bridging the Digital Divide Project.
“With this historic investment, we are on track to bridge Arizona’s deep digital divide and connect underserved Arizonans, especially those in tribal and rural communities.”Katie・Governor Hobbs said in a press release.
Ground broke on Nov. 14 on a 2,250-mile construction project aimed at providing affordable, high-speed internet to approximately 32,500 Arizonans in Mohave and La Paz counties and the Hualapai Nation. The project is led by wecom fibera communications company based in Kingman.
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“Wecom Fiber is excited to play a key role in bridging the digital divide by bringing affordable, high-speed internet to tens of thousands of Arizonans in western Arizona and the Hualapai Reservation. “Wecom CEO Paul Fleming said in a press release.
The Bridging the Digital Divide project is funded by state and federal grants totaling $54 million. Wecom won a $10 million Arizona Broadband Development Grant for the Mojave and La Paz County portions of the project and a $3.2 million USDA ReConnect Grant for the Hualapai State portion. did.
“Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it is essential infrastructure for businesses, job seekers, students undertaking distance learning, patients utilizing telemedicine, and more who need access to online marketplaces.” added Fleming.
According to a recent report, approximately 22% of people in rural areas lack broadband access, as do 27% of people living on tribal lands, compared to 1.5% of people living in urban areas. Federal Communications Commission.
“Rural Arizona deserves and needs the same reliable, high-speed internet as our big cities,” said Holly Irwin, chair of the La Paz County Board of Supervisors.
By February, parts of the Hualapai Nation, Mojave, and La Paz will be connected to Wecom's broadband internet.
Hualapai President Sherry J. Parker said that acquiring broadband internet for the Hualapai Nation will provide much-needed services to local businesses, public safety operations, medical facilities, schools, and libraries, and will benefit the Hualapai Nation. He said it would bring about real change for people.
“Our beautiful Hualapai Reservation is remote, but reliable broadband service puts the world at our fingertips,” Parker said.
The Hualapai portion of the project is expected to be completed by April 2024, and the Mojave County and La Paz County portions are expected to be completed by June 2025.
“Access to reliable broadband should not depend on a person’s home address, which is why we look forward to completing this project and continuing to expand high-speed internet access to rural areas in western Arizona and across the state.” I’m looking forward to it,” said Travis Lingenfelter of Mojave. Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.
