Native American communities get assistance with broadband from NABA

In 2009, Congress passed the stimulus bill which created the NBP (National Broadband Plan).  Over $7 billion of the NBP was dedicated to bring rural areas high speed broadband connectivity.

The Delaware Nation applied for a grant from that dedicated fund and ran into problems in getting approval.  To solve their difficulties they formed NABA, the Native American Broadband Association to lobby congress for themselves and other Native American tribes.  NABA is a Limited Liability Corporation that is under the tribe.

So far, NABA has helped about 80 different tribes obtain grants and loans to bring high speed broadband infrastructure to tribal lands.  Just about all tribal lands are in rural and remote locations.  They were also instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to let the fiber transport system run alongside the highway rights of way.

Harold Pruner the Chairman of NABA explained “NABA worked to help all tribes and included many of their reps in its efforts by conducting strategy sessions and scheduling advance consultation meetings on broadband expansion with the relevant federal agencies.

“Broadband enables telemedicine, for one thing, which we need, and the Indian Health Service is involved in that. Also distance learning, but primarily it’s a great connection to the world. It’s critical for attracting industry to come to the reservation because you don’t have adequate communications.”

NABA is currently trying to set up a partnership with government agencies, foundations and broadband service providers to make an outreach and education program to help communities and tribes apply for and get awarded the funds to bring high speed broadband to the rural reservations.