The Navajo Nation - Hybrid Fiber/Fixed Wireless/LEO - Navajo 01 TL, Navajo 03 TL, Navajo 05 TL/HC, Navajo 06 TL/HC
Project Description a) Technology:  The project will deploy a hybrid broadband solution combining buried fiber infrastructure, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and LEO technologies to extend high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved areas of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, specifically targeting Navajo 01 TL, Navajo 03 TL, Navajo 05 TL/HC, Navajo 06 TL/HC tribal lands.  Fiber Backbone: Approximately 165 miles of buried fiber will be installed along existing roadways, utilizing XGS-PON (10Gbps) next-generation technology from Nokia to deliver ultra-high-speed services to customers in accessible areas.    Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): For high-cost and hard-to-reach areas, the project will deploy Tarana Wireless G1 3GHz CBRS radios on 43 strategically located towers. Most towers will be equipped with 2 to 4 sectors (depending on proximity to broadband serviceable locations), each providing 80MHz of CBRS capacity with integrated 90-degree antennas to support up to 360-degree coverage.    Backhaul Network: Towers will be backhauled via a combination of 10Gbps 80GHz E-Band mmWave Intracom Telecom UltraLink-GX80 radios and 11GHz SIAE ALFOPlus2XG licensed microwave links, delivering up to 3Gbps in a 4+0 configuration to ensure high-capacity, low-latency tower connectivity.   b) Service Offerings:  The project will deliver broadband services that meet or exceed 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload speeds, fully compliant with BEAD program requirements. The fiber network will offer gigabit and multi-gigabit services through XGS-PON, while the fixed wireless network will provide reliable, scalable broadband to remote areas via the CBRS band. Affordable service options will also be available, with participation in programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). c) Targeted Communities:  This project specifically targets unserved and underserved Navajo communities across Navajo 01 TL, Navajo 03 TL, Navajo 05 TL/HC, Navajo 06 TL/HC regions, covering rural and remote locations where broadband connectivity is limited or nonexistent. The network will also support community anchor institutions, including schools, health centers, and tribal offices. d) Need for Grant Support:  The Navajo Nation seeks BEAD funding to address the significant challenges of deploying broadband infrastructure across remote, geographically diverse, and high-cost areas. The rugged terrain, low population density, and regulatory complexity (e.g., tribal land permitting) result in deployment costs that exceed what the project can recover through subscriber revenue alone. Grant support is essential to help close the digital divide and provide reliable broadband to these underserved regions. e) Matching Contribution and Sources:  The Navajo Nation is committed to providing a matching contribution, which may include in-kind contributions such as land use agreements, permitting assistance, and existing infrastructure (e.g., utility poles and rights-of-way). Additional matching funds will come from tribal allocations and potential partnerships with broadband infrastructure providers and stakeholders. f) Deployment Timeline:  The project is expected to follow a 36-month deployment timeline:  Months 1-10: Finalize design, permitting, and site acquisition.    Months 10-22: Fiber trenching and tower site preparation, including backhaul deployment.    Months 22-36: Equipment installation, integration, network commissioning, and customer onboarding.   g) Strategies to Support Long-Term Technical and Financial Sustainability:  The network is designed with modular and scalable infrastructure to support incremental upgrades as demand grows. The fiber network can be upgraded to multi-gigabit services via XGS-PON enhancements, while the fixed wireless network is prepared for future overlay with Tarana’s dual-band (3GHz and 6GHz) G2 radios to further increase capacity and speed. Pre-deployed hybrid trunk systems and breakout boxes at tower sites reduce the cost and complexity of future expansions. Financially, the Navajo Nation will implement sustainable service models, including revenue generation through broadband subscriptions, partnerships with anchor institutions, and participation in federal affordability programs such as ACP. Routine maintenance, vendor support (including Tarana’s extended warranties), and continued investment in workforce training will ensure long-term operational viability.