OsoInternetSolutions-HYBRID-Quemado Grants Cibola and Gallup McKinley PAUs
A) Technology:  Our network will use fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) and Fixed Wireless technology. Core Routers at various POP sites will efficiently manage and route large data volumes, optimize performance to minimize latency and maintain network security protocols. Remote site power plants are installed to ensure service continuity during power outages. OLT units transmit the light wave spectrum, supporting internet and voice services while being backward compatible with both GPON and XGS configurations. Single-mode fiber will be used for its long-distance, high-speed, and high-bandwidth capabilities. An ONU will serve as the subscriber’s demarcation point, converting optical light spectrum into electrical signals to enable high-speed services. Finally, Gateway Router’s will connect the local network to the internet, manage IP addresses, provide Wi-Fi and enhance security. For two PAUs (Grants-Cibola 01 & Quemado 01), Oso Internet Solutions will integrate Fixed Wireless technology to serve speeds up to 1 Gbps download and 200 Mbps upload to the high cost BSLs located within this high cost PAU. The network scales service speeds and total access network capacity to support simultaneous usage. Tarana ngFWA delivers 10x the required service speeds in deployed networks today. High-density Tarana ngFWA sectors will support capacity needs for the Quemado area.  B) Service Offerings: BRONZE PLAN 100/20 MBPS $40  SILVER PLAN 250/40 MBPS $59 GOLD PLAN 500/60 MBPS $79 PLATINUM PLAN 750/80 MBPS $89 TITANIUM PLAN 1,000/100 MBPS OR 1 Gig $99 C) Targeted Communities:  Targeted communities include two Ramah Navajo PAUs, Candy Kitchen Subdivisions, Timber Lake Subdivisions, El Morro and Zuni Mountain areas. These areas currently have fixed wireless, through Oso, at maximum speeds of 25/3, and are therefore unserved. All of these areas are located in Cibola and McKinley Counties, in west/central New Mexico. These areas are rural and frontier, with only two paved roads, some gravel and many unimproved dirt roads. To demonstrate the rural nature of this areas, the seven PAUs have access to one café, three small post offices, one food market/gas station, one trading post/gas station and of course, a Family Dollar Store. The closest towns are Gallup, 60 miles N/W and Grants, 60 miles N/E. There are numerous subdivisions in the seven PAUs, a few have organized property owners associations but all have a large number of un-served people experiencing persistent poverty. All PAUs will be served by FTTH, except for the Quemado PAU which will be served by high-capacity FW to meet the requirements of the BEAD program, upon the award of this application.  D) Need for Grant Support: Oso Internet is a small woman owned local company, growing out of community need. As we are a part of the community that we serve, we strive to reduce barriers to access to robust broadband. We also understand that our business is built in a frontier area that endures persistent poverty and social isolation.  Grant funding is crucial for Oso Internet’s mission because it helps overcome financial barriers and supports the development of broadband infrastructure in underserved, low-income communities. These areas often lack the necessary resources for large-scale internet expansion, and grant funding can provide essential capital to build the infrastructure needed to bridge the digital divide. Grants also allow Oso to offer affordable internet plans to low-income households, digital literacy programs, and other community services without overburdening residents financially. Through grants, Oso Internet can enhance its capacity to empower residents, stimulate local economies, and foster equitable access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Also, the grant support provides free installation, a router and additional installation electronics for every family identified as unserved.   E) Matching Contribution: To date, Oso has received $24,626,880 in funding for fiber projects and has always finished within budget and on time. They have consistently over built, at their own cost, to future-proof their fiber network and plan for future opportunities. Approximately $11,600,000 of this fiber infrastructure qualifies as in-kind and was built with this expansion in mind.  Additionally, Oso has utilized high-capacity, high quality electronics and components, including Adtran state of the art routers. Oso also uses custom made, secure, dust protection cabinets, heavy duty patch panels and electronic specific shelving. 100% of Oso’s Network Operations electronics, equipment, cabling, back-up generators, backup batteries, climate control equipment and organizational storage will be utilized as in-kind. All of it will contribute to BEAD network operations and redundancy throughout the Oso network and are used as in-kind contributions. F) Timeline Application submitted-3/24/2025 & 7/18/2025 BEAD review timeline determined by NM OBAE and NTIA. Work Flow: Application Submittal/Review>OBAE Curing Process>Provisional Approval>Clearance Process>NTIA Approval>Contracting/PO 1/1/2026-12/31/2028  Construction Timeline Completed within Three Years Work Flow: Final Pre-Construction Engineering Complete>Clearances/ROW Complete>Construction begins>Make-ready Complete>Conduit/Hand Holes installed>Fiber Blown in Conduit>Fiber Spliced in Hand Holes>Network Testing>Home Drops Complete>Exterior NID-Network Interface Devices Installed on Homes>Light Testing/Adjustments >Service Installation Scheduled> Fiber Spliced into House>Service Installed in Home>Testing>Provisioning Complete>Service Confirmed by Testing on Home Device 1/1/2027-7/31/2029 Work Flow: Final Metrics Compiled>Certificate of Substantial Completion/Compiled Metrics submitted to NM OBAE>Final Report filed with OBAE G) Strategies to Support Long-term Technical and Financial Sustainability:  Oso has always operated as a cash positive company, being debt-free since its formation, 10 years ago. They have no outstanding loans and pay all equipment and contractor invoices within 30 days. They have a small but mighty full-time staff that handles day-to-day operations and a dedicated group of sub-contractors for specialized tasks. Oso intentionally operates with a thin and efficient full-time staff, to keep costs in budget. Additionally, Oso hires competent sub-contractors, which include engineers, surveyors, NEPA compliance, legal, CPA, financial and insurance professionals. Gearing up for fiber build projects is simply an expansions of their current work flow. Oso assures OBAE that with the addition of these new BEAD projects, they will continue to be reliable, technically competent, will build for scalability and will remain long-term financially sustainable.  Oso partners with Rutherford Diversified Industries (RDI), as their fiber contractor. RDI absorbs any cost over-runs. RDI has already agreed to continue to work with us on our proposed BEAD projects.