PAWUSKA, Okla. — Biden-Harris administration officials teamed up with Osage Nation Department Wahzazhe Connect and the Oklahoma Broadband Office to break ground on Monday to bring high-speed internet to Osage Nation communities.
According to the announcement, the event at Wakon Iron Hall in Pawhuska marked the launch of the $40.6 million project.
It is funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The plan is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” plan.
The project will build more than 200 miles of high-speed fiber optic cabling and install 16 fixed WiFi towers throughout the Osage Nation, according to the announcement. It will also directly connect more than 3,000 unserved Osage Nation households.
“Today, we broke ground on a project that will install fiber optic cable and build wireless towers to directly connect more than 3,000 unserved Osage Nation households,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Ellen Davidson (Alan Davidson) said. “This $40 million project will expand access to education and healthcare, support smart technology in agriculture, and create construction and broadband jobs.”
“High-speed internet is like water,” said Tom Perez, a senior adviser to President Biden. “This is a critical public necessity that needs to be affordable and accessible to everyone. That’s why the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $90 billion to ensure communities across the country, especially rural areas and communities like Osei Tribal nations like the Chi, who often lag behind, are connected to the pipeline of opportunity provided by reliable internet.”
“This will improve our community on many different levels, including education, social connections, health services and collaboration with communities in our community and around the world,” said Chief Jeffrey Standing Bell.