Council approves $244 million broadband package
WINDOW ROCK
The Navajo Nation Council approved a $244.6 million broadband package July 2, preserving nearly $287 million in federal funding for broadband infrastructure.
The Council approved Legislation 0109-26 by a 21-0 vote. The measure appropriates nearly $76 million from the Nation’s Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for the first year, with repayment required, and authorizes another $169.1 million through the Capital Development Financing Fund in future years.
About 80% of the funding will go toward a Nation-owned, open-access network of towers and middle- and last-mile fiber that private providers can lease to deliver service. Another 15% is the local match needed to secure federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funding.
According to award announcements from Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the Navajo Nation has been provisionally awarded about $148.6 million, $111.8 million and $26.6 million, respectively, through the BEAD program. Combined with the tribal match, the broadband effort totals about $373 million and is expected to serve about 31,000 unserved and underserved homes through fixed wireless, fiber and satellite technologies.
To read the full article, please see the July 9, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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