Yurok Tribe
In 2021, the Yurok Tribe founded the Yurok Telecommunications Corporation, which folds in the previous work of Yurok Connect, the Wireless Internet Service Provider launched in 2013 by the Yurok tribe IT department. With $700,000 in funds from a USDA Community Connect grant, the tribe first built a tower network on the reservation. Located in Northern California, far from fiber backhaul, the tribe had to rely on a wireless network but has struggled due to the hilly terrain and old-growth redwood trees. Yurok has been focused on expanding their network, going from five to seven tower, with another one planned. They have also used funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to upgrade their network equipment to a carrier grade. The ISP currently serves about 200 customers. With funding from the California Public Utility Commission under the California Advanced Services Fund, the corporation is also working with nearby Karuk tribe to install 104 miles of fiber to better serve both communities.
Read news coverage of the tribe building their network here and listen here.
Watch and listen to Jessica Engle, CEO of Yurok Telecommunications Corporation, on ILSR podcast Connect This! Here. Listen to her talk about the connectivity challenges for her community here.