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Native American Wireless ISP Launched

Posted by simoniker on from the neat-stuff dept.

babynerd writes "On Tuesday June 1st the Coeur dAlene tribe unveiled the Turbocharged Broadband Geek Project. The scheme, organized by project head Valerie Fast Horse and funded by a $2.8 million dollar grant from the USDA Rural Utilities Service and a 15% in kind match from the tribe itself, will help build a community technology center (CTC) with 40 computers, and a wireless broadband ISP that will provide high-speed wireless access to anyone living on and near the reservation at a price comparable to that of any other DSL or Cable Internet providers - there's currently no broadband Internet access of any kind available."

5 of 301 comments (clear)

  1. Re:what are those mini-Vegas' for? by themaddone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Oh, gee, you know, trivial things like roads and schools, stuff the Gov't doesn't really fund.

  2. $2.8 Million? by tmasssey · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Doesn't that seem like an awful lot of money for 40-computer technology center and a wireless ISP contained for a community?

    That seems like enough for a *heck* of a buildout and, what? 10 years of expenses? How can I get a piece? :)

    --
    Linux IT Consulting and Domino Development in Michigan
  3. Re:what are those mini-Vegas' for? by Saxton · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Have you ever driven through a Native American reservation? If we're compensating them, where did we go wrong? Seems like we sent some people into the top 5% tax bracket and left the rest of the tribes in the lowest levels of poverty. Not as nasty as killing their ancestors and forcing them into the worst parts of the country, but it's still pretty bad.

    -Aaron

    --
    My name is Aaron Landry, and I approve this message.
  4. Re:All right, this will get me flamed, I'm sure. by jjjefff · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Maybe the idea here is that by giving them a handout with potentially limitless educational value, we increase the odds that at least a few more of them will be motivated and have the resources to get out there and make it on their own.

    I suppose you think fertilizer encourages laziness in plants...

  5. Angry Geeks by broadzilla · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am shocked to read the number of angry responses to this story. I always thought that technology was neutral in the racial game, and was quite surprised at the number of angry, racial geeks out there. I guess I should be glad that your remarks are based on ignorance rather than truth or honesty. The good news: you angry guys are not the majority.