KEAMS CANYON — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing millions of dollars to provide or improve rural broadband services in 11 states. “A person’s location should not determine whether he or she has access to modern communications infrastructure,” Secretary Perdue said. “That is why USDA is partnering with businesses and communities by investing in state-of-the-art broadband e-connectivity to remote and rural areas.” JC Sherman, Arizona State Director for USDA Rural Development said that Hopi Telecommunications, Inc., received a loan for $5.8 million. The loan will be used to construct fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) systems in the Keams Canyon, Kykotsmovi and Polacca exchanges and make additional system improvements. It is expected that approximately 650 customers will be placed on the FTTP system. Customers who remain on the copper system or wireless system will all be able to access speeds of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) upload and one Mbps download. The funding has been made available through the USDA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program.
