Geeks Without Frontiers

Indigenous resilience network/broadband for tribes- geeks without frontiers continues to provide further support of the implementation of infrastructure, adoption of applications, workforce and economic development to benefit the communities and sustainable solutions. The gwf team has been actively working with multiple tribes with their plans to build/expand long-term sustainable broadband networks and address the many impacts of digital disparities among the already marginalized communities. The studies provided options for the design, procurement, implementation, and long-term operation of broadband networks owned and operated by each tribe. The summary studies took account of key variables including spectrum, regulatory, policy, technology, applications, user demand, competition, financial modeling, and other factors. These studies also show how the networks can be expanded to provide broadband services for neighboring towns as well as other potential clients. Gwf recommended technology selection path(s) and architecture, multi-year business plan, assessment of the applicability for demand aggregation implementations, use of sources of funding, and recommended approach to address relevant legal matters linked to the broadband network deployment. Our team is continuing to work with these tribes and additional tribes with providing further support of the implementation of infrastructure, adoption of applications to benefit the communities and sustainable solutions.

Digital equity initiative in maricopa, arizona-- since august 2023, gwf has been actively engaged in preparing broadband network designs and strategies tailored to the requirements of community anchor institutions, particularly in collaboration with sun corridor network (scn), including the customization of a customer relationship management (crm) system to streamline interactions. The implementation of this crm system aims to centralize contact management and communication with community anchor institutions effectively. Gwf conducts targeted outreach efforts within maricopa county to identify and assess community anchor institutions eligible for enhanced broadband connectivity, reflecting their commitment to equitable access to digital resources. Additionally, gwf supports scn in network design preparation through site surveys, data analysis, design requirement definition, proposal preparation, and feedback facilitation, collaborating closely with scn partners to establish key performance indicators (kpis) and align strategies for digital equity program implementation. Furthermore, gwf extends broadband funding outreach by engaging with all public housing agencies (phas) in maricopa county, assessing their broadband needs and (continued on schedule o, statement 2)