Osage to begin Broadband Feasibility Study
Osage Nation Moves Forward with Providing Valuable Service for Osage County Residents
By ON Communications
PAWHUSKA, Okla. (November 6, 2015) —Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Osage Nation will begin the process of providing a much needed service to the Osage Reservation service area, broadband internet connection, through a public forum. In July, the Osage Congress approved a bill to support a feasibility study for broadband connection. Broadband is high speed internet that does not use dial-up connection.
The forum is open to the public and will provide information on the purpose, goals, and benefits of the study and allow time for public comments and questions.
ACRS Telecommunications Engineering has been contracted by the Osage Nation to conduct the study. They have provided the same type of work for other areas in northeast Oklahoma like Grand Lake where the demand for high speed internet was pressing due to a rapidly growing economy.
The Osage Nation is moving in the same direction and Osage leadership is aware of the need to improve internet connection to develop and improve Osage economy and achieve long-term goals as a culturally progressive Native Sovereign Nation.
"We must be connected in the most technologically advanced way as possible,” said Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear about taking the first steps towards high speed internet for the Osage Nation. “We no longer live near each other in a village. Perhaps someday we can gather together again and live with one another. Until then, we need to talk to each other."
According to the Osage Nation Utility Authority (ONUA) Chairperson Paul Bemore, “We cannot rely on gaming alone. Broadband will complement our public service to Osage citizens and the public in general.”
As far as how the study will go, he said, “The process, once the study proves itself, will be for [Osage] congress to commit to a plan and strategy to phase in broadband infrastructure. The first phase will be to build Osage government broadband infrastructure and expand to the public from there. This will be achieved by Osage funding as well as federal grants and low interest loans.”
The ONUA is hosting the forum to inform and gather information from the public, including all of Osage County and not just Osage citizens and enterprise, in order to be fully informed on the status of internet connection in the area. The study, while focused on high-speed internet issues, will also provide valuable data that could ultimately improve other issues, such as utilities, in the rural area that is also Osage County. It is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Bemore added, “[broadband connection will] provide a voice and data coverage where none exists, improved public safety for emergency responders, improved web access for public schools, distance learning, e-medicine, employment, economic development, jobs, and business diversification.”
The forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wahzhazhe Cultural Center in Pawhuska, Okla.
To access the event on the Osage Nation website go to https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/calendar.
ACRS Video link about broadband in NE Oklahoma: https://youtu.be/pa52Ob1ZOps?t=66
ACRS Telecommunications Engineers homepage: http://acrsokc.com/
For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599