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Navajos to lose internet
Unless something is done, the Navajo (Dine) Nation will lose their internet access on Monday Apr 7, 2008. That means any student who takes online classes will not be able to finish their courses, as well as becoming more isolated than they already are. The whole tribe uses the internet, not just the students, so it's loss will be felt nationwide.
I e-mailed the head of their communications department to see what they have in the works and am awaiting a reply, but if any of you have suggestions, I'm open. I'll be cross-posting this to everywhere I go on the internet, to catch as many people as I can to make them aware. Maybe sheer volumes of concerned people can help, somehow. |
Posted: 10:43, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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well who...
can we bug?
mebbe stir up all ur mates etc to bug those responsible? |
Posted by superserious at 11:47, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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| But, why are they losing their internet? |
Posted by LauriesAsylum at 01:57, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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Why are they losing their internet? I haven't heard anything about this, so am curious as to how an entire nation of people's can have their service cut off. Is it due to the finances involved in providing the connection to them or the cost of getting lines laid to their vicinity? Is this because of some sort of political or tribal dispute with whichever service provider that has a monopoly on that region? Now I'm really curious for more info!
*runs off to google Navajo's lose the internet* |
Posted by LadyVisine at 02:05, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...QD8VR2V680
It's due to their region being so difficult to get services out to and bureaucratic BS with the service providers and grant writers.
I got a reply form Earnest Franklin. He says letters or a petition to the head of the Universal Services Administrative Company might help. I'm still looking for contact information. |
Posted by treasa at 05:01, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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| I suppose it's not cost effective to reach extremely rural areas. What about dial up service? Or is it possible for satelite or something to be installed there? That would be the only way I could get high speed internet where I live. |
Posted by DeeJay at 07:35, Fri-4-Apr-2008 |
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The thing is, they don't care if it's high speed or not.
According to the reply I got, only 39% of people living on the reservation have phone lines in their homes. 60% now have cell phones, purchased individually, but most of those are basic models and plans, not internet capable.
The service they were using was a satellite company, which was piped into their community houses (each area has a gathering hall that is used for all sorts of activities) and spilled over into a wireless access area in the parking lots of the community houses, but the USAC hasn't paid the grant money to the satellite company and won't until the question on whether the satellite company double-billed is resolved, and the satellite company says they haven't been paid and shouldn't have to provide the service.
Meanwhile, while all the legal arguments are going on, which with the government involved could last years, the Navajos can't renegotiate with the company, even if they had the money, and they can't accept new bids from other companies because there's a contract pending already with the first company.
The USAC also said that using a satellite company might not have been the lowest bid the nation received, which may be true, but given the area they live in, it may have been the only option that could work with all sites involved.
So, anyway, I did hear back from the Navajo representative and he said if we want to help we should write to the USAC and get them to release the funds, or start a petition to the same effect, so I'm working on finding the name and address of the person we need to contact directly.
USAC stands for Universal Services Administrative Company and is a subcontracted oversight company for administering grants and funds for rural use- not just the Navajo, but a lot of other places, too. |
Posted by treasa at 03:51, Sat-5-Apr-2008 |
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cool
| if we can hassle 'em via email that'd be great |
Posted by superserious at 05:19, Sat-5-Apr-2008 |
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That does not make any sense at all.
Oy.
*shakes head* |
Posted by ben at 08:46, Sun-6-Apr-2008 |
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Where do I sign? :)
That darn red tape fubars a good thing, every time! |
Posted by LadyVisine at 02:34, Sun-6-Apr-2008 |
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