FFB Week 43 – Tribal Broadband Opportunities and Challenges

Tribal lands have traditionally had less access to high-speed broadband than the rest of America. While roughly 15% of Americans don’t have access to high-speed broadband, this increases to over 35% in tribal lands. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program under NTIA sets aside $3B for deployment and adoption of broadband in Tribal Lands. Many tribes have already won grants under this program and a new Notice of Funding Opportunity is out now with submission deadline in January 2024 with a budget of $1B. This webinar will answer some of your questions about the TBCP program and will reflect on the advantages of having fiber in your tribal lands.

Guest Presenters:
• Sachin Gupta, Director of Government Business and Economic Development, Centranet
• Robert Griffin, Tribal Broadband coordinator, The Choctaw Nation Government Division

Sachin Gupta and Robert Griffin, both seasoned professionals in the technology and telecommunications industry, bring a wealth of expertise to their respective roles. Sachin Gupta, with 18 years of experience in product management, business development, and marketing, has a proven track record of advocating for smart defense and security solutions, engaging with government officials globally, and speaking at conferences on technical, legislative, and regulatory issues. Robert Griffin, a Choctaw Nation member, has spent over two decades designing, implementing, and managing technology solutions for various organizations, including tribal, federal, and state governments, commercial enterprises, and Fortune 500 carriers. Together, their combined expertise and dedication make them invaluable assets in their respective fields.