# Tribal Internet Is Up & Running

- Link: https://quintin.blog/2026/10/25/tribal-internet-is-up-running/
- Published: 2026-10-25T22:50:02-07:00
- Author: Quintin Swanson

For the first time, the network our homes, offices, and programs depend on belongs
to the Tribe.

46

Tribal homes in the first phase

1.8

miles of fiber funded by the grant

$498K

federal broadband grant

## Why it matters

Running our own network is part of digital sovereignty.

> Instead of waiting on outside companies, we decide where service goes and how 
> it grows.
> Chairman Quintin Swanson

The first phase was paid for by a federal Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program 
grant, and it brings fiber to Tribal government buildings as well as homes.

## How it’s going

 * **Spring 2026** Tribal internet service goes live.
 * **September 2026** A radio on the link to the tsunami tower failed. Our partners
   at NoaNet and Tribal Ready put in new radios, plus backups, and had the link 
   working again in about ten days.
 * **Now** The building work is nearly done. We are planning the business side: 
   how to pay for, run, and grow the service for the long term.
 * **Next** More coverage and more capacity.

### Staying involved

I now represent the Council in weekly planning meetings with our partners. I will
share updates here as service reaches more homes.

[About our federal grant](https://www.ntia.gov/funding-programs/internet-all/tribal-broadband-connectivity-program/tribal-broadband-connectivity-program-round-1-2021/funding-recipients/shoalwater-bay-indian-tribe-s-broadband-project)

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