MEDFORD, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hunter Communications (Hunter), the premier fiber-optic communications services provider in southern Oregon and northern California, has been awarded $8,223,340 from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to provide high-speed broadband internet services to the Hoopa Valley Reservation, the largest in the state of California. The Hoopa Valley Broadband Initiative Project (HVBI) will be a collaboration between the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD) and EnerTribe, a Native-owned consulting firm specializing in planning, funding and building tribally chartered telecommunications infrastructure projects. HVBI Construction is slated to begin in January 2021.
“The Hoopa Valley Tribe members share goals of self-sufficiency and self-determination that will depend upon affordable high-speed internet to their homes and their businesses,” says Michael Wynschenk, Chief Executive Officer of Hunter Communications. “Hunter Communications is honored to partner with the Hoopa Valley Tribe to fulfill their needs for high-speed broadband via a wireless and fiber infrastructure deployed across the Hoopa Valley on the Reservation.”
“The California Advanced Series Fund (CASF) aim is to provide grants to bridge the ‘digital divide’ and expedite broadband connectivity to improve access to routine and critical services in eligible areas in the Hoopa Valley,” says Linnea Jackson, General Manager of Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District. “Hunter’s impressive telecoms industry experience and expertise will prove invaluable as the Hoopa people seek economic growth, online learning for all people and the benefits and opportunities that digital accessibility can provide.”
“The Hoopa Reservation is critically underserved when it comes to broadband. There are approximately 2,000 residents awaiting essential internet service, including hundreds of school children that need it for learning,” says Forest James, Chief Executive Officer of EnerTribe. “Our firm’s charge is to work closely with Hunter and the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District to ensure a successful project that meets the needs of the Hoopa Tribe and its citizens. I see great potential in the partnership between Hunter and the HVPUD.” EnerTribe serves as the project & program management, wireless engineering and installation firm for the project.
Hoopa Valley Broadband Initiative Project
To serve the rural, remote, 92,000-acre Hoopa Valley Tribal Reservation in Humboldt County, Hunter will deploy hybrid fiber optic and wireless middle-mile infrastructure and a last-mile hybrid fiber and fixed wireless network to provide high-speed broadband internet service to approximately 1,198 unserved households. The proposed project will ultimately enable fiber broadband access at speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 25 Mbps upload. In addition, the proposed region is located in Tier 2 and Tier 3 fire-threat districts and route diversity will help provide a safe and reliable network. The project is designed to minimize environmental impact.
About Hunter
Hunter Communications provides ultra-high-speed fiber optic broadband internet, data and voice services to business and residential customers in communities throughout southern Oregon and northern California. With Gig speeds, no data caps, and competitive pricing, Hunter’s 2,000+mile fiber network is nationally recognized for performance and reliability. BroadbandNow recognized Hunter with four 2020 Internet Service Provider Awards, including for fastest business internet speeds in Oregon and among the top 10 nationwide.
Founded in 1992, Hunter is headquartered in Medford, Oregon where the company established a legacy of service excellence and commitment to local communities. Hunter Communications was acquired in 2020 by Grain Management LLC. Additional information is available at Hunterfiber.com.