Sen. Sinema Applauds Broadband Expansion for the Havasupai Tribe

Published May 22, 2019

WASHINGTON — Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s decision to invest in four new Educational Broadband Service channels for the Havasupai Tribe, which will provide Havasupai students access to critical educational resources.

“High-speed internet access expands opportunity for Arizonans. By expanding broadband on the Havasupai Reservation, we are closing a digital divide and helping Havasupai students access a world-class education that will help them succeed,” said Sinema.

Sen. Kryston Sinema

The Havasupai Reservation consists of 188,077 acres of plateau country, dissected by canyons characteristic of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River region. Due to the size of the Havasupai Reservation, many students access their education through the internet. Without reliable broadband, students cannot receive the education they need.

Sinema spoke about the Havasupai Tribe’s lack of broadband at a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing. Sinema is a longtime advocate for closing Arizona’s digital divide, working to ensure every Arizonan can access quality high-speed internet and the opportunities that come with it. She recently introduced the ACCESS Rural America Act, encouraging private investment in rural broadband. Sinema also signed a bipartisan letter to the FCC last year, urging them to make public investments to connect rural communities with dependable voice and internet services.