[1st-mile-nm] TewaCom Expansion Announced

[Richard Lowenberg]

Pueblo buys Internet rival, eyes expansion

www.santafenewmexican.com/Local News/Pueblo-buys-Internet-rival--eyes- 
expansion-

Staci Matlock | The New Mexican
Posted: Friday, April 30, 2010 – 5/1/10

The San Ildefonso Pueblo Enterprise Corporation announced its  
acquisition Friday of wireless Internet competitor Chimayó Red in the  
Española Valley.

The acquisition will expand SIPEC's wireless broadband Internet  
service TewaCom to more than 6,500 homes and businesses around the  
rural valley.

Combined with plans to expand TewaCom's existing wireless service  
through $1.26 million in federal stimulus loans and grants, the  
company said it will be able to provide improved Internet access to  
Mendenales, Alcalde, Velarde, El Rancho, Jacona, Jaconita, Española,  
and the pueblos of San Ildefonso, Ohkay Owingeh and Santa Clara.

"The Corporation is committed to provide an alternative solution for  
broadband Internet services in the Valley with the acquisition of  
Chimayó Red," said Laurence Peña, SIPEC's chief executive officer, in  
a statement. "We continue to grow with our original concept of  
'Connecting the Unconnected.'"

Peña said the increased bandwidth will allow TewaCom to expand  
options, offering Voice over Internet Protocol and security monitoring.

Charles Frans, Chimayó Red's president and general manager, will  
become general manager of both companies. TewaCom Wireless' network  
operations manager, Heath Hill, will continue in his current position  
as well as serve in the same capacity for Chimayó Red.

TewaCom Wireless began offering broadband network service to San  
Ildefonso Pueblo in 2007 with the help of a Rural Utility Service  
Community Connect grant.

TewaCom's remaining competitors in the valley are Windstream and Qwest  
Communications.

Unlike neighboring pueblos, San Ildefonso has no casino.  
"Traditionally, a casino doesn't fit with us," Peña, a tribal  
councilman, said.

Instead, the pueblo is looking to build on its proximity to Los Alamos  
National Laboratory to increase economic opportunities through  
technology.



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