<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:110%"><b>Pueblo buys Internet rival, eyes
expansion<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:110%"><b><a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local">www.santafenewmexican.com/Local</a> News/Pueblo-buys-Internet-rival--eyes-expansion- </b></p>
<div class="MsoNormal">Staci Matlock | The New Mexican<span style="font-family:
Arial"><br>
</span>Posted: Friday, April 30, 2010 – 5/1/10<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%">The San Ildefonso Pueblo Enterprise
Corporation announced its acquisition Friday of wireless Internet competitor
Chimayó Red in the Española Valley. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>The acquisition will expand SIPEC's wireless broadband Internet service
TewaCom to more than 6,500 homes and businesses around the rural valley. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>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. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>"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.'" <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>Peña said the increased bandwidth will allow TewaCom to expand options,
offering Voice over Internet Protocol and security monitoring. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>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. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>TewaCom Wireless began offering broadband network service to San
Ildefonso Pueblo in 2007 with the help of a Rural Utility Service Community
Connect grant. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>TewaCom's remaining competitors in the valley are Windstream and Qwest
Communications. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>Unlike neighboring pueblos, San Ildefonso has no casino.
"Traditionally, a casino doesn't fit with us," Peña, a tribal
councilman, said. <span style="font-family:Arial"><br>
<br>
</span>Instead, the pueblo is looking to build on its proximity to Los Alamos
National Laboratory to increase economic opportunities through technology. <o:p></o:p></p>
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