Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program update
Former KBLI building in Gibson.
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is under the Tribes Land Use division funded under a grant that was applied for back in 2020 to build infrastructure, fiber and wireless hybrid network.
The original grant is to connect 408 households on the reservation. But, the issue the program is faced with is that there is about 2,600 existing, current and future homesites that the program would like to serve with broadband.
Program manager Francis Goli said, “I want our reservation to be a smart reservation and have opportunities with technology.” The program’s goal is to build for the future and connect as many people as possible to technology.
Francis explained middle mile fiber is from an area explained as Chubbuck to Blackfoot, or bridging a gap in an area without broadband. Last mile fiber is explained as rural areas such as Ross Fork and connecting to the last mile population or end of an area. Then Fixed wireless is natural magnetic field which uses spectrum.”
The grant was redone in 2024 then submitted in July. “This is how the old radio station in the Gibson district just south of Blackfoot was able to be purchased for the program and is now a Tribal Asset,” Goli explained. Since then, the grant was again redone in December 2025 and the program just received approval on January 9, to remodel the old radio station building. Currently the program is working on an RFP (request for proposal) to get the building fully renovated. It will be a place for part of the community to utilize, and the other half of the building will be for program staff, along with to house staff for network support.
The program is also currently working on a right of way about a mile and a half long, to install a first segment of fiber from the south end of Blackfoot to the old radio station. To do it, they have started working BIA on the right of ways.
Currently, Amber Hastings can help on a one-on-one basis to help with basic computer skills, setting up, using email, phone assistance and much more. She can be contacted by phone 208-848-6082 or email amber.hastings@sbtribes.com to set up an appointment.
It is a community project and Francis said, “the program wants to hear the communities feedback, good or bad. Any feedback will help our program.”
