Tribal Ready’s Virtual Tribal Broadband Office helps tribes access testing tools and information that will more accurately record broadband maps
Washington, D.C. – Tribal Ready, a Native American–owned–and–governed company with
decades of experience in communication network design and delivery to unserved and
underserved areas, is launching an outreach program to ensure that Indian Country is
accurately mapped for broadband access. Accurate broadband mapping is essential for Tribes
to receive funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Funds from the program are allocated based on an FCC map known as the Fabric. Estimates
indicate that location data in the Fabric may be incorrect in the vast majority of cases in rural
areas, either by omission or error. Tribal Ready helps Native communities challenge the data
and advocate for their concerns about the process.
“It is incumbent on Tribal leaders, citizens, and allies to gather data on a scale large enough to
ensure that Tribal nations receive the billions of dollars that are available and necessary to
complete broadband expansion projects,” said Joe Valandra, CEO of Tribal Ready. “Tribal
Ready has created a Virtual Tribal Broadband Office to give Tribes free speed testing tools and
information that will make it possible for them to access their fair share of funding.”
It’s estimated that Indian Country should receive at least $5 billion from the BEAD program if the
data were accurate.
“High–speed broadband is a resource – a means to an end,” said Scott Dinsmore, vice president
of external affairs at Tribal Ready. “It takes resources to achieve sustainable high–speed
networks and the world–class access to economic, education, healthcare and other benefits that
come with it.”
Tribal Ready believes that the best way to achieve this is for leaders in Indian Country to focus
on creating data and guidelines that help states design fair and inclusive challenge processes.
At the same time, the company is committed to ensuring that Tribal data sovereignty is secure
and protected.
Tribal Nations are encouraged to sign up for the Virtual Tribal Broadband Office by visiting
Tribal Ready’s site; click here.
Follow Tribal Ready on social media:
Twitter – @TribalReady
Instagram – @TribalReady
Facebook – @TribalReady
LinkedIn – Tribal Ready, Inc.
About the Company Founders
Joseph Valandra, president and CEO of Tribal Ready, Inc., is a member of the Rosebud Sioux
Tribe of South Dakota. He has more than 25 years of experience in executive–level leadership
roles in the public, private, government, and non–profit sectors, including an extensive
background in Tribal economic development. Using his collective experiences in government,
business, and gaming, Valandra has launched various ventures uniquely focused on the
technological development, marketing, and deployment of products and services designed to
benefit Native nations. He is deeply committed to hard work and determination, leading to
expanding opportunities for all Natives. joe@tribalready.com
Scott Dinsmore, vice president of external affairs at Tribal Ready, Inc., is Pakan’yani Maidu of
Strawberry Valley Rancheria. Calling upon over 20 years of award–winning experience in
network, sales, and marketing, Dinsmore has bridged the divide for large and small
organizations looking to expand their footprint and forge a path into the future. He founded a
501c3 non–profit (The One Native Nation Foundation, Inc.) to provide scholarships for Native
American youth from both federally recognized and unrecognized tribes. Scott believes
connecting Native communities to the highest quality broadband service available is
fundamental to Tribal data sovereignty and self–determination. scott.dinsmore@tribalready.com
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About Tribal Ready
Tribal Ready is a Native American–owned and governed company with decades of expertise in
communication network design and delivery to high–cost rural areas. Our mission is to ensure that high–
speed broadband reaches every Native American individual and community. We are committed
advocates for tribal sovereignty, fighting for the right to govern our communities and benefit from access
to modern technology. Our team has the knowledge and relationships vital for tribes to access broadband
grant funding and the trust necessary to preserve culture and advance tribal sovereignty
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