ARCATA, CA— The Yurok Tribe of Northern California signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Carlson Wireless, making them the first native tribe in the nation to utilize available TV white space to bring broadband capabilities to their currently underserviced remote areas. 

“The Yurok Tribe’s IT Department is eagerly waiting to test drive our new Carlson Wireless “white space” internet technology,” said Paul Romero, Director of the Yurok Tribe’s Information and Technology Department.

The Yurok Tribe will benefit greatly from this new technology, which will provide Internet connectivity to remote areas of the reservation—some without phones and/or viable transportation routes. Benefits include telemedicine and other health resources, distance learning and other educational benefits, broadened consumer opportunities, as well as a general boost in economic development.

“We believe this new form of broadband will increase internet coverage above and beyond existing wireless technology and greatly benefit Reservation residents,” Romero said.

 With unmatched range and signal penetration, Carlson Wireless’ RuralConnect™ IP brings wireless broadband to homes, businesses, and municipal sites while making maximum use of existing infrastructure, saving valuable project resources. Additionally, RuralConnect™ IP is a low impact solution, allowing for heightened connectivity without damaging the environment.

“This technology could enable the Tribe to provide more efficient internet coverage, which is currently severely limited internet access by the Reservations rugged terrain,” Romero said. “It will also require far fewer unsightly towers, which means much less ground disturbance.”

 Carlson Wireless has been working with tribal communities since 1986, with a goal of delivering cost effective voice and data solutions. And with the FCC’s recent unanimous vote to allow use of the unused TV broadcast channels made available by the transition from Analog to Digital TV last year, achieving this goal has never been more promising.

To view a short video of a recent demonstration of Carlson’s product, go to www.carlsonwireless.com/demo

To read more details about the Yurok Tribe's TVWS project, visit our blog.

About Carlson Wireless

For more than a decade, rural communities, industry and public safety agencies have come to rely on Carlson Wireless—designer and manufacturer of innovative, energy-smart wireless broadband data and voice systems. Learn more about Carlson Wireless by visiting their website: www.CarlsonWireless.com or contact them by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone: (707) 822-7000