CUDEII, NM – Navajo Nation President Nygren joined community members, chapter officials, NTUA, Choice Wireless, and project partners on Monday, July 6, to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the new Tó kǫʼí Telecommunications Tower, marking another milestone in the Navajo Nation’s continued investment in broadband infrastructure and digital connectivity.
With the iconic Shiprock as the backdrop, the ceremony celebrated the completion of the 180-foot telecommunications tower, now fully operational and providing reliable fixed wireless broadband service to families in the Gadii’ahi/Tó kǫʼí area and surrounding communities.
Funded through a National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) broadband grant, the Tó kǫʼí Tower represents an investment of approximately $808,282 as part of a larger $50.8 million broadband initiative administered through NTUA and its project partners. According to the NTIA application, the site is expected to provide broadband coverage to more than 1,900 homes, helping bridge the digital divide across the Navajo Nation.
The ribbon-cutting brought together residents, Gadii’ahi/Tó kǫʼí chapter leadership, and employees from NTUA and Choice Wireless to celebrate years of collaboration that made the project possible. The tower is another successful example of expanding reliable internet service to communities that have historically faced limited connectivity.
NTUA Project Manager Shannahelena Tachine thanked President Nygren, Council Delegate Amber Crotty, chapter leadership, and community members for supporting the project. She emphasized that successful infrastructure projects begin at the local level, with chapter resolutions and community voices identifying the need and guiding each project from concept to completion.
During the Nygren Administration, broadband investments have moved beyond engineering plans and environmental reviews into completed telecommunications towers, fiber construction, and active broadband service reaching Navajo communities. Earlier this year, the Navajo Nation approved a $244.6 million Broadband Infrastructure Projects Plan that will continue expanding broadband access throughout all 110 chapters. Completed projects in communities including Nazlini, Low Mountain, Oak Springs, and now Tó kǫʼí demonstrate the steady progress being made to connect more Navajo families to reliable, high-speed internet.
The success of these projects reflects the strong partnership between the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Nation Broadband Office, NTUA, Choice Wireless, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Broadband Office has led planning, grant administration, and project coordination, while NTUA has provided the engineering expertise, fiber infrastructure, and utility support necessary to deliver broadband service to underserved communities.
President Nygren reaffirmed that expanding broadband infrastructure remains one of the administration’s highest priorities, as thousands of Navajo households still lack reliable internet access.
“Every new mile of fiber, every new telecommunications tower, and every new broadband connection moves us closer to ensuring every Navajo family has access to the same opportunities,” President Nygren said. “Our work continues through strategic investments that combine federal funding with Navajo Nation resources, allowing us to reach communities that have historically been overlooked while building a network that will serve future generations.”
President Nygren concluded by thanking NTUA, Choice Wireless, the Navajo Nation Broadband Office, federal funding partners, chapter officials, and local residents for their collaboration and continued commitment to expanding broadband access across the Navajo Nation.
