Choice NTUA Wireless – the regional US mobile provider that is co-owned by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and telecoms group ATN International – has selected Nokia to deploy a 4G fixed-wireless network using a combination of spectrum in the 600MHz, 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz bands. The AirScale 4G LTE RAN equipment will be rolled out by Nokia affiliate SAC Wireless and all sites will be operational before end-2020.
Choice NTUA Wireless, a facilities-based carrier, formally launched in 2014 and currently provides 4G LTE connectivity across the Navajo Nation. 98% of its overall network now supports 4G. Via holding company SAL Spectrum co-owner ATN International successfully bid USD20.397 million for 1,569 3.5GHz licences in the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ‘Auction 105’ spectrum sale.
The Navajo Nation, which spans 27,000 square miles across Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, is the largest land area retained by an indigenous tribe in the US. By area, it is larger than ten US states, namely: West Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.