In July 2024, the California Department of Technology (CDT) signed a fiber lease agreement with Yurok Telecommunications Corporation (YTEL). Under this agreement, YTEL will build and
lease 47 miles of dark middle-mile fiber infrastructure, extending from Orick to Crescent City, enabling the States Middle Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) to serve the Yurok community
and beyond.
YTEL will retain full ownership of the fiber infrastructure while leasing fiber to CDT, creating a new revenue stream for YTEL. YTEL also gains access to lower-cost materials through CDT’s procurement channels, reducing project expenses and increasing sustainability.
The collaboration with CDT is a model of government-to-government partnership, showing how Tribal nations can lead in infrastructure development while benefiting from state-level support. The agreement ensures that Yurok environmental and cultural resource protection laws are respected during all phases of the project—planning, construction, and maintenance. This reinforces Tribal sovereignty and ensures development aligns with Yurok values and stewardship of the land.
This project isn’t just about fiber—it’s about empowering the Yurok people with tools for long-term resilience, self-determination, and digital equity.
Project Lead: Joshua Deixler, Project Manager
YTEL Voices
YTEL Voices is the collective voice of Yurok Telecommunications Corporation, sharing stories, updates, and insights on how technology is strengthening the Yurok Tribe. From expanding broadband access to preserving cultural traditions in a digital world, we explore the ways connection shapes our present and future.
The Yurok people have always stayed connected—through the river, through storytelling, through the wisdom passed down across generations. Today, that connection continues in new ways. As YTELbuilds a high-speed internet network across the reservation, we are creating new opportunities while ensuring that the values and traditions of the Yurok Tribe remain at the heart of everything we do.
Follow along as we share the journey of bringing reliable, community-led internet to the Yurok people.
