The Yurok Tribe’s Telecommunications Corporation was awarded a grant under the NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. This grant of $61 million dollars will fund the construction of
fiber optic cables from Orick to Crescent City and build new towers to improve wireless broadband coverage. It is funding new equipment on the towers and homes, significantly increasing the speed and reliability of the network for internet users on Yurok ancestral lands.
This effort to expand connectivity calls for the construction of nine new towers at strategic locations throughout the reservation, including: Requa area, the Glen area (near Terwer Creek off
HWY 169), Wautec, Notchko area, Orick, Mitchell Road (Weitchpec area), Weitchpec (off Weitchpec School Road), Miners creek and Two-Snakes Road (Tulley Creek area).
YTEL is also excited to announce the construction of a brand-new customer service center in Orick. This center will serve as a dedicated space to support our community’s telecommunications
needs, ensuring better access and assistance for all.
When driving through Orick, you may notice a lot of fiber optic equipment along the way—fiber reels, underground vaults, aerial strands, and reels of fiber conduit. This is part of MERK Construction’s laydown yard, where materials are being prepared for use in the construction of this fiber optic project. The rollout of new services is planned for Winter 2025 through Summer 2026, bringing faster, more reliable internet to our community.
The fiber construction work will be undertaken by MERK, a Yurok tribally owned construction firm. Additionally, certain aspects of the tower construction will be put out to bid. If you would like to be added to the vendor list, please email tnatt@yuroktelecom.com. We welcome inquiries and look forward to fostering collaboration within the community.
For more information about the project, please visit the YTEL website, where you can sign up to receive a newsletter and announcements. This ambitious project represents the Yurok Telecommunications Corporation’s commitment to creating a more connected and empowered community. Enhanced internet coverage, speed, and reliability will pave the way for more opportunities in education, healthcare, business, and beyond.
Project Lead: Sonny Ryles, 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.
