While data centers are one of the hottest topics nationwide these days in the utility sector, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority several years ago took the initiative to establish and maintain a Data Center on Sovereign Navajo land. prior to the dramatic growth in data centers in the U.S.
“This strategic move not only contributes to the technological development within the Navajo Nation but also opens doors for collaboration with tribal and non-tribal entities,” NTUA said.
The data center was completed more than 10 years ago.
NTUA noted that it is actively involved in providing new infrastructure initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to advancing technological capabilities within the Navajo Nation.
The data center being built on Sovereign Navajo land “emphasizes the significance of autonomy and control over technological resources and services provided within the Nation,” NTUA said. “A publicly accessible Data Center showcases transparency and openness, attracting a diverse range of users, including tribal and non-tribal businesses, government entities, and enterprises.”
The Data Center, as a co-location facility hosting multiple entities' network equipment in a secure environment and fully certified Tier 3 Data Center, signifies a high level of reliability and availability of services for networking gear, NTUA noted.
“NTUA's willingness to work with tribal and non-tribal businesses, government agencies, and enterprises creates opportunities for partnerships and collaborations, leading to mutually beneficial relationships and contributions to economic development. The Data Center serves both the Navajo People and the general public, promoting inclusivity and extending the benefits of technological infrastructure beyond tribal boundaries,” it said.
Overall, NTUA's efforts in establishing and maintaining a state-of-the-art Data Center “reflect a forward-thinking approach to technology, fostering collaboration, economic growth, and technological advancement within the Navajo Nation and beyond,” NTUA said.
“In today’s changing world, regardless of where we are, we must keep up with technology and provide a robust, reliable, and secure data, communication, and information technology system,” said NTUA General Manager Walter Haase. “In 2013, our journey into more advanced communication technology began after we successfully built a 550-mile broadband fiber optic backbone throughout the Navajo Nation, allowing tribal communities to connect directly to the internet.”
“As part of that effort, we built a Tier-3 data center designed for growth, redundancy, and security,” he said. “Today we are seeing the benefits of starting early as conversations about Data Centers have increased.”
