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# Navajo County and eX² Technology Team Up on Middle Mile Network
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/navajo-county-and-ex2-technology-team-up-on-middle-mile-network/
- Published: 2024-04-27T00:27:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:08:18.000Z
- Description: The initiative hopes to provide underprivileged residents with high-quality broadband
- Author: Corey Walker
- Tags: Briefs, New Mexico, #with-siderail, Digital Inclusion, Navajo Nation, Navajo County, Broadband Strategic Plan, Jason E. Whiting, Jay Jorgensen, Arizona Commerce Authority, Rural Arizona Broadband Development Grant, Katie Hobbs

April 26, 2024— The Navajo County Board of Supervisors and eX² Technology, a communications infrastructure group, [on Tuesday announced the start](https://ex2technology.com/navajo-county-pr-2024?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) of construction on a new 100-mile open-access, dark fiber middle-mile network in the area of north eastern Arizona.

Navajo County contains parts of the [Hopi Indian reservation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi%5FReservation?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), the [Navajo Nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo%5FNation?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), and [Fort Apache Indian Reservation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort%5FApache%5FIndian%5FReservation?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com). 

The new infrastructure aims to enhance the broadband quality of Navajo County, according to the press release. The new network aims to bolster access to municipal fiber, telehealth and education. 

“Recognizing a need for reliable, affordable internet and improved broadband offerings, the County commissioned a Broadband Strategic Plan in early 2021, and we’re now excited to be working with eX² Technology to construct a middle-mile fiber optic broadband system,” Navajo County Chairman **Jason E. Whiting** said,.

“This network will ensure the continuity of county operations and serve to provide reliable connectivity to residents and businesses for years to come," he said.

The agreement is for 20 years, according to the press release. The network will also interlink with other networks in the region, including Arizona and New Mexico.

“This open-access, middle-mile backbone will serve as an economic growth engine for Navajo County, enabling access to high-speed internet for the region’s underserved communities,” said **Jay Jorgensen**, chief operating officer of at eX² Technology. 

The Arizona Commerce Authority gave Navajo County a $9.7 million Rural Arizona Broadband Development Grant. The county already possessed $10 million in funds earmarked for broadband expansion from the American Rescue Plan Act. 

“We are grateful to Governor **\[Katie\] Hobbs** for her leadership and all our partners,” said **Sandra Watson**, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.