The ability to connect online is invaluable. Whether it’s getting home via rideshare apps, ordering groceries, finishing schoolwork or sharing life’s moments with loved ones, the internet plays an invaluable role in how the world communicates. 

Enter Saddleback Communications. Celebrating its 25th year, Saddleback provides fiber-based voice, internet and cloud communications services based in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, where it’s also the leading provider of high-speed internet to businesses and Community residents—97 percent of them. 

Now the company will be able to connect more Community members with digital literacy and internet resources thanks to a $1.6 million grant announced January 10 by U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, both Arizona Democrats. 

“Affordable, reliable internet is a necessity for our children, workforce and future,” SRPMIC President Martin Harvier stated in a press release. 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) funds the grant, which is meant to expand and improve high-speed internet access, as well as provide digital literacy classes in the Community to ensure members understand how to access and use the ever-changing aspects of the internet.

Both Gallego and Kelly stated the funding makes a difference in communities like SRPMIC by expanding internet access, improving affordability, and creating more opportunities for education, healthcare and economic growth. 

The TBCP provides grants to Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian entities to support high-speed internet deployment and affordability, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth and distance learning.  

This isn’t the first award for Saddleback Communications. Additionally, Reinvent Telecom, a division of Saddleback, received the 2024 Internet Telephony Friend of the Channel Award from Internet Telephonymagazine—for the sixth consecutive year, according to David Ansehl, vice president of sales and marketing at Reinvent Telecom. 

Reinvent Telecom helps businesses communicate more efficiently by providing cloud-based, phone and messaging solutions. They offer services that allow companies to use phones, text, and the internet to stay connected with their clients and business partners. The award specifically recognizes businesses that go above and beyond in making it easier for companies and their partners to conduct business online. 

The continued ascension is proof that in today’s digital age of the internet, Saddleback Communications will continue to remain at the forefront. 

Saddleback Communications is located at 10190 E. McKellips Road in the Community. Call (480) 362-7150 or email customerservice@saddlebackcomm.com to establish or upgrade services.