Expand USF support on Tribal lands

A recommendation to:

FCC

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:

Modernizing Universal Service

Notice of Inquiry:

Improving Communications Services for Native Nations

Report & Order:

In November 2011, the FCC adopted a Report and Order on Universal Service Fund reform which, in part, creates a one-time Tribal Mobility Fund to award up to $50 million in additional universal service funding to Tribal lands to accelerate mobile voice and broadband availability in these remote and underserved areas.

Updates

Expanding Broadband and Other Communications Services in Native Nations

03/03/2011

The Federal Communications Commission acted on several regulatory items to strengthen and expand...

Details

Recommendation #84

FCC Chapter: 8.21

Status: Completed

Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to provide discretion to the Federal Communications Commission to allow anchor institutions on Tribal lands to share broadband network capacity that is funded by the E-rate or the Rural Health Care program with other community institutions designated by Tribal governments.

In recognition of the unique challenges facing Tribal communities, Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to provide discretion to the FCC to define circumstances in which schools, libraries and health care providers that receive funding from the E-rate or Rural Health Care program may share broadband network capacity that is funded by the E-rate or the Rural Health Care program with other community institutions designated by Tribal governments.