Chairman Response Regarding Connectivity on Tribal Lands

On April 27, 2020, a group of representatives, led by Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chairs Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Tom Cole (R-OK), wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging the FCC to "grant Tribal Nations and their eligible tribal entities an emergency Special Temporary Authority (STA) to employ the use, on a secondary non-interference basis, of 2.5 GHz spectrum and other efficient, available, and cost effective spectrum on all tribal lands to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its current and future effects in Indian Country."

On May 11, Chairman Pai responded by saying he has prioritized the FCC's creation of both spectrum access programs and funding programs designed to promote connectivity in rural areas, including on Tribal lands, specifically pointing towards the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window. Citing an unprecedented surge in demand across broadband networks nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chairman Pai said he has directed FCC staff to prioritize consideration of all requests for emergency access to available spectrum from any entity -- including Tribal Nations and providers serving Tribal lands -- able to address these immediate capacity needs. He said the FCC has granted three emergency STAs in the 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands to support the Navajo Nationa's communications and pandemic response efforts. Chairman Pai also noted the FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which awarded $954,990 to the Navajo Nation Department of Health, in Window Rock, Arizona.