Challenges to Improving Telecommunications For Native Americans

[SOURCE: Government Accountability Office] GAO-06-189
This report discusses 1) the status of telecommunications subscribership for Native Americans living on tribal lands; 2) federal programs available for improving telecommunications on these lands; 3) barriers to improvements; and 4) how some tribes are addressing these barriers. In a draft of this report provided for agency comment, GAO recommended that FCC determine what data is needed to assess progress toward the goal of providing access to telecommunications services to Native Americans living on tribal lands and how this data should be collected, and report to Congress on its findings. FCC agreed more data is needed but maintained that it is not the organization best positioned to determine what that data should be. Given FCC’s response, Congress should consider directing FCC to carry out our recommended action. In addition, Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to facilitate and clarify tribal libraries’ eligibility for universal service funds.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-189
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06189high.pdf