Money Alone Can’t #ConnectTribes

While policymakers continue to make substantial investments toward universal broadband, these investments still leave gaps in Tribal connectivity. The three primary general-purpose broadband deployment grants accessible to Tribes include the Federal Communication Commission's High-Cost program, the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA's) Reconnect program, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA's) Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. However, several no-cost policy changes can fill these gaps and #ConnectTribes. Thus, policymakers should look to implement the following: 

• Tribal Priority Windows - a window of time where Tribes are given access to spectrum up for auction at no cost before regular bidders
• Spectrum “Use or Share” - a requirement where spectrum license holders must deploy said spectrum on Tribal lands, or give it to someone who will
• Federal Interagency Cooperation - coordination between federal agencies (i.e., NTIA, USDA, etc.) to ease Tribal navigation of various broadband grants and programs
• Tribal Consultation - coordination and consultation with Tribes early in the Tribal connectivity rule-making process 
• Modifying Build-out Requirements - requirements that encourage broadband deployment providers to build-out infrastructure in Tribal lands early and not last
• Tribal Control Over Rights of Way  - giving land held in trust by the federal government to individual Tribes, Tribe members 
• Use Spectrum Auction Proceeds for Tribal Broadband Adoption - utilizing spectrum auction proceeds to promote Tribal digital inclusion initiatives