NTIA Announces Over $5 Billion in Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Funding Requests

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has received more than 280 applications for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, for a total of over $5 billion in funding requests. The volume of requests demonstrates the significant need to expand access to and adoption of broadband service on Tribal lands. The NTIA has begun reviewing the applications as part of the $980 million grant program, which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Grants will be made available to eligible Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth, and distance learning. The program’s 90-day application window closed on Wednesday, Sept. 1. NTIA will thoroughly and objectively review applications according to the criteria provided in the program's Notice of Funding Opportunity.