Remarks Of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai At The 2.5 GHZ Rural Tribal Window Workshop

My travels throughout Indian Country have shown me that bringing high-speed connectivity to rural Tribal lands can be a game-changer. Broadband enables teleworking, job searches, and even starting an online business. It allows patients to consult with specialists without having to drive hours to the nearest hospital. And it gives students the ability to take advanced math and science classes online, if they aren’t offered at the local school. That’s why I’m proud to have launched several Federal Communications Commission initiatives to expand broadband access on Tribal lands.

In 2019, the FCC voted to reform the 2.5 GHz band. [W]e gave federally recognized rural Tribes and Alaska Native Villages a “priority window” to obtain this spectrum to serve rural Tribal lands. That is, before any commercial auction of this spectrum, we are giving Tribes first dibs. This application window will run from Feb 3 to Aug 3. As a result of Tribal input, the window will be open for six months, which should give Tribes the time they need to apply. For this is the first time in the FCC’s history that we have ever given Tribal entities a priority window to obtain spectrum licenses for wireless broadband. I’m proud that it is happening under my watch, and I hope that Tribes will take advantage of it. That is why we have convened today’s workshop.