Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Educational Broadband Service

In November 2019, Members of Congress wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to express concern that the very brief notice, and even shorter window for filing spectrum license applications in the 2.5 GHz proceeding will prevent many tribes and tribal organizations from taking advantage of the priority window. In addition, they said the FCC request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expedite its Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) approval of the order may further disadvantage eligible tribes and tribal organizations.

On December 3, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote back saying that the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has been working with FCC staff to prepare Tribal communities for the upcoming eligibility window. "And following discussions I personally have had with representatives of Tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations, I share your view that Tribes will need sufficient time to prepare and participate in the Tribal priority window. Therefore, on December 2, I sent letters to Tribal and Native Hawaiian leaders, and the FCC also issued a Public Notice, stating that the Tribal priority window will open on February 3, 2020 and close on August 3, 2020. This extended 182-day window is the result of the hard work of agency staff and takes into account NCAI’s recent resolution on this issue. The FCC takes seriously its trust relationship with federally-recognized Tribal Nations, and we share the common goal of closing the digital divide in Indian Country. To this end, it is important that we collaborate to ensure that interested Tribes can take advantage of this unprecedented option."