Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Initiatives to Modernize Electromagnetic Spectrum Access and Technological Resources on Tribal Lands

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The Departments of the Interior and Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance electromagnetic spectrum access opportunities and the deployment of broadband and other wireless services on Tribal lands. Additionally, the Department of the Interior is establishing a new Office of Indigenous Communications and Technology (OICT) to assist Tribal Nations and Tribal entities in managing and developing new technological and wireless services on Tribal lands to advance true self-determination over digital resources. The new MOU will provide a framework to explore new opportunities to develop wireless services and intergovernmental coordination, including spectrum access and data exchange over Tribal lands, in support of Tribal political and economic self-determination in the digital era. OICT will focus on the facilitation of robust partnerships between Tribes and the tech industry that will advance new Tribal economic development initiatives, including electric vehicles, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) used for mapping, surveying and other services. Building upon the Interior Department’s unique role and fiduciary duty to manage Tribal lands and resources, OICT will also review new electromagnetic spectrum leasing opportunities to advance Tribal self-determination, help develop national Tribal broadband policy guidance through on-going, consistent intergovernmental coordination, and provide technical assistance for the establishment of wireless, digital and technological projects on Tribal lands and Native Hawaiian homelands.


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