Indianz.Com > News > Federal Communications Commission announces tribal priority licenses
FCC GRANTS FIRST LICENSES IN 2.5 GHZ RURAL TRIBAL PRIORITY WINDOW
Licenses Granted to 154 Tribal Applicants for Prime Mid-Band Spectrum to Close Digital Divide and Enable Advanced Wireless Communications, Including 5G
Friday, October 23, 2020
Source: Federal Communications Commission
fcc.gov

WASHINGTON, October 23, 2020 — The Federal Communications Commission this week issued the first set of spectrum licenses through the agency’s first-of-its-kind Rural Tribal Priority Window to Tribal entities across the country. The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau formally granted 154 applications for use of the 2.5 GHz band to close the digital divide and provide broadband and other advanced wireless services, including 5G, to rural Tribal communities.

“This is a major step forward in our efforts to close the digital divide on Tribal lands,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Few communities face the digital connectivity challenges faced by rural Tribes. By prioritizing Tribal access to this mid-band spectrum, we are ensuring that Tribes can quickly access spectrum to connect their schools, homes, hospitals, and businesses. Having visited many of these communities and met with Tribal leaders, I have seen first-hand the connectivity difficulties facing Native Nations. I am exceedingly pleased that—less than a year after we announced the timeline for the Rural Tribal Priority Window—we are now distributing 2.5 GHz band licenses to help Tribal communities bridge the digital divide.”

These licenses provide for exclusive use of up to 117.5 megahertz of 2.5 GHz band spectrum that can be used by Tribes to connect their communities. During the priority window, the Commission received over 400 applications to obtain overlay licenses for unassigned 2.5 GHz band spectrum to help address Tribes’ connectivity needs. FCC staff continues to review and process all applications filed in the priority window; more information on application processing and status may be found at fcc.gov/ruraltribalwindowupdates.

Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
VIDEO: S.5355 – National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act
VIDEO: ‘Nothing about me, without me’
VIDEO: H.R.1101 – Lumbee Fairness Act
VIDEO: S.3857 – Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act
Native America Calling: A look at 2024 news from a Native perspective
AUDIO: ‘The Network Working Against the Lumbee Tribe’
VIDEO: ‘The Network Working Against the Lumbee Tribe’
Tribal homelands bill on agenda as 118th Congress comes to a close
Native America Calling: Solving school absenteeism
‘The time is now’: Lumbee Tribe sees movement on federal recognition bill
Cronkite News: Program expanded to cover traditional health care practices
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation reclaims boarding school sites
Native America Calling: Reclaiming and growing Hawaiian kapa traditions
‘We’re not done’: Indian Country legislation crawls through Congress
More Headlines