Tribal Broadband Connectivity

NTIA is committed to increasing broadband Internet access across America, particularly in unserved and underserved communities. NTIA serve federally recognized tribal governments and Hawaiian home lands that seek to expand broadband connectivity and promote digital inclusion through solution-neutral guides and resources, group technical assistance, interagency coordination, and administration of grant programs.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP)

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides new sources of tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which is exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country.

With the designated funding, NTIA is developing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), a $1 billion program directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability, and digital inclusion. Entities eligible for TBCP grants include tribal governments, tribal organizations, TCUs, the Native Hawaiian Community, and Native Corporations.

• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) published on grants.gov
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 06-09-2021
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 07-13-2021
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 07-28-2021
• Dear Tribal Leader Letter, June 2021
• Press Release, June 3, 2021
• Overview of NTIA Grant Programs

Tribal Consultations: 

In order to ensure the TBCP is as effective as possible, NTIA held three virtual government-to-government Tribal Consultation sessions in February requesting Tribal Leader input on the implementation of the program and grants. Session agendas were structured based on topics including eligibility, equitable distribution, historic preservation and environmental assessment, unserved areas, reporting requirements, and tribal lands. 

• Consultation Recordings
• Written Input from Tribal Leaders
• Tribal Consultation Agenda 
• Consultation Policy 
• Letter from NTIA Associate Administrator

Upcoming Events:

NTIA is hosting a series of webinars from April through July in connection with the three new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, including the TBCP. Please visit BroadbandUSA’s Events page in order to register for upcoming webinars.

Recordings, transcripts and presentations from past Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program webinars:

• April 21, 2021
• April 22, 2021
• June 16, 2021
• June 17, 2021
• July 21, 2021
• July 22, 2021

Register for upcoming webinars: 

• August 11, 2021
• August 12, 2021
• August 23, 2021
• August 24, 2021

Additional Resources

• BroadbandUSA’s “one-stop” funding site is updated annually and provides information on how to access federal funding to support broadband planning, public access, digital inclusion, and deployment projects. 
• BroadbandUSA provides information regarding Federal Permitting across agencies, including information from the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• BroadbandUSA provides Digital Inclusion publications and resources from Department of Commerce and other federal agencies, including resources relevant to tribal governments looking to address the digital divide. 
• BroadbandUSA  publishes toolkits for communities seeking to expand broadband access and adoption, including: 
  • Planning Community Broadband Roadmap: A Toolkit for Local and Tribal Governments
  • The Power of Broadband Partnerships: A Toolkit for Local and Tribal Governments
  • Sustaining Broadband Networks: A Toolkit for Local and Tribal Governments
  • Implementing a Broadband Network Vision: A Toolkit for Local and Tribal Governments

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP)

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides new sources of tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which is exacerbating the digital divide across Indian countries.

With the designated funding, NTIA is developing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), a $1 billion program directed to tribal governments to be used for broadband deployment on tribal lands, as well as for telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability, and digital inclusion.

Entities eligible for TBCP grants include tribal governments, tribal organizations, TCUs, the Native Hawaiian Community, and Native Corporations.

https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/tribal-nations

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Upcoming Events

Aug 11—Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Webinar (NTIA)

Aug 12—Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Webinar (NTIA)

Aug 12—The Impact Summit (Impact Labs)

Aug 12—Broadband Data Task Force Webinar On Proposals For Broadband DATA Act Mobile Challenge, Verification, And Crowdsource Technical Requirements (FCC)

Aug 18—Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Webinar (NTIA)

Aug 19—Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Webinar (NTIA)

Aug 19—Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States (FCC)

Aug 23—Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Webinar (NTIA)

Aug 24—Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Webinar (NTIA)

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