DIGITAL EQUITY
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Tribal Resources

Tribal Broadband Strategy Plan

National Tribal Broadband Strategy - Department of the Interior  PDF
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FCC Rural Tribal Priority Spectrum

FCC Map on pending, accepted, and granted Rural Tribal Priority Window applications and licenses  for 2.5 GHz SPECTRUM
(Tribal Priority Applications were due August 2020)

USDA

"Rural E-Connectivity Program - USDA ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
Applications Due: February 22, 2022
This program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, and/or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service to eligible rural areas.The USDA's Broadband ReConnect Program new rules dramatically expand eligibility and effectively redefine broadband. Entities that can apply for ReConnect assistance include corporations, limited liability companies/partnerships, cooperative or mutual organizations, states/local governments including agency/subdivision/instrumentality/political subdivision, and Tribal (as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
ReConnect Program Fact Sheet (PDF, 599KB)
Link to ReConnect Program Service Area Maps from the USDA
Evaluation Criteria - https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/evaluation-criteria
Tribal ReConnect Program Webinar FY2022
Overview and Q&A for Tribal Applicants
Wednesday, February 2 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM MT 
Register here!
​The USDA Rural Development Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hosting a ReConnect Program Overview and Q&A webinar for Tribal applicants. The webinar will provide an overview of the ReConnect Program, highlight resources, and key considerations for tribal applicants, and allow ample time for questions and answers. The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband. To learn more about the ReConnect Program, please visit https://www.usda.gov/reconnect.

NTIA

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)
  • Dear Tribal Leader Letter, June 2021
  • Press Release, June 3, 2021
  • Overview of NTIA Grant Programs

BroadbandUSA

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. 
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  • 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

Data Resources

 My Tribal Area - US Census Bureau  site 
Indicators of Broadband Need - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) site
NMBBP Map: New Mexico Broadband Map site
Broadband Now site  New Mexico https://broadbandnow.com/New-Mexico
Digital Divide - Center for Community Analysis at NMSU - 2019) site
Education Superhighway site
Digital BridgeNeeds Assessment site Connectivity map site
Purdue -Student Digital Opportunity (SDO), Broadband, Cost Benefit site 
​COVID-19: Internet Access and the Impact on Tribal Communities in New Mexico report
Tribal Tech Assessment report
The Cost of Connectivity 2020 Report: report
The Cost of Connectivity Report for Navajo Nation report

Resources from ESRI

Bridging the Digital Divide on Tribal Land - Esri Webinar
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 | 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. (PT)
Recording  http://go.esri.com/Digital1116

​Leverage ArcGIS to communicate the need and build your plan for expanding access to broadband.

Join Esri experts to learn how tribal communities can promote universal connectivity through a data-driven approach that facilitates collaboration, provides transparency, and drives results. In this webinar we'll discuss the following, all with the goal of helping bridge the digital divide:

  • Broadband availability on tribal land
  • Adoption and infrastructure data available in ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World
  • How ArcGIS and its range of capabilities can be leveraged to help enhance understanding, inform decision-making, and improve program management

    Register: https://www.esri.com/en-us/lg/industry/government/bridging-the-digital-divide-on-tribal-land0?adumkts=industry_solutions&aduse=national_government&aduc=industry_manager_outreach&utm_Source=industry_manager_outreach&aduca=modernizing_tribal_government&aduco=gbd&adut=G2319350&adulb=multiple&adusn=multiple&aduat=webinar&adupt=awareness&sf_id=7015x000001P1yRAAS
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Broadband Hub
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Tribal Broadband ​

Funding Opportunities

​Broadband Now Funding Directory and Search web directory
National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
​FY21 Federal Funding Guide (PDF)
FY21 Federal Funding Guide Spreadsheet (XL)

Highlights:
​
$1 Billion
 from NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Fund from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Request funds here.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)$20 Billion from Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from American Rescue Plan of 2021 for Water, Sewer, or Broadband
Request funds here.
$100 Million Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund from American Rescue Plan of 2021 for work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options

  • Broadband Connectivity Program - due September 1, 2021
    National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) https://www.ntia.doc.gov
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    https://www.usda.gov
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
    https://www.fcc.gov/
    The FCC is charged with expanding broadband access throughout the United States. In particular, the FCC manages spectrum, which is key to deploying wireless broadband on Tribal lands.
  • Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Tribal Governments - $20 billion for Tribal governments
    US Department of the Treasury link
  • National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG)
    US Department of the Interior  link
  • Community Connect Program
    US Department of Agriculture (USDA) link
  • Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
    US Department of Agriculture (USDA) link
  • ReConnect Program
    US Department of Agriculture (USDA) link
  • Native American Library Enhancement Grants - due May 11, 2021
    ​Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) link
  • Native America Library Series Basic Grants - Due April 16, 2021
    ​Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) link
  • Raise Build TIGER Discretionary Grant
    Federal Highway Administration link
  • Utilities Program
    ​Federal Highway Administration link


National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/
NTIA manages the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which provides grants to Tribal nations for broadband projects.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
https://www.usda.gov/

The USDA manages many loan and grant programs that Tribal nations can take advantage of to expand broadband access. One of these programs is called ReConnect. In past years, this program has given out loans and grants, but this program will only distribute grants in 2021.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
https://www.fcc.gov/

The FCC is charged with expanding broadband access throughout the United States. In particular, the FCC manages spectrum, which is key to deploying wireless broadband on Tribal lands.

Reports

  • COVID-19: Internet Access and the Impact on Tribal Communities in New Mexico report
  • Congressional Research Service COVID-19 Tribal Broadband Funding Report.
  • ILSR “Indigenous Future Zones” Report on Tribal Broadband (Feb. 2021)
  • AIPI, Tribal Technology Assessment: The State of Internet Service on Tribal Lands (2019)
  • Native Nations Communications Task Force, Tribal Broadband Report (Nov. 2019)
  • U.S. Department of Interior, National Tribal Broadband Strategy (Jan. 2021)
  • U.S. Department of Interior, Expanding Broadband Access (2021)
  • FCC Broadband Progress/Deployment Reports (1999 - 2021)
  • Government Accountability Office Report, Tribal Broadband: FCC Should Take Efforts to Promote Tribal Access to Spectrum, GAO-19-668T (Sep. 2019)
  •  FCC Report on Broadband Deployment in Indian Country, Pursuant to the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (May 2019)
  • Government Accountability Office Report, FCC's Data Overstate Access on Tribal Lands, GAO-18-630 (Sep. 2018)
  • Article: www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-hosts-tribal-broadband-listening-session-in-santa-fe

Events and Conferences

National Tribal Broadband Summit   
​2021: September 17, 24 and Oct 4 website  register
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WispaPalooza Conference - Wireless Internet Service Providers Association
​2021: Oct 11 -14  website
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Indigenous Connectivity Summit - Internet Society 
​​​2021: October 12-15 website
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Training Programs

C.O.O.L.Sustainable Pueblo Network and WISP Cohort Workforce Training  ​cool pueblo networks webpage
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This website initially established in response to community needs by CommUNITY Learning Network (CLN) with support from the, National Science Foundation Smart and Connected Citie and the Broadband Program of the New Mexico Department of Information Technology (NM DoIT) as well as other collaborating agencies and advocates listed here.
Copyright ​© 2021
  • Home
    • Agencies and Advocates
    • Connectivity Survey
    • Connection Check
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    • Resource Links
  • Digital Divide
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  • Get Connected - Families
    • Internet Support
  • Get Connected - Communities
    • State Resources
    • Community Funding Resources
    • Community Webinars
    • Community Networks Map
    • Regional Projects
  • Tribal Resources