Broadband

Congress is actively working to finalize this year’s federal budget bill, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the Act). The Act reflects the Trump Administration’s budget and policy priorities for Fiscal Year 2025, including many related to wireless spectrum. 

  • Read more about Explainer: Competing House and Senate Wireless Spectrum Provisions in the Budget Act Could Affect Tribal Broadband Access

On March 31, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) posted a notice that it is seeking public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) filed by the Wireless Association (CTIA). All comments are due by April 30, 2025.

  • Read more about Call To Action: FCC Seeking Comments NPRM on NEPA Regulations

On December 16, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recommended that 44 tribal entities be awarded more than $276 million to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption.

  • Read more about NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands

On October 29, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shared at the general assembly for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Convention that the agency launched the Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP or E-Rate).

  • Read more about Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program Resources

The

  • Read more about Call To Action: Upcoming DEA Grant Program Topical Webinars for Native Entities

The newly created

  • Read more about Call to Action: The FCC seeks comments on the new 5G Rural Fund
Despite many advancements in broadband connectivity over the past three years, Native American communities still lack critical internet infrastructure development to achieve meaningful internet access. Federal programs like the BEAD Program and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program are focused on addressing the need for internet infrastructure; however, meaningful internet access means more than just need.  The true extent of “meaningful” considers both need and how people are able to benefit and participate in work, school fully, and all the other aspects of online life.
  • Read more about Overview: Tribal Eligibility in the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs

The

  • Read more about Policy Explainer: Digital Equity Act Programs Update
It is imperative that communities review the accuracy of the data, as there will be no other opportunity to correct data in the future. The BEAD program is based on connecting Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSL), such as houses and apartment buildings, and Community Anchor Institutions (CAI), such as schools and libraries. Therefore, it is crucial that data on a BSL in a given area is accurate so that connectivity needs are addressed. Arizona’s BEAD challenge map is an interactive map that shows individual BSLs and CAIs and the information associated with those locations. This map should be reviewed to see if the state’s information on a given location is accurate.
  • Read more about Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

Last week, the

  • Read more about Call to Action: Review Arizona’s Digital Equity Plan
  • Page 1
  • Next page ››
Subscribe to Broadband
ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Arizona State University
American Indian Policy Institute

Contact Us

Maps and Locations Jobs Directory Contact ASU My ASU
Repeatedly ranked #1 in innovation (ASU ahead of MIT and Stanford), sustainability (ASU ahead of Stanford and UC Berkeley), and global impact (ASU ahead of MIT and Penn State)
Copyright and Trademark Accessibility Privacy Terms of Use Emergency