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The National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) issued a new press release on November 12, 2025 announcing reforms to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), a federal grant program first

  • Read more about Fact Sheet: NTIA Issues Press Release Announcing Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Reforms

This guidebook is designed to provide a strong foundation for understanding digital sovereignty and Tribal Nations in the United States. It introduces key concepts, outlines the building blocks of digital sovereignty and highlights examples of sovereignty in action — read it now. 

  • Read more about Tribal Digital Sovereignty Guidebook

On September 3, 2025 the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued a new National Policy Memorandum establishing a comprehensive framework for processing Rights-of-Way applications for broadband infrastructure deployment projects on Indian trust or restricted lan

  • Read more about Fact Sheet: Bureau of Indian Affairs Publishes Framework for Processing Rights-of-Way Applications for Broadband Infrastructure Projects

In rural Tribal communities across the United States, public radio is more than a source of news and entertainment; it's a lifeline. These stations deliver critical infrastructure for communication and connection, especially in areas where broadband access and even phone lines remain limited or nonexistent. Tribal radio broadcasts emergency alerts during storms, helps locate missing persons, shares local news, and preserves language, memory, and identity.

  • Read more about Public Radio at Risk: What’s at Stake for Tribal and Rural Communities

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 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. These grants are from the second round of funding, which made nearly $1 billion available for deploying Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth, and distance learning initiatives.

  • Read more about NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands
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 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL) created several new programs to expand broadband access.

  • 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
Tribal Digital Sovereignty is the overarching term that encompasses both Tribal Network Sovereignty and Tribal Data Sovereignty. It includes both the information and the physical means by which that information is transmitted, governed by a community's policies and codes that regulate the data, infrastructure, and networks.
  • Read more about Tribal Digital Sovereignty Defined
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Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU
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