As Native communities work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for reliable internet service in Indian Country has gained renewed attention. Now more than ever, rural Native Communities must have access to dependable, high-speed internet for emergency communications, telehealth, and online business and economic development, as well as education, outreach, and social connection.
Many tribes may not be aware that there is currently an opportunity to claim and use the unassigned internet spectrum that is already running across their lands.
The FCC 2.5GHz Rural Tribal Window is an exclusive opportunity for rural tribes to take control of their digital communication infrastructure and build out their own internet networks, or lease or sell the spectrum to other internet service providers. Possibilities include:
- Build tribally owned wireless service for government, health and emergency services
- Expand reliable high-speed internet to tribal communities for home and business use
- Create funding for other tribal priorities by leasing or selling the 2.5GHz license to other wireless service providers
The deadline for tribes to apply for the 2.5GHz license is August 3, 2020, and the application process is free. More Information.
This webinar is for Tribes that understand the opportunity and are ready to apply. A panel of subject matter experts will walk Tribes through the application line by line. Attendees are encouraged to have the application open and ready to fill out. Time is allotted for Q&A.