NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands
Mikaela Bledsoe Downes
AIPI Policy Grad Student
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.
The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) is a $3 billion program from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Consolidated Appropriations Act that supports Tribal governments by bringing high-speed Internet to Tribal lands. The program also includes telehealth, distance learning, affordability, and digital inclusion initiatives.
The second round of funding from the TBCP will make approximately $980 million available on Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian lands to deploy Internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives.
Projects funded by the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program are complete or are now under construction in 27 Tribal communities, and more than 4,600 households have received access to free or low-cost high-speed Internet service.
Please see the Internet for All website here for a breakdown of recipients by state.
Additional grants will be announced on a rolling basis.
About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an innovation and economic growth engine.