Broadband

Call To Action: FCC Seeking Comments NPRM on NEPA Regulations

tlmorri3 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:40:15 +0000

Call To Action: FCC Seeking Comments NPRM on NEPA Regulations

tlmorri3 April 8, 2025

AIPI Blog

Call To Action: FCC Seeking Comments NPRM on NEPA Regulations

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. The NPRM would exempt cell towers under 200 feet tall from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) regulations, allowing the building of cell towers without environmental effects analysis or analysis of potential adverse impact on a historic or culturally significant property. CTIA suggests that NEPA reform is critical to enabling the U.S. to meet its broadband infrastructure goals.

Filing Requirements:

Interested parties may file comments and reply comments by April 30, 2025, and must reference RM-12003.

Electronic Filers:

Comments may be filed electronically by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs

For additional information or assistance on how to file a comment or reply comment, you may visit https://www.fcc.gov/available-support-services or call (877) 480-3201.

Disability Accommodations

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-0530.

For additional information on this proceeding, contact Allison Jones of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at allison.jones@fcc.gov.

Posted on

April 8, 2025

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NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands

tlmorri3 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:12:24 +0000

NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands

tlmorri3 December 18, 2024

AIPI Blog

NTIA Announces Expanded Investment in Internet on Tribal Lands

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.

Posted on

December 18, 2024

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Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program Resources

tlmorri3 — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 18:45:42 +0000

Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program Resources

tlmorri3 November 19, 2024

AIPI Blog

Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program Resources

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). E-Rate is an FCC program that is administered by the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC). The program provides discounts of up to 90 percent of the costs for broadband connections to and within Tribal libraries.

T-LEAP is a permanent program that will provide one-on-one assistance in preparing, applying, and receiving E-Rate support for the upcoming funding year. Additionally, T-LEAP will support Tribal libraries in post-commitment processes.

To learn about the goals of T-Leap, please use this link.

There are two categories of service that are eligible for E-Rate funding.

1. Category one provides connectivity to a school or library building, which includes telecommunications services and Internet access (for example, the fiber or cable broadband connection to the library).

2. Category two provides Internet access within schools or libraries, which includes internal connections, basic maintenance of internal connections, and managed internal broadband services (for example, the equipment needed within a library to provide Wi-Fi to patrons).

Eligible applicants include:

T-LEAP is open to all Tribal libraries that are new to the E-Rate program or had challenges apply to the E-Rate program in the past.
Tribal libraries must be able to demonstrate that they have three basic characteristics of a library:

1. Regularly scheduled hours;

2. Staff; and

3. Materials for library users.

Deadline for applications:

Applications are accepted year-round.

How a library can be designated as a Tribal library:

Via a Tribal government entity using a Tribal Resolution, for example;
- By working with the state library administrative agency where they are located;
- If a Tribal college and university library acts as the public library by having dedicated library staff, regular hours, and a collection available for public use int its community.

Please use this link to sign up for T-LEAP. Participants will be expected to provide feedback about the E-Rate application and post-commitment processes, so that the FCC and USAC can continue to simplify and enhance the program experience for Tribal library applicants.

For additional information on how to apply, please contact the Office of Native Affairs and Policy at native@fcc.gov or tribaltraining@usac.org. USAC’s E-Rate Customer Service Center is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET at (888) 203-8100.

Posted on

November 19, 2024

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Call To Action: Upcoming DEA Grant Program Topical Webinars for Native Entities

tlmorri3 — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:54:40 +0000

Call To Action: Upcoming DEA Grant Program Topical Webinars for Native Entities

tlmorri3 October 23, 2024

AIPI Blog

Call To Action: Upcoming DEA Grant Program Topical Webinars for Native Entities

The Digital Equity Act Grant Programs (DEA) provide funding for Digital Equity work like digital skills training, access to affordable devices, and content development for diverse users. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) administers the DEA programs and will hold several webinars for Native Entities applying to the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Please see the links below to register for the upcoming webinars.

Wednesday, October 23 at 3 pm ET: Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program for Native Entities Applicant Webinar: Standard Form
Thursday, October 24 at 2 pm ET: Digital Equity Solutions for Tribal Nations
Wednesday, October 30 at 4 pm ET: Registration, Entity Type
Wednesday, November 13, 2 pm ET: Project Narrative
Thursday, November 21, 2 pm ET: Consolidated Budget Form
Wednesday, December 11 at 3 pm ET: Additional Funding & Other Certifications

Native Entities applying to the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program can apply for funding to implement an existing Digital Equity plan, or funding to develop and implement a new Digital Equity plan. However, funding from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program cannot be used for planning alone. The application window to the State Digital Equity Capacity Program for Native Entities is now open and will close on February 7, 2025. Please see NTIA’s website for Native Entities as well as AIPI’s summary of the DEA grant programs for additional information, and please continue to follow AIPI for more updates on Tribal Broadband.

Posted on

October 23, 2024

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Call to Action: The FCC seeks comments on the new 5G Rural Fund

tlmorri3 — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 20:13:57 +0000

Call to Action: The FCC seeks comments on the new 5G Rural Fund

tlmorri3 October 4, 2024

AIPI Blog

Call to Action: The FCC seeks comments on the new 5G Rural Fund

The newly created 5G Fund for Rural America is meant to expand mobile 5G broadband into rural parts of the country. The 5G fund will utilize a reverse auction process to award-winning bidders funding to build out 5G networks to rural areas, which will likely include Tribal areas. Therefore, the FCC is seeking comments on Tribal consent requirements for projects under this new fund. Comments must be submitted by October 17. It is crucial that Tribes submit comments on this proposed rule because it will impact the development of critical broadband infrastructure that many Tribal communities rely on.

Historic investments in broadband connectivity are helping to close the Digital Divide. However, Tribes face additional barriers to broadband development like high costs, remote terrain, and land regulation issues. In many cases, these barriers prevent Tribal communities from building traditional internet infrastructure using fiber optic technology and other wireline connections. Innovative wireless technologies are necessary to fully connect many Tribal areas. Access to wireless spectrum is needed to deploy any wireless technology.

Tribes have historically been left out of spectrum allocation over Tribal lands. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study in 2018 on Tribal access to spectrum and found that in addition to the many historical barriers to spectrum access, there are current issues with how the FCC handles spectrum licenses over Tribal lands. In the 2018 report, the GAO made several recommendations to provide Tribes with more information on license holders in their areas. The report also includes information on a 2011 FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed new rules to promote Tribal spectrum access. These proposed rules included Tribal priority in spectrum allocations, requirements for license holders to enter into good faith negotiations with Tribes, and a rule that required license holders to build out their network over Tribal lands within a certain time period or risk losing their license.

Out of the 2011 NPRM proposals, the FCC only implemented the Rural Tribal Priority Window. However, The FCC’s new proposed rule for the 5G Fund of Rural America revisits some of the ideas in the 2011 NPRM and the 2018 GAO report. In this new proceeding, the FCC is seeking comments on a proposed rule to require 5G Fund winning bidders to obtain Tribal consent when deploying 5G networks over areas that include Tribal Lands. A similar consent requirement is in place for subgrantees under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. This rule requiring Tribal consent would help to ensure that Tribes are not left out of projects under the new 5G Fund. Please see the FCC’s notice in the Federal Register for more information on how to submit comments. Continue to follow the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy and AIPI for updates on the 5G Fund and other broadband developments.

Posted on

October 4, 2024

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Overview: Tribal Eligibility in the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs

tlmorri3 — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:34:42 +0000

Overview: Tribal Eligibility in the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs

tlmorri3 August 28, 2024

AIPI Blog

Overview: Tribal Eligibility in the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs

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.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) defines widespread meaningful internet access as Digital Equity, and the work needed to achieve Digital Equity goes beyond infrastructure development. Once internet access is available, people still need access to affordable internet service, devices and digital skills education. Metaphorically, “meaningful” access is akin to a two-sided coin: one side presents the need while access, resources, and other considerations complete the flip-side of the coin structure.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (AKA Bipartisan Infrastructure Act) provided significant investments in internet infrastructure and Digital Equity activities. The Act facilitated the development of State Digital Equity Plans along with grants to implement the plans. Earlier this year the Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) were released for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. Both these programs could assist digital equity work in Tribal communities.The following table shows a brief comparison of Tribal eligibility in the two programs.

	DE Capacity Grant	DE Competitive Grant
Total Program Funding	$840 million	$750 million (+$250 million in FY25)
Tribal Set Aside	$45.3 million	$37.5 million (+12.5 million in FY25)
Estimated Tribal Award	$500,000 - $2 million	$5 million - $12 million
Eligibility for Tribal Set Aside	Federally Recognized Tribes Alaska Native Entity Native Hawaiian Organizations	Federally Recognized Tribes Alaska Native Entity Native Hawaiian Organizations
Tribal Consortium Eligibility	Yes, however, applicants submitting their own application cannot join consortium application	Native Entities may partner with other eligible entities, including non-Native entities Native Entity must apply and serve as Authorized Representative Application must benefit Tribal members
Project Scope	DE planning & DE activities related to DE plans DE activities alone NOT ELIGIBLE for DE planning alone	Develop and implement DE activities Broadband adoption activities Digital skills and workforce development Devices (i.e. laptops) Public internet access centers
Performance Period	5 years beginning on award date	4 years beginning on award date
Matching Funds	No requirement	10% matching requirement
Match Funds Waiver	N/A	Waiver available
Allocation Type	Competitive	Competitive
Tribal Application Open	September 25, 2024	July 24, 2024
Tribal Application Deadline	February 7, 2025	September 23, 2024

The key difference for Native American Tribes in the two programs is eligibility related to State or Tribal Digital Equity plans. The Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program focuses on organizations and activities included in State Digital Equity plans. Tribes that are included in State Digital Equity plans or have their own Tribal Digital Equity plan are eligible to apply for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant. Tribes also have the option to use the Capacity Grant Program to develop their own Digital Equity plan along with activities to implement it. However, Tribes cannot apply for Digital Equity planning alone.

The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is broader and can fund organizations and Digital Equity activities outside of state and Tribal Digital Equity plans. The Competitive Grant Program allows non-Native entities with Tribal authorization to partner with Native entities on Digital Equity initiatives that serve Tribal members. The application deadline for the Competitive Grant Program is coming up on September 23, and any interested applicants should be sure to review the Competitive Grant Program NOFO and FAQ for more information. NDIA also has resources for Competitive Grant Program applicants. The Arizona Commerce Authority also hosts meetings on the Arizona Digital Equity Plan and related activities. Please continue to follow AIPI for updates on these programs and other Tribal broadband developments.

Posted on

August 28, 2024

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Policy Explainer: Digital Equity Act Programs Update

bsantist — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 18:30:12 +0000

Policy Explainer: Digital Equity Act Programs Update

bsantist June 24, 2024

AIPI Blog

Policy Explainer: Digital Equity Act Programs Update

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL) created several new programs to expand broadband access. The BIL established the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) and funded the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to promote the expansion of broadband infrastructure. Additionally the BIL also included the Digital Equity Act Programs (DEA) to promote the adoption of broadband technology.

This explainer will briefly describe each program and how Tribal Nations can participate. It will also give a short update on the status of each part of the program as of the time this document is published. Please visit the DEA programs website for information on how to apply and additional information on these grant programs.

This explainer will include three important details about each program within the Digital Equity Act Programs (DEA): (1) A short description of each program, (2) How Tribal Nations can participate, (3) Status update of each part of the program as of the time of this document’s publication. Please visit the DEA programs website for information on how to apply and additional information on these grant programs.

The following 3 grant programs make up the DEA programs:

State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program - Eligible entities encouraged to apply for this program included states, territories, and Tribal Nations. The main purpose of this program was to help applicants create a digital equity plan to develop solutions to digital equity barriers. $60 million was allocated to this program with Arizona receiving about $1.1 million to develop its own digital equity plan. This program is in its closeout phase and NTIA has announced that all 50 states have submitted their digital equity plans for approval.

Tribes interested in applying to this program had a different process than states. NTIA stated in the program FAQs that Tribes must submit letters of intent, then NTIA would follow up with further instructions on how to apply. However, the planning grant program received an overwhelming response from Tribes, resulting in planning grant funding moving to the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program - This program builds upon the planning grant program,it is intended to help applicants implement their digital equity plans that were developed under the planning grant program. This capacity grant program is allocated $1.44 billion which will be dispersed to states through a funding formula. The program NOFO shows that Arizona will receive just over $16 million. Arizona’s plans to implement the AZ Digital Equity Plan also depend on the approval of the AZ BEAD Initial Proposal Vol. 2. Currently, Arizona and several other states are in the process of getting their initial proposals approved by the NTIA. Awards from this program must be issued by NTIA no later than August 28, 2024.

The program NOFO also explains the planning grant program received a substantial amount of letters of intent from Tribes, which caused problems with oversubscription. Therefore, unused money and the Tribal set aside money from the planning grant program was added to this capacity grant funding program’s Tribal set aside amount. NTIA is designating $45.3 million for Tribal applicants to the capacity grant program.

Tribal Nations are eligible to apply to this program. However, the process is different from states and territories. The Tribal application window will be open from September 25, 2024 - February 7, 2025. This capacity grant program will not award Tribes who are applying for a standalone planning grant. Planning grant funding will only be awarded in conjunction with capacity grant funding to address digital equity plan implementation.

Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program - This grant program is also meant to support digital equity activities. This grant will allow applications from entities other than state governments and Tribal Nations. Currently no NOFO exists to describe the details of this grant program. However, the BIL requires that the competitive grant program begin no later than 30 days after capacity grant awards start going out.

Posted on

June 24, 2024

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Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

bsantist — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:36:31 +0000

Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

bsantist March 13, 2024

AIPI Blog

Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

On March 1, 2024, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) initiated Arizona’s challenge process as required by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). The BEAD is a federal grant program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The BEAD is meant to expand access to high-speed internet across the country, and Arizona has been awarded approximately $993 million to accomplish this goal. This challenge process is the latest step in implementing BEAD, following the development of Arizona’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and BEAD Initial Proposals Vol.1 and Vol. 2 in 2023. The full details of Arizona’s BEAD challenge process are on the ACA’s challenge process website, and this explainer will give an introduction to the process.

The BEAD challenge process is a key part of the program because it gives an opportunity to correct the data used to determine how and where BEAD funding is utilized. 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.

The NTIA guidance document explains that states have 120 days to complete the entire challenge process. This means that the publication of BSLs and CAI data, challenge submission period, rebuttal period, and final determinations must all be completed within 120 days. The ACA established the following timeline for Arizona’s challenge process:

March 1, 2024 - challenge process portal open for registration
March 15, 2024 - challenge process submission starts and rebuttal starts on a rolling basis, service providers will have 15 calendar days from a notification of a challenge to provide a rebuttal
May 14, 2024 - challenge process submission ends
May 15 - June 30, 2024 - Final determination phase

Not everyone is eligible to submit a challenge. The BEAD NOFO only allows states to accept challenges from four categories of challengers. Eligible challengers must register on the ACA website and identify themselves as a part of one of the categories:

Local governments
Tribal governments
Nonprofit organizations
Internet service providers

The Arizona BEAD challenge map uses data from the FCC’s National Broadband Map. However, the BEAD challenge process does not allow challenges to add new BSLs or other locations to the Arizona BEAD challenge map. Challenges regarding new BSLs or other locations can be submitted to the FCC, but they will not be reflected on the Arizona BEAD challenge map. The BEAD challenge process allows for nine different types of challenges based on the circumstances at each BSL identified on the map. These challenge types are:

Availability
Speed
Latency
Data Cap
Business Service Only
Is/is not part of an Enforceable Commitment
Planned Service
Location is/is not a Community Anchor Institution (CAI)
CAI qualifying broadband service is unavailable/available

These challenges can be applied to individual BSLs and CAIs marked on the Arizona BEAD challenge map. Below is a brief explanation of challenge types from the NTIA Model Challenge Process:

Availability & Business Service Only - These challenge types involve the internet service available at a given BSL. Challenges can include screenshots of information from provider websites, declined service requests, and other evidence that providers do not provide residential service to the BSL.
Speed, Latency, & CAI qualifying broadband service - These challenges address internet performance at a given BSL. Online speed tests are used to see how the internet at a BSL measures up to BEAD speed and latency thresholds. Internet speeds at 25/3 Mbps or less are unserved. Speeds between 25/4 - 100/20 Mbps are underserved. In addition to these speed thresholds, latency must also be under 100 ms. For CAIs, internet speed has to meet the 1/1 Gbps threshold to consider the CAI served.
Data Cap - This challenge involves internet service at a BSL that is subject to a data allowance. The NTIA Model Challenge Process indicates that any internet service plans with a data allowance lower than 600 GB/month would be classified as unreasonable.
Technology - This challenge involves the service technology (i.e. wireless, cable, or fiber) available at a given BSL. Information on the residential gateway unit at a BSL is needed to determine if the challenge process map correctly reflects the technology that is available.
Enforceable Commitment & Planned Service - These challenges involve information on other sources of funding for broadband deployment and/or information on current deployment projects scheduled for completion by June 30, 2024. The BEAD NOFO does not allow duplicate funding for a given BSL. Therefore, these challenges may require information on funding commitments or ongoing construction. Additional information such as Tribal Government Resolutions may be required for Tribal areas.
Not part of enforceable commitment - These challenges involve information on areas with enforceable commitments that will not cover 100% of the BSLs in that area.
Location is/is not a CAI - These challenges involve BSLs that may or may not be CAIs. Information on the current status of the facility as well as the information on the location’s operation would be needed to make the determination.

Please refer to the ACA’s BEAD Challenge website for full details and the latest updates on the BEAD challenge process in Arizona. The ACA website has information on how to register as a challenger, datasets for BSLs and CAIs, and upcoming webinars. The ACA is also hosting weekly office hours on the challenge process and preparing to begin the Connecting Arizona Engagement Tour. Continue to follow AIPI for updates on Tribal broadband in Arizona as well as nationally.

Printable copy here.

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March 13, 2024

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Call to Action: Review Arizona’s Digital Equity Plan

bsantist — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:45:59 +0000

Call to Action: Review Arizona’s Digital Equity Plan

bsantist January 17, 2024

AIPI Blog

Call to Action: Review Arizona’s Digital Equity Plan

Last week, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) released a draft of the Arizona Digital Equity Plan. This plan gives an overview of Digital Equity challenges in Arizona and outlines goals and objectives to solve them. The plan defines Digital Equity as “The condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy.” Therefore, the ACA developed a Digital Equity Plan that promotes Digital Equity for economic growth, workforce development, improving education and health, and providing access to essential services within Arizona. The plan outlines Digital Equity goals and objectives, an overview of challenges and resources, and a county-by-county review of key demographic data.

The ACA’s Digital Equity Plan also complies with the national State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (DEA) and supports Arizona’s initiatives for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). Under DEA Program requirements, this Digital Equity Plan must focus on Digital Equity challenges faced by the following covered populations:

Individuals who live in low-income households
Aging individuals
Incarcerated individuals other than individuals incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility
Veterans
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners and have low levels of literacy
Racial and ethnic minorities
Rural inhabitants

Under the DEA Program requirements, Tribal nations are not considered a separate covered population. Tribes are generally included in the racial and ethnic minorities category of covered populations. However, The ACA acknowledges that many Tribes are located within Arizona and that Tribal land makes up approximately 28% of the land within the state. Therefore, the plan recognizes some specific Tribal broadband barriers and includes the following Tribal-related goals:

Provide training to Tribal Digital Navigators on Arizona’s low-cost plan
Work with Tribes to determine Digital Equity Specialists and ensure they get certified
Increase the number of Tribal Digital Equity Plans
Work with Tribes to assess the need for health navigators and ensure that every Tribe has access to a Telehealth Access Point and health navigator by 2030

The ACA strongly encourages feedback on the Digital Equity Plan. The ACA website accepts input via online form, email, or phone. The comment period will be open until the end of the day on February 1, 2024. The plan outlines the ACA’s stakeholder engagement effort with a general timeline for its upcoming statewide outreach schedule. Please follow the ACA and AIPI for more updates on Arizona Tribal broadband developments.

Posted on

January 17, 2024

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ACP Update and Call to Action

bsantist — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:39:57 +0000

ACP Update and Call to Action

bsantist January 11, 2024

AIPI Blog

ACP Update and Call to Action

ACP Update and Call to Action 1-9-24

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) faces a critical juncture. In a letter sent out earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that funding for the ACP will only last until April 2024. Without any additional funding, the FCC will have to begin taking steps to end the program. The FCC is requesting $6 billion from Congress to continue the ACP through the end of 2024. Lawmakers in Congress have also introduced a bipartisan and bicameral measure to help extend the ACP that would allocate $7 billion for the program from unused Treasury funding. If the ACP were to end, millions would lose their access to the internet and their ability to participate in modern life. Losing the ACP also undermines the goals of other programs like the $42.45 BEAD Program and the overall effort to close the digital divide.

The ACP is a benefit program administered by the FCC to ensure that eligible households can afford to get broadband access. The ACP offers eligible households a $30 monthly discount on internet service and a $75 monthly discount to those living on qualifying Tribal lands. Nationwide, the ACP Enrollment and Claims Tracker website shows that the program assists over 22 million households, with 318,041 of those households located on Tribal lands. Cost is one of the biggest barriers to home internet access, and the ACP is a critical tool in overcoming that barrier. Many Tribal Nations who own and operate their own networks receive an additional benefit from the ACP; subsidies from the program come back to the Tribe and help sustain their networks.

The FCC also outlined its ACP wind-down plan in the event that additional funding is not secured in a timely manner. The plan states:

No new ACP enrollments will be accepted after February 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Households that have enrolled with an ACP internet company before February 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out as long as the household remains enrolled and eligible for the benefit.
When ACP funds run out, households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
During the wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their ISPs about the ending of ACP, the impact on their bill, their last bill that will receive the benefit, and an option to opt-out or change their service plan.

The FCC also established the following timeline:

Late January 2024 - Information about the end of the ACP will go out from ISPs to households.
February 7, 2024, 11:59 PM EST - The deadline for any new ACP applications and enrollments. This means that households must be approved and enrolled with an ISP by this date.
April 2024 - The anticipated time frame for ACP funding to run out.

The following webinars will take place to give more information on the potential ACP wind-down. There will be time for questions during the webinar, and questions can be submitted to acpinfo@fcc.gov.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET at the following link: https://fcc-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kAwILcEDTcG5c86YCnNQhg
Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET at the following link: https://fcc-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kAx2_E2GQCGXYMwxSQCywg

The continuation of the ACP is essential, and the program’s future is in the hands of lawmakers. If Congress cannot pass legislation to extend the ACP, then internet affordability efforts fall on states and internet providers who may not be able to offer the same affordability assistance as the ACP. Many community organizations, including Tribal organizations, support this latest bill to extend ACP funding. For more information, please visit the FCC’s ACP website. If you would like to voice your opinion on the continuation of the ACP, you may contact your Senator or Representative. Please continue to follow AIPI for updates on the ACP and other Tribal broadband issues.

Posted on

January 11, 2024

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