The matter is also in front of the 6th and 11th Circuit courts.
Tribal leaders and citizens must gather data 'on a scale large enough to ensure that Tribal nations receive' funding.
Critics urged the FCC to expand the fund’s contribution sources, but the agency chose to punt the decision to Congress.
The first operator to bring fiber to a community creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors.
18% of people living on Tribal lands lack broadband access, compared to 4% of residents in non-tribal areas.
‘These reports detail problems customers have faced,” wrote Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone
Big communications companies want Congress to tax telecom, while many others want higher fees on broadband service.
'You need to get a little better about talking to and listening to native communities," the chairman told the FCC.
'Their absence is noted, and it illustrates their indifference towards the needs of rural Americans and our rural communities.'
The authorization comes three weeks after the commission denied funding to Starlink and LTD Broadband.
Responders fear that updating the E-Rate process will increase complexity for applicants.
Future broadband funding should target those who need it, even if they live in cities or the suburbs.
The Commerce Department has now made a total of 63 awards totaling more than $601 million in Tribal funding.
'We are continuing to review the letter and are evaluating our next steps,' LTD said.
One trade group warns about providers leaving the program if data collection too onerous.
The announcement is the second round of ReConnect funding in fiscal year 2022.
The commission said it is helping communities prepare to apply for some of the $42.5B NTIA BEAD program.
Following up on UTOPIA Fiber's buildout to Morgan City, we'll look at benefits of broadband for this rural community
In remarks at the Rural Wireless Association event on Wednesday, Commissioner Geoffrey Starks reaffirmed the FCC’s goals.
The USDA has been allocated $2 billion from the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.
Rural communities vary in broadband needs, making community engagement essential for breaching the digital divide.
CDFI funds are responsible for rural Wyoming broadband and may offer a solution to rural areas across the nation.
The Universal Service Fund's base is shrinking.
It's the ninth wave of funding confirmations, bringing the total amount to more than $5.2 billion to three million locations.
The legal brief comes at a time when the FCC studies the future of the fund.
This shift away from local autonomy for procurement would be the most radical change to the program since its inception.
In the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress reversed USDA’s ReConnect criteria in three crucial ways.
The NTIA awarded four grants worth $1.2 million.
At a White House event an agency representative said webinar programs are likely for Indigenous communities.
'You should build a relationship with your telecommunications field representative,' Edyael Casaperalta said.
If formally adopted, the agency would be changing longstanding rural health care telecommunications subsidies.
Expanding the number of internet providers eligible to contribute to the fund may decrease costs for telecommunications providers and consumers.
Shekinah Pepper said Wednesday tribal communities should be on alert for service providers asking for chunks of subsidies upfront.
Results of verifications, audits and speed and latency testing for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will be made public.
The agency implemented new rules on the Affordable Connectivity Program, which makes a new subsidy permanent.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held Wednesday hearing exploring broadband investments in Tribal communities.
The agency said Thursday it has approved $1 billion to 69 providers in 32 states.
Money comes from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Community Connect programs.
The build is also underbudget, they said.
Letter cites Carol Mattey report, which recommends broadening the base.
