The FCC estimates that about one-third of
people living on tribal lands don’t have access to
high-speed internet, but others say the figure is
twice as high.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told tribes gathered
in Washington last month for a broadband
workshop that the licenses could be a “game-
changer,” allowing tribes to consult online with
specialists, work from home, job search, start
online businesses or take classes online.
“I’m not speculating when I saw that this
spectrum could deliver major benefits to rural
tribal communities,” he said.
The tribal priority window closes Aug. 3.
Some organizations see limits to the licensing
rules that they are challenging with the FCC.
Land designated for Native Hawaiians is
included in the push to expand internet access
to rural, tribal areas. But, Native Hawaiians
can’t apply for the licenses because they’re not
among the 574 federally recognized tribes.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
is asking the FCC to waive the eligibility
requirement so it can apply on behalf of Native
Hawaiians who live on homesteads across
318 square miles (823 square kilometers) on
six islands.
“This trust relationship is uniquely similar to
that of federally recognized tribes and, yet, not
affording Native Hawaiians a similar opportunity
for access to spectrum licenses creates an
inequity that is contrary to the public interest,”
the department wrote to the FCC last month.
Burt Lum, broadband strategist for the state
of Hawaii, said the home lands have varying
degrees of connectivity.