NTIA’s $980M Tribal Broadband Program draws 280 applications seeking $5B

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has received more than 280 applications for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, for a total of over $5 billion in funding requests. The volume of requests demonstrates the significant need to expand access to and adoption of broadband service on tribal lands.

NTIA has begun reviewing the applications as part of the $980 million grant program, which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Grants will be made available to eligible Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth, and distance learning. The program’s 90-day application window closed on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought the need for affordable accessible broadband access on tribal lands into stark relief,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This program’s nearly $1 billion in funding is an important step forward in closing the digital divide for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, but it will take an even greater investment to help fully connect every person in every community. That is why we need the historic investments proposed by President Biden and included in the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill to build out our nation’s broadband infrastructure and make affordable, accessible Internet a reality for every community across the country.”

“The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program’s flexibility underscores our commitment to working with tribal governments and organizations to close the digital divide for all Native people,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Evelyn Remaley. “NTIA congratulates all eligible entities for their in-depth and detailed proposals aimed at meeting the broadband deployment and digital equity needs of their respective communities.” CT Bureau