R48563 — Tribal Broadband Deployment: Federal Funding and Considerations for Congress

The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals who have access to broadband (i.e., high-speed internet) and those who do not. Federal agencies have observed the digital divide on tribal lands—areas associated with federally recognized Tribes (hereinafter Tribes) and other Indigenous entities (hereinafter referred to collectively as tribal entities). The most recent data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) show that approximately 24% of Americans living on tribal lands lack broadband access, in contrast to about 7% of Americans broadly. Tribal entities seek access to broadband to participate in a wide range of applications—including voice communications, entertainment, telemedicine, distance education, telework, e-commerce, civic engagement, and public safety. Further, a majority of these applications are increasingly moving online. Congress may consider whether, and, if so, how, to assist in addressing tribal lands’ digital divide. Deploying broadband infrastructure—particularly fiber—in remote and rural regions, including on tribal lands, can be physically challenging because of the expansive areas and geographic barriers. It is also financially challenging given the high cost for deployment and low rate of return in areas where there are few customers to support ongoing operations and network improvements. As a result, deployments in these regions have been limited, meaning that some individuals remain without access to broadband. To address this, a growing number of tribal entities are deploying their own broadband networks. Some tribal entities seek federal funding, and tribal entities are eligible for nearly all federal programs that support broadband deployment. However, navigating these programs can be challenging. There are some instances where Congress has directed dedicated funding streams for tribal entities in the form of programs in which tribal entities are the only eligible applicants or in the form of set-asides for tribal entities; these programs have not received ongoing funding. Congress may contemplate whether dedicated funding streams for tribal entities could address—and close—the digital divide on tribal lands, including whether funding for a particular component of a broadband network (e.g., middle mile, funding for broadband network sustainability) may be an option. Congress could also choose to maintain the status quo with respect to federal funding for tribal entities or reduce funding for tribal broadband. Relatedly, congressional debates may continue on whether to streamline federal broadband programs (e.g., consolidate them under a single agency or eliminate or combine programs at an agency). For example, Congress may evaluate whether, and, if so, how, to address the complexities in identifying and applying for federal funding for broadband deployment. Congress could also seek to examine and address the accuracy of the FCC’s National Broadband Map and whether to continue the map’s role in directing federal funding for broadband, including on tribal lands. The physical characteristics (geography) of the service area are part of what shapes the digital divide on tribal lands and—relatedly—what shapes the technologies, cost, and policy options for addressing this divide. Congressional debate on what types of federal assistance would be most effective and efficient for addressing tribal lands’ digital divide (if any) may also include considerations of the eligibility of technologies used to provide these services. For instance, there are differences in the technologies in terms of their costs, performance (e.g., speed and reliability under various weather conditions), ease of deployment, and advantages and disadvantages for serving communities in different geographies. Some tribal entities (e.g., ones that live in geographically challenging terrain) may require uniquely tailored plans to close the digital divide. Given these factors, Congress could weigh technological considerations for tribal entities using federal funding.

Curated by CRS — every bill listed in this report's relatedMaterials. Edge type cited_in_report, gold confidence.

• HR 3125 — Rural Broadband Assistance Act · 119th Cong
• HR 2805 — PLAN for Broadband Act · 119th Cong
• HR 1873 — Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act · 119th Cong
• HR 1870 — SPEED for BEAD Act · 119th Cong
• S 674 — Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act · 119th Cong
• S 323 — PLAN for Broadband Act · 119th Cong
• S 4928 — Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2025 · 118th Cong