FCC Seeking Comment Nov. 30 on Tribal Spectrum
The FCC Wireless Bureau and Office of Native Affairs and Policy asked for comment, due Nov. 30, on “ways in which the Commission can improve its understanding of how and the extent to which Tribal Nations and the Native Hawaiian…
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Community are able to access wireless spectrum today.” The FCC noted Friday that the agency created the 2.5 GHz rural tribal priority window in 2019 (see 2001140059), which resulted in awarding 336 licenses covering tribal lands of more than 350 tribal nations based in 30 states. “The number of Tribes and Tribal entities now holding spectrum licenses has significantly increased as a result of this opportunity alone,” the notice said. “While this represents progress, we nonetheless recognize the long-standing connectivity challenges facing Tribal Nations and the Native Hawaiian Community and remain committed to addressing this digital divide,” the FCC said: “In order to assess current and future policy efforts relating to spectrum designed to achieve this goal, we seek additional information about how Tribal Nations and the Native Hawaiian Community are accessing spectrum, whether it be through direct licensing or other means.” The notice asks about the potential addition of “legal entity categories or demographic questions” to wireless licensing forms to more readily identify Tribal or Native Hawaiian applicants. “We seek comment on whether collection of this information should be mandatory or optional,” the FCC said. “We also seek comment on what the resulting impacts on applicants or our licensing records would be depending on which approach we choose.” Comments are due in docket 23-265.