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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1 Billion in New Internet for All Funding Available to Tribal Lands

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Summary

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability of nearly $1 billion in funding to expand Internet access and adoption on Tribal Lands. This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and his economic plan – Bidenomics – to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out and lower costs for more families. This second round of funding from the Internet for All initiative’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) will make up to approximately $980 million available for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities for the deployment of Internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives. The program has already awarded $1.78 billion to 191 Tribal entities since 2021 and is improving quality of life, spurring economic development, and creating opportunities for remote employment, online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and telehealth for Native American communities. Applications for the program are due within 180 days through Grants.gov.

Q&As

What is the Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All funding program?
The Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All funding program is a nearly $1 billion initiative to expand Internet access and adoption on Tribal Lands.

How much funding is available under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program?
Approximately $980 million is available under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

What are the benefits of expanding high-speed Internet access on Tribal Lands?
The benefits of expanding high-speed Internet access on Tribal Lands include improved quality of life, economic development, and opportunities for remote employment, online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and telehealth.

What type of projects are eligible for funding under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program?
High-speed Internet infrastructure deployment projects proposed by a single applicant are eligible for funding up to $50 million, and high-speed Internet adoption and use projects are eligible for funding up to $2.5 million.

How can eligible households receive a discount on their Internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands through the Affordable Connectivity Program. They can sign up at GetInternet.Gov.

AI Comments

👍 The Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expanding internet access and adoption on Tribal Lands will create new opportunities for Native American communities to access telehealth, online education, and remote work.

👎 Despite the additional funding, the digital divide still disproportionately impacts people in Tribal communities who lack access to reliable, high-speed internet.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the Biden-Harris Administration announcing nearly $1 billion in new Internet for All funding available to Tribal Lands. It's a part of the Investing in America agenda and Bidenomics to help grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out.

Friend: That's really great news. It sounds like this funding could be really beneficial to Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

Me: Absolutely. This funding will help to expand Internet access and adoption on Tribal Lands, and provide resources for telehealth, distance learning initiatives, remote work opportunities, and more. It could really help bridge the digital divide that has disproportionately impacted these communities for years.

Action items

Research the eligibility requirements for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to determine if your community is eligible for funding.
Reach out to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to learn more about the program and how to apply for funding.
Contact your local representatives to advocate for increased funding for broadband access and adoption on Tribal Lands.

Technical terms

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is a U.S. Department of Commerce agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues.
Internet for All Initiative: The Internet for All Initiative is a program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provides funding to expand Internet access and adoption on Tribal Lands.
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP): The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) is a program funded by the Internet for All Initiative that provides up to approximately $980 million for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities for the deployment of Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a law that includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S.
Investing in America Agenda: The Investing in America Agenda is President Biden’s economic plan to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out and lower costs for more families.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a program funded by the Federal Communications Commission that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.