Telecommunications: Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications for Native Americans on Tribal Lands

摘要

An important goal of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is to ensure access to telecommunications services for all Americans. The Federal Communications Commission has made efforts to improve the historically low subscribership rates of Native Americans on tribal lands. In addition, Congress is considering legislation to establish a grant program to help tribes improve telecommunications services on their lands. This report discusses (1) the status of telecommunications subscribership for Native Americans living on tribal lands; (2) federal programs available for improving telecommunications on these lands; (3) barriers to improvements; and (4) how some tribes are addressing these barriers.