Maximizing Infrastructure Resources is Critical to Achieving Greater Digital Equity for Native Americans on Wrong Side of the Broadband Gap

In case you missed it, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced last week it awarded $18.9 million as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada (ITCN).

The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada is an organization comprised of 27-member Native American communities in Nevada, including the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone. According to the Microsoft Digital Equity Dashboard, more than 87 percent of web users in Elko County, where the Te-Moak Tribe resides, are not accessing the internet at broadband speeds.

Last week’s funding is part of the nearly $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program established through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed last year. This historic investment can be instrumental in achieving greater digital equity for the Te-Moak Tribe and Native communities across the country.

Too often, Native communities face greater barriers to affordable, reliable broadband connectivity and access to the digital devices needed for success in the 21^st century classroom and economy. To eliminate the digital divide in Native communities, policymakers must maximize the positive impact of these historic resources.

Read NTIA’s recent announcement HERE.

Learn more about how federal agencies can maximize the effectiveness of infrastructure resources to eliminate the digital divide HERE.

Find out more about Connect Americans Now (CAN) and our mission HERE.

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