Tribal Broadband: National Strategy and Coordination Framework Needed to Increase Access
Fast Facts
Broadband is critical to modern life. Despite federal efforts, broadband access on tribal lands has lagged behind the rest of the country. In 2020, 18% of people living on tribal lands couldn't access broadband service, compared to 4% of people in non-tribal areas.
Numerous federal programs are working to increase broadband access on tribal lands. However, tribes have struggled to identify which federal program meets their needs, and have had difficulty navigating complex application processes.
We recommended developing a national strategy to guide federal efforts to increase broadband access on tribal lands.
Note: This Fast Facts has been updated with a new visual.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Federal funding from 2015–2020 has increased broadband access for people living on tribal lands, but access continues to lag behind the rest of the country. Nationwide, conservative estimates show more than 18 percent of people living on tribal lands remain unserved by broadband as of 2020, compared to about 4 percent of people in non-tribal areas. For example, in Arizona federal programs have increased broadband access on tribal lands, but that access continues to lag far behind the rest of the state (see figure).
Broadband Availability in Arizona
Note: Broadband availability includes speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or greater, excluding satellite service. We have previously reported that FCC's data overstates access to broadband, particularly on tribal lands.
Persistent barriers limit tribes' and providers' ability and interest in participating in federal broadband programs, including fragmentation of federal programs and difficult application requirements. Tribes and providers continue to face challenges identifying programs to suit their needs from the landscape of numerous, but fragmented, federal broadband programs. Furthermore, complex application processes and the need for upfront funds create additional barriers and discourage participation.
The Executive Office of the President took the lead on coordinating federal tribal broadband efforts in 2021, but these efforts are not guided by a national strategy with clear roles, goals, and performance measures. Officials from agencies that implement broadband programs told us that a national strategy led by the Executive Office of the President could improve coordination and the persistent gap in access on tribal lands warrants specific focus. In addition, the primary ongoing broadband coordination body, the American Broadband Initiative (ABI), lacks a framework for addressing tribal barriers that could also support implementing a national strategy. While ABI has formal frameworks that focus on federal funding and permitting in general, ABI members said they do not hold regular discussions about tribal issues. In 2020, the Department of the Interior also identified a need for increased focus within ABI on tribal issues. The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is a leader within ABI, and NTIA officials said they intend to use ABI to meet NTIA's statutory requirements related to broadband coordination. Without a national strategy and a framework within ABI to focus tribal efforts, broadband access for people living on tribal lands will continue to lag behind the rest of the country, perpetuating the digital divide.
Why GAO Did This Study
Broadband is critical to modern life. Despite federal efforts, broadband access on tribal lands has traditionally lagged behind the rest of the country.
GAO was asked to review federal efforts for improving broadband on tribal lands. This report examines: (1) the extent to which federal funding programs have supported the deployment of broadband infrastructure on tribal lands; (2) barriers tribes and providers face in accessing federally funded programs to serve tribal lands; and (3) the extent to which federal agencies focus on tribal issues related to broadband access.
GAO analyzed federal government data on broadband funding for tribal lands; interviewed selected tribes, broadband providers, tribal organizations, and other local officials about challenges to obtaining and using federal broadband funding; and interviewed officials from the Federal Communications Commission and other federal agencies about their broadband programs and coordination.
Recommendations
GAO is making two recommendations: (1) that the Executive Office of the President should specifically address tribal needs within a national broadband strategy and (2) that the Department of Commerce create a framework within the American Broadband Initiative for addressing tribal issues. The Executive Office of the President did not agree or disagree with our recommendation, but highlighted the importance of tribal engagement in developing a strategy. Commerce agreed in part with our recommendation.
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Office of the President | The Executive Office of the President, through the National Economic Council, should develop a national strategy with clear roles, goals, and performance measures for closing the gap in broadband access on tribal lands as part of a broader national broadband strategy. (Recommendation 1) |
Executive Office of the President took the lead on coordinating federal tribal broadband efforts in 2021, but these efforts were not guided by a national strategy with clear roles, goals, and performance measures. In June 2022, GAO recommended that the Executive Office of the President develop a national strategy with clear roles, goals, and performance measures for closing the gap in broadband access on tribal lands as part of a broader national broadband strategy. In May 2023, the Executive Office of the President emphasized the importance of tribal engagement as part of developing national broadband strategy. In January 2024, we requested an update but did not receive a response. Without a national strategy, broadband access for people living on tribal lands will continue to lag behind the rest of the country, perpetuating the digital divide.
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| National Telecommunications and Information Administration | The NTIA Administrator should establish a framework within the American Broadband Initiative for addressing tribal barriers. Such a framework could include adding a tribal subcommittee or standing agenda item to the existing workstreams or establishing a new workstream. (Recommendation 2) |
Despite federal efforts, broadband access on tribal lands has lagged behind the rest of the country and persistent barriers have limited tribes' ability to access federal broadband programs. In June 2022, GAO recommended that NTIA establish a framework within the American Broadband Initiative for addressing tribal barriers, such as establishing a new workstream. NTIA agreed with the recommendation but chose to address tribal barriers through existing vehicles instead of establishing a new American Broadband Initiative workstream. In February 2024, NTIA staff said that they continue outreach in support of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and coordination efforts with the Executive Office of the President. NTIA officials said this allows NTIA to receive ongoing feedback on its Tribal grant program, while connecting Tribal leaders across the country to share priorities and best practices, discuss emerging telecommunications policy issues, and identify engagement strategies with state broadband leaders. GAO will continue to monitor NTIA's efforts to determine if they affectively addresses the barriers to obtaining broadband and accessing federal broadband programs. Without such a framework, broadband access for people living on tribal lands will continue to lag behind the rest of the country, perpetuating the digital divide.
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