PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: https://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 19-727 Released: July 30, 2019 FCC ANNOUNCES TWO-DAY TRIBAL WORKSHOP ON AUGUST 20-21, 2019 AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUILDING MEDICINE WHEEL ROOM 2021 4th Avenue N, Billings, MT 59101 By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) announces an upcoming workshop for Tribal governments, employees, and members. This event is designed to provide information that will help Tribal Nations identify and evaluate opportunities to develop more robust broadband, telecommunications, and broadcast infrastructure and services in Tribal communities. It is also designed to provide information about the FCC and how it conducts its regulatory responsibilities, and to encourage Tribal participation in the regulatory process. FCC staff will present on a broad range of important FCC programs and policies that support the deployment of communications infrastructure and services in Tribal communities. This infrastructure supports Tribal economic development, Tribal schools and libraries, low-income families, and health care clinics, as well as Tribal radio stations, public safety departments, and Tribal government administration. Representatives of the US Department of Agriculture and FirstNet have also been invited to share information on the programs they manage. In addition, a representative from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will help with the application process for the FCC’s E-rate Program, which provides discounts to qualifying schools and libraries for broadband equipment and services. The workshop will include information on the Universal Service Fund programs, including the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and the related Tribal engagement obligation for High Cost Fund recipients. In addition, there will be an open discussion with participants about their experiences with the Tribal engagement obligation. A Tribal Information Technology (IT) panel will discuss deployment of telecommunications services on their lands. The workshop will also provide information on the transformation of the regulatory framework governing the 2.5 GHz band, which provides opportunities for Tribal Nations in rural areas to gain access to this spectrum. Additionally, the workshop will include presentations on the Commission’s Tribal Radio Priority, as well as on public safety communications issues of concern to Tribal Nations. Tribal government leaders, Tribal IT managers, government and community planners and managers, Tribal enterprise specialists, and representatives of Tribal social service agencies, schools, and health clinics are all persons who should consider attending this event. The workshop will be held August 20-21, 2019 at the Department of the Interior Building, Medicine Wheel Room, 2021 4th Ave N, Billings, MT. Doors will open at 8:30 am on August 20th and at 9:00 am on August 21st. A block of rooms has been reserved at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 27 North 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101, 1-800-588-7666, at the government rate of $94.00 per night. The room block code is FCC, the reservation cut-off date for the room block is August 9th. Advanced registration is strongly recommended. To register for the workshop, send your name, title, Tribal affiliation, and contact information to BillingsWorkshop@fcc.gov. For workshop registration questions, please contact Carolyn Conyers, Program Advisor, Office of Native Affairs and Policy, at carolyn.conyers@fcc.gov or 202-418-2002. Questions about the workshop may be directed to Janet Sievert, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Native Affairs and Policy, at janet.sievert@fcc.gov or 202-418-1362. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice) or 202-418-0432 (TTY). Please include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you. Requests for special accommodation should be made as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill. -FCC-