Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CHAIRMAN PAI ON COMMISSION EFFORTS TO BRIDGE THE 
DIGITAL DIVIDE IN TRIBAL AREAS
WASHINGTON, February 2, 2018—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai 
released the following statement regarding the status of the Commission’s efforts to expand 
broadband connectivity in Tribal communities:
“A few weeks after I became Chairman, in February 2017, I shared with my colleagues—
including Commissioner Clyburn—an order that would increase federal funding for broadband 
infrastructure on Tribal lands.  It explains that deployment on Tribal lands is difficult and that 
operational expenses are typically higher than on non-Tribal lands.  We had three votes in 
favor of this item, and had those three votes for months.
“So what was the hold up?  Despite having formally voted for the item, Commissioner 
Clyburn’s office had privately and repeatedly threatened to withdraw her critical third vote in 
favor of the order if we moved to bring this item across the finish line.  It is worth noting that 
her threat had nothing to do with what is actually contained in the order.  Then, this morning, 
she carried through on that threat and withdrew her critical third vote in favor of the order.       
“If Commissioner Clyburn believes as I do that the Commission should take action to expand 
broadband access on Tribal lands, the way forward is simple.  Instead of quietly changing her 
vote on a Friday morning and issuing a Friday afternoon press release designed to shift the 
blame, she should cast her vote in favor of an order that will increase federal funding for 
broadband infrastructure on Tribal lands.  It’s that simple.”
###
Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).