Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC GRANTS TEMPORARY SPECTRUM ACCESS TO 
SUPPORT CONNECTIVITY ON TRIBAL RESERVATION 
DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Pueblo of Zuni Will Receive Broadband Boost 
from Unassigned Spectrum in the 2.5 GHz Band

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2020—The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has granted an emergency Special Temporary Authority request filed by A:shiwi College & Career Readiness Center to use unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum to provide wireless broadband service over the reservation of the Pueblo of Zuni in New Mexico in light of increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center, formerly the University of New Mexico Gallup-Zuni Campus, was established by the Zuni Tribe in 2016.

“Providing temporary access to this spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band is important because it will help ensure connectivity to Tribal consumers during this time of increased demand,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “Additional spectrum capacity is needed to address the temporary surge in broadband usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.  I’ve seen the digital divide on Tribal lands, including Pueblos in New Mexico.  That’s why I’m committed to finding creative solutions, like today’s grant of emergency relief, to keep Tribal lands connected.”

In addition to supporting emergency relief to meet increased broadband demands during the pandemic, the Commission continues to accept priority applications from eligible Tribal entities for licensed access to unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum over their rural Tribal Lands in the Rural Tribal Window, which closes August 3, 2020.  The grant of emergency temporary access to 2.5 GHz spectrum will not affect the availability of such spectrum to eligible Tribal applicants in the Rural Tribal Window.  Further, in processing requests for temporary authority to use unassigned spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, the Commission is ensuring that applicants obtain the consent of relevant Tribes if the geographic scope of a request includes rural Tribal Lands.  

Last week, the FCC granted Special Temporary Authority for Sprint to operate in the 2.5 GHz band in Watertown, New York.

For updates on the FCC’s wide array of actions to keep consumers connected during the coronavirus pandemic, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/coronavirus.  For more information on Chairman Pai’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/keepamericansconnected.  

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / TTY: (888) 835-5322 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

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).