WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE FCC’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ‘RURAL TRIBAL PRIORITY WINDOW,’ CHAIRMAN PAI’S PLAN TO EXPAND WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY ON TRIBAL LANDS-- Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman John Hoeven (ND): “These spectrum licenses will serve as an important tool to help improve connectivity for tribal members, providing greater education, health care and economic opportunities.” (Statement, 11/4/20) Senator Brian Schatz (HI): “This news means that people can expect faster and more reliable internet service. We all know how important internet access has become during this pandemic as we try work or go to school from home so this is good news.” (Statement, 10/26/20) Senator Jon Tester (MT): “Between distanced learning, telehealth, and working from home, the coronavirus pandemic has made access to reliable, high-speed broadband more critical than ever before, especially in Indian Country. . . . That’s why I’m proud . . . that the FCC approved applications from every Montana Tribe that applied for spectrum ownership, which will increase connectivity across our state’s Tribal communities and increase access to critical health and education services.” (Statement, 10/30/20) Senator Kyrsten Sinema (AZ): “Increasing access to high-speed broadband improves tribal and rural communities’ access to health care, education, and jobs. I applaud the FCC’s announcement . . . .” (Statement, 10/28/20) Senator Jacky Rosen (NV) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV): “As the coronavirus pandemic has amplified, far too many Tribes in Nevada and across the nation lack adequate broadband access. . . . We congratulate the Tribes in Nevada who are receiving these first-of-its-kind Rural Tribal Priority Window licenses, which will provide the opportunity for much-needed advanced wireless services.” (Statement, 10/28/20) Senator Ron Wyden (OR): “Tribal members throughout rural Oregon need this modern wireless broadband access for a quality of life that includes top-notch connectivity to telehealth, classroom instruction and work opportunities.” (Statement, 10/26/20) Senator Martin Heinrich (NM): “Now more than ever, it is critical that these communities have access to broadband services so they can be connected to educational, health, and career-related resources.  . . . This announcement is a vital step forward for increasing internet access in Indian Country, and I will continue fighting for broadband access across our state.” (Statement, 10/29/20) Senator Kevin Cramer (ND): “Better connectivity creates better opportunities. It’s good to see the FCC taking steps to close the digital divide for tribes in our state.” (Statement, 11/04/20) Representative Ben Ray Luján (NM): “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of broadband access to check on loved ones, receive critical public health information, promote economic opportunity, and ensure that students can learn. . . . I’m pleased that New Mexico communities benefited from the . . . Rural Tribal Priority Window and were awarded these spectrum licenses today.” (Statement, 10/29/20) Representative Tom O’Halleran (AZ): “These 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses will open the door to economic growth and allow tribal families to work and learn remotely, access telehealth services, and stay connected to loved ones during this crisis.” (Statement, 10/28/20) Representative Deb Haaland (NM): “It’s welcome news that Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations across New Mexico will have access to these licenses so Native communities will access to telehealth services, virtual classrooms, and online conferences[.]” (Statement, 10/29/20) Representative Kim Schrier (WA): “So many things we do on a day-to-day basis rely on internet access, like learning and working from home, telemedicine, and connecting with family members. This important program will provide necessary tools like wireless internet to Tribal families and help bridge the digital divide.” (Statement, 10/24/20) Representative Xochitl Torres Small (NM): “[I’m] pleased to see the FCC prioritize our rural and tribal areas and swiftly distribute licenses so that our tribal communities can provide the broadband needed to connect schools, families, hospitals, and businesses. . . . This announcement is an important step towards ensuring our tribal economies and communities remain viable in the digital age, I will continue to fight for the resources needed to build on this progress across New Mexico.” (Statement, 10/29/20) State Senator Rob Cowles (WI): “Congrats to the @OneidaNationWI on receiving a license for use of 2.5 GHz band spectrum to help provide broadband services. Expanding rural internet access takes a host of solutions. It’s great to see the Oneida Nation taking advantage of this first-of-its-kind @FCC program.” (Tweet, 10/26/20) Colville Tribes: “The expansion of wireless services will reach about 80% of the Reservation. It will benefit all residents, especially students and our elders. During this time of the pandemic, better wireless service is vital to serve education, health and public safety concerns.” (Statement, 11/3/20) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation: “The tribe is now one step closer to moving forward in developing a broadband infrastructure to help our families, students and employees who now really need it as an essential tool through the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Statement, 10/26/20) Department of Hawaiian Home Lands: “We are pleased that the FCC has granted us these licenses. The Department will begin work immediately to procure funding and begin work to build out the infrastructure needed to broadcast wireless broadband across the spectrum.” (Statement, 10/26/20) Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Office of Economic Development: “Connectivity is a primary consideration for our Tribe, especially with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. With this license and future broadband deployment, the MBCI is not only aiming to keep people safe at home and connected to essential services like schooling and healthcare during emergencies, but also to cultivate attractive and optimum connectivity conditions for businesses and investors.” (Statement, 11/16/20) Pueblo of Zia: “This is a great opportunity. Although we are only 17 miles from a large metropolitan area, we do not have access to high-speed internet. The 2.5 [GHz] spectrum will now give us access to broadband for our schools, clinics and the community.” (Statement, 10/23/20) Ute Indian Tribal Business Committee: “The Tribe’s new Federal Communications Commission spectrum license will open up a wide range of valuable opportunities on the Reservation. With radio spectrum of the 2.5 GHz band, Indian tribes and/or internet service providers can deploy 5G networks within tribal lands that can support many wireless technology services, such as telemedicine, cellular phones, precision agriculture, cloud storage, and the Internet of Things. . . . The Business Committee is excited to bring these new opportunities to the Tribe’s membership.” (Statement, 11/5/20) ### Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / 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).