Media Contact: Cecilia Sulhoff, (202) 418-0587 cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL 2.5 GHz BAND SPECTRUM TRIBAL WINDOW LICENSE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING -- WASHINGTON, January 14, 2021—The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau today announced that an additional 29 of the 2.5 GHz band spectrum license applications received as part of the Rural Tribal Priority Window have passed initial review and have been accepted for filing. The Tribal applicants that filed these applications are now one step closer to obtaining access to this prime mid-band spectrum to help address the connectivity needs of their rural communities. Successful Tribal applicants will receive licenses for exclusive use of up to 117.5 megahertz of 2.5 GHz spectrum which can help serve rural Tribal communities with broadband and other advanced wireless services, including 5G. To date, the Commission has granted 182 of the 2.5 GHz applications that were submitted through the FCC’s first-of-its-kind Rural Tribal Priority Window. “This is yet another big day for the FCC’s unprecedented effort to ensure rural Tribes have the spectrum resources they need to connect their communities,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “The Rural Tribal Priority Window has been a success. The spectrum it has made available is already in use in some communities, connecting Native peoples to online business, education, and health resources. The quick and thorough work of FCC staff to process applications has been extremely impressive, and the spectrum that is being made available will have a significant impact on the lives of families in these rural communities. The success of this endeavor—which is only possible through the hard work of FCC staff and the cooperation and dedication of Tribal leaders—is one of the actions during my Chairmanship of which I’m most proud.” The Rural Tribal Priority Window for applications to obtain overlay licenses for unassigned 2.5 GHz band spectrum was open from February 3 to September 2, 2020. As required by law, the agency puts the applications that have been found to be acceptable for filing out for public comment. In today’s Public Notice, the Bureau announced that 29 applications received in the window have been found accepted for filing. This means that those applications, upon initial review, were found to be complete and to contain sufficient information to be accepted for processing and further review. It does not mean that all application requirements have been met, nor does it mean that any waiver requested as part of an application will be granted. FCC staff will continue to review and process all applications filed in the priority window. More information on application processing and status may be found at www.fcc.gov/ruraltribalwindowupdates. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / 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).