The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau granted 20 additional 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses to serve Alaskan Native communities. To date, 292 applications received through last year’s FCC Rural Tribal Priority Window have been granted.
The actions pave the way for new advanced wireless services – including wireless broadband – for underserved rural tribal communities, according to the agency. In Alaska, 99 applications have now been granted.
“Connecting Alaskan Native communities to broadband services is vitally important. Too many lack the connectivity needed to take advantage of today’s health, education, communications, and business online resources,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “From the Emergency Broadband Benefit Programs additional support for tribal households to our new effort to amend E-Rate rules to support broadband for tribal libraries, we are using every option available to us to make a difference for tribal communities.”
The licenses granted provide exclusive use of up to 117.5 MHz of 2.5 GHz band spectrum that tribes can use to connect their rural communities to wireless broadband and other advanced services. The FCC’s staff continues to review and process all applications received during the window.
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