The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has invited Tribal leaders to a virtual consultation on Thursday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. EST, to discuss a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted on February 16, seeking comment on improvements to the E-Rate program that would increase access to E-Rate support for Tribal schools and libraries.

Information about the consultation is available at https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2023/04/tribal-consultation-proposed-rules-address-barriers-e-rate-access.  Tribal leaders may register by sending an email message to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov, and are encouraged to bring staff and library, school, and information technology (IT) representatives to the Tribal consultation as observers. Tribal leaders may also designate a proxy(ies) to attend on their behalf.

The NPRM seeks comment on the following:

• Simplifying E-Rate forms and cost-allocation requirements;
• Providing an additional competitive bidding exemption for low-cost services and equipment for Tribal applicants;
• Increasing the maximum discount rate for Category Two services from 85% to 90% for Tribal applicants;
• Allowing Tribal college libraries that serve a dual role by also serving as the Tribal community’s public library to be eligible for E-Rate support;
• Providing an extended or separate application filing window for Tribal libraries to align with their Tribal procurement requirements and approval processes;
• Increasing the Category Two $25,000 funding floor for Tribal applicants;
• Adding a Tribal representative to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s Board of Directors, which administers the program for the FCC; and
• Considering other potential reforms to encourage greater participation by Tribal or similarly situated small or rural applicants, particularly if they face barriers that impede equitable access to the E-Rate program.

Tribal governmental entities and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the NPRM and to consider filing comments in CC Docket No. 02-6 in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard.

• Comments are due Monday, April 24, 2023.
• Reply Comments are due Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
• Interested parties are also welcome to submit information for this proceeding after the May 23, 2023 deadline, if additional time is needed.

Please email the Office of Native Affairs and Policy with any questions at native@fcc.gov.