The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce, announces another Tribal Consultation on the broadband monies allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (IIJA). In addition to the additional $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), this funding includes:

• $42.45 billion for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, for which all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) are eligible.
• $2.75 billion for Digital Equity Act Programs that create three programs to support the closure of the digital divide and promote equity and digital inclusion.
• $1 billion for a competitive Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program.

NTIA’s previous Tribal Consultations focused on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 (Act), that created the TBCP and provided new sources of Tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country. NTIA received applications requesting significantly more in funding than the $980 million available for grants under the Act. The Tribal Consultation on January 14, 2022, focused on the additional $2 billion in funding appropriated for the TBCP by the IIJA.

NTIA is committed to holding another consultation expeditiously to ensure that your input informs the use and timing of the funding from the IIJA. In accordance with the Department of Commerce’s Tribal consultation policy, you are invited and/or a Tribal representative with your delegation of authority to participate in the virtual National Tribal Consultation to provide your advice and insights as NTIA staff are working through the critical issues related to the TBCP and the other programs authorized by the IIJA.

Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
Zoom Meeting Link