2018 Annual Tribal Self-Governance Consultation Conference April 26, 2018 Matthew Duchesne Chief, Office of Native Affairs and Policy Federal Communications Commission (FCC) matthew.duchesne@fcc.gov 202.418.3629

Office of Native Affairs and Policy ONAP created in 2010 by Commission Order (FCC 10- 141). It is part of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. ONAP is charged with bringing the benefits of a modern communications infrastructure to all Native communities by: ensuring robust government-to-government consultation with Federally recognized Tribal governments and other Native organizations working with FCC Commissioners, Bureaus and Offices, as well as with other government agencies and private organizations on policies and programs affecting Tribal interests representing the Commission in interactions with Tribal leaders, representatives and organizations

Native Nations Communications Task Force Created in 2011 as Native Nations Broadband Task Force Currently being renewed for a 3-year term 20 elected Tribal officials or their designated Tribal employees; 11 senior FCC officials Mission is to provide advice to the FCC on the many issues within the Commission’s jurisdiction affecting deployment and adoption of wire and radio communications services on Tribal and around lands, or otherwise uniquely or significantly affecting Tribal interests During its 3-year term, the Task Force may be charged by the FCC Chairman to produce specific deliverables that will further the Commission’s mission and objectives Selections expected in May

Promoting Connectivity and Broadband The Commission has made it a priority to bring greater connectivity to Tribal lands Multiple Voice and Broadband Programs Universal Service Fund – ~ $8B per year in provider subsidies Lifeline Rural Healthcare E-Rate High Cost Fund - ~$ 4.5B Connect America Fund Mobility Fund Tribal Radio Priority

USF - Lifeline Discounted phone and/or broadband service for low-income consumers (facilities-based providers) Discount up to $9.25 generally Discount up to $34.25 to qualifying residents on rural Tribal lands Administered by the FCC through the non-profit Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) National Eligibility Verifier The National Verifier will determine subscriber eligibility, conduct annual recertification, and provide support for consumers and service providers Consumers will be able to verify their eligibility through a web portal, through a mailed paper form, or with the support of a Lifeline service provider The National Verifier will use federal and state data sources to conduct automated eligibility checks for some eligibility programs to decrease the need for manual documentation reviews (e.g., Medicaid) Expected to launch initially in 6 states in mid 2018: Colorado, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

USF - Rural Healthcare Promoting Telehealth in Rural America Provides financial support to qualifying rural healthcare providers for critical communications services Currently capped at $400M/year Limited to public and nonprofit healthcare providers Consists of: Healthcare Connect Fund (up to 3 years) Eligible Healthcare Providers and consortia with more than 50% rural Healthcare sites get 65% discount on all eligible expenses (broadband services and equipment; consortia-constructed and owned network facilities) Telecommunications Program Cost parity with urban counterparts for similar services

USF E-Rate Schools and Libraries Eligible schools, school districts and libraries Individually or as consortia Middle Rio Grande Consortium (4 Pueblos, schools and libraries, $3.9M of $4.2M for fiber construction costs) Service discounts ranging from 20% to 90% depending on poverty level and rural vs. urban location Funding based on demand, but capped at $3.9B/year Administered by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

USF - High-Cost Program Connect America Fund Funding for fixed voice and broadband services Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF-II) “Reverse Auction” $1.9B over ten years in eligible areas Phased build-out requirements Application deadline was March 30, 2018 Bidding begins July 24, 2018 Remote Area Fund – competitive process; covers areas not awarded in the CAF II auction; commence within a year of the close of the CAF II auction

High-Cost Program Mobility Fund Funding for mobile voice and broadband services Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) reverse auction Up to $4.53B of ongoing support over 10 years Expected Tribal reserve of $340M Primarily rural areas that lack unsubsidized 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) service Eligible vs. non-eligible areas Challenge process: Tribal, state and local governments, service providers, and others by waiver Challenge window opened in March and closes in August Separate session at 10:30 dedicated solely to Mobility Fund Phase II

Spectrum Over Tribal Lands 2.5 GHz Educational Broadband Service Spectrum April 19 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) – Proposes allowing more efficient and effective use of 2.5 GHz spectrum by: increasing flexibility for existing Educational Broadband Service (EBS) licensees providing new opportunities for educational entities, rural Tribal Nations, and commercial entities to access unused portions of the band  NPRM proposes to: rationalize the geographic service area of existing licensees grant greater flexibility to existing licensees to lease excess capacity to promote more intensive and efficient use of the spectrum, including by eliminating educational use requirements open three new Local Priority Filing Windows for acquiring unassigned 2.5 GHz licenses for Existing EBS licensees to expand to county boundaries Federally recognized Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages in rural areas Certain new educational entities without existing licenses recognized Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages in rural areas Comments due – 30 days after publication in the Federal Register Reply Comments due – 60 days after publication in the Federal Register

Spectrum Over Tribal Lands Commission seeks government-to-government consultation with interested Tribes and input from inter-Tribal associations and Native representative organizations Open questions include: Definition of Tribal lands Geographic boundaries – e.g., county or census block Additional proposals to encourage use of 2.5GHz spectrum on Tribal lands Comments due – 30 days after publication in the Federal Register Reply Comments due – 60 days after publication in the Federal Register

Tribal Radio Priority Created by FCC Order in 2010 (FCC 10-24) to make it easier for Tribes or Tribally owned or controlled entities to obtain broadcast radio licenses in both the AM and FM bands Designed to: Provide broadcast radio service tailored to specific Tribal needs and cultures Increase station ownership by Tribes and Tribally owned entities For more information, Tribes are welcome to contact the Office of Native Affairs and Policy Tribal Radio Summit tentatively planned in conjunction with NCAI Annual Convention & Marketplace, Oct. 21 in Denver, CO