1. 2018 Annual Tribal Self-Governance Consultation Conference
April 26, 2018
Matthew Duchesne
Chief, Office of Native Affairs and Policy Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

2. Office of Native Affairs and Policy
ONAP created in 2010 by Commission Order (FCC ). 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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