The GAO has just released a report titled, “Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications For Native Americans on Tribal Lands”.The GAO has just released a report titled, “Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications For Native Americans on Tribal Lands”.
Why GAO Did This Study
An important goal of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, is to ensure access to telecommunications services for all
Americans. The Federal Communications Commission has made efforts to improve the historically low subscribership rates
of Native Americans on tribal lands. In addition, Congress is considering legislation to establish a grant program to help tribes improve
telecommunications services on their lands. This report discusses 1) the status of telecommunications subscribership for Native Americans living on tribal lands; 2) federal programs available for improving telecommunications on these lands; 3) barriers to improvements; and 4) how some tribes are addressing these barriers.
What GAO Recommends
In a draft of this report provided for agency comment, GAO recommended that FCC determine what data is needed to assess progress toward the goal of providing access to telecommunications services to Native Americans living on tribal lands and how this data should be
collected, and report to Congress on its findings. FCC agreed more data is needed but maintained that it is not the organization best positioned to determine what that data should be.
Given FCC’s response, Congress should consider directing FCC to carry out our recommended action. In addition, Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to facilitate and clarify tribal libraries’ eligibility for universal service funds.
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