Document Type

Response or Comment

Publication Date

5-2017

Abstract

The Broadband Institute of California (BBIC) and the Broadband Regulatory Clinic of Santa Clara Law (BRC) petition the Commission to expressly consider the needs of rural tribal lands in promulgating regulations regarding spectrum allocated for the development of 5G technologies, and encourages the Commission to work with prospective auction participants, broadband service providers and tribal communities to develop 5G use cases targeting rural and tribal needs. Presently, barriers to broadband deployment across tribal lands include geographical isolation, low population densities, difficult terrain, and political fragmentation arising from tribal governance issues. The first portion of this Comment explains these particularly crippling barriers. Enabling tribes with access to broadband connectivity can assist in combating social problems that arise as a result of these barriers. With regards to geographic isolation, access to healthcare and employment opportunities would improve, without the need for commuting long distances, as consumer markets expand.

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