The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB or Bureau) has extended the Rural Tribal Priority Window (Tribal Window) for 2.5 GHz spectrum applications by 30 days in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribal Window, which was scheduled to close today, began on February 3, 2020. Since that date, over 200 Tribal entities have submitted applications for licenses for currently unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum over rural Tribal lands. This extension came short of many tribal, public interest, and other entities’ requests, whom had asked for a 180-day extension. While the FCC felt an extension was necessary, it explained that it did not want to unduly delay the grant of licenses for those who have already applied. The Tribal Window is now set to close on September 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm EDT.
