The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) has announced a 182-day Rural Tribal Priority Window that will open on Monday, February 3, 2020, and close on Monday, August 3, 2020. In July 2019, the FCC modernized the regulatory framework for the 2.5 GHz band to make it available for advanced wireless services, including 5G. At this time, the FCC established a Rural Tribal Priority Window to provide federally recognized Tribal entities with an opportunity to address the communications needs of their rural communities by applying for unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum in the formerly designated Educational Broadband Service. The FCC will conduct an extensive outreach and education program in the preceding months to allow eligible Tribes the opportunity to assess their needs, determine if spectrum is available in their communities, and prepare to file their applications during this window.
The Bureau has established a dedicated website to provide information regarding the window, including the location and dates of outreach and education opportunities at https://www.fcc.gov/25-ghz-rural-tribal-window. The Bureau has also created a mapping tool to assist Tribes in assessing their eligibility and the amount of unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum over their Rural Tribal Lands at https://www.fcc.gov/25-ghz-rural-tribalmaps. In addition, the FCC will host a workshop in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2020. Further information regarding the Rural Tribal Window and workshop will be posted to the Rural Tribal Window website on or before January 6, 2020.
