In 2020, during a global pandemic that highlighted a significant digital divide in America, the federal government made a commitment to address the issue. Their solution included tech subsidies and funding for internet access initiatives, particularly high-speed broadband. This funding aimed to fix the missing fiber optic connections in Indigenous areas that had left them offline for years. Although much of the funding has been used and government programs have ended, Indigenous households on tribal lands still have low broadband subscription rates compared to the national average.
Access to high-speed internet is now seen as a crucial factor in health, education, economic growth, and full participation in modern American life. However, a study by the American Indian Policy Institute revealed that many tribal reservation residents lack internet access or rely on unreliable connections. The study also found that internet speeds are slower in tribal areas and the cost of basic internet services is higher.
Efforts to improve internet connectivity for Indigenous communities have been slow. Funding from the federal government has been allocated, but projects take time to approve and implement. Matthew Rantanen, director of technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, explained that fiber projects can take years to complete due to various approval processes and regulations.
Despite the billions of dollars allocated for broadband expansion, progress is slow. Projects funded under the Tribal Connectivity Program are just beginning to be deployed, with results expected in the coming years. Rantanen emphasized the importance of long-term investment in solutions to bridge the digital divide in Indigenous communities.