Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet
February 18, 2016
Testimony for the Record: “Ensuring Intermodal USF Support for Rural America”
Introduction
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest and largest representative organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments. NCAI represents the broad interests of tribes and their citizens to promote the advancement of tribal sovereignty and self-determination. On February 4, 2016, the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet held a hearing on, “Ensuring Intermodal USF Support for Rural America”. The hearing focused on the successes and issues with deploying high-speed terrestrial and wireless services to rural areas through the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) High Cost Program and the Mobility Fund.
Witnesses discussed what types of technologies and services should be supported by the USF High Cost Program and Mobility Fund, which included recommendations for support of services offered through satellite, fiber, microwave and other wireless services; use of unlicensed spectrum devices; and the creation of a stand-alone broadband fund within the USF. Although the hearing focused on issues regarding barriers to access for rural areas, issues concerning deployment to tribal lands were largely absent from this important discussion.
NCAI respectfully submits this testimony for the record of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Hearing on “Ensuring Intermodal USF Support for Rural America.”
Read the testimony in its entirety here.
If you have any questions, please contact NCAI Legislative Associate, Brian Howard, at bhoward@ncai.org.