The DIGITAL Reservations Act is a bold and comprehensive bill that tackles an issue that often gets lost in broadband policy – connecting the 36% of homes on tribal lands that don’t have access to broadband at standard speeds. It is fair and just that Native Indian Tribes’ and Native Hawaiian organizations have autonomy over the public airwaves that cover tribal lands and that private entities that currently control those airwaves but have not built broadband networks expeditiously be required to divest their licenses.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has made plain to the majority of Americans what Native Americans have known for years – one cannot be a full participant in our society, our economy, our culture, our education and our health care system without access to a robust broadband Internet connection.  During these times, access to broadband is literally a public health issue – the inability to work, go to school or speak to a doctor online increases the risk of contracting COVID-19. Native Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations have waited far too long to determine their broadband futures. Thanks to Representative Haaland and Senator Warren, Native Americans will finally be given the opportunity to close the digital divide in their communities.