Many Tribal Lands are underserved in regards to high-speed internet services. NPR has reported that only 50% of individuals on Tribal Lands had access to high-speed internet.
If you live on Tribal Lands, your internet options may include some of the following.
- Satellite internet from Viasat, HughesNet, or Starlink.
- DSL or dial-up internet (through CenturyLink, AT&T, or your local landline phone company)
- 4G LTE home internet (from T-Mobile, Verizon, Ladybug Wireless, and other providers)
- Fixed-wireless internet (from Rise Broadband and local providers)
- Cable internet from companies like Xfinity or fiber internet from companies like AT&T, Google Fiber, or Frontier Fios are often not available on Tribal Lands.
Satellite communication relies on having a clear view of the sky, so people living in heavily wooded areas or narrow canyons (where there isn’t a clear view of the sky overhead) may not be able to get satellite internet.
You can find out more about bringing internet service to your area (or your home) by checking into the FCC’s internet assistance programs for tribal lands. Recognizing that rural areas are more likely to not have access to the internet, the FCC offers Enhanced Lifeline Benefits for Tribal Lands.
