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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission (www.fcc.gov) has taken several steps to facilitate the provision of telecommunications service to individuals on tribal lands. These steps include: issuing an FCC Policy Statement regarding tribal governments; modifying its universal service rules to target low-income subscribers living on the tribal lands; and establishing tribal land bidding credits for future spectrum auctions.

Indian Initiatives
www.fcc.gov/indians
The Indian Initiatives website is a centralized location for all information about the work being done at the FCC regarding Indian Country, including rulemaking items and the Indian Telecom Training Initiative.

Universal Service
www.fcc.gov/wcb/tapd/universal_service
The FCC's universal service programs assist consumers and businesses in Indian Country in obtaining access to telephone service at affordable and reasonably comparable rates. This website also describes policies that assist with connecting eligible schools, libraries, and rural health care providers to telecommunications services.

Tribal Lands Auctions Bidding Credit
wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=tribal_bidding&page=1
The FCC awards auction bidding credits to winning bidders who use licenses to build facilities and provide wireless services to federally recognized tribal areas that are either not currently served by a telecommunications carrier or who have telephone service penetration rates below 85%.

Geographic Information System (GIS)
wireless.fcc.gov/geographic/index.htm?job=home
This website gives you the tools to create, view, query and print customized maps showing FCC licensing data, regulated towers and market area boundaries on American Indian Reservations and in Alaskan Native Areas. These maps can be extremely helpful in conducting analysis on current service and need/feasibility studies for new services.

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
www.fcc.gov/cgb
The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau website provides material that will assist you in understanding important FCC regulatory programs. Through this website and the Bureau's toll free numbers, 1-888-CALL-FCC (voice) and 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY), the Bureau analyzes complaints and inquiries to promote increased Commission understanding of the concerns and viewpoints of the public.

Consumer Information about Telephone Service
www.fcc.gov/cgb/telephone.html
This website provides tips for getting the best deal for telephone services, avoiding problems, and resolving telephone service complaints. You can also learn about the actions the FCC takes to protect consumers from abusive and deceptive practices.

Complaints about Telecommunications Issues
www.fcc.gov/eb/tcd/complaints.html
Do you have a complaint about a company that provides telecommunications services? This website guides you through the complaint resolution process.

How to Participate in the FCC Rulemaking Process
www.fcc.gov/rules.html
This overview of the FCC rulemaking process explains step-by-step how the Commission determines telecommunications rules and policies. Understanding this process will help you comment and express your views on FCC proceedings.

Public Safety
www.fcc.gov/pshs/
The FCC regulates the licensing and use of radio transmitters engaged in public safety activities such as emergency medical services, fire, police, veterinarians, school buses, and establishments in isolated places. This website provides information on these communications systems that are critical in ensuring the safety of the residents of Indian Country.

Low Power FM
www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lpfm/index.html
The Low Power FM Radio Service is available to qualified noncommercial educational, public safety, or transportation entities. The website provides links to a guide for applicants and Channel Finder, which helps you determine where stations can be located.