The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is committed to assisting people living on tribal lands to acquire telecommunication services. Since tribal lands are often located in sparsely populated, remote areas of the country, tribal lands bidding credits are offered to telecommunication providers to help offset some of the costs of providing telecommunication services.
The FCC’s Tribal Lands Bidding Credits are available to winning bidders that deploy facilities and provide service to federally-recognized tribal areas that have a wireline telephone subscription or penetration rate equal to or below 85 percent. The information in the tables below was derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2009 list of federally-recognized tribal entities (pdf) as well as the United States Census Bureau’s 2000 Census, and is made available as a guideline only. An applicant is solely responsible for performing due diligence as to whether a specific tribal land meets the FCC’s requirement for a tribal lands bidding credit.
The Tribal Lands Bidding Credit program is only one of a number of initiatives the FCC has launched to address the lack of telecommunications deployment and subscribership throughout Indian Country. For additional information on what the Commission is doing, visit the FCC's Tribal Homepage.
Orders
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (FCC 11-29)
The Commission Adopts a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Explore a Range of Recommendations to Help Close the Wireless Gap on Tribal Lands.
2/3/2010
ORDER (DA 10-197)
Denied a request that the Commission consider that Telesaurus has fulfilled the tribal land bidding credit requirements for Auction 39 LMS licenses, or, in the alternative, extend the deadline to submit the tribal land bidding credit certifications.
9/2/2004
THIRD REPORT AND ORDER (FCC 04-202)
Modified limited aspects of the rules previously adopted in this proceeding to provide incentives for wireless telecommunications carriers to serve individuals living on tribal lands. Third R&O
3/14/2003
SECOND REPORT AND ORDER AND SECOND FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (FCC 03-51)
In this Second Report and Order, we clarify rules previously adopted in the Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket 99-2661 to provide incentives for wireless telecommunications carriers to serve individuals living on tribal lands.
6/30/2000
ORDER (FCC 00-209)
This Report and Order adopts rules and policies that provide incentives for wireless telecommunications carriers to serve individuals living on tribal lands.
Public Notices
WTB grants waiver of 1.2110(f)(3)(i) definition to include additional areas within the Eastern Navajo Agency to allow any winning bidder in Auction 97 to seek eligibility for Tribal lands bidding credits (TLBC) in those underserved areas of New Mexico
9/16/2014
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 14-1340)
Seeks comment on request to extend tribal land bidding credits to the Eastern Navajo Agency in New Mexico for any AWS - 3 licenses won in Auction 97.
3/8/2001
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 01-613)
This Public Notice announces the Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS) has been enhanced to help winning bidders in FCC auctions file license applications when seeking a tribal land bidding credit.
12/14/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2836)
This Public Notice provides additional information regarding the application process for applicants seeking a tribal lands bidding credit.
9/28/2000
PUBLIC NOTICE (DA 00-2219)
This Public Notice announces on July 27, 1999, the Wireless Bureau will hold a forum to receive feedback from bidders on their experiences with the auction process.
Cross References
Tribal Lands 2000 Penetration Rates
pdf - xls
Not all of the lands listed are "qualifying" tribal lands as defined under 47 C.F.R. § 1.2110(e)(3)(i). The tribal lands “occupants” listed are derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2000 list of recognized tribal entities. See See 65 FR 13298 (March 13, 2000).
Tribal Lands vs. Automated Maritime Telecommunications System Areas
Tribal Lands vs. Basic Trading Area
Tribal Lands vs. Basic Trading Area and Partial Market Areas for Auction No. 58
Partial markets only:
pdf -
xlsAll markets included in Auction No. 58: pdf - xls
Auction(s): 58
Tribal Lands vs. Cellular Market Areas
The tribal lands “occupants” listed are derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2000 list of recognized tribal entities. See 65 FR 13298 (March 13, 2000).
Tribal Lands vs. MVDDS Service Areas (MVDs)
Tribal Lands vs. Economic Area
The tribal lands “occupants” listed are derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2000 list of recognized tribal entities. See 65 FR 13298 (March 13, 2000).
Tribal Lands vs. Economic Area Grouping
Tribal Lands vs. Major Economic Area
Tribal Lands vs. Major Trading Areas
Tribal Lands vs. Nationwide
The tribal lands “occupants” listed are derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2000 list of recognized tribal entities. See 65 FR 13298 (March 13, 2000).
Tribal Lands vs. Regional Economic Area Grouping (REAG)
The tribal lands “occupants” listed are derived from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2000 list of recognized tribal entities. See 65 FR 13298 (March 13, 2000).
Tribal Lands vs. Regional PCS Areas (RPC)
Tribal Lands vs. VHF Public Coast Station Areas (VPC)