Broadband Access in Indian Country

Click to read Broadband Access in Indian Country

Published February 2026

This report from the Urban Institute covers the current conditions of broadband access in Indian Country, the main federal programs aimed at improving broadband access, and findings, best practices, and policy recommendations to support tribal governments in building and maintaining necessary broadband infrastructure for their communities.

Why This Matters

Americans rely on internet access to connect them to work, school, health care, and other necessary services. But compared with the rest of the US, people living on tribal lands, and especially those living on tribal lands in rural areas, have substantially lower rates of access to reliable broadband. This “digital divide” stems from historical disinvestment and has implications for individuals and for Native communities and economies as a whole.

Key Takeaways

Although federal broadband investments in Native communities have increased in recent years, many communities still have unmet needs. Securing federal funding can be complex and resource intensive, and broadband development projects are often costly and time consuming. Some Native communities face challenges meeting the administrative, financial, or technical requirements for accessing federal funding, building necessary infrastructure, and maintaining it in the long term. To better sustain broadband service and avoid unfavorable relationships with nontribal internet providers, many tribal governments, tribal internet providers, and other actors have advocated for tribal sovereignty over their broadband infrastructure.