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How Native American Tribes are Using 5G to Get Online

Bridging the digital divide

By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 29, 2021 12:47PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Many rural areas and Native American reservations lack internet connectivity, and some companies are trying to fill the gap with 5G technology. The FCC reported in 2017 that 34% of Native Americans who live on rural tribal lands lacked access to sufficient broadband capabilities. For tribes desperately lacking access to the internet, wireless service can be a quick solution. Martin Barraud / Getty Images Many residents of Native American reservations and other rural areas in the US can’t get online, and some companies think 5G technology could be part of the solution. Nokia and NewCore Wireless recently began bringing 5G wireless networking and 4.9G/LTE service to underserved communities. The move is part of a growing effort to bring broadband to places where laying fiber optic cables would be prohibitively expensive. "The reality is that broadband access and wireless service are essential for leading a productive life," Ed Cholerton, a senior vice president at Nokia, said in an email interview. "Whether it is for work, school, health care, public safety, or just general communications, modern communications technology has become as fundamental to our lives as electricity, water service, and other essential utilities."

Western Tribes Are First to Get New Broadband

Nokia’s first wave of deployments covers over 12,000 square miles, and will provide broadband connectivity to more than 15,000 tribal members. The company first will focus on North and South Dakota, Oklahoma, and California, to serve the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. "All members of our community, including our elders whom we pride ourselves in helping, will benefit from more affordable and accessible connectivity," John Pretty Bear, councilman for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Cannonball District, said in a news release. Westend61 / Getty Images "This is critical for the well-being of our people, especially during the pandemic, where information about mass testing or vaccinations needs to be shared in real-time." In 2017, the FCC reported that 34% of Native Americans who live on rural tribal lands lacked access to sufficient broadband capabilities. Last year, the FCC offered tribes in rural areas access to the unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum known as Education Broadband Service, or EBS. A few tribes have built wireless networks using the EBS spectrum. Still, most have not yet deployed a wireless network, said Mike Kerr, co-founder of Terranet Communications, a network solutions provider. One exception is the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The tribe built a network that provides online classes for students and continuing education for teachers, with plans for a remote charter high school. "Economic disparities are exacerbated by lack of access to high-speed internet, and communities that lack high-speed internet connectivity are at a huge disadvantage," Kerr said. Paying for wireless networks is a challenge, but there is also recent good news for tribes. In February, the Department of Commerce announced the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants Program, providing $1 billion in federal grants to tribal governments and related entities.

Nokia Claims 5G Is the Quick Solution

For tribes urgently lacking access to the internet, wireless service can be a quick solution, Cholerton said. "Alternate technologies like wired or fiber-based broadband are great, but they take a long time to build for each home and business," he added. The 2.5 GHz spectrum is well suited to operate both LTE and 5G service, and is part of the mid-band "sweet spot" that enables the optimal mix of service range and capacity, he said. Mac Romanelli / Getty Images "This way, the largest number of people have access to both mobile and broadband coverage, as well as the speed necessary to run all the essential work, education, public safety, and even entertainment services," he added. But not everyone thinks 5G is the right way to bring the internet to underserved communities. Traditional fiber networks have extremely low cost of operation, nearly limitless bandwidth, and a lifetime measured in decades, Alan DiCicco, a senior director at cloud and software company Calix, which counts communications service providers as clients, said in an email interview. "Accepting 5G as the solution to deliver high-speed broadband to remote areas perpetuates the accepted belief that people in rural communities somehow don’t need the same quality of service as those who live in urban areas," he added. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) T-Mobile 5G: When & Where You Can Get It 5G Availability Around the World Where Is 5G Available in the US? (Updated for 2022) 5G: Here's Everything That's Changing The 9 Best Internet Service Providers of 2022 5G Internet: The High-Speed Replacement for Cable? Verizon 5G: When & Where You Can Get It Where Is 5G Available in Canada? (Updated for 2022) How to Get Wireless Internet Access in a Hotel How Are 4G and 5G Different? 5G Speed: How to Understand the Numbers 6G: What It Is & When to Expect It Where Is 5G Available in the UK? (Updated for 2022) How to Get 5G or 4G Internet Access on Your Laptop 5G: Everything You Need to Know Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies