Internet Access on Native Lands

Accessing the internet can be expensive and difficult. This is more true for Natives than it is for other Americans. And because access to the internet is critical for success in school and business, a lack of access can mean that our people miss out on important opportunities. But that doesn't have to be the case.

About a third of tribal lands have no access to broadband internet. Even for the areas that do have access, only about half of residents subscribe to it because it’s too expensive. But programs like the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) can help.

ACP assists low-income households with paying for home internet and internet-connected devices like laptops. And it offers special, additional discounts for households on tribal land.

The ACP program recently took the place of the old Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. According to affordableconnectivity.gov, “[y]ou are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI” etc.

If your household is eligible and on tribal lands, you’ll receive a monthly discount of up to $75 on your internet bill. You may also be eligible to receive a discount on an internet-enabled device that you can buy from a participating retailer.

You can apply for the ACP here, or go to https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers, provide your zip code, and indicate which eligibility criteria you meet to see what discounts and programs you qualify for.