Tribal Internet Expansion Act of 2025

This bill would extend the universal service principle to Indian country and areas with high populations of Native Americans. It proposes to ensure that telecommunications and information services in these regions are available at rates reasonably comparable to those in urban areas. The legislation would apply to all lands within tribal reservations, dependent Indian communities, and tribal allotments.

This bill affects individuals and communities located within Indian country, including all lands within tribal reservations, dependent Indian communities, and tribal allotments. It also impacts residents of areas with high populations of Indians and those living in rural, insular, or high-cost regions. Additionally, the legislation applies to providers of telecommunications and information services operating in these specific geographic areas.

• Extension of universal service principles to Indian country. The bill applies the universal service principle to Indian country, including tribal reservations, dependent Indian communities, and tribal allotments.
• Rate comparability for high-population Indian areas. The legislation mandates that telecommunications and information services in areas with high populations of Indians be available at rates reasonably comparable to those in urban areas.

The bill expands the scope of the existing universal service principle, which currently ensures comparable telecommunications rates for rural and high-cost areas, to include Indian country and areas with high populations of Indians.

The bill aims to ensure that telecommunications and information services in Indian country and areas with high Native American populations are available at rates comparable to those in urban areas by extending universal service principles to these regions.