Alaska carriers oppose tribal consent for broadband projects

A group of Alaska rural carriers is urging the FCC not to require tribal consent for federally funded broadband projects, arguing it could delay service to non-tribal residents. The Alaska Remote Carrier Coalition said such a policy would give tribes "veto power" and described it as a holdover from the Biden administration’s DEI policies. The FCC is considering new rules as it transitions from the Alaska Plan to the Alaska Connect Fund.