[1st-mile-nm] FCC ONAP Annual Report

[Richard Lowenberg]

I'm reposting this email just sent by Rob McMahon,
to the Canadian First Nations' <firstmile> email list.
I additionally recommend that those of you interested,
see:  http://www.fcc.gov/topic/native-nations
where the report noted below is also posted.
RL

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Hello everyone,

Some interesting developments on indigenous broadband development in 
the U.S. The Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) is housed inside 
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). According to the FCC's 
website:

"Our Office of Native Affairs and Policy promotes the deployment and 
adoption of communications services and technology throughout tribal 
lands and Native communities. ONAP consults and coordinates with 
American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, Native Hawaiian 
organizations and other Native and Tribal entities, and is the official 
FCC contact point for these activities. It also engages in work with FCC 
commissioners, bureaus and offices, as well as other government 
agencies, private organizations and the communications industries, to 
develop and implement related FCC policies."

In March 2013, the ONAP released its first (2012) Annual Report.

* Read the ONAP Annual Report : 
http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/onap/ONAP-AnnualReport03-19-2013.pdf
* Read about the creation of ONAP : 
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-300855A1.pdf

Some background on the creation of ONAP from the FCC website:

"The creation of ONAP was one of the recommendations of the National 
Broadband Plan, which includes increasing access to Broadband in Indian 
Country as an important goal. There are 4.1 million American Indians and 
Alaska Natives in the United States and more than 565 federally 
recognized Tribes with their own unique political and tribal structures. 
There is minimal access to Broadband in Indian Country.  The best 
evidence indicates that the broadband deployment rate on Tribal lands is 
less than 10 percent, and anecdotal evidence suggests that actual usage 
rates may be as low as 5 to 8 percent, compared to 65 percent 
nationwide."

Best,
Rob

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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Dir.
1st-Mile Institute, 505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.1st-mile.com  rl at 1st-mile.com
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