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Welcome to the Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit! This Toolkit provides tribal entities with the
guidance, knowledge, and resources to design, implement, and maintain a broadband plan in
their communities. Made up of seven worksheets, this Toolkit offers insights, interactive tools,
and links to technical assistance resources for every stage of the broadband planning journey.
While we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to crafting a broadband plan,
we hope that this Toolkit provides foundational resources to get you started.
Expanding Broadband to Tribal Communities
Expanding broadband access and use can help tribal communities better meet and serve the needs of
their people. Broadband offers far-reaching benefits such as helping improve public safety response
times, expanding telehealth and telework opportunities, and providing greater economic advantages.
Broadband also provides new opportunities to connect native people and share their stories and
traditions.
How to Use this Toolkit to Meet Your Goals
This Toolkit offers a collection of worksheets and interactive exercises to guide you through the steps to
build a plan for broadband development, adoption, or expansion. Use the principles below to guide your
use of the Toolkit:
1
Use the Toolkit in any order. Each worksheet can be used on its own to access guidance and
resources on an element of broadband planning. Choose the worksheets that engage with your
tribal entity’s broadband planning needs.
2
Treat the Toolkit as a companion throughout your broadband journey. Each worksheet has both a
learning component and an activity to guide you through that element of broadband planning. Treat
the worksheets as reference guides to return to throughout your broadband planning journey.
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Refer to the accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template. The Toolkit includes a companion
Tribal Broadband Plan template in Microsoft Excel that you can use to build out your broadband
plan. Read and populate the template in conjunction with the Toolkit as a more complete
broadband planning resource.
Looking to create a tribal broadband plan? Start here.
Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit
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Seven Elements: Building a Tribal Broadband Plan
Making a broadband plan involves seven major elements, each of which is important to work through to turn your
broadband vision into reality. Each element is covered by a worksheet in the Toolkit, which is comprised of learning
and activity-based resources that your tribal entity can use to learn about and create a broadband plan.
Below are the seven elements, along with information on what the accompanying worksheets in the Toolkit can
help you do.
Assemble a
Team
• Figure out what skills you need on your team to be successful
• Identify people to join your team
• Select a team member to lead your broadband project
Determine Your
Priorities
• Understand the basic concepts behind broadband access and use
• Think through barriers that prevent meaningful broadband access
• Identify where to focus your broadband plan to address barriers in your
community
Explore the
Data
• Explore data sources that provide insight into what broadband looks like in
your community
• Learn how to measure your community’s current internet usage and
access
Build
Relationships
for Success
• Consider partnerships often involved in the broadband planning process
• Identify partners to engage throughout planning and project
implementation
Select the Right
Solutions
• Evaluate options to execute your plan, including technologies or programs
• Explore funding options available to support the plan execution
Prepare a
Budget
• Detail the expenses that your broadband plan will include
• Consider various cost options and provide justification for each cost that
you select
Chart a Path
Forward
• Develop a project plan to guide execution of your broadband plan
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Assessing Your Community’s Strengths
When creating and implementing your broadband plan, you will need to draw upon the many strengths within
your community. What are some skillsets and relationships present in your community that may be an asset to
broadband planning? Are there competing priorities or considerations that may pose a challenge?
Before you begin the exercise of broadband planning, think through the guiding questions below to help identify
your tribal entity’s strengths and challenge areas that may impact this process. Keep these in mind as you embark
on your broadband planning journey.
Skillsets: What skillsets are present in your community?
Broadband planning requires involvement from many people with a
broad range of skillsets, including data analytics, program management,
budget planning, and technical expertise. Use this guide as a resource
to identify which skills may be valuable.
Relationships: What existing community relationships may
help facilitate broadband planning?
Broadband planning is a community-wide effort that will rely on existing
and new relationships. Consider relationships your community has with
utilities companies, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, the Tribal
Employment Rights Office, community anchor institutions, government
agencies, network providers, and other relevant groups.
Funding: Are funds available for broadband planning?
Broadband planning is a capital-intensive effort that may require your
tribal entity to apply for funding to support implementation. Tribal
entities should consider funding from multiple sources, including but
not limited to: grants, philanthropic contributions, and private-public
partnerships.
Local Context: What elements of your local tribal norms
affect broadband planning?
Competing community priorities or other aspects specific to your tribal
community may impact the timing or speed of broadband plan
implementation.
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Identify Community Advocates
Before building your team, think about the major figures and institutions in your community. Where do the
strongest relationships exist? Who will be most helpful to you on your broadband journey? See Building
Relationships for Success for additional resources and materials to help identify and develop meaningful
partnerships with community actors.
Community Input Moment: Use this step as an opportunity to obtain and incorporate community
input on how you put together your broadband team.
Build a Team that Matches Your Goals
The composition of your broadband team should reflect what your community is trying to enable with broadband.
The sample goals below show how what you are trying to accomplish may affect who is on your planning team.
If your goal is to
attract and
promote local business…
Increase representatives from your district leaders, small business
administration, and tourism-focused groups
If your goal is to improve
public safety…
Add representatives from police, fire, and emergency departments, as
well as from communities with public safety challenges
If your goal is to
strengthen
the workforce…
Include representatives from nonprofits, tribal government programs,
and librarians who focus on this topic
If your goal is to enhance
educational outcomes…
Bring in representatives from tribal schools and universities – including
teachers, professors, administrators, and students
If your goal is to bolster
digital health capacity…
Involve representatives from tribal health clinics, pharmacies, third-party
billing providers, Indian Health Services, and other relevant entities
!
Worksheet Objectives
• Figure out what skills you need on your team to be successful
• Identify people to join your team
• Select a team member to lead your broadband project
Assemble a Team
Build a team with the skills needed to accomplish your broadband goals.
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Assemble a Team
Build a team with the skills needed to accomplish your broadband goals.
Roles & Responsibilities Table
Broadband planning teams require a range of skillsets. Do you have a well-rounded team with the right people to
take on some of the key responsibilities below? Are there other responsibilities for which you need to “staff”? Use
this table to develop your dream team.
TEAM ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES TEAM MEMBER
Internal project
champion
• Sponsors and drives planning activities
forward
Project manager
• Sets meeting agenda and organizes team
dynamics
Administrative assistant • Organizes team documentation and resources
Financial manager
• Manages team budget, funding, and financial
planning
Technical and policy
expert(s)
• Provides subject matter expertise on
broadband-related matters
Data Expert
• Provides data collection, management, and
control expertise
Outreach coordinator • Leads outreach to tribal community members
Liaison
to federal, state,
and local partners
• Leads outreach to federal, state, and local
partners
Look at the roles you will likely need
on your team. Add any roles that
might be missing.
1
Think about the core responsibilities
for each role. Add responsibilities you
will need, including for new roles.
2
Write in the name of someone who
can fill this role for your team.
3
You can add in more roles and other information for team members by navigating to the Assemble a Team tab in the
accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template.
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Understanding Broadband Connectivity
Full and meaningful access to broadband means having both (1) the physical infrastructure in place to support
broadband connectivity and (2) digital equity and inclusion strategies to support widespread internet use and
adoption throughout the community. When looking to bring broadband to your community, you can think about
infrastructure and broadband use and adoption as two sides of the same coin. While barriers exist on the path to
full broadband connectivity, anticipating those that are most common can help your community overcome
roadblocks and successfully plan for broadband.
I N F R A S T R U C T U R E U S E A N D A D O P T I O N
D e f i n i t i o n
Broadband availability
refers to the existence of
physical infrastructure to order and secure fast and
reliable broadband
. This means that internet service
meets standards for high
-speed service set by the
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC).
Broadband use and adoption refers to whether
community members use and have
equitable access
to available broadband in the community. Broadband
use and adoption promotes digital equity and
inclusion, and encompasses topics such as digital
literacy, skills training, and
service and device
affordability.
C o m m o n B a r r i e r s
Infrastructure Availability
Lack of existing infrastructure for high
-
speed internet
can limit wide
-spread broadband availability for your
community or region.
Speed
The FCC defines high
-speed service at 25/3 Megabits
per second (Mbps), with download speeds of at least
25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. Many
ISPs only offer lower speeds in some areas, which can
limit broad access to high
-speed internet.
Cost
High or unpredictable costs for internet service can
impede access and equitable use of broadband.
Skills and Training
Community members may need additional skills to
use the internet safely and effectively.
Relevance
Members may not readily see the relevance of the
internet to their daily lives.
Devices and Applications
Devices can be prohibitively expensive, incompatible
with certain networks, and expose users to security
vulnerabilities.
Worksheet Objectives
• Understand the basic concepts behind broadband access and use
• Think through barriers that prevent meaningful broadband access
• Identify where to focus your broadband plan to address barriers in your community
Determine Your Priorities
Create a set of priorities to help your community build or expand meaningful
access to broadband.
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Determine Your Priorities
Create a set of priorities to help your community build or expand meaningful
access to broadband.
Looking at Broadband in the Community
As you begin to develop your broadband plan, you will need to gather information on broadband availability and
use throughout your community. Use the guiding questions below to facilitate a conversation with different
members of your community to learn about how broadband is used.
Exploring the Data
As you talk with community members and groups about their internet use, see where consistent pain points and
service gaps emerge. Your broadband plan will want to address and prioritize these areas to promote meaningful
and equitable access throughout the community. To learn more, your broadband team will also likely need to
analyze broadband data to better understand the extent of coverage and current use and develop a plan that sets
reasonable and attainable benchmarks on the road toward full broadband coverage. In cases where data is limited
or not available, draw on insights from discussions with community members or other community-based research
to complement quantitative data you do have.
For more on analyzing broadband data, see the Explore the Data worksheet.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
Infrastructure
•
Is there an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that currently serves your area?
•
If so, do levels of service meet high-speed standards?
•
Are the speed offerings uniform throughout the community?
•
If there is not an ISP that services your area, is the necessary infrastructure in place to
deploy broadband?
Use and Adoption
•
Where do people use the internet (e.g., home, work, community institutions), and what
equipment do they use (e.g., home computer, smartphone, computer center)?
•
Do any of the above entities (e.g., community institutions) provide free internet access?
•
What proportion of community members have internet subscriptions?
•
Are internet service subscriptions considered affordable?
•
Do digital literacy (e.g., computer skills, internet browser skills, job search skills) trainings
exist to help those unfamiliar with using the internet?
•
Where broadband access exists, do community members use it regularly? If not, why not?
You can track conversations and responses to these guiding questions by navigating to the Determine Your Priorities tab in the
accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template.
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Data as a Foundation for Your Broadband Plan
Key to any broadband plan is having a clear understanding of your community’s broadband availability and any
significant gaps. Exploring data sources will provide you with quantitative insights to measure your community’s
current broadband availability and chart where you aim to go.
NTIA DATA SOURCES
The
NTIA Digital Nation Data Explorer, produced in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, provides
comprehensive data on internet and device use in the U.S. The survey captures information on the
adoption of different types of devices and internet access technologies, locations of internet use, online
activities, and challenges preventing some Americans from taking full advantage of the internet. See the
Digital Nation Data Explorer
page for this data.
NTIA’s
Indicators of Broadband Need (IBN) Map displays areas across the country that lack access to
high
-quality internet. Users can filter for various indicators of need (e.g., speed, usage, device access,
internet access) and can view the data with the geographies of tribal lands layered on top. See the
IBN
Map
page for this data.
FEDERAL DATA
SOURCES
The
American Community Survey (ACS), administered by the U.S. Census Bureau, releases new data
every year with vital information about the people living in the U.S. Relevant data for broadband
planning includes households’ Type of Computer, Internet Access, and Type of Internet Subscription. See
the Subject Tables S2801 and S2802 on the
Census ACS website for this data.
The
FCC’s Form 477 Broadband Deployment Data provides ISP-reported information for each census
block across the United States. The census block data includes: the name of the ISP, the technology it
offers, and its advertised upload and download speeds. With the Area Summary function, users can see
data on speeds and number of providers for tribal areas. See the
Form 477 page for this data.
SPEED TESTS
Speedtest by Ookla
is a commercial platform that tests your personal upload and download speeds, as
well as latency and retransmission rates in a network. Ookla has limited public reporting, but detailed
data is available for purchase and download. See the
Ookla Speedtest for this data.
M
-Lab by Measurement Lab
tests your upload speed, download speed, latency rate, and retransmission
rate. The data collected is available to the public for download and analysis. See the
M-Lab test for this
data.
Worksheet Objectives
• Explore data sources that provide insight into what broadband looks like in your community
• Learn how to measure your community’s current internet usage and access
Explore the Data
Measure current broadband availability and use in your community.
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Explore the Data
Measure current broadband availability and use in your community.
Select the Metrics that Matter to You
The various broadband data sources provide a wealth of information. Which topics are most important to you?
Check the boxes of the topics you will explore more for your broadband plan, and then use the accompanying
Tribal Broadband Plan template in Excel to organize and analyze the data you source.
Building Complete Data
While federal data sources provide insight into broadband coverage and use, they may have gaps that limit your
ability to gather data about your tribal community. State and local broadband data sources or qualitative
community research (see the Determine Your Priorities worksheet) can be valuable complements to federal
sources. Over time, your team may seek to use combinations of these datasets and research approaches to collect
and maintain independent datasets on broadband in your community.
TOPIC SOURCE DESCRIPTION
❑ Service
Provided
IBN Displays areas where no provider reports offering service at 25/3
FCC Displays number of fixed broadband providers in an area
Lists providers that offer services for a specific location, based on address
❑ Internet Access IBN Displays areas where 25% or more of households report no internet access
ACS Displays how many households report an internet subscription
Of households that report an internet subscription, displays what type
NTIA Data
Explorer
Of households that use internet, displays proportion of households with each type of
internet service
❑ Speed* IBN Displays areas that have speeds below 25/3
FCC Displays how many providers provide service at various speeds in an area
Speedtest
& M-Lab
Allows you to conduct your own speed test
❑ Devices IBN
Displays areas where 25% or more of households report no computer, smartphone, or
tablet use
ACS Displays how many households report having a computer
Of households that report having a computer device, displays what type
NTIA Data
Explorer
Displays percentage of individuals that use different types of digital devices
❑ Activity &
Location of Use
NTIA Data
Explorer
Displays percentage of individuals who use the internet to do various activities
Displays percentage of individuals who use the internet at various locations
* Note: The Indicators of Broadband Need (IBN) map incorporates data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the FCC data sources detailed on the previous page.
Speed data can refer to both advertised speeds and actual delivery speeds.
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Consider Local Partners
When you are building a broadband plan, it is important to think through partners who are commonly involved in
the process. While each community will have specific partners to engage, below are some examples of partners
often involved in broadband planning.
EXAMPLES
➢ Tribal government members and leaders
➢ City and county leaders, administrators, and officials
➢ State and Federal legislators and officials
➢ Public safety personnel
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ____________________
➢ Internet service providers (ISPs)
➢ Wireless service providers
➢ Utilities companies
➢ Transportation facilities
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ____________________
➢ Tribal business leaders
➢ Chamber of commerce members
➢ Technical leaders
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ___________________
➢ Educational administrators, school board members, parents, and students
➢ Economic development organizations and workforce development staff
➢ Librarians
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ___________________
➢ Nonprofits
➢ Faith-based leaders
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ____________________
➢ Tribal citizens and residents
➢ Other (write in a group or individual role with this distinction in your community): ____________________
Worksheet Objectives
• Consider partnerships often involved in the broadband planning process
• Identify partners to engage throughout planning and project implementation
Build Relationships for Success
Identify partners to engage throughout the broadband planning process.
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Build Relationships for Success
Identify partners to engage throughout the broadband planning process.
How to Engage Different Partners
As you identify partners involved in the broadband planning process, you will likely need to work with different
types of partners in different ways.
Make
Partners who will help you develop
the broadband plan
Decide
Partners who will approve
broadband plan choices
Inform
Partners who are helpful to keep
updated on plan developments
Identify Partners
Use the table below to think through how you will engage different partners on your broadband plan. Write in
partners in each box to note how you will need to work with them.
CATEGORIES MAKE DECIDE INFORM
Government
Private
Business
Institutional
Philanthropic
Residents
You can capture more extensive information for managing partnerships by navigating to the Build Relationships for Success tab in
the accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template.
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Align with Your Goals
The solutions you select to implement your broadband plan will depend on your community’s unique broadband
goals. Whether you’re planning a broadband infrastructure project, a broadband use and adoption project, a
combination of the two, or something else entirely, there is no single “right” solution. To help think through your
options, consider your community’s existing barriers and how each option addresses those barriers. (See
Determine Your Priorities for more information on broadband infrastructure, use, and adoption.)
Infrastructure projects can increase internet
availability within your community, but construction is
often capital-intensive.
• The main types of broadband service are Fiber Optic,
Cable, DSL, and Fixed Wireless each of which vary in
terms of the potential network capacity and cost.
Read more about the differences in these
technologies in the Key Terms & Resources.
Evaluate the Options
While each community’s broadband solutions will differ, below are some examples and guiding questions to help
you evaluate potential paths forward.
What technology is right for you? Ask yourself:
• Which technologies are compatible with the terrain
in your community?
• What is your population density?
• How much capacity will users need? How do
capacity needs differ across the community?
INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGIES
Your solution to boost adoption or expand public
access should trace back to your community’s unique
priorities and needs. Potential solutions include:
• Provide digital literacy training on basic computer
use, internet search, and other key abilities.
• Offer access to devices and internet connection
through a Public Computer Center (PCC).
• Lower cost burdens via discounts or subsidies.
USE AND ADOPTION PROGRAMS
• What population are you trying to serve, and which
programs best address their needs?
• What community institutions could collaborate on
implementation (e.g., house a PCC)?
• Do existing programs or ISPs offer discounts to
certain populations?
Which program will address your goals? Ask yourself:
Worksheet Objectives
• Evaluate options to execute your plan, including technology or programs
• Explore funding options available to support the plan execution
Select the Right Solutions
Determine the specific methods to use to reach your broadband goals.
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Select the Right Solutions
Determine the specific methods to use to reach your broadband goals.
PROGRAM DEPARTMENT
FED. AGENCY/BUREAU
IMPORTANT DATES
Open the document
and click “Begin”
1
Click to view “All
Eligible Entities”
2
Click to view “Tribal/Native
American Government, Alaska
Native Controlled Organizations,
and Native Hawaiian Organizations”
3
Click the relevant Program
Purpose(s) for your community
to view funding opportunities
4
INSTRUCTIONS TO NAVIGATE THE INTERACTIVE FEDERAL FUNDING GUIDE
Community Input Moment: Use this step as an opportunity to speak directly with broadband providers
and equipment suppliers about options available to your community. Also, reach out to other communities
about which technology and services they chose and what factors were important in their decision.
Identify Potential Federal Funding Sources
Regardless of the solution you choose, it will be important to think about how you will fund the solution. Federal
funding, state funding, and private or philanthropic investment are all options available to consider. To explore
federal funding options to finance your broadband project, use the BroadbandUSA FY21 Interactive Federal
Funding Guide (available for download). Use the table below to write in the funding programs applicable to you
and that you plan to explore.
!
You can capture more extensive information for selecting solutions and funding options by navigating to the Select the Right
Solutions tab in the accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template.
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Prepare a Budget
Set a budget for the various expenses included in your broadband plan.
JUSTIFY EACH
EXPENSE
Understand Your Costs
A clear understanding of all the expenses required to execute your broadband plan will allow you to properly plan
financially. Below is a framework for thoughtfully considering the costs associated with your broadband plan.
ESTIMATE THE
COSTS
What expenses do you expect to incur when executing your plan?
A broadband plan will include a multitude of costs, including those not directly related to
building infrastructure or purchasing equipment. By listing out all anticipated expenses, you
can align on which items need to be in your budget. Expenses will vary depending on the
type of project you are planning and the phase of that project. Typical phases are:
CATALOG
YOUR
EXPENSES
1
2
3
Which items will you plan to pay for, and why?
Based on your pricing research, select the items you will include in your budget. During
this process, it is important to thoroughly think through your reasoning for your budget
decisions, as many funding opportunities will require you to provide budget
justifications. Why are you choosing one option over another? Are all your expenses
necessary for the success of your project, and if so, why?
How much will each item cost?
Prices for each item could vary greatly depending on quality, quantity, vendors, and timing.
To be cost-effective, do some research to understand the various price points for your
expected expenses. As part of your research, get quotes from vendors, discuss with other
communities who have budgeted for broadband plans, and consider the implications of
one-time costs, such as construction materials, versus recurring costs, such as wages and
maintenance.
Worksheet Objectives
• Detail the expenses that your broadband plan will include
• Consider various cost options and provide justification for each cost that you select
Pre-Construction
Costs incurred when
planning your project
Construction
Expenses for constructing
and/or executing your project
Sustainability + Operations
Ongoing expenses to sustain
your project
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Prepare a Budget
Set a budget for the various expenses included in your broadband plan.
Direct and Indirect Costs
Budgets often contain both direct and indirect costs related to a broadband plan. Direct costs are expenses
incurred specifically to further a specific objective of your broadband plan, such as construction materials for an
infrastructure project or routers and modems for a digital equity and inclusion initiative. Indirect costs are
expenses incurred for common or shared plan objectives and that can’t be readily assigned to any one objective,
such as administrative costs. Consider both direct and indirect costs when setting your budget.
Keep in mind that you may need to negotiate an indirect cost rate if your plan includes indirect costs and you are
receiving a federal grant or other federal funding.
Elements of a Budget
Your budget should include itemized costs, quantities, and timeframes as applicable, as well as cost justifications
that explain why the specific item is needed. Use the space below to begin to plot out your budget elements, then
turn to the Tribal Broadband Plan template in Excel when you are ready to prepare your budget in more detail.
ITEM
Be as specific as possible when
itemizing your costs. For each item in
your final budget, include details such
as model, brand, vendor, and any
other specifications as appropriate.
QUANTITY / TIMEFRAME
For one-time cost items, such as
devices, include the quantity you will
need. For recurring expenses, such as
rent or salaries, include the timeframe
over which you will be paying that
expense.
JUSTIFICATION
Provide the rationale for each item.
This justification could include its
purpose, team member(s) that will
use it, vendor, time frame it will be
needed, as well as any other relevant
information.
BUDGET NARRATIVE
The elements above will feed into your budget narrative. The budget narrative provides information about line
items in your budget and explains how associated expenses further the objectives of your broadband plan.
You can capture more extensive information for preparing a budget by navigating to the Prepare a Budget tab in the
accompanying Tribal Broadband Plan template.
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Create a Project Plan
Developing a project plan can help your tribal entity plan and organize the steps necessary to execute your
broadband vision. A good project plan lays out a clear path to implement your project by setting milestones,
clarifying roles and responsibilities, and aligning your team around shared expectations and targets.
A project plan often includes some of the components below. Think through which components may be helpful for
your tribal entity to include in your project plan.
PROJ. PLAN COMPONENT DEFINITION QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Project Objective
Measurable outcomes that serve as the organizing framework
of your broadband plan. Objectives help to make sure that
activities match up with what you are trying to achieve.
What discrete objectives does your
broadband project set out to
achieve?
Key
Activities
Main efforts and actions necessary to achieve your tribal
entity’s broadband plan. Each key activity should align to a
project objective, with multiple activities for each objective.
What activities need to occur to
achieve your objective? In what
order do they need to happen?
Point(s) of Contact (POC)
Individual or individuals responsible for successful execution
of an activity.
Who is
responsible for
implementation of the activity
?
Timeline (Start Date, End Date)
Estimated start and end
dates of key activities. These should
be realistic but targeted to keep your tribal entity’s broadband
plan on schedule.
When does the activity need to be
completed? Working backwards,
what start dates do you need to
meet that end date?
Status
Status of
an activity (e.g., not started, on schedule, behind
schedule, complete).
What is the status of the activity
?
Risks
Possible roadblocks which may prevent or delay an activity
from being executed.
What are risks to completing the
activity?
Worksheet Objective
• Create a customized project plan to execute your broadband vision
Chart a Path Forward
Develop a project plan to guide execution of your broadband plan.
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Chart a Path Forward
Develop a project plan to guide execution of your broadband plan.
A Living Document
A project plan can be updated throughout implementation to reflect the changing realities of your project. To
make sure the plan serves as a “living document,” it is important to assign a project plan manager who is
responsible for keeping the project plan up-to-date and identifying challenges to implementation.
Support Successful Implementation
A project plan can run into a host of challenges throughout design and implementation. Below are common
challenges and potential mitigation strategies.
Common Challenge Mitigation Strategy
Lack of ownership and implementation of project
plan activities and the project plan overall can hinder
progress and render the workplan as outdated and
obsolete rather than a living tool to track
implementation.
Identify and assign a project plan manager who is
responsible for collecting updates from activity
points of contact, including activity status, updates
to target completion dates, and associated risks.
Unclear milestones and vague roles and
responsibilities can limit coordination and progress
on project plan activities and milestones.
Touch base frequently with activity points of
contact to obtain buy-in on project plan activities
and clarify how the team can work together for
execution.
Irregularity in updates to the plan can result in a
project plan that is out of date.
Establish a regular cadence to update the project
plan, elevate risks, and propose mitigation
strategies to keep activities on track.
What are challenges you see for your broadband
plan?
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
How can these challenges be mitigated?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
You can begin to build out your project plan by navigating to the Chart a Path Forward tab in the accompanying Tribal Broadband
Plan template.
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Build Relationships for Success
❑ Have you identified partners that could support your broadband planning efforts?
❑ Have you determined which partners will help make, decide, and inform parts of your
broadband plan?
Determine Your Priorities
❑ Did you engage your tribal community to conduct a qualitative assessment of
broadband in your community?
❑ Did you begin to identify gaps in broadband availability and access in your tribal
community?
❑ Have you identified your tribal entity’s broadband priorities with respect to
broadband infrastructure, use, and adoption?
Explore the Data
❑ Did you identify federal data sources that provide data for your tribal community?
❑ Did you investigate state or other sources to fill any gaps in federal data sources?
❑ If gaps still exist, did you identify a means or source of funding to help gather
necessary data?
Assemble a Team
❑ Have you identified a team with the skills necessary to execute your broadband plan?
❑ Do any gaps exist on your team where certain skills are needed?
❑ Have you defined the roles and responsibilities for each team member?
Broadband Planning Checklist (1/2)
Ready to finalize your broadband plan? Use the checklist below to confirm
you have all the components in place to move forward.
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Broadband Planning Checklist (2/2)
Ready to finalize your broadband plan? Use the checklist below to confirm
you have all the components in place to move forward.
Chart a Path Forward
❑ Do you have the appropriate activities and timelines identified for your project plan?
❑ Have you confirmed points of contact for each project activity?
❑ Are there any gaps in your project plan that need to be filled before
implementation?
Select the Right Solutions
❑ Did you evaluate the various options for either infrastructure technologies or
digital equity and inclusion programs and select the one(s) most appropriate for
your tribal community?
❑ Did you identify funding opportunities that could support the infrastructure
technologies or digital equity and inclusion programs you’ve identified?
❑ Do you have the documentation required to apply to these funding
opportunities?
Prepare a Budget
❑ Have you spoken to another community or tribal entity to learn how they
approached the budgeting process?
❑ Have you gotten quotes from different vendors to find the most appropriate cost
options?
❑ Have you provided appropriate justification details for items and resources
outlined in your budget?
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Broadband Technologies
The transmission of data over a high-speed internet connection can occur through various technology media.
Broadband: Commonly refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up
access. Broadband includes several high-speed transmission technologies, such as fiber, wireless, satellite, digital
subscriber line and cable. For the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), broadband capability requires
consumers to have access to actual download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and actual upload speeds of at least 3
Mbps.
Broadband Adoption: The use of broadband in places where it is available, measured as the percentage of
households that use broadband in such areas.
Digital Divide: The gap between those of a populace that have access to the internet and other communications
technologies and those that have limited or no access.
Digital Equity: Parity in digital access and digital skills that are now required for full participation in many aspects of
society and the economy. Digital equity links digital inclusion to social justice and highlights that a lack of access
and/or skills can further isolate individuals and communities from a broad range of opportunities.
Digital Inclusion: Access by individuals and communities to robust broadband connections; internet-enabled
devices that meet user needs; and the skills to explore, create, and collaborate in the digital world. Digital inclusion
programs can be used to promote digital equity.
Digital Literacy: The ability to leverage current technologies, such as smartphones and laptops, and internet access
to perform research, create content, and interact with the world.
General Terms
An overview of broadband terminology to familiarize yourself with the basics.
Cable: Terrestrial broadband service provided over coaxial cable, leveraging the same infrastructure that provides
cable TV services. Cable broadband speeds are dependent on the technology standard deployed (Data Over Cable
System Interface Specification; DOCSIS) in the network.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): A form of technology that utilizes a two-wire copper telephone line to allow users to
simultaneously connect to and operate the internet and the telephone network without disrupting either
connection.
Fiber: A flexible hair-thin glass or plastic strand that is capable of transmitting large amounts of data at high
transfer rates as pulses or waves of light.
Fixed Wireless: A technology that combines fiber and wireless infrastructure to provide last mile broadband
service. Data travels over a fiber network and then over the air through towers, similar to how cellphones work to a
receiver at the home.
Satellite: Wireless internet beamed down from satellites orbiting the Earth. Satellite internet is either offered
through Geostationary satellites that orbit high above earth or Low Earth Orbit satellites, a newer technology that
utilizes more satellites lower in Earth’s orbit.
Key Terms & Resources
Want to learn and read more? Use this section for a list of common terms
and additional resources to help your tribal entity on its broadband journey.
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About Us: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
promotes innovation and economic growth by working to
expand broadband connectivity and use across America
www.broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov
[email protected]
Explore additional BroadbandUSA resources online:
Funding Sources
Funding for a broadband project can come from many a range of public and private sources.
Data Sources
Resources to help measure current broadband availability and use in your community.
Federal Sources: Various federal agencies like the Department of Commerce offer broadband grants to tribal
governments. The BroadbandUSA Federal Funding Guide connects users to various funding opportunities that
support broadband planning, digital inclusion, and deployment projects. The site allows you to filter programs by
program purposes, eligible entities, and relevant agencies and departments.
State Sources: Many states provide broadband grants for tribal entities in their respective constituencies.
BroadbandUSA compiles information on State Broadband Programs across all 50 states, including potential state
funding opportunities.
Private Sources: Private entities will sometimes partner with local governments in public-private partnerships that
fund broadband projects. In these agreements, local governments and private entities may share associated costs,
risks, and profits from building and maintaining a broadband network.
American Community Survey Data: Releases new data every year with vital information about the people living in
the United States. Relevant data for broadband planning includes households’ Type of Computer, Internet Access,
and Type of Internet Subscription. See the Subject Tables S2801 and S2802 on the Census ACS website for this data.
FCC Fixed Broadband Deployment Map: Provides a visualization of the residential fixed broadband deployment
data collected on FCC Form 477, which gathers ISP-reported information for each census block across the United
States.
M-Lab by Measurement Lab: Tests your upload speed, download speed, latency rate, and retransmission rate. The
data collected is available to the public for download and analysis.
NTIA Indicators of Broadband Need: Displays areas across the country that lack access to high-quality internet.
Users can filter for various indicators of need (e.g., speed, usage, device access, internet access) and can view the
data with the geographies of tribal lands layered on top.
NTIA Internet Use Survey Data Explorer: Provides comprehensive data on internet and device use in the U.S.,
including information on the adoption of different types of devices and internet access technologies, locations of
internet use, online activities, and challenges that prevent people from taking full advantage of the internet.
Speedtest by Ookla: Commercial platform that tests your personal upload and download speeds, as well as latency
and retransmission rates in a network. Ookla has limited public reporting, but detailed data is available for
purchase and download.
Key Terms & Resources
Want to learn and read more? Use this section for a list of common terms
and additional resources to help your tribal entity on its broadband journey.