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The extension gives eligible applicants more time to build strong proposals, coordinate across programs, and maximize federal funding.
Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth visited the Chickasaw Nation near Ada, Oklahoma, alongside Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, to observe how the Tribe utilizes NTIA funding and diverse broadband technologies to connect local communities. During the tour, Roth examined infrastructure including fixed wireless towers, fiber-drilling equipment, and satellite connectivity options.
To support these efforts, Roth also announced a 60-day extension for the application deadlines of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Native Entities Grant Program, moving the final date from September 17 to November 17.
According to NTIA’s July 28 release, the extension gives eligible applicants—especially those in states with recently approved Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plans like Oklahoma—more time to build strong proposals, coordinate across programs, and maximize federal funding.
Chairman Cole, an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, praised the visit and emphasized the importance of bringing reliable connectivity to unserved locations efficiently. Roth additionally noted that the extension reflects the agency’s goal of empowering local tribal leaders to select the most cost-effective solutions for their residents.
Some AI tools also assisted in the crafting of this report.
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