ILSR Census Finds Nearly 90 Tribal Internet Networks, Doubling Since 2020
Updated
Updated · BroadbandBreakfast.com · Jun 16
ILSR Census Finds Nearly 90 Tribal Internet Networks, Doubling Since 2020
1 articles · Updated · BroadbandBreakfast.com · Jun 16
Summary
Nearly 90 Tribal Internet networks are now active across more than 200 federally recognized nations, according to ILSR’s updated 2026 census, with another 50-plus funded networks expected to come online soon.
24% of locations on Tribal lands still lacked fixed broadband at 100/20 Mbps in 2022, versus 7% nationally, underscoring why Tribes are building their own systems after years of policy neglect and weak service from major carriers.
About 60 more Tribes are actively pursuing networks, while ILSR says the buildout is increasingly tied to “network sovereignty” and workforce training, including bootcamps that have involved participants from more than 90 Tribes.
$3 billion in Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program funding helped accelerate the surge, but requests have totaled nearly $9 billion and the report warns recent Trump administration grant clawbacks and possible limits on fiber spending could slow gains.
Tribal internet is booming, but with funding cuts looming, is this digital dawn a false promise for Indigenous sovereignty?
Beyond connectivity, are Tribal networks the key to reclaiming Indigenous data and culture in the age of AI?
2026 ILSR Census: Tribal Broadband Networks Double, Ushering in a New Era of Digital Sovereignty
Overview
The 2026 ILSR Census highlights a dramatic surge in broadband connectivity across Tribal lands, marking a significant step toward digital equity and sovereignty. This expansion is transforming communities by bridging long-standing gaps in access that were caused by decades of federal policy failures and neglect from large providers. In 2022, nearly 24% of Tribal locations lacked adequate broadband, over three times the national rate. Renewed federal and state investments are now reversing historical underinvestment, ensuring Indigenous communities are no longer left behind in the digital age and opening new opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth.