Tribal Sovereignty Means Competition, Broadband Access, and Economic Development for Indian Country: A Law and Economics Analysis of the Efficiency of the FCC's Standing Rock Sioux Case

Abstract

The digital divide continues to persist in Indian Country, and a significant percentage of Native Americans still await affordable and reliable telecommunications services. In a potentially influential move based on existing conceptions of competition and tribal sovereignty, the Federal Communications Commission recently recognized the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for its reservation lands. Via the disciplines of law and economics, Dr. Kemper analyzes these developments to find whether they will be efficient and equitable for all the parties involved.