Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Digital Divide

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2022/all-50-states-us-territories-and-distric…

State

All 50 States, US Territories, and the District of Columbia Join Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative

Grace Tepper — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:14:07 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that all states and territories have confirmed their participation in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative announced in May 2022. The Administration engaged in a comprehensive outreach and technical assistance campaign to ensure no state or territory was left behind. The $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program enables states and territories to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. A separate State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program supports developing digital skills training and workforce development plans. In total, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds $65 billion to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. Digital Equity applications were due July 12th and all Letters of Intent to participate in the BEAD program were submitted ahead of the July 18th deadline. Hundreds of Tribal Nations have also submitted Letters of Intent to participate in the State Digital Equity Planning Grant program. Tribal entities can also apply for subgrants through their state or territory’s digital equity program.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announces that all states and territories have confirmed their participation in the Internet for All initiative.

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

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Thu, 07/14/2022

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Daily Digest 7/13/2022

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Wed, 07/13/2022

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https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2021/ntia-establishes-two-broadband-focus…

Digital Divide

Internet/Broadband

Affordability/Cost/Price

Infrastructure

Universal Broadband

NTIA Establishes Two Broadband-Focused Offices

benton — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:06:30 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) established the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI). The changes to NTIA’s organizational structure were adopted on August 13, 2021, in a new Department Organization Order (DOO), which replaced a previous DOO dated September 2012.

The establishment of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth fulfills requirements of the ACCESS BROADBAND Act, enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The OICG will be led by Douglas Kinkoph, who has served as the head of NTIA’s broadband program since 2015. The OICG will house all broadband activities at NTIA, including three active broadband grant programs: the Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. The office will also house BroadbandUSA, which provides community outreach, support for state leaders, technical assistance, and helps coordinate federal broadband resources and programs.
The establishment of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives codifies NTIA’s work on its Minority Broadband Initiative since 2018. The OMBI, established within the OICG, fulfills requirements of the Connecting Minority Communities provisions enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The office will continue NTIA’s efforts to collaborate with federal agencies; state, local and tribal governments; Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions; and any interested stakeholders to promote initiatives related to expanding connectivity and digital opportunities for anchor communities.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

The establishment of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth fulfills requirements of the ACCESS BROADBAND Act, enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Thu, 08/26/2021

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Daily Digest 8/25/2021

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Wed, 08/25/2021

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Coronavirus and Connectivity

NTIA’s Broadband Infrastructure Program Receives Over 230 Applications, More Than $2.5 Billion in Funding Requests

benton — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:43:43 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has received more than 230 applications for the Broadband Infrastructure Program, for a total of more than $2.5 billion in funding requests across 49 states and US territories. NTIA has begun reviewing the applications as part of the $288 million grant program, which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Grants will be awarded to covered partnerships between a state, or political subdivisions of a state, and providers of fixed broadband service. The program’s 90-day application window closed on Tuesday, August 17. Due to the high volume of applications, the award process will be highly competitive. As outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, priority will be given to applications with proposed projects that:

Provide broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible service area;
Provide broadband service to rural areas;
Are most cost-effective in providing broadband service; or
Provide broadband service with a download speed of at least 100 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 20 Mbps.

Benton Content:

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2021/ntia-s-broadband-infrastructure-prog…

Teaser:

230 applications for a total of more than $2.5 billion in funding requests across 49 states and US territories

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

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Wed, 08/25/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 8/24/2021

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Tue, 08/24/2021

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Headlines Specific Topic:

Coronavirus and Connectivity

Statement of Assistant Secretary Davidson on Nokia’s Electronic Equipment for the Internet for All Initiative (National Telecommunications and Information Administration)

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:46:07 +0000

Links:

Statement of Assistant Secretary Davidson on Nokia’s Electronic Equipment for the Internet for All Initiative

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

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Available

An Update on Implementing the National Spectrum Strategy

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:45:25 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is hard at work implementing the National Spectrum Strategy. First up: initiating technical studies of spectrum bands—including a process to streamline funding to federal agencies—and kicking off the exploration and demonstration of advanced spectrum management techniques including Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS). On the band studies, NTIA is streamlining the pipeline plan process so that federal agencies can obtain funding from the Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF)—what is commonly referred to as “pipeline” funding—for their studies. NTIA is targeting October for distribution of the pipeline funds to the agencies, which would trigger a two-year countdown to complete the band studies and then issue reports. Regarding our other priority—DSS—the Department of Defense held a public meeting April 8 to begin a process of demonstrating potential DSS solutions that could enable sharing in the Lower 3 GHz band. Although this effort hopefully will inform spectrum sharing in the future for this band and others, it is separate and apart from the Lower 3 GHz band study discussed above. NTIA looks forward to co-leading this effort with DoD and collaborating with industry, academia, and other stakeholders to advance DSS.

Benton Content:

https://www.ntia.gov/blog/2024/update-implementing-national-spectrum-strategy

Teaser:

NTIA is hard at work implementing the National Spectrum Strategy

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Author:

Charles Cooper

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Thu, 04/25/2024

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

https://www.ntia.gov/blog/2024/building-ntia-meet-historic-moment

Spectrum

Building an NTIA to Meet This Historic Moment

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:33:05 +0000

At NTIA, tech policy is what we do. From connecting everyone in America to the Internet, to managing federal airwaves, to crafting policy for emerging innovations like artificial intelligence systems, our goal is to make sure important technologies are developed in the service of people and progress. To help reach that goal, I’m pleased to announce key additions to our leadership team:

Shiva Goel will join the Office of the Assistant Secretary as Senior Advisor for Spectrum Policy. He joins NTIA from the Federal Communications Commission, where he served as Legal Advisor to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks.
Francella Ochillo joins NTIA as Director of Public Engagement. Ochillo is a technology policy expert who specializes in promoting digital citizenship. She comes to NTIA from Georgetown University, where she served as a Technology and Society Fellow.

These additions are the latest in a series of moves in recent months to bolster our senior staff. We continue to seek top-flight candidates for other leadership roles, including a new Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administration, Associate Administrator/Laboratory Director for our Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in Colorado, and Deputy Associate Administrator for Spectrum Management. These and other key hires continue to prepare NTIA to build a better-connected world now and in the future.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson announced new hires at the leadership team

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Author:

Alan Davidson

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Thu, 04/25/2024

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2024/biden-harris-administration-approves-kan…

Policymakers

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Kansas, Nevada, and West Virginia’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposal

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:28:17 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia are among the first states to reach this important milestone, which will enable them to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. Today’s action makes available $451.7 million for Kansas, $416.6 million for Nevada, and $1.2 billion for West Virginia.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

The NTIA has approved Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Thu, 04/25/2024

Coverage Type:

Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Digital Divide

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

https://www.internetforall.gov/blog/high-speed-internet-improves-solar-panel-out…

State

High-Speed Internet Improves Solar Panel Output on Tribal Lands

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:22:53 +0000

The Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin had been generating electricity to run its community center using solar panels for years—they just didn’t have an accurate way of tracking their energy usage. Thanks to an Internet for All grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), they now do. NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) awarded the Forest County Potawatomi Community $125,232 to provide reliable high-speed Internet service to the Tribe’s solar arrays. The broadband component is critical to the success of the project, ensuring that Hauber and Lange can accurately monitor and store data. The solar panels produce enough energy to charge the building’s energy usage during the day. Before NTIA funded the program, Lange would have to physically drive out to the solar panel site to make sure everything was functioning properly. Data from the solar panels were stored in USBs, which only held 30 days of info. And, with slow download speeds, data collection could take upwards of 2-3 days' worth of time to collect. Now that everything goes through their own secure network, the Tribe is no longer dependent on an outside manufacturer or data company to understand how the solar panels on the community center are working, and do not lose any of their data.

(March 22, 2024)

Benton Content:

Teaser:

NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program has helped the Forest County Potawatomi Community

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Author:

Maya James

Send date:

Wed, 04/24/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/23/2024

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Tue, 04/23/2024

Coverage Type:

Analysis