Public Notice

FCC Seeks Comment on Competitive Carriers Association Petition to Require a Certified Professional Engineer to Certify Broadband Data Collection Maps

The Broadband Data Task Force, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and the Office of Economics and Analytics seek comment on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling or Limited Waiver filed by the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) requesting that the Federal Communications Commission issue a declaratory ruling to clarify that Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filings may be certified by a qualified professional engineer or an otherwise-qualified engineer that is not a licensed professional engineer accredited by a state licensure board.

FCC Seeks Comment on the State of Competition in the Communications Marketplace

The Federal Communications Commission seeks public input to inform the FCC’s required assessment of the state of competition in the communications marketplace in its upcoming Communications Marketplace Report (2022 Communications Marketplace Report) to Congress. Specifically, the FCC seeks data, information, and comment on a wide range of issues relevant to the state of competition in the communications marketplace as a whole.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Middle Mile Grant Program

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant (MMG) Program. The MMG Program provides funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The purpose of the grant program is to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program

The subject of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)—the $60 million State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program—is part of the Digital Equity Act’s larger State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, the purpose of which is to promote the achievement of digital equity, support digital inclusion activities, and build capacity for efforts by States relating to the adoption of broadband by residents of those States.

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Authorized for 830 Winning Bids

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau, in conjunction with the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and the Office of Economics and Analytics, authorizes Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904) support for another 830 winning bids. For each of the winning bids, the FCC has reviewed the long-form application information, including the letter(s) of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letter(s) from the long-form applicant’s legal counsel.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Releases Permitting Action Plan to Accelerate and Deliver Infrastructure Projects On Time, On Task, and On Budget

To ensure the timely and sound delivery of much-needed upgrades to America’s infrastructure, the Biden-Harris Administration released an Action Plan to strengthen and accelerate Federal permitting and environmental reviews, fully leveraging the permitting provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The plan establishes that Federal environmental review and permitting processes will be:

Recommendation Regarding Consumer Broadband Labels

The FCC Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) was asked to build on the CAC’s extensive work in 2015/2016 on consumer broadband disclosures and develop recommendations on how the Federal Communications Commission should define “Point of Sale” for purposes of the label requirement and does the type or form of disclosure vary depending upon the nature of the consumer’s interaction with the service provider, e.g., in-store face-to-face with a sales representative, over the phone, on the web, at kiosks, etc.

Declaration for the Future of the Internet

A political commitment by the United States and 60 partners from around the globe to advance a positive vision for the Internet and digital technologies. It reclaims the promise of the Internet in the face of the global opportunities and challenges presented by the 21st century. It also reaffirms and recommits its partners to a single global Internet—one that is truly open and fosters competition, privacy, and respect for human rights. The Declaration’s principles include commitments to:

  • Protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people;

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—Application for Broadband Grant Programs

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) requests emergency review and approval of the emergency collection to ensure that the agency can meet the statutory deadlines Congress set forth for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Broadband Grant Programs.