Remarks of Assistant Secretary Redl at the Media Institute Communications Forum Luncheon

As we work to cement our vision of the Internet around the world, we’re also focused on getting everyone in the United States connected. A key part of the administration’s strategy for expanding broadband deployment is removing barriers that slow or block new projects. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is working to improve federal coordination around this goal through an interagency working group that we co-chair alongside the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. Our group is focusing on three areas. The first is federal permitting. We’re looking at what’s required to place broadband facilities on Federal lands, with the goal of streamlining permitting efforts and establishing consistency across agencies. The second area is federal funding of broadband projects. The group will report on the effectiveness of various federal broadband programs and will issue recommendations on how to better coordinate funding streams. The third area for the working group is leveraging federal assets for broadband deployment.