US Ignite Responds to NTIA Request for Public Comment on New Broadband Programs

US Ignite responded to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) request for comments on broadband programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Without in-depth technical assistance for State Broadband Offices (SBOs), combined with rapid local government support, this new Federal grant program will remain out of reach for too many underserved communities. To meet their goals, NTIA must collaborate with nonprofit coordinating bodies, like US Ignite, to support SBOs in their efforts to reach these underserved communities. US Ignite proposes a series of support activities for Federal, state, and local governments, including easy-to-use mapping tools, best-practice playbooks, webinars, and working groups with engineering, data, and economic experts. In addition, NTIA must support projects that reflect diverse broadband models to ensure that all potential sub-recipients have real opportunities to partner and compete for the broadband programs. US Ignite recommends that NTIA encourage municipalities to choose the model that best suits their needs. To support our domestic telecommunications industry, US Ignite recommends that the federal government should invest $1.5 to $2.5 billion over five years for a Department of Defense (DoD) 5G Rapid Deployment Consortium. Lastly, US Ignite recommends best practices for states, which will help fulfill the IIJA’s mandate to coordinate with local governments and other political subdivisions and will ensure effective utilization of the federal government’s investment in broadband deployment.