American Action Forum Submits Comments to NTIA Regarding Broadband Programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress allocated around $65 billion to connect Americans to broadband internet and gave the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) a leadership role in guiding states on how to spend the funds. Now, it will be up to the NTIA and the states to ensure that congressional goals become a reality. This Request for Comment by the American Action Forum raises important questions about the appropriate path forward, and these comments aim to guide the NTIA to maximize the efficiency of each tax dollar spent. America can’t afford to waste funds that overbuild networks while Americans without access get left further behind. The American Action Forum focuses on three main principles: 1) The NTIA should first and foremost focus on truly unserved communities; 2) The NTIA should continue to prioritize the market-based approach to broadband deployment; and 3) The NTIA should work with states to minimize barriers to deployment of private networks. These principles will ensure that we close the digital divide while maximizing private investment into existing broadband networks.