Expanding Internet Access and Protecting Historic Properties

Our journey towards providing Internet for All will only succeed if we are able to quickly build high-speed Internet networks and get people the connections they need for doctor’s visits, distance learning, and applying for jobs. One important way to meet this moment is to streamline permitting reviews. Internet for All projects are estimated to require hundreds—if not thousands—of historical preservation reviews alone nationwide. We’re excited to share that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announced that it will make a 2017 program comment establishing streamlined historic preservation rules for communications infrastructure projects available to all federal agencies for projects on and off federal lands, immediately benefitting all Internet for All programs. This action will increase the predictability and efficiency of permit application reviews for NTIA and other federal agencies supporting high-speed Internet deployments. At NTIA’s request, ACHP amended the Program Comment to expand its availability to any federal agency and establish the streamlined Section 106 review standard for all broadband projects in all states and territories—both on and off federal lands.