Permitting Progress to Support Internet for All

Streamlining and accelerating the permitting process is critical to implementing the Internet for All initiative. Since the passage of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access to everyone in America, we heard from stakeholders that permitting is a significant concern in implementing the program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is adopting a proactive strategy to streamline and improve broadband permitting across NTIA’s programs and maximize permitting coordination efforts and efficiency with other federal, state, and local agencies.

• NTIA has developed and released a publicly available mapping application to help recipients plan projects that avoid environmental impacts and identify permitting considerations as early as possible.
• For the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD), NTIA will partner with eligible entities (states and territories) to maximize National Environmental Policy Act efficiencies.
• At NTIA’s request, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has expanded the availability of streamlined historic preservation rules for communications projects, increasing the predictability and efficiency of these reviews for NTIA and other federal agencies supporting broadband deployments.

Ultimately, we are making it easier for states and territories to navigate the federal permitting process while maintaining the critical role permitting plays in protecting historic, cultural, and natural resources and the environment. We will continue to prioritize improvements in permitting efficiency as we work to achieve Internet for All.