National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $50 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet Access on Tribal Land in Mississippi, Oklahoma
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded $49,112,883.26 in funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to tribes in two states. The awards will provide funds for high-speed internet infrastructure deployment projects through the Internet for All Initiative’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians of Mississippi and the Osage Nation of Oklahoma. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will receive $8,433,633.26 to install fiber to connect 2,190 unserved Native American hou
NTIA Announces All States and Territories Have Submitted Applications for BEAD Program Planning Funds
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that all states and territories have submitted applications for initial planning funds as part of the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. The BEAD Program enables states and territories to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
NTIA Adds New Senior Leadership to a Growing Team
Throughout the summer of 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) brought in top-tier talent to lead its key offices. The NTIA announced that Scott Blake Harris has joined the Office of the Assistant Secretary as Senior Spectrum Advisor.
NTIA Awards Over $146 Million to Expand Broadband Access on Tribal Land in New Mexico
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced over $146 million in funds awarded from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to Tribal entities in New Mexico. The awards will provide 5 Tribal entities with funds for high-speed internet projects through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. On August 8, NTIA announced over $51 million in awards to Tribes in the state of Alaska, these awards are another tranche of this vital funding.
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Adds $1 Billion in Funding from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Alan Davidson announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has added $1 billion from President Biden’s Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act to the current Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program funding period, which closes September 1, 2022. NTIA already received more than 300 applications during the application window for over $5 billion in funding requests.
NTIA and BIA Streamline Environmental Permitting for High-Speed Internet Projects on Tribal Lands
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced an agreement to coordinate responsibilities in ensuring compliance with environmental, historic preservation, and cultural resources requirements related to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. This collaboration allows high-speed internet service to be deployed quickly while also ensuring safeguards to protect Native lands and interests.
NTIA Awards $51 Million Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Grants to Two Alaska Native Entities
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has awarded two grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
Attending the first Generation Connect Global Youth Summit
In early June 2022, around 500 young people from more than 100 countries descended on Kigali, Rwanda for the International Telecommunication Union’s first Generation Connect Global Youth Summit. Throughout my brief visit to Kigali, a number of themes emerged:
NTIA and FCC Update MOU on Spectrum Coordination
The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies on spectrum coordination. This marks the first time the MOU has been updated in nearly twenty years. The revised MOU, signed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, will strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the agencies and help advance a whole-of-government approach to how we use and manage one of the