Government & Communications

The Department of Commerce invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps the National Telecommunications and Information Administration assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden.

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the effects of the digital divide. Those with broadband access could work, attend school, shop, and be seen by their doctors without leaving home, and those without sufficient access could not. Federal efforts to provide broadband access to all span multiple presidential administrations. Here, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) explores its work about some of the ongoing challenges to achieving the goal of closing the digital divide. The GAO recommends synchronizing federal efforts through a national broadband strategy.

The Federal Communications Commission rejected the long-form applications of LTD Broadband and Starlink to receive support through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program. The FCC determined that these applications failed to demonstrate that the providers could deliver the promised service.

The Federal Communications Commission is soliciting nominations for membership on the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC). Nominations for membership are due September 21, 2022. The FCC seeks nominations from interested nonprofit organizations, corporations, trade associations, government agencies, or other entities from both the public and private sectors, who wish to be considered for CAC membership for a two-year term of service. Selections will be made based on factors such as expertise and diversity of viewpoints that are necessary to effectively address the topics before the CAC.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to a June 29 letter from Rep Greg Pence (R-IN) regarding the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act and the need for coordination of federal funding for broadband deployment. In her response, Rosenworcel detailed how the FCC has worked with other federal agencies to share information on existing and planned broadband projects and to coordinate and harmonize their efforts, as required by the Act.

Reps Anna G Eshoo (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) led a letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Jennifer Granholm, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) Alan Davidson, urging them to use funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to build out broadband and electric vehicle charging infrastructure simultaneously.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, "We are building a $100 million outreach grant program at the Federal Communications Commission to make sure that those who are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program hear about it. This is a good thing. It’s also something we were told to do in the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]. Congress specifically directed us to conduct outreach for the Affordable Connectivity Program to help ensure eligible households are enrolled.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, "This pilot program, which we are calling “Your Home, Your Internet” would not be happening today without the leadership of Commissioner Starks. He saw clearly that this was an underserved population that was called out in the law and that needed special focus. So let me call out Commissioner Starks right here and now. I am grateful for his efforts, both for what he did to help get this program going and for what he will do going forward to ensure it is a success.

The Federal Communications Commission established the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program to raise awareness about the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability effort, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).