Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

This report fulfills an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requirement that the Department of Defense conduct research and development, engineering studies, economic analyses, activities with respect to systems, or other planning activities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the spectrum use of the Department of Defense in order to make available electromagnetic spectrum in the 3100-3450 MHz band for reallocation for shared Federal and non-Federal commercial licensed use and for auction.

This manual supports States, Territories, and the District of Columbia as they implement their digital equity plans and create sustainable, robust statewide digital equity ecosystems.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Kentucky’s Digital Equity plan. Using $874,236.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Kentucky created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted New York’s Digital Equity plan. Using $2,178,650.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, New York created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Indiana’s Digital Equity plan. Using $842,235.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Indiana created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted New Hampshire’s Digital Equity plan. Using $525,034.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, New Hampshire created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Arizona’s Digital Equity plan. Using $1,116,110.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Arizona created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. 

As policymakers in the nation’s states and territories explore how best to spend billions of dollars in federal infrastructure money intended to expand access to broadband, a key focus has been on how to avoid a host of potential obstacles that can impede or thwart their progress. Critically, stakeholders in a majority of states repeatedly raised the same key issues.

I’ve heard rumors for years that the policymakers in DC never expected the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to be permanent. The expectation of the original architects of the plan was that ISPs would bow to public pressure to fill the void when ACP ran dry. However, the giant ISPs are not likely to self-fund the discounts and smaller ISPs can’t afford to do so. I’ve seen some recent articles that argue that the Federal Communications Commission could employ the Universal Service Fund.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Oklahoma’s Digital Equity plan. Using $882,088.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Oklahoma created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.