Tag Archives: NTIA

OPPORTUNITY: NTIA Announces Two New Funding Opportunities to Expand Broadband Connectivity on Tribal Lands

Posted on by
Reply

The NTIA announces...

 Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce announced two new notices of funding opportunity (NOFO): one for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and one for the Native Entities Grant Program (NEGP), the native entity set-aside under the Digital Equity Act.

Together, these NOFOs will make $790 million available to Tribal and Native communities to advance broadband connectivity on Tribal lands, promote infrastructure availability, and support other related activities.

“The NOFOs announced today build on NTIA’s work to achieve universal broadband availability, including on Tribal lands,” said Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator. “By reducing unnecessary red tape, increasing flexibility, and maximizing the impact of federal dollars, these NOFOs help Tribal and Native nations focus on connecting their communities, not navigating bureaucracy.”

The application window opens today, June 17, 2026, and closes September 17, 2026. NTIA expects to make awards on a rolling basis beginning in Spring 2027. Additional information is available on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA website, including the TBCP fact sheet and NEGP fact sheet. NTIA will also host a TBCP 3 and NEGP NOFO Launch Webinar on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. You can register here.

These funding opportunities reflect reforms NTIA announced last year to streamline its Tribal broadband programs, reduce red tape for Tribal governments, promote greater flexibility, and better align NTIA’s grant opportunities with the connectivity needs of Tribal communities.

 

NTIA plans to look into parental control of students technology and healthy tech use

Posted on by
Reply

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration reports on a recent speech from Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Arielle Roth…

That’s why today I am announcing an NTIA-led effort to put children first when it comes to screen time at school.  We want to empower NTI.

NTIA is uniquely situated to convene federal agencies, subject matter experts, and creative ideas at the intersection of tech policy and children’s wellbeing.  We are coordinating across the Administration and talking with leading experts.

We will also be looking closely at how federal subsidies and connectivity targets may be pushing schools toward more device use—often without asking whether it helps children learn.  We’ve all heard the shiny promises: that ed tech platforms will automatically capture and analyze student data to improve instruction, that gamified apps will transform engagement, that teachers can use tablets for classroom management and improving behavior, and that connected devices will enable ‘anytime, anywhere’ learning.  Tech companies—chasing taxpayer dollars—say all this and more to close a deal.  But our students are worth more than their sales pitch.

NTIA has no authority to set education policy.  But NTIA does have a role in reviewing whether federal spending on broadband and connected technology in the name of education has fulfilled its mission.

Federal dollars should be tied to outcomes that support children, guided by parents and teachers.  Technology should empower families, not undermine them.  It should enhance learning, not encourage addictive habits.

US Senate confirms Arielle Roth to lead the NTIA

Posted on by
Reply

Broadband Breakfast reports…

The Senate confirmed Arielle Roth by a 52-42 vote Wednesday to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Roth’s confirmation was supported by all present Republicans and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. All other present Democrats voted against Roth. Her confirmation came a week after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., teed up her nomination on the Senate floor, and proceeded smoothly despite Sen. Jacky Rosen’s, D-Nev., best efforts to delay the process.

Roth’s confirmation was supported by all present Republicans and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. All other present Democrats voted against Roth. Her confirmation came a week after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., teed up her nomination on the Senate floor, and proceeded smoothly despite Sen. Jacky Rosen’s, D-Nev., best efforts to delay the process.

NTIA BEAD Request for Public Comment: Choosing the Right Mix of Technologies to Achieve Internet for All

Posted on by
Reply

The NTIA is looking for comments before September 10…

Choosing the Right Mix of Technologies to Achieve Internet for All

NTIA Seeks Comment on Guidance for Eligible Entities on Choosing Alternative Broadband Technologies for BEAD Program

By: Evan Feinman, BEAD Program Director

In the course of designing the BEAD program, NTIA routinely has sought public input on key issues to ensure we succeed in connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. Today, NTIA is seeking public comment on one of the most challenging aspects of the Internet for All initiative: projects serving the most difficult and remote locations to connect.

Connecting everyone in America will require a variety of technologies. As states and territories begin selecting providers to build these networks, NTIA is seeking public comment on proposed guidance for how states and territories can fund a broad range of technologies to ensure connectivity for the most remote and expensive locations.

Fiber is a future-proof technology that will grow with families’ data needs over time. It is the gold standard. But where fiber is not economically feasible, states and territories have other options. NTIA’s existing guidance lays out how states and territories can ensure they are selecting the most reliable and scalable technology available to a location using fiber, hybrid fiber/coax networks, and licensed fixed wireless networks. Today, NTIA is releasing draft policy guidance, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, that provides states and territories additional clarity as to how to consider projects using alternative technologies.

The Cascade of Options

The Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines a clear cascade of options for states and territories to follow when choosing providers to receive BEAD program funding. But as a starting point, regardless of the technology used, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires Internet service providers to deliver speeds of 100/20 Mbps and latency of less than or equal to 100 milliseconds.

States must use “reliable broadband” technologies first. “Reliable broadband” is Internet service that meets high-speed thresholds, can adapt to changing societal needs, and provide service for decades.

  • Fiber builds are priority broadband projects for BEAD. If a provider bids to serve a home or business with an end-to-end fiber connection, and their proposal is not too expensive, then they will be prioritized in receiving funds to deploy that network.
  • The next priority is other “reliable broadband” technologies, like coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless. These technologies are prioritized above alternative technologies. They may be selected for any locations that would be too expensive to serve with fiber.

For a small percentage of locations, in the hardest-to reach-parts of the country, a “reliable broadband” provider will not be available, or it will be too costly to deploy. In these limited circumstances, states can choose to fund projects using an alternative technology. Alternative technologies include unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service that meet the BEAD speed and latency requirements.

Choosing an Alternative Technology

Different states and territories may choose different approaches to the mix of technology used to connect everyone. The draft guidance addresses two critical issues for states and territories considering funding alternative technology projects to their most expensive to connect locations.

First, it provides guardrails for where states and territories may deploy alternative broadband technologies with BEAD funds. The guidance requires states to review existing alternative technology deployments and commitments to deploy alternative technology in the future. If an area is served (or will be served) by an unlicensed fixed wireless provider or LEO network that meets the BEAD speed and latency requirements, BEAD funds cannot be used to deploy another alternative technology project. This will ensure we direct limited BEAD funding to where it is needed most.

Second, the proposed guidance details how funding can be used to support alternative technology projects. That includes how states may fund projects using LEO satellite service. NTIA is seeking comment on how to best enable alternative technologies while maintaining consumer affordability, key consumer protections and program integrity safeguards.

  • NTIA proposes permitting states and territories to use BEAD funding to reserve LEO Internet capacity. Reserving capacity will ensure LEO projects meet BEAD speed and latency requirements and guarantee service availability for the life of the program.
  • NTIA also proposes requiring states and territories to ensure necessary equipment at customers’ homes, such as antennas for fixed wireless service or terminals for LEO service, is affordable to consumers. This will address the affordability challenges this equipment can pose to adoption and aligns with BEAD funding use for other consumer premise equipment.

NTIA seeks comment from the public on this proposed guidance, including on mechanisms that ensure compliance with BEAD obligations for LEO capacity subgrants and alternative reimbursement structures for LEO capacity subgrants. If you wish to provide comment to NTIA, please submit to BEAD@NTIA.gov by midnight ET on September 10, 2024.

2023 Federal Broadband funding Report: how does your MN county rank for access?

Posted on by
Reply

NTIA just released their 2023 Federal Broadband Funding Report. It shows fiscal year (FY) 2022 data reported by 13 agencies across 70 programs making investments in broadband.3 As you can see from the county bullet list below, the map tracks a number of factors.

I like that they look at broadband access and subscription. I wish the data were up to date; I wish their definition of broadband was 100 Mbps down and 20 up (100/20) or faster. They track access to 25/3. With those factors in mind, I pulled out the Minnesota information by county to look at a few things:

Because it’s a lot of info, I will do three separate posts. (Access table of rankings.)

How does your county rank for broadband access?

Again, we’re looking at 25 Mbps down and 3 up, which isn’t the Minnesota goal speed for broadband but it’s something. (MN speed goal was 25/3 by 2022 and 100/20 by 2026.) These numbers are different from my usual Broadband County Profiles but especially now I think it’s important to pay attention to multiple maps.

 

Pop with access to broadband 25/3+ Mbps Rank
Hennepin 100 1
Dodge 100 1
Lyon 100 1
Steele 100 1
Rock 100 1
Kandiyohi 100 1
Jackson 100 1
Waseca 100 1
Yellow Medicine 100 1
Freeborn 100 1
Pipestone 100 1
Chippewa 100 1
Clearwater 100 1
Nobles 100 1
Cottonwood 100 1
Lincoln 100 1
Redwood 100 1
Murray 100 1
Red Lake 100 1
Renville 100 1
Carver 99.9 21
Dakota 99.9 21
Ramsey 99.9 21
Winona 99.9 21
Olmsted 99.9 21
Mower 99.9 21
Swift 99.9 21
Goodhue 99.7 28
Le Sueur 99.7 28
Douglas 99.7 28
Watonwan 99.6 31
Wilkin 99.6 31
Polk 99.5 33
Pope 99.5 33
Martin 99.4 35
Wabasha 99.4 35
Lac qui Parle 99.4 35
Sibley 99.4 35
Scott 99.3 39
Beltrami 99.3 39
Anoka 99.2 41
Blue Earth 99.2 41
Rice 99 43
Stevens 99 43
Grant 99 43
Pennington 98.7 46
Otter Tail 98.7 46
Cook 98.5 48
Clay 98.5 48
Faribault 98.5 48
McLeod 98.4 51
Washington 98.3 52
Hubbard 98.1 53
Brown 97.8 54
Norman 97.6 55
Traverse 97.6 55
Wadena 97.1 57
Fillmore 96.6 58
Meeker 96.5 59
Wright 96.2 60
Stearns 96.2 61
Nicollet 95.3 62
Crow Wing 95.1 63
Itasca 94.4 64
Becker 94.2 65
Sherburne 94 66
Big Stone 93.5 67
Mahnomen 92.8 68
Benton 92.6 69
Chisago 92.1 70
Lake 91.7 71
Morrison 91.3 72
Houston 90.7 73
Cass 89.7 74
St. Louis 89 75
Koochiching 82.3 76
Isanti 81.3 77
Marshall 81.1 78
Todd 79.9 79
Roseau 78.9 80
Carlton 77.3 81
Mille Lacs 76.9 82
Aitkin 72.2 83
Kittson 71.8 84
Pine 67.6 85
Kanabec 63.2 86
Lake of the Woods 60.7 87

Below is more info on the state and individual counties. I will include this info on each post related to this topic. (Just because I hope it make the info more accessible and usable.)

Continue reading →

NTIA: Upcoming Webinars on the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program

Posted on by
Reply

From the NTIA…

Events | BroadbandUSA (ntia.gov)

Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Resource Page (For FAQs, the application packet, etc.)

Digital Equity Competitive Grant NOFO

Digital Equity Grants 101 Webinar

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 – 2:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It is geared towards those who have little to no experience with federal grants administration an introduction to the grants lifecycle and important roles and responsibilities throughout the life cycle of the grant.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar, Part 1: Standard Forms

Thursday, August 8, 2024 – 3:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will focus on standard forms.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar, Part 2: Registration, Partnerships, LOCs

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 – 2:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will focus on registration, partnerships, and Letters of Commitment.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar, Part 3: Project Narrative

Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 3:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will focus on the elements required for the project narrative.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar, Part 4: Plans (Risk, Etc.)

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 – 2:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will focus on required plan components of the application.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar, Part 5: Consolidated Budget Form

Thursday, August 22, 2024 – 2:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will focus on the consolidated budget form.

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar: Troubleshooting the NGP

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 – 2:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. This time will be dedicated to providing potential applicants with tech support for the NTIA Grants Portal (NGP).

Digital Equity Competitive Application Webinar: Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program FAQ Webinar

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – 3:00 PM CST

This webinar is meant to provide guidance to applicants for the Digital Equity Competitive Application Grant. It will cover the latest published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.

Missed one of our previous webinars? Review past PowerPoint presentations and webinar recordings.

Please direct questions to: DigitalEquity@NTIA.gov

They will be archived: Past Events | BroadbandUSA (doc.gov)