Alert

NTIA Issues Request for Comment on Broadband Programs Authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Worth Over $46 Billion

January 10, 2022

On January 7, 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Request for Comment (RFC) on the implementation of three broadband programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, and the Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. NTIA will seek subsequent comment on the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program and will engage in Tribal consultation on a nation-to-nation basis with respect to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Responses to the RFC are due February 4, 2022.

The IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), authorized $65 billion to close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband. Of that $65 billion, NTIA is responsible for the distribution of $48 billion through several programs. The largest by far is the BEAD, which is a $42.5 billion grant program to the states designed to address unserved and underserved areas as well as anchor institutions. The Middle Mile program authorizes $1 billion for the improvement of middle mile infrastructure. And, the Digital Equity Planning Grant Program is one of three grant programs which in total provide $2.75 billion in funding to promote digital inclusion. Under the IIJA, NTIA must issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) within 180 days of enactment. The RFC will help NTIA frame its NOFO and ultimately how an unprecedented level of broadband funding is distributed.

The RFC seeks broad comment on “any matter” commenters believe is important to NTIA’s broadband program efforts, from how it should support states, territories, and sub-grantees, to the best ways to ensure that the “Future of America is Made in America.” The section of the RFC devoted to the BEAD focuses on how broadband networks will be sustainable and scalable, how to ensure universal, reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband, how to establish strong partnerships between state, local, and tribal governments, and how to address affordability. It also seeks comment on how workforce and supply chain availability will affect deployment and costs. The Digital Equity Act portion of the RFC focuses on what programs will be the most effective digital equity and adoption interventions states could adopt and how those outcomes should be measured. The section of the RFC devoted to the Middle Mile Program asks both broad policy questions and detailed technical questions such as the placement and access to splice points and grantee interconnection commitments.

Although largely high level at this point, the RFC will undoubtedly draw comments from across the industry as NTIA begins the process of distributing a historic level of funding in the telecommunications space.

Should you have any questions on NTIA’s RFC, please contact one of the authors listed on this alert.

Read Time: 2 min
Jump to top of page

Wiley Rein LLP Cookie Preference Center

Your Privacy

When you visit our website, we use cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences, or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. For more information about how we use Cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Always Active

Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. These cookies may only be disabled by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Functional Cookies

Always Active

Some functions of the site require remembering user choices, for example your cookie preference, or keyword search highlighting. These do not store any personal information.

Form Submissions

Always Active

When submitting your data, for example on a contact form or event registration, a cookie might be used to monitor the state of your submission across pages.

Performance Cookies

Performance cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. We access and process information from these cookies at an aggregate level.

Powered by Firmseek