Several federal agencies, including the FCC, USDA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury agreed to share information and standardize reporting of federal broadband subsidies. The news came out Friday, the same day that NTIA launched the administration’s Internet for All $45 billion broadband subsidy program.
The agencies signed an interagency agreement to share information on data collected from programs administered by the FCC, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, programs administered or coordinated by NTIA, and the Treasury Department’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
“No matter who you are or where you live in this country, you need access to high-speed internet to have a fair shot at 21st century success. The FCC, NTIA, USDA and Treasury are working together like never before to meet this shared goal,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Our new interagency agreement will allow us to collaborate more efficiently and deepen our current data sharing relationships.”
NTIA Executive Director Alan Davidson called the deal “a whole of government approach.” The effort, he explained, “must be coordinated and efficient if we are going to achieve our mission,” said Davidson. “Our agencies have already been collaborating at an unprecedented level, and today’s announcement ensures that coordination will continue as we build out high-speed internet across the country.”
As part of the agreement, each federal agency partner will share information about projects that have received or will receive funding from the funding sources mentioned above. In June 2021, the FCC, NTIA and USDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate the distribution of federal high-speed internet funds. That agreement remains in effect.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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