first published week of:   02/27/2023

FCC Reports to Congress on Success of Broadband Interagency Coordination Act

by FCC Press Release

Inter-Agency Coordination Efforts Have ‘Significantly Facilitated’ Use of Federal Funds for Broadband Deployment

The Federal Communications Commission sent Congress a report summarizing the impact of the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act, which directed the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take a whole-of-government approach to broadband deployment in the United States. Congress directed the agencies to coordinate specifically on the FCC’s high-cost universal service programs, and programs administered by NTIA and the Rural Utilities Service within USDA.

The Commission’s experience with the Interagency Agreement, as well as the record, demonstrate that the Interagency Agreement has significantly facilitated efficient use of federal funds for broadband deployment, and strengthened and improved coordination workstrems, the report said. It also recommended the agencies continue to coordinate, subject to the constraints of the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify and implement standardization in broadband data. Additionally, the report recommends that the agencies enhance the visibility of their coordination efforts under the Interagency Agreement to facilitate greater transparency.

A copy of the report is available Here

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