Publications

GAO has asked NTIA to present to Congress a report that (1) identifies the key statutory provisions limiting the beneficial alignment of broadband programs and (2) offers legislative proposals to address the limitations, as appropriate.

The ACCESS BROADBAND Act, 2021 charged NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) with capturing data on federal broadband investments, including the number of United States residents receiving broadband services from Universal Service Fund (USF) programs or federal broadband support programs; and reporting on the local economic impact of broadband investments, including any impact on small businesses or jobs.

NTIA published a public Request for Comment in February 2024 and received 332 comments in response. NTIA further conducted extensive stakeholder outreach, including two public events gathering input from a range of policy and technology experts. This Report and its findings are based in part on this feedback.

The following report provides an overarching summary of young people’s use of online platforms and the risks and benefits to their health, safety, and privacy, followed by key Task Force guidance.

Through the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) directly addresses the lack of high-speed Internet access, connectivity, adoption, and equity at our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

The ACCESS BROADBAND Act requires OICG to submit to relevant congressional committees and publish on its website an annual report that contains a description of OICG’s work for the previous year and the number of U.S. residents connected to broadband through federal broadband support programs and the Universal Service Fund Program.

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are rapidly becoming part of the fabric of everyday American life. From customer service to image generation to manufacturing, AI systems are everywhere. Alongside their transformative potential for good, AI systems also pose risks of harm. These risks include inaccurate or false outputs; unlawful discriminatory algorithmic decision making; destruction of jobs and the dignity of work; and compromised privacy, safety, and security. Given their influence and ubiquity, these systems must be subject to security and operational mechanisms that mitigate risk and warrant stakeholder trust that they will not cause harm.

We must provide the spectrum access needed for Federal agency missions while addressing the private sector’s need for greater spectrum access, which is required to maintain and improve our global competitiveness and sustain economic growth.

This report describes the progress the federal agencies have made in adhering to timelines for transition of their spectrum and also details, on a system-by-system basis, the costs estimated, funds transferred, and costs paid from the SRF.