NTIA

By: Karen Hanson, Director of Interagency Coordination, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

As projects from the Biden-Harris administration’s Internet for All initiative connect people to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service around the country, coordinating across the federal government is crucial to maximize taxpayer dollars and ensure no one is left behind.

That interagency coordination is now stronger than ever, and yet can be further strengthened through additional action.  

To that point, NTIA today released a report based on the Government Accountability Office’s recommendation to assess legislative barriers in coordinating Federal broadband programs, and how to address those barriers.

The report highlights steps taken by agencies to promote alignment and provides suggestions for further improvements.

Alignment across federal agencies can prove challenging because programs are often authorized at different points in time and frequently impose different deployment obligations, timelines, and technical specifications. Despite this NTIA works collaboratively with our colleagues to promote best practices and make improvements where possible.

The report outlines recommendations to build on current efforts, mechanisms currently in place to minimize potential duplication between federal programs, and NTIA’s role in coordination.

By: Philip Powell, NTIA’s Federal Program Officer for Arkansas and Oklahoma

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s crucial to recognize the achievements, contributions, and resilience of individuals with disabilities. This month serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in every aspect of our society, especially in the digital realm.

On a personal note, Internet access has a huge impact on my life. I am Deaf and have first-hand experience with how high-speed Internet assists the disability community. I visit my audiologist annually to ensure my cochlear implant is working properly, I’ve used the same doctor in Alabama for over two decades. She can now make adjustments remotely and conduct the visit via high-speed Internet. I no longer have to take two or three days away from work and family to drive to Alabama for one visit.

At NTIA, the ADA continues to guide our progress as we move closer to the promise of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for the 61 million individuals with disabilities in our country. Our communities grow stronger when all people can access the Internet, public accommodations, employment, transportation, and community living regardless of disability.  

WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted on a proposal that would require mobile providers to unlock customers’ cell phones within 60 days of activation. NTIA has advocated for such a policy for over a decade, both with the Library of Congress and the FCC.