Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives
Office of MinorityBroadband Initiatives
Overview
Through the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration directly addresses the lack of high-speed Internet access and adoption at our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), and other institutions, and their surrounding communities. OMBI was established as directed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA 2021) in December 2020.
The CAA 2021 directs OMBI to work closely with community anchor institutions (CAI), private industry, state, local and tribal governments, and various stakeholders to expand broadband deployment, digital opportunities, and to help further economic development for low-income communities, senior citizens, and veterans. The Office also provides technical assistance, recommendations, and research on how to leverage investments in broadband infrastructure on behalf of HBCUs and TCUs. OMBI’s programmatic focus areas include (1) broadband workforce readiness and talent pathways and (2) digital learning infrastructure and network modernization.
Currently, OMBI administers the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, a $268 million grant program to HBCUs, TCUs, and other institutions to address access to high-speed Internet service. Through this program, OMBI awarded funding to 93 higher education institutions to purchase Internet access services or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train technology personnel.
Director: Dr. Dominique Harrison
Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives 2022 Report
The Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives 2022 Report details the work of NTIA Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI) in expanding access and identifying barriers to high-speed internet service for students, faculty, and staff at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) and within anchor communities.
Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives FY2023 Annual Report
The Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives FY2023 Annual Report provides context to OMBI’s mission to expand high-speed Internet access for anchor institutions and their underserved, minority communities. It also spotlights OMBI's pivotal role in advocating for and monitoring progress towards this objective.
Related content
NTIA Engages HBCU Students and Leadership on Internet Connectivity Challenges
The Minority Broadband Initiative (MBI) has been closely engaging with Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) presidents, chancellors, and students on Digital Economy related issues since its launch last November. Building and maintaining conversations with key stakeholders has been instrumental in understanding and exploring options for leveraging HBCU broadband infrastructure to connect neighboring communities of vulnerable populations, especially during the outbreak of COVID-19.
In May and June, the MBI hosted a teleconference with 77 leaders from 57 HBCUs to discuss HBCU institutional approaches, successes, and remaining challenges as they confront the immediate response to COVID-19 and set plans for the longer-term recovery. The schools’ leaders identified an ongoing need for targeted federal funding for broadband access, digital literacy training, and continued close engagement with government at all levels to expand the relationship with the HBCU community and ensure the distinct needs of their institutions are well understood by decision makers.
Remarks of Acting Assistant Secretary Rinaldo at the 2019 Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education Summit
NTIA Launches Minority Broadband Initiative
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched a new Minority Broadband Initiative (MBI) focused on solving broadband deployment challenges in vulnerable communities. NTIA announced the initiative at the 2019 Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education (CASE) Summit held at Johnson C. Smith University.