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 Minority Broadband Initiative Framework
Consistent with recent Executive Orders and commitments the U.S. Department of Commerce has made under the American Broadband Initiative (ABI) to close the digital divide, NTIA is increasing minority stakeholder engagement around solving broadband access challenges in vulnerable communities. To that end, NTIA has launched the Minority Broadband Initiative (MBI), working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to ensure all Americans can participate in the digital economy.