Publications

NTIA is making certain changes to its regulations relating to the public availability of the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (NTIA Manual). Specifically, NTIA is releasing a new edition of the NTIA Manual, with which Federal agencies must comply when requesting use of radio frequency spectrum.

A reference copy of the NTIA Manual, including all revisions in effect, is available in the Office of Spectrum Management, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 1087, Washington, DC 20230.

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic investment of $65 billion to help close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is responsible for distributing more than $48 billion in broadband funding through several different programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

NTIA, in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the Department of Air Force (DAF), provides the attached comments in response to the Public Notice in the above-captioned rulemaking docket to supplement the Commission’s record on use of the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and the 94.1-95 GHz (70/80/90 GHz) bands for rural broadband access.  The Public Notice in particular sought comment on the use of High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) in these bands.  

The ACCESS BROADBAND Act, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, mandated that NTIA produce an annual report to Congress. The report highlights the accomplishments of NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) over the past year, covers investments in federal broadband support programs and Universal Service Fund (USF) programs, and provides recommendations to improve efforts to track broadband spending and outcomes.

NTIA hosted three listening sessions concerning Personal Data: Privacy, Equity, and Civil Rights. NTIA will also be soliciting written comments on the topics discussed in these sessions through a forthcoming Request for Comment. The data gathered through this process will be used to inform a report on the ways in which commercial data flows of personal information can lead to disparate impact and outcomes for marginalized or disadvantaged communities.

NTIA will host broadband grant program public virtual listening sessions in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.

NTIA will convene three virtual Listening Sessions about issues and potential solutions at the intersection of privacy, equity, and civil rights. The sessions will help to provide the data for a report on the ways in which commercial data flows of personal information can lead to disparate impact and outcomes for marginalized or disadvantaged communities.

The meetings will be held on December 14, 15, and 16, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

NTIA will host Technical Assistance (TA) sessions in connection with the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program authorized and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The CMC TA Sessions are designed to help prospective applicants understand the eligibility and programmatic requirements of the CMC Pilot Program and to assist applicants prepare high quality grant applications before the application deadline on December 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).