WASHINGTON, August 27, 2021 — Most of the energy around broadband policy has been focused on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which would allocate $65 billion in new spending. But with a vote on the measure in the House delayed until by September 27, it’s worth focusing on three other significant broadband programs being administered by the Commerce Department: The Broadband Infrastructure Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.

On that note, Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration – which is responsible for all three programs – on Wednesday announced the creation of two new broadband offices with the NTIA: The Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives within the OICG.

The establishment of OICG fulfills requirements of the ACCESS BROADBAND Act, enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. OICG will be led by NTIA civil servant Douglas Kinkoph, who has led NTIA’s broadband program since 2015 and stayed at the agency throughout the Trump administration.

In addition to running the three programs identified above, the new OICG will also house the agency’s activities operating under the BroadbandUSA moniker.

These were mostly low-budget efforts that provided community outreach, support for state leaders, technical assistance and coordination on federal broadband resources during the lean years – from 2015 until now – when NTIA didn’t have significant resources to run broadband initiatives.

“With this new organizational structure, we are prepared to make significant progress in closing the digital divide through our broadband programs, bringing us closer to President Biden’s goal of connecting all Americans to reliable, affordable high-speed Internet,” NTIA Acting Administrator Evelyn Remaley said in a Wednesday press release.

The Broadband Infrastructure Program

The window for government agencies to submit applications for the Broadband Infrastructure Program closed on August 17, and on Tuesday NTIA said it had received more than 230 applications, for more than $2.5 billion. Only $288 million will be awarded under these BIP grants. The funding was authorized by the 2021 appropriations measure.

In order to see Exclusive columns on Broadband Breakfast, join us as a Founding Member of the Broadband Breakfast Club. At $49/month, this price will never be lower!

Each week, members of the Broadband Breakfast Club will receive exclusive columns and features, such as this one, gain access to a members-only meetings, and obtain discounts on events like the Broadband Communities Summit. Subscribe now to Broadband Breakfast Club Member – Founder’s Rate for $49/month. Cancel anytime.

WASHINGTON, August 20, 2021 – Investments in infrastructure appear to be universally popular on Capitol Hill. But the $1.2 trillion in federal spending that passed the Senate last week – $65 billion for broadband – is about to get holed up in intra-party squabbling.

Moderate and progressive Democrats are about to go after each other over whether to spend $1.2 trillion, or $1.2 trillion plus an additional estimated $3.5 trillion.

In order to see Exclusive columns on Broadband Breakfast, join us as a Founding Member of the Broadband Breakfast Club. At $49/month, this price will never be lower!

Each week, members of the Broadband Breakfast Club will receive exclusive columns and features, such as this one, gain access to a members-only meetings, and obtain discounts on events like the Broadband Communities Summit. Subscribe now to Broadband Breakfast Club Member – Founder’s Rate for $49/month. Cancel anytime.

ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, August 13, 2021 – The evolving spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 is certainly complicating plans of the United States to fully re-open after the worst of the pandemic. While all of us yearn to fully reconnect through in-person business and social events, these new developments reveal the importance of continuing to rely upon broadband connectivity for in person and online events.

In order to see Exclusive columns on Broadband Breakfast, join us as a Founding Member of the Broadband Breakfast Club. At $49/month, this price will never be lower!

Each week, members of the Broadband Breakfast Club will receive exclusive columns and features, such as this one, gain access to a members-only meetings, and obtain discounts on events like the Broadband Communities Summit. Subscribe now to Broadband Breakfast Club Member – Founder’s Rate for $49/month. Cancel anytime.

We look forward to welcoming you to Broadband Breakfast’s Digital Infrastructure Investment. Readers of Broadband Breakfast my register to attend the entire Broadband Communities Summit at the lowest available rate of $349. For those seeking to attend Digital Infrastructure Investment 2021 online only, registration is available at $149.

Join the Broadband Breakfast Club and Register for the LIVE ONLINE version of Digital Infrastructure Investment 2021 for the Member’s Rate of $149. First month of Broadband Breakfast Club Membership included.

REGISTER NOW

Join the Broadband Breakfast Club and Register for BOTH the Broadband Communities Summit and the IN-PERSON Digital Infrastructure Investment 2021 for the  Member’s Rate of $349. First month of Broadband Breakfast Club Membership included.

REGISTER NOW