NTIA Responds to GAO Report: ‘Alignment Can Be Challenging’

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2024 – The federal government is taking steps to address inefficiencies in its more than 100 broadband expansion programs following a Government Accountability Office report that called for improved coordination.

In response to the GAO on Friday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration identified key obstacles preventing efficient alignment among the 15 federal agencies managing broadband expansion efforts, and proposed legislative solutions.

In its response, NTIA, which oversees the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment program, acknowledged the need for greater program alignment, but emphasized “alignment can be challenging. Programs are authorized at different points in time and impose different deployment obligations, timelines, and technical specifications.”