The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is responsible for administering $48.2 billion provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for four different broadband programs, namely the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant program, the Digital Equity Act program, and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Each has different programmatic requirements, but they all aim to expand broadband infrastructure and promote broadband adoption and use.
The objective for this evaluation was to identify potential challenges for deploying broadband to underserved and unserved communities. We interviewed NTIA and state and territory broadband office representatives, surveyed broadband offices, and sent questionnaires to industry stakeholder associations. Broadband officials and industry stakeholders identified challenges with the following: (1) statutory requirements, (2) Notice of Funding Opportunity provisions, (3) supply chain and labor market shortages, and (4) NTIA’s communication process. Our report describes these challenges and does not make recommendations.
