Broadband Opportunity Council

Report and Recommendations

Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum on 

Expanding Broadband Deployment and Adoption by 

Addressing Regulatory Barriers and Encouraging 

Investment and Training

August 20, 2015

Co-Chairs:

Secretary Penny Pritzker, U.S. Department of Commerce

Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Table of Contents 

Executive Summary................................................................................................................................................................ 3

1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

2. Broadband Opportunity Council Process ............................................................................................................ 7

3. Guiding Principles........................................................................................................................................................10

4. Recommendations and Agency Actions..............................................................................................................12

5. Implementation and Next Steps ............................................................................................................................27

Appendices...............................................................................................................................................................................28

Appendix A: Broadband Opportunity Council Member Agencies .....................................................................29

Appendix B: List of respondents to Council Request for Comment..................................................................31

Appendix C: Endnotes..........................................................................................................................................................36
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Executive Summary

“Access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for American 

families, businesses, and consumers. Affordable, reliable access to high-speed 

broadband is critical to U.S. economic growth and competitiveness. High-speed 

broadband enables Americans to use the Internet in new ways, expands access to 

health services and education, increases the productivity of businesses, and drives 

innovation throughout the digital ecosystem.” – President Barack Obama

The United States continues to experience unprecedented growth and innovation in broadband and 

in the advanced applications and services it enables. While the benefits of increased broadband 

access and adoption are widespread, barriers like income and geography keep many Americans

from taking advantage of the economic, educational and social benefits of broadband access. To 

make sure that the Federal government does everything within its power to support broadband 

deployment and adoption, on March 23, 2015, President Obama signed a Presidential 

Memorandum (Memorandum) “Expanding Broadband Deployment and Adoption by Addressing 

Regulatory Barriers and Encouraging Investment and Training.”1 The Memorandum created the 

Broadband Opportunity Council (Council) and tasked it to produce specific recommendations to 

increase broadband deployment, competition and adoption through executive actions within the 

scope of existing Agency programs, missions and budgets. This Report responds to that directive.

The Council presents four overarching recommendations:

1. Modernize Federal programs to expand program support for broadband investments. 

2. Empower communities with tools and resources to attract broadband investment and 

promote meaningful use.

3. Promote increased broadband deployment and competition through expanded access to 

Federal assets. 

4. Improve data collection, analysis and research on broadband.

To pursue these objectives, Federal Agencies will take dozens of actions over the next 18 months. 

These include commitments to:

• Modernize Federal programs valued at approximately $10 billion to include broadband as 

an eligible program expenditure, such as the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 

Community Facilities (CF) program, which will help communities around the country bring 

broadband to health clinics and recreation centers; 

• Create an online inventory of data on Federal assets, such as Department of the Interior 

(DOI) telecommunications towers, that can help support faster and more economical

broadband deployments to remote areas of the country;

• Streamline the applications for programs and broadband permitting processes to support 

broadband deployment and foster competition; and

• Create a portal for information on Federal broadband funding and loan programs to help 

communities easily identify resources as they seek to expand access to broadband. 

The Council proposes continuing actions in support of its mission, including monitoring agencies’ 

progress in implementing the action items in the Report and exploring additional steps to further 

the goals set forth in the Presidential Memorandum.
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1. Introduction

Progress to Date

Day by day, access to broadband, and the advanced applications it facilitates, becomes more 

integral to the daily lives of Americans and to the mission and work of the Federal government and 

its Agencies. Broadband drives the provision of services across nearly all government functions and 

across many of the activities that are key to advancement and opportunity for all Americans. 

• Broadband enables greater civic participation, provides tools for open government and 

streamlines government processes.

• Broadband enables changes in how we access educational resources, collaborate in the 

educational process, conduct research and continue to learn anytime, anyplace and at 

any pace.

• Broadband enables improved healthcare access, treatments and information.

• Broadband enables new business models, creates business efficiencies, drives job 

creation, and connects manufacturers and store-fronts to clients and partners 

worldwide. 

• Broadband can also help bring communities together and improve public safety, create 

a greener planet, and make our transportation systems more resilient and efficient. 

Additionally, broadband provides a foundation for many of the advancements we will see across 

industry sectors in the coming years.2

That’s why the Obama Administration has focused over the past six years on expanding broadband 

access for all Americans. Under the Obama Administration’s leadership, the United States has

experienced unprecedented growth and innovation in broadband networks and services. Since 

2009, nearly 45 million more Americans have adopted broadband.3 Today, 84 percent of Americans 

are “Internet users,” up from 76 percent 5 years ago.4 Tens of millions of households have seen 

their home broadband speeds more than double without paying significantly more for monthly 

service. Communities around the country are beginning to reap the benefits of gigabit speed fiber

networks. And while other countries are just beginning to deploy fourth-generation wireless 

networks to scale, over 98 percent of Americans now have access to 4G mobile broadband.5

A combination of robust private investment and targeted Federal policy has driven these 

remarkable strides in broadband access and adoption. Through the American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), USDA and the Department of Commerce (DOC) invested nearly 

$7.5 billion in broadband networks to help connect under-served areas around the country:

• The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information 

Administration (NTIA) awarded approximately $4 billion in grants under the Broadband 

Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and approximately $293 million in grants under 

the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) program. Grantees deployed more than 114,500 miles 

of new or upgraded network miles; connected more than 25,500 community anchor 

institutions; installed or upgraded more than 47,100 personal computers in public access 

centers; and prompted more than 670,000 people to subscribe to broadband services. SBI 

grantees mapped broadband availability in all 50 states and 6 territories and supported 

well over 200 local broadband planning teams across the country. 

• USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) expanded its existing telecommunications programs 

with an additional $3.5 billion in loans and grants as part of the Broadband Infrastructure 

Program (BIP). The awards went to 285 last mile providers, 12 middle mile providers, and 4 
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satellite companies for the deployment of broadband facilities. Additionally, 19 technical 

assistance grants funded planning efforts to get broadband service to hard-to-reach areas of 

the country. To date, 64,794 miles of fiber cable and 1,845 wireless access points have been 

installed in rural communities, bringing new or improved broadband service to over 

230,000 residences, businesses and anchor institutions. 

The Recovery Act also supported significant investment in systems for electronic health record 

payments for hospitals and clinicians through HITECH - the Health Information Technology for 

Economic and Clinical Health Act. In addition, the Obama Administration adopted policies to make

more spectrum available for commercial wireless broadband, increasing capacity to meet the 

growing demand posed by wireless-enabled devices. 

Building on the successes of the Recovery Act, the Obama Administration has explored ways to 

capitalize on other Federal funding sources and work with the public and private sectors to 

continue expanding broadband access. For example, in June 2013, the President and the

Department of Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan launched ConnectED, a public-private 

partnership that “empowers teachers with the best technology and the training to make the most of 

it, and empowers students through individualized learning and rich, digital content.”6 ConnectED’s 

objective is to connect 99 percent of American students to next-generation broadband by 2018.

While broadband connectivity and adoption in schools and libraries is a foundation of ConnectED, 

the program goes far beyond connectivity with initiatives designed to expand the availability of 

digital materials and support teachers as they integrate technology into curriculums, further 

engaging students and improving educational outcomes with personalized learning.

ConnectED is already having an impact. This spring, the Federal Communications Commission’s

(FCC) e-Rate program awarded $470 million in Federal funds to bring Wi-Fi and high-speed 

connectivity to classrooms in over 10,000 schools and over 500 libraries across America.7 These 

investments are part of over $8 billion in funding that the FCC has made available to meet the 

President’s school connectivity goals. Over 3 million students from 10,000 schools in all 50 states 

are already using the software, hardware, wireless connectivity and training resources deployed as 

part of the over $2 billion in private-sector commitments.8

More recently, in July 2015, the President and the Department of Housing and Urban Development 

(HUD) Secretary Julián Castro announced ConnectHome. As a demonstration project, ConnectHome

will help bridge the “homework gap” for nearly 200,000 children in 275,000 low-income 

households in 27 cities and one Tribal Nation.9 The public-private partnership with Internet Service 

Providers, non-profits and the private sector will offer broadband access, technical training, digital 

literacy programs and devices for low-income residents in assisted housing units.

Challenges Remain

Amidst this progress, clear challenges remain. According to 2012 Census data, published as part of 

NTIA’s Digital Nation series, more than 25 percent of American households do not subscribe to 

broadband at home.10 This “digital divide” is better understood as a series of digital divides based 

on geography, income and other demographics factors. Seniors, people with disabilities,11 those 

with less than a high school degree, and people with low income levels12 are among the groups with 
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lower than average adoption rates – and therefore lower rates of access to the benefits associated 

with digital information and services.13

In an NTIA report based on 2012 Census Bureau data, 29 percent of households without a home 

broadband connection pointed to expense as a major barrier.14 And, as a recent report from the 

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) highlighted, a gap of almost 20 percentage points in adoption 

rates exists between wealthy and low-income neighborhoods in cities like Washington, D.C., 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Antonio, Texas.15 Americans in the lowest quartile for 

household income are 24 percentage points less likely to subscribe to broadband at home than 

those in the topmost income quartile.16

Geography also plays an important role in broadband availability. Some parts of the country, mostly 

rural and Tribal lands, are connectivity deserts – regions with little or no access to broadband – or

“parched” with broadband coverage inadequate to meet community needs. For example, broadband 

speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and at least 3 Mbps (upload) are available to only 47 percent 

of rural households and 37 percent of people living on Tribal Lands, compared with 92 percent of 

urban households.17 Low-income neighborhoods are also significantly less likely to have high-speed 

connections available to them. For example, the CEA report found that there is a gap of roughly 20 

percentage points between the wealthiest and least wealthy communities for download speeds of 

25 Mbps to 100 Mbps.18

Much of the easy work has been done – building out broadband infrastructure in more profitable

areas of the country where the community capacity is strong and the business case is compelling;

and encouraging broadband adoption and use among people who are already “digitally ready.”19

The hard work that remains is reaching those communities where geography and economics work 

against deployment and reaching individuals who do not yet have the same opportunities to use 

broadband to meet personal and professional goals.

At the same time, limited competition is also a challenge even in communities with high rates of

adoption.20 Today, nearly 40 percent of American households either do not have the option of 

purchasing a wired 10 Mbps connection or they must buy it from a single provider.21 Three out of 

four Americans do not have a choice of providers for broadband at 25 Mbps, the speed increasingly 

recognized as a baseline for broadband access.22 Lowering barriers to deployment and fostering 

market competition can drive down price, increase speeds, and improve service and adoption rates 

across all markets.

The Federal government has played a crucial role in advancing policies to promote broadband 

deployment and adoption, including disseminating best practices, breaking down regulatory 

barriers and encouraging further investment. Yet, more action is needed.
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2. Broadband Opportunity Council Process 

To help address these challenges, the President launched the Broadband Opportunity Council on 

March 23, 2015 to make recommendations on actions that the Federal government can take under 

existing authority to improve the nation’s broadband networks and bring the benefits of broadband 

to more Americans. The Presidential Memorandum issued that day, “Expanding Broadband 

Deployment and Adoption by Addressing Regulatory Barriers and Encouraging Investment and 

Training,” framed the scope and working process for the Council.

The Council is co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture or their designees, with 

designees from 25 Federal Agencies, departments and White House offices, support from the 

Director of the National Economic Council and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 

Policy, and consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and relevant Federal

Working Groups. DOC Secretary Pritzker designated Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary of 

Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications 

and Information Administration, and USDA Secretary Vilsack designated Lisa Mensah, Under 

Secretary for Rural Development, USDA, to lead the Council. Appendix A provides a list of Council

member Agencies. 

Council Working Group members met weekly by phone and in person. Agency designees developed

and contributed action plans, reviewed those commitments within their Agency, and reviewed and 

approved the substance of this full Report. 

In addition to engaging agencies across the Federal government, the President charged the Council

with gathering stakeholder input about how the Federal government can better support broadband 

deployment, competition and adoption. The Council published a Request for Comment (RFC) in the 

Federal Register on April 29, 201523 and hosted a webinar on May 19, attracting more than 200 

viewers. Comments submitted by 248 individuals, businesses, organizations and Agencies are 

available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/Federal-register-notice/2015/broadband-opportunitycouncil-comments.24 A brief summary of the approximately 1,000 pages of comments received is

included below. Appendix B provides the list of commenters.

The Agency commitments and recommendations contained herein, submitted to the President on 

behalf of the Council, represent the result of internal Agency exploration, consultation with 

stakeholders through the public comment process and extensive deliberations among members of 

the interagency Council Working Group. 

Public Input to the Broadband Opportunity Council

In response to the Council’s RFC, 248 diverse stakeholders provided input and recommendations. 

Commenters included major telecommunication carriers and associations; IT innovators and 

technology companies; nonprofits and community anchor institutions; State, Local and Tribal

governments; and individuals. The Council requested input on regulations and barriers that 

hamper broadband deployment, recommendations on ways to promote public and private 

investment in broadband and ideas for ways that the Federal government can encourage and 

support broadband adoption and digital literacy. 
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A number of themes emerged from the comments including the need for: increased clarity and 

guidance on Federal funding options for broadband;25 streamlined processes that enable the use of 

Federal assets for broadband;26 insight on attracting local investment;27 requests for best practices 

and technical assistance;28 and a desire for more data29 and research on broadband.30

In terms of infrastructure policy, commenters urged the Federal government to further facilitate 

the use of government lands and infrastructure for broadband deployment. They asked that Federal

programs: allow broadband providers or other entities to install infrastructure during Federal

construction projects;31 develop an online permitting and tracking system;32 make Federal highway 

and sewer projects contingent on the allowance of conduit or fiber deployment during excavation;33

and that the Federal government encourage State and Local “Dig Once” policies that allow 

deployment of conduit and fiber in transportation rights of way during other projects.34

Commenters asked the Council to simplify and modernize funding processes35 and to ensure that 

definitions for broadband speeds were clear and consistent across programs.36 Other comment 

areas included requests for consolidated information about broadband funding opportunities 

across the Federal government37 and suggestions for decreasing timelines for application 

reviews.38

One area that was the subject of a number of recommendations was permitting on Federal lands. 

Commenters requested that Agencies streamline processes and standardize timelines for the 

review and processing of permitting applications and make such documentation easily accessible.39

Several commenters particularly asked that Agencies streamline wireless siting.40 A number of 

commenters noted the progress of the Executive Order (EO) 13616 Working Group41 and asked for 

expedited progress on finalizing master contracts, applications and fees.42 A recurring theme was 

the recommendation to develop a comprehensive inventory of broadband assets43 and Agency 

points-of-contact44 and to streamline environmental and cultural review processes, particularly in 

already disturbed land or where review has already been performed.45

Commenters stressed the importance of promoting adoption46 and availability47 among vulnerable 

populations such as low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, seniors, veterans and those 

with limited English. They also emphasized the need for digital literacy and offered suggestions for 

addressing it.48 Some recommended that the Federal government donate surplus equipment and 

encourage refurbishment.49 Commenters supported the idea of expanding free public Wi-Fi hot 

spots, especially in Federal buildings and on Federal Lands.50

Commenters recognized NTIA’s BroadbandUSA initiative as providing valuable support for 

communities working to expand broadband programs. They requested additional support from 

NTIA including technical assistance, webinars and publications on best practices on broadband 

adoption, infrastructure and planning.51 Commenters acknowledged the effectiveness of Agencies’ 

moving services online, and also cautioned that digital literacy and outreach are necessary to 

include all citizens.52

A number of comments came in from individuals expressing concern about the lack of adequate, 

affordable broadband service where they live.53

Some areas identified by commenters are out of the Council’s scope and better directed toward the 

FCC, Congress, and State governments. For example, some commenters made specific 

recommendations for reforming Lifeline to support broadband;54 expanding e-Rate to support 

more than schools and libraries;55 reforming retransmission consent and program access rules.56
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Others requested tax incentives57 or Congressional extension of bonus depreciation.58 The 

comments directed to the FCC have been shared with the FCC for their consideration. Other 

comments requested additional funding, requiring statutory changes from Congress. 

While the Council was not able to translate every comment received into an immediate Agency 

action, the stakeholder feedback provided important insight into current challenges and 

opportunities for broadband deployment and adoption – input that shaped the Guiding Principles 

outlined in Section 3, informed the recommendations summarized in Section 4 and provided the 

basis for the next steps described in Section 5.
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3. Guiding Principles 

The President provided the following guidance that set the policy context for the Broadband 

Opportunity Council:

It shall be the policy of the Federal government for executive departments and Agencies having 

statutory authorities applicable to broadband deployment (Agencies) to use all available and 

appropriate authorities to: 

• Identify and address regulatory barriers that may unduly impede either wired broadband 

deployment or the infrastructure to augment wireless broadband deployment;

• Encourage further public and private investment in broadband networks and services; 

• Promote the adoption and meaningful use of broadband technology; and otherwise

• Encourage or support broadband deployment, competition, and adoption in ways that 

promote the public interest.

Through the Council’s extensive research into Agency programs, analysis of the public comments,

engagement with the private sector and discussions with trade associations, research institutions, 

advocacy groups and other stakeholders, the Council has elaborated on the President’s guidance to 

further inform Agencies as they translate these prescriptions into actionable policies. The Council 

began this task with the overarching goal to encourage or support broadband deployment, 

adoption and competition in ways that promote the public interest. The Council was guided by 

several principles for doing so:

Identify and address deployment barriers and promote interagency coordination

• Leverage Federal assets. Federal lands, buildings and assets are important conduits for 

broadband deployment and should be accessible for the promotion of broadband competition 

and deployment. 

• Streamline processes. The Federal government should strive for common permitting and 

application processes to reduce the burden on Local government, State government, non-profit, 

and private applicants applying for Federal aid and resources. 

• Collaborate and strengthen coordination. Agencies should expand interagency coordination 

to minimize redundancy and remove regulatory barriers and should continue to collaborate to 

meet the goals established for the Council. Additionally, where appropriate, Council members 

should increase collaboration and coordination with State, Local and Tribal governments to 

support their initiatives to expand broadband access and adoption.

• Lower barriers to competition. While regulatory power generally rests with State, Local and 

Tribal governments and independent regulatory Agencies, the Federal government should 

provide fair and open access to government assets and processes. Such open access is designed 

to stimulate increased deployment and competition by lowering barriers for new market 

entrants and for incumbent expansions.
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Encourage further public and private investment 

• Specify broadband as eligible expenditure in Federal programs. Broadband is a critical 

element of community and regional infrastructure and should be an eligible expenditure and, 

where possible, a priority for infrastructure funding and loan programs. 

• Encourage public-private partnerships. The deployment of broadband almost always 

requires collaboration between the public and private sector and often cooperation across 

multiple levels of government. As Federal Agencies shape their broadband policies, they should 

work closely with the private sector and State, Local and Tribal governments to ensure those 

policies maximize overall investment in and adoption of broadband services. 

Promote adoption and meaningful use

• Expand outreach. Access to affordable broadband is unevenly distributed and is impacted by 

both geography and income. Federal Agencies should target resources towards high-need 

communities, e.g., communities with low connectivity or with few options for procuring highspeed broadband. For example, broadband adoption lags among seniors, low-income 

households, people with lower educational levels, people with disabilities and those living in 

Indian Country and in rural areas.

• Increase digital literacy. Digital literacy and fluency is increasingly integral to economic 

advancement and participation in American society. Agencies should incorporate increased 

digital literacy training and broadband adoption support into online platforms, training 

programs and services. 

• Encourage meaningful use. Access to broadband should increase access to government 

services, especially in rural communities or populations that may lack easy access to 

government resources. The Federal government should be a leader in encouraging meaningful 

use of broadband by making services, data and information readily accessible and regularly 

evaluating online accessibility and use.

The recommendations in Section 4 arise from these Guiding Principles. As noted in our conclusion, 

the Broadband Opportunity Council will continue to explore opportunities to advance these core 

principles through additional reforms and actions. 
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4. Recommendations and Agency Actions

The Council was charged with making recommendations for actions that can be implemented

within the scope of existing Agency programs, missions and budgets. The Council makes

recommendations in four areas where Federal actions can strengthen broadband deployment, 

foster competition and promote broadband adoption: 

1. Modernize Federal programs to expand program support for broadband investments. 

2. Empower communities with tools and resources to attract broadband investment and 

promote meaningful use.

3. Promote increased broadband deployment and competition through expanded access to 

Federal assets.

4. Improve data collection, analysis and research on broadband.

Milestones reflect the Federal fiscal year calendar which begins October 1. Please see Appendix A 

for a list of Agencies and acronyms. Recommended next steps for the Broadband Opportunity 

Council are summarized in Section 5.

4.1 Modernize Federal programs to expand program support for broadband 

investments

Broadband has steadily shifted from an optional amenity to a core utility for households, businesses 

and community institutions. Today, broadband is taking its place alongside water, sewer and 

electricity as essential infrastructure for communities. 

However, not all Federal programs fully reflect the changing social, economic and technological 

conditions that redefined the need for and benefits of broadband. In some cases, programs that can

support broadband deployment and adoption lack specific guidelines to promote its use. Other 

programs have not integrated funding for broadband commensurate with its importance and role 

in program execution and mission.

RECOMMENDATION: All relevant Federal programs, especially those supporting 

economic development, infrastructure and housing programs, will use rulemakings or 

guidance to open financing resources for broadband investments. 

To implement this recommendation, Council members will take the following initial 13 actions. 

Cumulatively, these actions will open up or clarify the potential uses for $10 billion in Federal

grants and loans for broadband-related activities. 

• USDA: Update guidance for the Rural Development Community Facility Program: Rural 

Housing Service - Community Facilities (CF), which represents an estimated $2.3 billion in 

FY16 funding, will develop and promote new funding guidance making broadband projects 

eligible.

o Key Milestones: 
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 Develop new program guidelines 3QFY16

 Promote new policy to stakeholders 4QFY16

• USDA: Expand broadband eligibility for RUS Telecommunications Program: RUS will revise 

regulations that currently limit broadband investment in specific areas with inadequate 

service. This change would open funding opportunities to a different provider even though 

an incumbent exists and would allow new entrants to access an estimated FY16 funding of 

$690 million. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Develop and publish new regulation 4QFY16

• DOC: Highlight broadband eligibility for Economic Development Assistance: DOC’s 

Economic Development Administration (EDA) will issue an FY16 Federal Funding 

Opportunity (FFO) for its Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) that 

highlights broadband planning and deployment as one of EDA’s national strategic priorities 

for funding. The President’s FY16 request for EDAP is $227.5 million. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Publish Federal Funding Opportunity 1QFY16

• Department of Treasury (UST): Clarify broadband eligibility for New Market Tax Credits: 

Treasury will update Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to specify that broadband projects 

in qualified census tracts are eligible for the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC 

Program), provided the investment meets the IRS Regulations related to a business 

qualifying under the NMTC program. The NMTC Program provides a 39 percent tax credit to 

offset Federal tax liability for investors that make equity investments in specialized 

financial institutions called Community Development Entities (CDEs) that provide loans and 

other credit assistance in low-income communities. Over the past 5 years, CDEs have raised 

$20.644 billion in qualified private equity investment under the NMTC.

o Key Milestone: Issue updated FAQs 1QFY16

• HUD: Establish broadband connectivity standards for housing construction: HUD will begin 

a rulemaking process to require that HUD-funded new residential construction and 

substantial rehabilitation projects include plans for infrastructure that supports unit-based 

access to broadband internet connectivity. Exceptions will be made where the local 

infrastructure, location of the building or building structure makes broadband infeasible as 

determined by HUD. In addition, the rule will not apply to properties that only participate in 

HUD-insured or guaranteed mortgage or loan programs. Other Agencies will explore 

adoption of similar standards for housing construction programs under their purview. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register 1QFY16

• USDA: Expand broadband eligibility for Rural Business Loan Guarantee Program: USDA 

Rural Business will issue guidance to rural communities stating that broadband projects 

represent an eligible infrastructure expense for the Rural Business Cooperative Services 
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Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. Subject to specific requirements, loan 

funds may be used for real estate, equipment, working capital and debt refinancing. This 

program represents an estimated $1.2 billion in FY16 funding. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Issue guidance to stakeholders and prospective applicants 3QFY16

• USDA: Expand broadband eligibility for RUS Electric Program: RUS will issue guidance to 

its legacy electric borrowers and other stakeholders that broadband projects supporting 

smart grid and communications facilities for energy management are an eligible 

infrastructure expense. This program represents an estimated $5 billion in electric 

infrastructure investment. SmartGrid funding will be available based on demand. The 

Department of Energy (DOE) will highlight this guidance on Smartgrid.gov and will send 

out an alert to their list serve.

o Key Milestones: 

 RUS announcement and promotion to stakeholders 2QFY16

 DOE announcement to SmartGrid stakeholders 2QFY16

• HUD: Amend Consolidated Plan regulations to include broadband: HUD’s Office of 

Community Planning and Development will begin rulemaking to integrate broadband 

feasibility and needs assessment into planning efforts. The Consolidated Plan serves as a 

framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community 

development priorities.

o Key Milestones: 

 Publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register 1QFY16

• Department of Labor (DOL): Expand broadband eligibility for One-stops and Job Centers:

DOL will issue clarification that broadband service within one stops / American Job 

Centers is an allowable expense within administrative allowances. ETA will address the 

allowability of funds to improve digital literacy skills for job hunters, promote Wi-Fi in 

public facilities, and improve capacity of computer centers to deliver services to customers. 

This clarification can impact up to 2,500 one-stop career centers across the country.

o Key Milestones: 

 Issue guidance to the public workforce system 2QFY16

 

• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): $25 million in new grants to advance 

Health Centers’ use of health IT: HHS will support Health Centers’ efforts to use health 

information technology to improve healthcare. HHS will award $25 million in grants to help 

health centers implement electronic health records and other health information 

technology to improve quality of care and patient access to personal health 

information. Since patient and health center use of electronic health information relies on 

having access to those records, training and technical assistance to facilitate access to 

broadband will be listed as an eligible expense in this grant program.
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o Key Milestones:

 Release of the Funding Opportunity Announcement 1QFY16

 Awarding of up to 50 grants 4QFY16

• HUD: Expand broadband eligibility for community development and housing: HUD Office of 

Community Planning and Development will issue guidance to over 1,300 communities that 

are recipients of Community Development Block Grant Program, Housing Trust Fund, 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

Emergency Solutions Grant, and Continuum of Care stating that broadband is an eligible 

infrastructure expense. These programs represented nearly $6.4 billion in FY15 funding. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Issue guidance to grantees 1QFY16

• HUD: Clarify broadband eligibility in the Indian Community Development Block Grant 

Program: HUD’s Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) will issue guidance to Indian 

Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) recipients that broadband is an eligible 

infrastructure expense. Tribes and certain Tribal organizations are eligible to apply for 

funds. HUD is making available approximately $58.9 million for this competitive program in 

FY15.

o Key Milestones: 

 Issue guidance to grantees 1QFY16

• Department of Justice (DOJ): Highlight broadband eligibility for Justice Assistance Grant 

Program: DOJ will issue guidance clarifying that the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program 

allows funding for broadband deployment and adoption related to criminal justice 

activities. Approximately 1,100 State, Local and Tribal jurisdictions receive annual JAG 

formula funding. This program represents an estimated $370 million in FY16 funding. 

o Key Milestone: 

• Issue guidance to State Administrative Agencies 3QFY16

4.2 Empower communities with tools and resources to attract broadband 

investment and promote meaningful use

While sound national policies and programs are important, most decisions on broadband 

investment are made by Local governments in partnership with the private sector, guided by State

law. Anchor institutions, like libraries and hospitals, can also play an important role in shaping 

broadband policy and expanding access to underserved communities.

To address the remaining gaps in broadband coverage, the Federal government will need to partner 

with these stakeholders – not only by providing funding and financing but by providing targeted, 

easily accessible resources that empower communities and help them learn best practices from 

their peers around the country.59
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RECOMMENDATION: Agencies will develop best practices, provide technical 

assistance and create a one-stop portal for broadband resources to support local 

governments and anchor institutions. 

Beyond targeting best practices, the Council sees opportunities to engage private, public, 

philanthropic and nonprofit groups to develop a benchmark or index system of community 

connectivity indicators to promote innovative practices, investment, and digital inclusion. The 

index would help community leaders understand where their strengths lie and where they need to 

improve, and would promote innovative community policies and programs. It would be supported 

by tools and processes for community assessment, improvement and recognition. 

RECOMMENDATION: The Executive Branch will convene stakeholders to design and 

launch a community connectivity index.

There is also significant room for improvement in Local and State government policies. While the 

Federal government cannot address Local and State regulations through executive action, it can 

encourage best practices. Among other practices, “Dig Once” policies have emerged as an important 

source for cost savings. “Dig Once” policies help Local and State governments lower their own costs 

and costs for telecommunication companies by coordinating infrastructure projects and allowing 

conduit to be laid alongside transportation, water and other projects. Under Executive Order 

13616, the Department of Transportation (DOT) provided guidance for using “Dig Once” practices 

in Federally-funded projects. The Council recommends expanding this guidance to projects 

supported by other Federal Agencies that fund infrastructure projects, such as the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), GSA, USDA, HUD, and DOI. 

RECOMMENDATION: Federal Agencies that fund significant infrastructure 

investments will work together to further promote “Dig Once” policies.

While many communities around the country would benefit from Federal support in addressing 

connectivity issues, Tribal areas face particular challenges.60 Broadband deployment and adoption 

in Tribal Lands remains well below national averages, creating yet another barrier for education, 

healthcare and economic development. The Council recommends that DOI bring together Federal 

agencies to focus time and resources on identifying creative ways to address the unique challenges 

facing Tribal areas.

RECOMMENDATION: Federal Agencies, working in conjunction with Native American 

leaders and led by DOI, will work to address broadband challenges on Tribal Lands.

Access is not enough. Broadband adoption and Internet use is often lowest among those 

populations that can most benefit from digital information services. Agencies must look for 

opportunities to further promote and support broadband deployment, adoption and education in 

areas that are aligned with their programs and missions. 

RECOMMENDATION: Federal Agencies, working with partners, will support 

broadband adoption and promote meaningful technology use.
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17│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

The Agency actions listed below will build community capacity, bring appropriate resources to bear 

on broadband issues, speed community projects, and support individuals and communities as they 

strengthen the technology infrastructure needed for education, health and community services.

Develop Best Practices and Provide Technical Assistance

• DOC: Provide a one-stop portal to access information about Federal broadband programs: 

NTIA’s BroadbandUSA initiative will create a portal to serve as the main client access point 

for Federal broadband resources. Functionality will include a list of Council committed 

Agency actions with status on implementation; links to Agency policies and grant guidance 

related to broadband; best practice guides; technical assistance briefs; Agency and program 

points-of-contact; and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Program and content 

responsibility will remain with the originating Agencies. This effort will help to 

institutionalize the work of the Council, by making available a summary of Federal

programs that support broadband investment and providing visibility to Agency 

commitments.

o Key Milestones: 

 Identify contributing content owners and points of contact 1QFY16

 Develop functional outline/map for updated site 3QFY16

 Initial site available 4QFY16

• HHS: Launch series of national connectivity workshops for community health organizations: 

HHS will promote the use of broadband for healthcare organizations and consumers and 

work with other Federal Agencies to develop plans to upgrade broadband at health 

facilities. HHS will provide assistance to health organizations seeking funds for broadband 

expansion through a series of national and state workshops offered in partnership with the 

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), FCC, DOC, and USDA. The goal of this work is to

encourage participants to develop plans and complete applications to secure upgraded 

broadband connectivity.

o Key Milestones: 

 Convene Federal partners to develop workshop agenda 1QFY16

 Announce 2016 broadband healthcare workshop schedule 1QFY16

 Convene state-specific and national workshops FY16

• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Provide libraries with tools to assess and 

manage broadband networks: IMLS will fund a new initiative to develop a network 

assessment toolkit and technical assistance program for rural and Tribal libraries. These 

libraries provide critical public access to computers and the Internet with support and 

training from professionals, but many have inadequate connectivity and Wi-Fi. The toolkit 

will help libraries configure, modify and manage their networks. After piloting in 30 rural 

and Tribal communities, an expanded rollout will be considered.

o Key Milestones:
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18│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 Conduct needs assessment and design toolkit modules 2QFY16

 Develop toolkit 3QFY16

 Pilot and refine toolkit and training program 4QFY16-2QFY17

• DOC: Offer best practices and technical assistance for communities seeking to expand 

broadband: BroadbandUSA will develop and release best practice publications to support 

community broadband infrastructure, adoption, digital literacy programs and economic 

development. In conjunction, BroadbandUSA will provide technical assistance to local and 

regional communities developing broadband infrastructure and adoption projects, offering 

services designed to accelerate and advance these projects. BroadbandUSA will also 

collaborate with other Federal Agencies to support broadband-related initiatives and 

programs.

o Key Milestones:

 Broadband infrastructure technical assistance initiative launch 4QFY15

 Broadband adoption technical assistance initiative launch 1QFY16

 Consolidate stakeholder feedback; map out additional guides 2QFY16

• ARC: Focus technical assistance on broadband deployment in Appalachia: In order to 

improve application quality and support grantees in completing ambitious broadband 

projects, the ARC will expand outreach and technical support associated with the $20 

million special allocation to help improve rural broadband access in distressed coalimpacted communities in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia and the 13-state 

Appalachian Region. 

o Key Milestones:

 Community Toolkit and best practices available 4QFY16

• IMLS: Offer technical assistance for library broadband connectivity expansions: IMLS will 

fund a new initiative to develop best practices and expand technical support for e-Ratefunded public library Wi-Fi and connectivity expansions. The technical assistance program 

will support libraries in assessing connectivity needs, procuring efficient and competitive 

broadband services and completing e-Rate applications. This initiative will be implemented 

in partnership with state library agencies to ensure that library information services and 

free public access points are available to all.

o Key Milestones: 

 Conduct cross-state review of e-Rate practices 1QFY16

 Develop clearinghouse tool and contributed resources 2QFY16

 Provide education forums and assistance 2QFY16
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19│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Convene Stakeholders to Develop a Community Connectivity Index

• NTIA/OSTP: Convene stakeholders to design and launch a community connectivity index: 

NTIA, with support from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 

and National Economic Council (NEC), will convene a series of stakeholder forums to 

develop an index program that encourages advancements and investments in community 

connectivity. Stakeholders will include private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit groups 

with interests in leveraging broadband to support innovation, economic growth and digital 

inclusion. The index program will identify indicators of community connectivity in a range 

of categories related to broadband deployment, competition, and adoption, such as average 

broadband speed and adoption rates, local/regional policies that support broadband, digital 

inclusion policies, public access points and online applications such as telehealth, digital 

learning or e-government. 

The index would help community leaders understand where their strengths lie and where 

they need to improve, and would promote innovative community policies and programs. 

The goals of the index program are to: 

1) provide a framework and tools for communities to learn about the factors that 

influence a community’s connectivity;

2) mobilize community action and coordination to improve connectivity;

3) encourage and recognize innovative policies and programs; and

4) attract economic development and investment.

The stakeholder community will determine the criteria and measures. The Executive 

Branch will provide convening support and explore partnerships to create, support and 

sustain the program. 

o Key Milestones:

 Identify potential partners 1QFY16

 Convene stakeholder forums to discuss criteria 2QFY16

 Identify program owner(s) and sustainability plan 3QFY16

 Announce program 1QFY17

Further promote “Dig Once” policies 

• Joint Agency action to promote “Dig Once” policies: “Dig Once” policies promote broadband 

competition, reduce costs for broadband providers and decrease road-related costs from 

repeated excavation. Based on EO 13616, DOT has already taken actions to promote “Dig 

Once” policies, including developing best practices and model policies and disseminating 

them to State DOTs and other stakeholders. To build on the work of DOT and further 

promote “Dig Once” policies, DOI, EPA, GSA, USDA, DOC and HUD will, in partnership with 

DOT: 

 Review Agency regulations to assess if there are changes that would facilitate and/or 

promote “Dig Once” policies for State and Local governments.
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20│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 Develop, publish and disseminate best practices documents and models to stakeholders; 

and explore opportunities to provide technical assistance and expertise to interested 

State, Local and Tribal governments and recipients of Federal construction support.

 Review existing notification systems for Federally supported construction projects and 

identify opportunities to promote increased levels of information and visibility to Local

and Tribal governments, utilities and broadband and communications service providers 

to facilitate practical project-level coordination between project sponsors and 

broadband providers.

 Agencies with Federal land stewardship responsibilities ensure that they lead by 

example in implementing “Dig Once” policies which encourage broadband competition 

and deployment, including planning, joint use, construction and 

notification. 

o Key Milestones:

 DOT and DOI designate an office to provide information on “Dig Once” policies 

Q4FY15

 Agencies will complete review of policies to encourage “Dig Once” Q2FY16

 Agencies will publish best practice documents Q3FY16 

 Agencies will begin providing technical assistance, as appropriate Q4FY16 

Address Broadband Challenges on Tribal Lands

• DOI: Conduct a Native American summit on broadband in Indian Country: DOI, in 

conjunction with other Federal Agencies, will conduct outreach to Tribes to plan and 

convene a Native American Broadband Summit to provide opportunities for the White 

House Council on Native American Affairs, Broadband Opportunity Council members and 

representatives from Federally-recognized tribes to review the current status of 

connectivity in Indian Country and discuss approaches to improve broadband access and 

adoption. The forum will provide an opportunity to develop inter-agency and intergovernmental actions to improve connectivity on Tribal lands and among Native American 

people. A Summit Report will be developed highlighting results, actions and intended next 

steps. Agencies supporting this effort include: FCC, Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS), ED, DOC, HUD, IMLS, and USDA. 

o Key Milestones:

 Host listening session at White House Tribal Nations conference 1QFY16

 Develop agenda, logistics and outreach plan 3QFY16

 Conduct the summit 4QFY16 

• DOI: Launch an interagency Tribal schools technology initiative: The DOI Bureau of Indian 

Education (BIE) will work with the White House Council on Native American Affairs, other 

Federal Agencies and the Educational Native American Network (ENAN) to increase 

broadband connectivity and educational support at schools throughout Indian Country. This 

action will leverage resources and programs such as ConnectED, BroadbandUSA, RUS 

Telecommunications and Distance Learning Grants and new e-Rate regulations to develop 
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21│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

and implement a plan to increase connectivity at Tribal Schools. All actions will be 

implemented through ENAN, which provides standards-based connectivity, security, 

content delivery, web services, distance learning, email access, education application access 

and other information services to BIE schools. In addition to supporting educational 

outcomes, high-speed connections at schools can support broader plans to increase 

broadband access in Tribal Lands. The following Agencies will support this effort: DOC, ED, 

HUD (ICDBG), IMLS and USDA. 

o Key Milestones:

 Identify schools that need increased capacity broadband Q2FY16

 Develop a 3-year plan to provide higher speeds to designated schools Q4FY16

• DOL: Expand technology-based job training in tribal communities: DOL Employment 

Training Administration will provide information on the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) and Community Connect grant programs to its 

Indian and Native American Program grantees. This information will reach over 125 

grantees across the country, helping them to deliver online services to their customers.

IMLS will also promote RUS grant information to their Native American Library and 

Museum Services grantees.

o Key Milestones:

 Outreach to IMLS Native American grantees 2QFY16

 Outreach to DOL Native American “community of practice” 2QFY16

Support Broadband Adoption and Meaningful Technology Use

• HUD: Fund educational navigators in HUD-assisted housing to facilitate broadband 

adoption: HUD will issue a new grant opportunity to fund “educational navigators” in HUDassisted housing to expand access to high quality education resources and assist residents 

with broadband access and adoption questions. An estimated $2 million in funding will be 

available for these competitive grants, which will be awarded to approximately 3 Public 

Housing Authorities (PHAs) over a 3-year period. The PHAs will designate which HUDassisted housing developments they will serve.

o Key Milestones:

 Release Notice of Funding Availability 2QFY16

• ED: Expand technology-enabled learning practices to new partner Agencies: ED will build 

on its Future Ready Schools work by providing additional technical assistance and support 

to schools that have taken the Future Ready pledge. Technical assistance will include topics 

such as infrastructure, professional development and open educational resources. ED will 

collaborate with other Federal Agencies to expand the reach of the program to DOI’s Tribal

and rural community stakeholders, participants in HUD’s ConnectHome demonstration 

program and DOL’s adult learning programs. Future Ready Schools provides districts, 

schools and communities with a clear path to building the necessary vision and capacity to 
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22│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

use technology to improve learning. The following Agencies will support this effort: DOI, 

HUD, and DOL. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Finalize 2015/16 Future Ready support plans for schools 4QFY15

 Define DOI, HUD and DOL Future Ready collaborations 1QFY16

 Align partner activities/resources to Future Ready Framework 1QFY16

• General Services Administration (GSA): Modernize government donation, excess and 

surplus program: GSA will lead an interagency effort to recommend updates to EO 1299961

and the Computers for Learning program with the objective of updating equipment 

definitions and enabling additional user groups to receive surplus equipment. The donation 

program promotes recycling of surplus equipment while making devices available to 

support schools, libraries and educational non-profits. The following Agencies will support 

this effort: IMLS, NTIA.

o Key Milestones:

 Convene stakeholders to explore program revisions 1QFY16

 Propose updates to Executive Order 2QFY16

 Issue updated guidance on Computers for Learning 3QFY16

• Small Business Administration (SBA): Develop and deploy new digital empowerment 

training for small businesses: SBA will develop new training modules to support small 

businesses in using broadband-based applications and services to conduct better market 

research, improve operations and efficiency, and strengthen marketing and sales. SBA’s 

Office of Entrepreneurial Development will distribute materials to SBA field offices 

including more than 900 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), 100 Women's 

Business Centers (WBCs) and 16 Veterans Centers. Materials will also be made available at 

14 RUS Regional Centers through a partnership with USDA and through the BusinessUSA 

portal. 

o Key Milestones:

 Provide updated digital literacy toolkit 2QFY16

 Launch awareness campaign 3QFY16

• GSA: Publish consumer guides on the benefits of broadband targeted at key communities: 

Through targeted consumer campaigns using printed publications and websites, GSA will 

educate citizens, especially low-connectivity populations, on the benefits of broadband 

adoption. NTIA’s BroadbandUSA will take the lead in creating content for these 

publications. Material on the benefits of broadband adoption will be provided through 

GSA’s English and Spanish print publications, which reach over 300,000 people.

o Key Milestones: 

 Develop communication/outreach plan 2QFY16

 Develop digital inclusion content 2QFY16

 Develop and issue initial digital products 3QFY16

 Provide insert for print publications 4QFY16 
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23│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

4.3 Promote increased broadband deployment and competition through 

expanded access to Federal assets

One important way to increase competition in broadband markets – and thereby reduce costs and 

improve services for consumers – is to reduce the barriers to entry, especially the costs of 

infrastructure deployment. While patterns of land ownership and local and state regulations shape 

most deployment options, Federal lands, buildings and assets are also important conduits for 

broadband deployment. Recognizing this opportunity, the President released EO 13616, 

”Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment” on June 14, 2012, directing Federal Agencies 

to streamline application processes and otherwise promote access to Federal lands.62 While Federal

Agencies made significant progress, stakeholders suggest that more remains to be done – especially 

to provide more information on the wide range of Federal assets that are or can be made available 

for broadband purposes. 

Continuing to build on EO 13616, the Federal government can also continue to do more to help 

service providers obtain the necessary permits and permissions to build out broadband networks 

on Federal lands, use Federal assets or cross Federal rights-of-way. Comments received through the 

Council RFC process highlighted the EO Working Group’s work in these areas and urged continued 

and expedited efforts to streamline Federal permitting.63 

RECOMMENDATION: Agencies will streamline processes and promote interagency

coordination to lower barriers to investment.

When we think of Federal assets, it is common to think of public lands, buildings or towers, but 

Federal programs, publications and digital content can also serve as important resources to support 

broadband. These resources should be identified and made more accessible and available.

RECOMMENDATION: Agencies will create an accessible open inventory of Federal

assets that can support broadband and expanding access to those assets. 

Streamline Processes and Lower Barriers to Investment

• DOT: Issue policy guidance to leverage highway rights of way for broadband; DOT will 

develop and disseminate policy guidance defining broadband flexibilities within highway 

rights of way. Guidance will include, but not be limited to: the use and valuation of excess 

fiber capacity within Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS); shared use of fiber, conduit 

and other assets; and policies for overlashing and pole attachments. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Develop draft guidance document 3QFY16

 Issue final guidance 1QFY17

 Outreach initiative includes national webinar 2QFY17

• DOI/USDA: Explore strategies to create efficiency and consistency in Section 106 review for 

broadband projects: DOI and USDA will work with the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation and other relevant Agencies, like the General Services Administration, to 
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24│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

explore ways to align and create efficiency in Section 106 historical review permitting 

processes for broadband projects on Federal lands. 

o Key Milestones: 

 Inventory existing processes, agreements and policy 1QFY16

 Identify priority improvements and establish timelines for 

implementation 2QFY16

Create Inventory and Expand Access to Federal Assets

• Create accessible open data inventory of infrastructure assets that can support broadband: 

NEC, OSTP and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will bring together and 

organize key Agencies across the Federal government to create and make available, as 

appropriate, a centralized inventory of broadband-related infrastructure assets. The 

inventory will include Federal data sets that contain telecommunications assets, buildings 

and other assets that can be used to support increased broadband deployment. All data will 

be publicly available through a common interface such as data.gov with tagging, or 

metadata to simplify discovery, access and use. While Agencies will not create a combined 

map of Federal assets, the data sets will include Geographic Information System (GIS) and 

other mapping data; the availability of these data sets will enable other providers to 

leverage this information to create regional or national asset maps. This centralized data 

inventory will enable private and public concerns to better evaluate and access the Federal

assets that can be used to lower costs for broadband deployment, thereby promoting 

investment and increasing competition. Agencies supporting this effort include: DOC, DOE, 

DOI, DOT, GSA, and USDA.

o Key Milestones: 

 Define required data elements and scope of inventory 1QFY16

 Provide appropriately formatted data for database 1QFY16

 Make data sets accessible to public 2QFY16

• DOI: Expand utilization of towers on Tribal and rural lands: DOI will develop an initiative to 

leverage over 4,000 towers and other assets on DOI-managed property to support 

broadband deployments. The initiative will seek public-private partnerships to “make 

ready” or upgrade towers in exchange for discounted tower leases, consistent with 

statutory requirements. This effort could reduce barriers to entry, increase competition and 

improve service over 500 million square acres of land in unserved and underserved 

communities. NTIA will assist DOI in this effort.

o Key Milestones:

 Develop “credit in kind” tower lease model 1QFY16

 Develop agreements with partners 4QFY16

 Establish semi-annual meetings (roundtables) 2QFY17
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25│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

4.4 Improve Data Collection, Analysis and Research on Broadband

Research on broadband deployment, competition and adoption has not kept pace with the massive 

digital changes that permeate our economy and society. More research and development is needed: 

research into broadband economics; studies on deployment barriers; deeper study on how 

competitive telecommunication markets work in rural and remote regions; and updated studies on 

broadband adoption and digital literacy. 

Council Agencies recognized the need for more granular data about broadband connectivity as it 

impacts their stakeholders and missions. This can include data on: broadband speeds and quality 

points; wireless loads at community anchor institutions; digital literacy and confidence; metrics on 

effective use; or e-commerce-driven business growth. Opportunities exist to leverage interagency

collaboration to improve data collection strategies and to improve our overall understanding of 

current conditions and needs. 

More than any one study; the Council recommends developing a comprehensive research and data 

collection agenda to prioritize future research plans and continuing to invest in pioneering research 

programs that support American competitiveness. 

There are ample opportunities to engage stakeholders in developing this agenda, executing a broad 

research program and promoting more sharing across entities.

RECOMMENDATION: Agencies will develop a national research agenda, prototype 

advanced applications and improve data collection, analysis and research on broadband.

• National Science Foundation (NSF) and NTIA: Develop a national broadband research 

agenda: NSF and NTIA, with participation from other Federal Agencies and bureaus 

including the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau and Economics and Statistics 

Administration, will develop a national broadband research agenda. This activity will 

comprise a review of existing broadband research and resources (including, e.g., a review of 

Federal research programs, data sets and data collection efforts relating to broadband) and 

will engage the broader research community to understand challenges, needs, and 

opportunities and map out and prioritize the most significant opportunities for broadband 

research. Possible research questions include topics related to broadband innovation, 

deployment, competition, adoption and impacts (including social/economic impacts). The 

national broadband research agenda will also consider how to make broadband research 

(and data) publicly available via open data initiatives. The following Agencies will 

participate in this effort: DOC, DHS, GSA, HHS, IMLS, and others.

o Key Milestones:

 Inventory broadband data needs/assets of Federal Agencies 2QFY16

 Engage the research community and stakeholders/practitioners 3QFY16

 Publish broadband research agenda 4QFY16

• ED: Compile and create national data on broadband in schools: ED will use existing data 

collection tools and vehicles to assess and compile better national data about student access 

to technology in school and at home. This initiative will leverage Local and State Education 

Authority data tools and surveys to create a stronger national and regional understanding 
Broadband Opportunity Council

26│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

of district needs for connectivity, devices and digital content. Results will inform future 

local, regional and national program and policy actions and support the goals and objectives 

outlined in ConnectED and implemented through e-Rate reforms. 

o Key Milestones:

 Identify appropriate state and regional survey capabilities 1QFY16

 Develop additional queries to add to surveys 3QFY16

 OMB approval for new data collection 2QFY17

 Begin expanded data collection 3QFY17

• NSF: Pilot new applications that leverage advanced broadband networks: The US Ignite 

initiative, launched by the Administration in June 2012 with NSF serving as the lead agency, 

supports next-generation Internet applications that leverage ultra-high-speed connectivity 

and other advanced networking infrastructure to provide transformational capabilities and 

services, such as state-of-the-art weather monitoring to improve disaster preparedness and 

response and real-time individual and patient monitoring to improve health outcomes. NSF 

will work with other Federal departments and Agencies to develop a new round of 

application ideas and prototypes to advance agency missions. These efforts will 

demonstrate to agencies and to the public the technological benefits that can be gained by 

expanding gigabit broadband networks, encouraging a virtuous cycle of broadband 

investments and innovations. To develop these applications, NSF will work with partner 

Federal Agencies to convene workshops with academic researchers, entrepreneurs, 

developers, community organizers and users to spur collaborations and advance 

subsequent investments. Agencies supporting this effort include: NSF, HHS, DOT, DOJ, and 

HUD.

o Key Milestones:

 Convene workshops in various verticals 1QFY16

 Prototypes new applications in at least two verticals 4QFY16 
Broadband Opportunity Council

27│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

5. Implementation and Next Steps

The March 23, 2015 Presidential Memorandum established the Council to coordinate actions 

among all the member Agencies in support of the Administration policy to encourage investment in 

broadband infrastructure and promote the adoption and meaningful use of broadband 

technology. It further directed the Council to issue a report within 150 days providing a list of 

recommendations “on actions that Agencies can take to support broadband deployment and 

adoption.”

Over the past five months, the Council sought public comment, conducted dozens of stakeholder 

meetings and held extensive interagency deliberations to explore opportunities to take action. 

Council members have deepened their understanding of the importance of broadband to their 

respective missions and of further actions their Agencies may take to advance broadband 

deployment, competition and adoption in America.

This Report describes 36 immediate actions, with associated milestones, that Federal Agencies have 

committed to undertake. In order to ensure that these recommendations are implemented in a 

timely and transparent fashion, Agencies will provide regular updates to the Council Steering 

Committee which will monitor progress and report periodically to the NEC.

In addition to the recommendations herein, the Council will explore additional actions that can 

unlock even more value across our agency initiatives. For example, greater reach, speeds, and costsavings can be achieved in our broadband investments by adding technical expertise and reference 

designs to support each initiative. As one of its first steps, the Council will explore ways to bring this 

expertise into key agencies, which in turn will increase the impact of the recommended actions.

The work of the Council was shaped by input and conversation with a diverse group of stakeholders 

including State, Local and Tribal government leaders; major telecommunication carriers and 

associations; IT innovators and technology companies; nonprofits and community anchor 

institutions; community advocates and individuals. Their insights were critical to shaping these 

recommendations and will be critical to both the implementation of actions and considerations for 

future actions. Member Agencies will continue to engage with stakeholders to shape 

implementation plans, to gather feedback on the impacts of these changes and to develop future 

actions for consideration.
Broadband Opportunity Council

28│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Appendices

A. Broadband Opportunity Council Member Agencies

B. List of respondents to Council Request for Comment

C. Endnotes
Broadband Opportunity Council

29│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Appendix A: Broadband Opportunity Council Member Agencies

Appalachian Regional Commission ARC

Council of Economic Advisers CEA

Council on Environmental Quality CEQ

Department of Agriculture USDA

Department of Commerce DOC

Department of Defense DOD

Department of Education ED

Department of Energy DOE

Department of Health and Human Services DHHS

Department of Homeland Security DHS

Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD

Department of the Interior DOI

Department of Justice DOJ

Department of Labor DOL

Department of Transportation DOT

Department of the Treasury UST

Department of Veterans Affairs VA

Domestic Policy Council DPC

Environmental Protection Agency EPA

General Services Administration GSA

Institute of Museum and Library Services IMLS

National Economic Council NEC
Broadband Opportunity Council

30│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

National Science Foundation NSF

Office of Management and Budget OMB

Office of Science and Technology Policy OSTP

Small Business Administration SBA
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31│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Appendix B: List of respondents to Council Request for 

Comment

Abilene Public Library

Acton Plan Cooperative

Advanced Communications Law & Policy

Institute

Advanced Superabrasives Inc.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 

Telecommunications Committee

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Alaska Rural Coalition

Albemarle-Kenmore Neighbors Association

Alford, Dulce

Allen, Terry W.

American Cable Association

American Library Association

American Telemedicine Association

AT&T Services, Inc.

Atkins, Brian

Bay Area Council

Benton Foundation

Blegen, Edward

Bluebird Network

Boggs, Harriett

Booker, Joyetta

Bostnick, Janet

Bowers, Jarid

Brenner, David and Marilyn

Britton, Jill

Broadband Collaborative

broadbandnow

Buhrkuhl, Tom and Mary

California Department of Technology

California Emerging Technology Fund

Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce

Canida, Monna

Cascone, Anthony

Casey, Mary Ruth

CenturyLink, Inc.

Charlton, Melissa

Chatham County NC

chebeague.net, LLC

Choice Broadband

City and County of San Francisco

City of Osage Beach

City of Winters

CK Blandin Foundation

Clarkson, Rob

Clegg, Roger

Coalition for Local Internet Choice

CoBank

Cochise County Board of Supervisors

Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Cole, Rollie

Colorado Association of Regional 

Organizations

Comcast Business

Communications Workers of America
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32│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

CompassPoint Technologies, LLC

Connect Your Community 2.0

Connected Nation, Inc.

Conxxus, LLC

Cooksey, Libby

Covelli, Donna

CTIA – The Wireless Association

Daley, Elizabeth

Datagrammatics Inc.

Deere & Company

Deluhery, Rod

Dempsey, George and Veronica

Detroit Community Technology Project and 

the Resilient Communities Program, New 

America

Dross, Polly C

Ericsson

EveryoneOn

Ferree, Nancy

Ferree, Robert

Fiber to the Home Council Americas

Fiberutilities Group, LLC

Fielding, Ed

FireServe Broadband Internet

Fishback, Sharon

Fizer, Paula

Fleming, Gerald

Fleming, Joel

Foundation Telecommunications, Inc.

Free Press

Friend, Diane 

Gaeke, Dwayne

Gaeke, Robert

General Communications, Inc.

GENI Project Office Raytheon BBN 

Technologies

Georgia Technology Authority

Gideon, Beth

Gilchrist, Sharon

Gilkerson, Paul and Joan

Google Inc.

Grate, Matt

Green, Andy and Stacy

Green, Darlene

Hagen, Elaine and Dave 

Hatley, Debbie

Heffern, Rebozo

Hensell, Kathy 

Hetherington, George M.

Heuring, Kyna

Hicks II, Edward

High, Alta

Hogue, Charley

Huntington Ophthalmology, PC

ICF International

Illinois 21st Century Digital Futures Alliance 

NFP

Independent Telephone & 

Telecommunications Alliance

Indiana Department of Transportation

Information Technology Industry Council

Information Technology & Innovation 

Foundation

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Broadband Opportunity Council

33│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Iowa Communications Alliance

Island Institute

Jackson, Karen

Joanne’s Radiology Transcription

JALA International

Jenkins County Development Authority

Johnson, Gary

Johnson, Ron

Jones, Gail

Kaelber, Dr. David

Kehus, Cynthia A.

Kindle, Dwayne

Klatt, Mark and Kathy

Klise, Kate

Kopecky, Randy

Leadership Conference on Civil and Human 

Rights, et al.

Levin, Blair

Lexington Broadband Initiative

Lifeline Connects Coalition

Lone Eagle Consulting

Long, Samantha

Louisiana State University

MacIntyre, Norman

Manfredi, Frank

Marcus Spectrum Solutions LLC

Martin County Board of County 

Commissioners

Mathis, Virgil

McComb, William and Ardith

McGuire, Vince and Lynnette

Metts, William

Meyer, Randolph and Dorothy

Midkiff, Brenda

Minnesota Office of Broadband Development

Mississippi State University Extension Service 

Intelligent Community Institute

Mobile Future

Monroe Health Center

Monte R. Lee and Company

Moore, David

Morgan, Charlotte

Morrison, Melissa

Mozilla

Musgrave, Edward

National Association of Regulatory Utility 

Commissioners

National Cable & Telecommunications 

Association

National Congress of American Indians

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

National Hispanic Media Coalition

National Housing Conference

National League of Cities, National 

Association of Counties, and National 

Association of Telecommunications Officers 

and Advisors

National Rural Electric Cooperative 

Association

National Rural Health Association

National Tribal Telecommunications 

Association

National Urban League

New America's Open Technology Institute

Nelson County, VA

NoaNet
Broadband Opportunity Council

34│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Noel Communications

North Carolina Office of Digital Infrastructure

Norton, Marian

Novak, Lawana

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

O3b Networks

Oregon Broadband Advisory Council

Owen Holdings, LLC

Ostrand, Keith

P.S.S. Inc. (d/b/a “Home and Business 

Electronics”)

PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure 

Association

Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program

Pintar, Bette

Pioneer Broadband

Port of Whitman County

Poyser, Jonathan

Public, Jean

Redzone Wireless, LLC.

Reecht, Paula

Reed, Jane and George

Reese, Mike

Regional Fiber Consortium

Representatives Huffman, Eshoo, Welch, 

Loebsack, Thompson, Lujan, Kilmer, and 

Tonko

Rhinesmith, Colin

Robertson, Gary and Jennifer

Roy, Barbara 

Rural Broadband Policy Group

Rural County Representatives of California

Rural Telecommunications Congress

Russell, Kevin P.

Sapp, Gina

Satellite Industry Association

Saylor, Don, Yolo County Supervisor

Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband 

Coalition

Schultz, Ralph

SDN Communications, South Dakota 

Telecommunications Association

Seeds of Literacy

Senator Amy Klobuchar

Seth, La Vana

Shea, Carol

SMT Rail Corporation

Slaton, Jon

Srinivasan, Professor S., Texas Southern 

University

State of Illinois

Steen, Daryl

Stevens County Washington and Washington 

State University Stevens County Extension

Stoffa, Paul

Stowell, Jim

Strategic Networks Group

Taylor, Everet B.

TechAmerica

Technology and Information Policy Institute

Telecommunications Industry Association

The Quilt

Tom and Betty

Town of Benton

Town of Hawley
Broadband Opportunity Council

35│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

University Corporation for Advanced Internet 

Development (d/b/a “Internet2”)

US Ignite

USTelecom

Utah Department of Transportation

Utah Governor's Office of Economic 

Development

Utilities Telecom Council

Valley Vision and the Connected Capital Area 

Broadband Consortium

Valu-Net LLC

Walker, Angela

Walker, Fred

Walser, Jesse

Walsh, Jeremiah

Washington State University Extension, 

Division of Governmental Studies & Services

Watauga County Planning & Inspections and 

Economic Development

Webb, Louise

Mark Wells

Western Rural Development Center

Whittle Electronics

Wilson, Shelley

Windstream Services, LLC

Wireless Internet Service Providers 

Association

Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission

Zelenok, David S.
Broadband Opportunity Council

36│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

Appendix C: Endnotes

 1 Obama, Barack, “Presidential Memorandum - Expanding Broadband Deployment and Adoption by 

Addressing Regulatory Barriers and Encouraging Investment and Training,” March 23, 2015, 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/03/23/presidential-memorandum-expandingbroadband-deployment-and-adoption-addr (Presidential Memorandum).

2 Over time, our definition of what constitutes high-speed internet or broadband has evolved as consumers 

engage in more activities online. Most recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has defined 

household “broadband” as 25 Mbps for download speeds and 3 Mbps for upload speeds. The FCC 

acknowledges that the ultimate goal is for consumers to have sufficient broadband capacity to take full 

advantage of the services and applications they want to use online. Accordingly, businesses and community 

anchor institutions supporting simultaneous users or mission critical applications may need 100 Mbps or 

multi-gigabit connections to address their needs. For this Report, we consider broadband as a connection that 

supports an acceptable quality of service for the applications that people expect to use in the course or their 

work and daily life. 

3 Council of Economic Advisors, “Mapping the Digital Divide,” July, 2015, p. 1, 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/wh_digital_divide_issue_brief.pdf (CEA report).

4 Perrin, Andrew and Maeve Duggan, Americans’ Internet Access: 2000-2015, June 26, 2015, 

http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/06/26/americans-internet-access-2000-2015/

5 White House, “FACT SHEET: Next Steps in Delivering Fast, Affordable Broadband,” March 23, 2015, 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/03/23/fact-sheet-next-steps-delivering-fastaffordable-broadband. 

6 White House, ConnectED Initiative, https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/k-12/connected.

7 White House, “FACT SHEET: ConnectED: Two Years of Delivering Opportunity to K-12 Schools & Libraries,”

June 25, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/06/25/fact-sheet-connected-two-yearsdelivering-opportunity-k-12-schools.

8 Id.

9 White House, “FACT SHEET: ConnectHome: Coming Together to Ensure Digital Opportunity for All 

Americans,” July 15, 2015, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/07/15/fact-sheetconnecthome-coming-together-ensure-digital-opportunity-all. 

10 NTIA, “Exploring the Digital Nation: Embracing the Mobile Internet,” October 16, 2014, p. 15, 

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/report/2014/exploring-digital-nation-embracing-mobile-internet (Digital Nation 

2014). The underlying data assumes that households have broadband service if they use anything other than 

dial-up. 

11Fox, Susannah, Pew Research Center, “Americans living with disability and their technology profile,” 

January 21, 2011, http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/01/21/americans-living-with-disability-and-theirtechnology-profile/.

12 Id. Pew includes differences in education level and income together as “class.”

13 File, Thom and Camille Ryan, “Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2013,” November 2014, p. 6, 

http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/acs/acs-28.pdf.

14 Digital Nation 2014, p. vii

15 CEA report pp. 4-5, Figure 4.
Broadband Opportunity Council

37│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 16 Id. p. 6.

17 FCC Broadband Progress Report, p. 6.

18 CEA report p. 7.

19 Horrigan, John P., “Digital Readiness: Nearly one-third of Americans lack the skills to use next-generation 

‘Internet of things’ applications,” June 2014, 

http://jbhorrigan.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/8/0/30809311/digital_readiness.horrigan.june2014.pdf. 

20 CEA report p. 8.

21 Prepared remarks of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, “The Facts and Future of Broadband Competition,” 

September 4, 2014, p.2, https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-remarks-facts-and-future-broadbandcompetition.

22 Id.

23 Broadband Opportunity Council Notice and Request for Comment, Docket Number 1540414365-5365-01, 

80 Fed. Reg. 23,785 (Apr. 29, 2015), http://www.ntia.doc.gov/Federal-register-notice/2015/broadbandopportunity-Council-notice-and-request-comment.

24 Broadband Opportunity Council Comments, Docket Number 1540414365-5365-01, June 12, 2015, 

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/Federal-register-notice/2015/broadband-opportunity-Council-comments.

25 City and County of San Francisco p. 3 (June 10, 2015); National Housing Conference p. 2 (June 3, 2015). See 

also endnote 37 below.

26 See endnotes 39 and 40 below.

27 AT&T Services, Inc. pp. 9-11 (June 10, 2015); Fiber to the Home Council Americas pp. 3-4 (June 10, 2015); 

SDN Communications and South Dakota Telecommunications Association p. 2 (June 10, 2015).

28 Fiber to the Home Council Americas pp. 3-4 (June 10, 2015); National League of Cities, National Association 

of Counties, and National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors p. 2 (June 5, 2015); 

Schools, Health & Libraries Coalition p. 6 (June 10, 2015); Town of Hawley p. 2 (June 9, 2015). See also

endnote 51 below.

29 American Library Association pp. 10-11 (June 10, 2015); Benton Foundation p. 3 (June 10, 2015); California 

Emerging Technology Fund pp. 30-31 (June 10, 2015); Connected Nation pp. 7-8 (June 10, 2015); 

EveryoneOn p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights et al. pp. 1, 3 (June 11, 

2015); New America’s Open Technology Institute p. 5 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois p. 11 (June 10, 2015); 

Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Washington State University 

Extension, Division of Governmental Studies & Services pp. 5-6 (June 10, 2015) 

30 Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York Law School p. 16 (June 10, 2015); CK Blandin 

Foundation pp. 7-8 (June 9, 2015); California Emerging Technology Fund p. 31 (June 10, 2015); EveryoneOn 

p. 3 (June 10, 2015); National Rural Electric Cooperative Association p. 18 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois p. 

12 (June 10, 2015),

31 Coalition for Local Internet Choice p. 9-12 (June 10, 2015); Ed Fielding p. 1 (June 10, 2015); North Carolina 

Office of Digital Infrastructure p. 3 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Utah Governor’s 

Office of Economic Development p.4 (June 10, 2015); Wireless Internet Service Providers Association p. 5 

(June 10, 2015).

32 Information Technology and Innovation Foundation p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband 

Development p. 3 (June 10, 2015)
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38│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 33 California Emerging Technology Fund p. 9 (June 10, 2015); Information Technology and Innovation 

Foundation p. 6 (June 10, 2015); Blair Levin p. 5 (June 10, 2015); Valley Vision and the Connected Capital 

Area Broadband Consortium p. 2 (June 10, 2015).

34 CK Blandin Foundation p. 3 (June 9, 2015); Senator Amy Klobuchar p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office 

of Broadband Development p. 9 (June 10, 2015); New America’s Open Technology Institute p. 7 (June 10, 

2015); The Quilt p. 4 (June 10, 2015); Rural Telecommunications Congress p. 5 (June 10, 2015).

35 CTIA – The Wireless Association pp. 27-28 (June 10, 2015); Foundation Telecommunications Inc. p. 8 (May 

28, 2015); Oregon Broadband Advisory Council p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Utah Governor’s Office of Economic 

Development p. 2 (June 10, 2015).

36 Colorado Association of Regional Organizations p. 2 (June 1, 2015); National League of Cities, National 

Association of Counties, and National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors p. 4 (June 5, 

2015); New America’s Open Technology Institute p. 6 (June 10, 2015); National Rural Electric Cooperative 

Association p. 10 (June 10, 2015); Rural Telecommunications Congress p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Utah Governor’s 

Office of Economic Development pp. 3-4 (June 10, 2015); Washington State University Extension, Division of 

Governmental Studies & Services p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Wireless Internet Service Providers Association p. 5 

(June 10, 2015); 

37 Fiber to the Home Council Americas p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development p. 6 

(June 10, 2015); North Carolina Office of Digital Infrastructure p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Town of Hawley p. 6 (June 

9, 2015); Washington State University Extension, Division of Governmental Studies & Services p. 2 (June 10, 

2015).

38 Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development p. 2 (June 10, 2015).

39 Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York Law School pp. 4, 14 (June 10, 2015); 

American Cable Association pp. 2, 7-9 (June 10, 2015); Benton Foundation p. 5 (June 10, 2015); CenturyLink 

pp. 4-6 (June 10, 2015); Fiber to the Home Council Americas p. 3 (June 10, 2015); General Communications, 

Inc. p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Information Technology and Innovation Foundation p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota 

Office of Broadband Development p. 3 (June 10, 2015); National Cable & Telecommunications Association pp. 

2-3 (June 10, 2015); National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and National Association of 

Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) pp. 6-7 (June 5, 2015); NTCA – The Rural Broadband 

Association pp. 10-11 (June 10, 2015); USTelecom p. 4 (June 10, 2015); Utah Governor’s Office of Economic 

Development p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Wireless Internet Service Providers Association p. 3 (June 10, 2015).

40 Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York Law School p. 14 (June 10, 2015); AT&T 

Services pp. 4, 6-9 (June 10, 2015); CTIA – The Wireless Association pp. 11-21 (June 10, 2015); Information 

Technology & Innovation Foundation p. 8 (June 10, 2015); PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association pp. 

7-8 (June 10, 2015).

41 Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York Law School p. 5 (June 10, 2015); American 

Cable Association p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Benton Foundation pp. 1-2 (June 10, 2015); Blair Levin p. 5 (June 10, 

2015); Connected Nation p. 3 (June 10, 2015); CTIA – The Wireless Association p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Fiber to 

the Home Council Americas p. 2 (June 10, 2015); General Communications Inc. p. 6 (June 10, 2015); Google 

Inc. p. 15 (June 10, 2015).

42 AT&T Services pp. 4, 6 (June 10, 2015); Information Technology & Innovation Foundation p. 8 (June 10, 

2015); Blair Levin p. 7 (June 10, 2015); Mobile Future pp. 6-7 (June 10, 2015).

43 California Emerging Technology Fund, p. 27 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development 

p. 4 (June 10, 2015); New America’s Open Technology Institute p. 6 (June 10, 2015); NCTA –The Rural 

Broadband Association (June 10, 2015); North Carolina Office of Digital Infrastructure p. 1 (June 10, 2015); 

Rural Telecommunications Congress pp. 2-3 (June 10, 2015).
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39│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 44 American Cable Association pp. 2, 7, 9 (June 10, 2015).

45 Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York Law School, p. 14 (June 10, 2015); 

CenturyLink pp. 5-6 (June 10, 2015); General Communications, Inc. pp. 2, 5, 7-8 (June 10, 2015); Independent 

Telephone & Telecommunications Alliance p. 5 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development 

pp. 4, 6, 9 (June 10, 2015); Mobile Future p. 5 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois p. 8 (June 10, 2015); Utah 

Governor’s Office of Economic Development pp. 2, 3 (June 10, 2015).

46 Benton Foundation pp. 4-6 (June 10, 2015); California Emerging Technology Fund pp. 11, 23 (June 10, 

2015); CK Blandin Foundation p. 11 (June 9, 2015); Google Inc. p. 16 (June 10, 2015); ICF International p. 10 

(June 10, 2015); Illinois 21st Century Digital Futures Alliance NFP p. 10 (June 10, 2015); Lifeline Connects 

Coalition pp. 2-9 (June 10, 2015); Senator Amy Klobuchar p. 1 (June 10, 2015); Leadership Conference on 

Civil and Human Rights pp. 1-4 (June 11, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development p. 10 (June 10, 

2015); National Hispanic Media Coalition pp. 2-7 (June 10, 2015); National Housing Conference pp. 1-2 (June 

3, 2015); Colin Rhinesmith pp. 1-2 (June 9, 2015); Stevens County Washington and Washington State 

University Stevens County Extension p. 3 (June 10, 2015); Town of Hawley p. 7 (June 9, 2015); USTelecom pp. 

8, 10 (June 10, 2015); Washington State University Extension, Division of Governmental Studies & Services p. 

4 (June 10, 2015); NCTA –The Rural Broadband Association (June 10, 2015).

47 American Library Association p. 3 (June 10, 2015); California Emerging Technology Fund pp. 23, 25 (June 

10, 2015); Foundation Telecommunications Inc. p. 9 (May 28, 2015); National Housing Conference pp. 2-3 

(June 3, 2015); National Rural Electric Cooperative Association p. 15 (June 10, 2015); S. Srinivasan, Texas 

State University p. 1 (May 31, 2015); USTelecom p. 8 (June 10, 2015).

48 See Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute at New York Law School p. 16 (June 10, 2015); 

American Library Association p. 4 (June 10, 2015); California Emerging Technology Fund pp. 6, 9-10, 16-17, 

21, 25 (June 10, 2015); Connect Your Community 2.0 pp. 1-3 (June 10, 2015); Google, Inc. pp. 17-18 (June 10, 

2015); Information Technology and Innovation Foundation p. 9 (June 10, 2015); Island Institute p. 2 (June 4, 

2015); Lifeline Connects Coalition pp. 3-5 (June 10, 2015); National Digital Inclusion Alliance pp. 4-7 (June 10, 

2015); National Hispanic Media Coalition pp. 3 (June 10, 2015); National Urban League p. 2 (June 10, 2015); 

New America’s Open Technology Institute pp. 4, 8-10 (June 10, 2015); Owen Holdings LLC pp. 13-14 (June 9, 

2015); Colin Rhinesmith pp. 1-2 (June 9, 2015); Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition pp. 6, 12 

(June 10, 2015); Strategic Networks Group p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Windstream p. 7 (June 10, 2015).

49 See California Emerging Technology Fund p. 14 (June 10, 2015); Google Inc. p. 18 (June 10, 2015); National 

Digital Inclusion Alliance p. 5 (June 10, 2015).

50 California Emerging Technology Fund pp. 7-8, 16 (June 10, 2015); Google, Inc. p. 10 (June 10, 2015); 

Information Technology Industry Council p. 4 (June 10, 2015).

51 CK Blandin Foundation pp. 5, 7 (June 9, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development pp. 8-9 (June 

10, 2015); National Digital Inclusion Alliance p. 6 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois pp. 5, 9, 10 (June 10, 2015).

52 American Library Association p. 4 (June 10, 2015); Benton Foundation p. 3 (June 10, 2015); CK Blandin 

Foundation p. 11 (June 9, 2015); Google Inc. pp. 18-19 (June 10, 2015); Leadership Conference on Civil and 

Human Rights pp. 1, 3 (June 11, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development pp. 5, 8 (June 10, 2015); 

National Digital Inclusion Alliance p. 3 (June 10, 2015); National Hispanic Media Coalition pp. 5-6 (June 10, 

2015); National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and National Association of 

Telecommunications Officers and Advisors p. 3 (June 5, 2015); Town of Hawley p. 3 (June 9, 2015).

53 See, e.g., Terry Allen p. 1 (June 5, 2015); Brian Atkins p. 1 (June 8, 2015); Mary Ruth Casey (June 9, 2015); 

Charley Hogue p. 1 (May 28, 2015); Ed Musgrave p. 1 (May 27, 2015); Barbara Roy (May 24, 2015); Jesse 

Walser p. 1 (June 10, 2015); Shelley Wilson p. 1 (May 24, 2015).
Broadband Opportunity Council

40│ Broadband Opportunity Council August 20, 2015 

 54 California Department of Technology p. 3 (June 12, 2015); CK Blandin Foundation p. 11 (June 9, 2015); Dr. 

David Kaelber p. 2 (June 10, 2015); Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights et al. pp. 1, 2 (June 11, 

2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development p. 7 (June 10, 2015); USTelecom pp. 32-33 (June 10, 

2015).

55 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium p. 1 (May 28, 2015); EveryoneOn pp. 2-3 (June 10, 2015); Yolo 

Local Agency Formation Commission p. 2 (June 10, 2015).

56 Google Inc. p. 8 (June 10, 2015); Independent Telephone & Telecommunications Alliance pp. 7-8 (June 10, 

2015); USTelecom pp. 21, 25-26 (June 10, 2015).

57 Foundation Telecommunications Inc. p. 3, 5, 11 (May 28, 2015); Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband 

Coalition p. 10 (June 10, 2015); Wireless Internet Service Providers Association p. 7 (June 10, 2015).

58 CTIA – The Wireless Association pp. 28-29 (June 10, 2015); TechAmerica p. 7 (June 10, 2015); USTelecom 

pp. 15-17 (June 10, 2015).

59 AT&T Services Inc. pp. 4, 9-11 (June 10, 2015); C.K. Blandin Foundation pp. 5, 7 (June 9, 2015); Fiber to the 

Home Council Americas pp. 3-4 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband Development p. 8 (June 10, 

2015); National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and National Association of 

Telecommunications Officers and Advisors p. 2 (June 5, 2015); Schools, Health & Libraries Coalition p. 6 (June 

10, 2015); Town of Hawley p. 2 (June 9, 2015). See Minnesota Office of Broadband Development p. 9 (June 10, 

2015); National Digital Inclusion Alliance p. 6 (June 10, 2015); State of Illinois pp. 5, 9, 10 (June 10, 2015).

60 Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Telecommunications Committee p. 6 (June 10, 2015); ICF 

International p. 4 (June 10, 2015); National Conference of American Indians pp. 1, 3 (June 10, 2015);National 

Tribal Telecommunications Association pp. 3-4 (June 10, 2015); Rural Broadband Policy Group p. 1 (June 11, 

2015)

61 White House, “Executive Order 12999 - Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for All Children in 

the Next Century”, April 17, 1996, http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100841. 

62White House, “Executive Order -- Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment’, June 14, 2012, 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/14/executive-order-accelerating-broadbandinfrastructure-deployment. 

63 See California Emerging Technology Fund, p. 27 (June 10, 2015); Minnesota Office of Broadband 

Development p. 4 (June 10, 2015); New America’s Open Technology Institute p. 6 (June 10, 2015); North 

Carolina Office of Digital Infrastructure p. 1 (June 10, 2015); Rural Telecommunications Congress pp. 2-3 

(June 10, 2015).