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                    Most Recent Reports**1 - 20 of 348 Reports**
	
	

	
	  **Released on   Jan 25, 2024**
          Federal Regulation: Selected Emerging Technologies Highlight the Need for Legislative Analysis and Enhanced Coordination
    GAO-24-106122
      Published:   Jan 25, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 25, 2024
.
    Agencies face challenges regulating drones, medical devices with artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies in a timely manner. We asked agencies that regulate some of these complex, rapidly evolving technologies about their strategies. They told us that they: Use varied approaches—including strategic foresight tools like "scenario planning"—to anticipate regulatory issues Coordinate with other federal agencies and foreign governments to share information and achieve shared goals...
      **Released on   Sep 19, 2023**
          COVID-19: U.S. Territory Experiences Could Inform Future Federal Relief
    GAO-23-106050
      Published:   Sep 19, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 19, 2023
.
    U.S. territories—American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—received more than $32 billion in COVID-19 relief funds through over 100 programs. Territory government officials said they funded key priorities, but some programs were easier to use than others because: Territory governments already knew how to administer and report on pre-existing programs Some agencies provided more support...
      **Released on   May 16, 2023**
          Emergency Alerts: NOAA Should Take Additional Actions to Help Ensure Tsunami Alerts Reach Those at Risk
    GAO-23-105961
      Published:   May 16, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 16, 2023
.
    It's critical that the public receive alerts about destructive tsunamis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sends tsunami alerts to the public via: Emergency broadcast messages on TV and radio Emergency texts on mobile devices Social media posts and website alerts NOAA has taken steps to improve how it alerts the public, such as updating its website to allow easy access to critical information during...
      **Released on   Apr 25, 2023**
          Broadband Speed: FCC Should Improve Its Communication of Advanced Telecommunications Capability Assessments
    GAO-23-105655
      Published:   Apr 25, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 25, 2023
.
    The Federal Communications Commission ensures access to broadband—high-speed internet—is deployed across the U.S. It uses a speed benchmark to assess whether broadband speeds are adequate and may take action to improve availability in areas where they aren't. FCC annually assesses and reports on whether the benchmark should be updated to meet public needs. But FCC's reporting has been inconsistent over the years. For example, the...
      **Released on   Jan 25, 2023**
          Affordable Broadband: FCC Could Improve Performance Goals and Measures, Consumer Outreach, and Fraud Risk Management
    GAO-23-105399
      Published:   Jan 18, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 25, 2023
.
    Access to broadband—high-speed internet—has become critical for everyday life. But its cost may keep some people from having access to it. To make it more affordable for low-income Americans, the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program offers monthly discounts on broadband service to eligible households. As of Sept. 2022, over 14 million households had enrolled—about a third of the estimated eligible households. FCC could strengthen the program's...
      **Released on   Jan 5, 2023**
          Local Journalism: Innovative Business Approaches and Targeted Policies May Help Local News Media Adapt to Digital Transformation
    GAO-22-105405
      Published:   Jan 5, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 5, 2023
.
    The internet has fundamentally changed how local news media operate—particularly by reducing the circulation and revenue of many local newspapers. We convened a 2-day workshop and interviewed journalists, academics, and other experts about the future of local media. The participants discussed strategies news outlets use to adapt to the digital environment and policy proposals to boost the viability of local journalism. For example, direct government...
      **Released on   Nov 2, 2022**
          Satellite Licensing: FCC Should Reexamine Its Environmental Review Process for Large Constellations of Satellites
    GAO-23-105005
      Published:   Nov 2, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 2, 2022
.
    By 2030, tens of thousands of commercial satellites are expected to join the thousands of satellites already in orbit. Scientists and others have raised concerns about the potential environmental and other effects of large quantities of satellites. Companies submit satellite launch proposals to the Federal Communications Commission for licensing. FCC reviews potential environmental effects—unless the proposal is in a category that FCC has excluded from...
      **Released on   Oct 5, 2022**
          Diversidad en la fuerza laboral: Los trabajadores hispanos están infrarrepresentados en los medios de comunicación y se necesitan más datos para aplicar la normativa federal
    GAO-22-105886
      Published:   Sep 29, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Oct 5, 2022
.
    To see the version of this page in English, see GAO-22-104669 . También, la transcripción del episodio de podcast relacionado incluye versiones en inglés y español. A pesar de que muchas empresas de medios de comunicación ahora reconocen la importancia de la diversidad en pantalla e impresa, los trabajadores hispanos están infrarrepresentados en la fuerza laboral de los medios de comunicación de 2010 a 2019...
          Workforce Diversity: Hispanic Workers Are Underrepresented in the Media, and More Data Are Needed for Federal Enforcement Efforts
    GAO-22-104669
      Published:   Sep 29, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Oct 5, 2022
.
    Para la versión de esta página en español, ver a GAO-22-105886 . También, la transcripción del episodio de podcast relacionado incluye versiones en inglés y español. While many media companies now recognize the importance of diversity on screen and in print, Hispanic workers were underrepresented in the media workforce from 2010-19. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Federal Communications Commission share responsibility for protecting...
      **Released on   Aug 2, 2022**
          Spectrum Management: Improved Planning and Interagency Collaboration Could Strengthen Spectrum Reallocation Efforts
    GAO-22-106170
      Published:   Aug 2, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 2, 2022
.
    The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regulate use of radio-frequency spectrum in the U.S. to help ensure there's enough for emerging 5G networks, satellites, and everything else. When there could be interference, FCC and NTIA coordinate with other agencies. We testified about our reviews of the spectrum reallocation process and how agencies collaborate on potential spectrum interference issues. We found: NTIA...
      **Released on   Jul 22, 2022**
          Tribal Broadband: National Strategy and Coordination Framework Needed to Increase Access
    GAO-22-104421
      Published:   Jun 22, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 22, 2022
.
    Broadband is critical to modern life. Despite federal efforts, broadband access on tribal lands has lagged behind the rest of the country. In 2020, 18% of people living on tribal lands couldn't access broadband service, compared to 4% of people in non-tribal areas. Numerous federal programs are working to increase broadband access on tribal lands. However, tribes have struggled to identify which federal program meets...
      **Released on   Dec 1, 2021**
          Telecomunicaciones: La FCC Asistió en la Restauración de Redes después del Huracán María, pero es Necesario Clarificar Su Función en las Labores de Respuesta a los Desastres y Mejorar la Comunicación
    GAO-22-105311
      Published:   Dec 1, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 1, 2021
.
    To see the version of this page in English, see GAO-21-297 . Agencias federales enfrentaron desafíos sin precedentes al responder al huracán Maria de 2017, cuyo causó daños extensivos en Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de EE.UU. El papel de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC, por sus siglas en inglés) incluyó la recopilación de información sobre interrupciones de la red y la creación...
      **Released on   Sep 28, 2021**
          Broadband: FCC is Taking Steps to Accurately Map Locations That Lack Access
    GAO-21-104447
      Published:   Sep 28, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 28, 2021
.
    While most Americans have broadband internet access, many do not—a gap known as the digital divide. Federal efforts to bridge it rely on data FCC collects from broadband providers. We have raised concerns that this data overstates service. In 2020, FCC was tasked with mapping all U.S. locations that are and could be served by broadband, which should allow more precise assessments of where it...
      **Released on   Sep 23, 2021**
          Federal Rulemaking: Selected Agencies Should Fully Describe Public Comment Data and Their Limitations
    GAO-21-103181
      Published:   Sep 21, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 23, 2021
.
    We surveyed people whose email addresses were attached to public comments on proposed rules from 10 federal agencies. From 5% to 30% of the people (depending on the agency) said they did not make the comment. At 8 agencies, most of the comments did not have email addresses. Agencies aren't required to collect information on or verify commenters' identities. While almost all of the agencies...
      **Released on   Jul 20, 2021**
          Spectrum Management: Agencies Should Strengthen Collaborative Mechanisms and Processes to Address Potential Interference
    GAO-21-105319
      Published:   Jul 20, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 20, 2021
.
    In the U.S., the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration regulate radio-frequency spectrum use to ensure enough is available for 5G networks, satellites, etc. When there could be interference, FCC and NTIA coordinate with other federal agencies via interagency agreements and groups. We testified that the agreements and groups use some collaboration practices, but not others. For example, there aren't clear processes for...
      **Released on   Jul 19, 2021**
          Spectrum Management: Agencies Should Strengthen Collaborative Mechanisms and Processes to Address Potential Interference
    GAO-21-474
      Published:   Jun 29, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 19, 2021
.
    In the U.S., the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration regulate use of radio-frequency spectrum to help ensure there's enough available for 5G networks, satellites, and everything else. When there could be interference, FCC and NTIA coordinate with other federal agencies via interagency agreements and groups. The agreements and groups use some key collaboration practices but not others. For example, there are no...
      **Released on   Jul 8, 2021**
          Broadband: FCC Should Analyze Small Business Speed Needs
    GAO-21-494
      Published:   Jul 8, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 8, 2021
.
    According to the Federal Communications Commission, 96% of the U.S. population has access to broadband—an always "on" internet connection—at or above the FCC's benchmark for minimum speed. (Access rates are lower in rural areas and we previously found overall access may be overstated.) Is broadband fast enough for small business owners? As they shift to more advanced uses of broadband, their speed needs are likely...
      **Released on   Jun 1, 2021**
          Telecommunications: FCC Assisted in Hurricane Maria Network Restoration, but a Clarified Disaster Response Role and Enhanced Communication Are Needed
    GAO-21-297
      Published:   Apr 29, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 1, 2021
.
    Para la versión de esta página en español, ver a GAO-22-105311 . Federal agencies faced unprecedented challenges responding to 2017's Hurricane Maria, which caused extensive damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Federal Communications Commission's part included gathering network outage information and creating a task force to support communications restoration. We found unclear federal guidance on FCC's role in disaster response, which...
      **Released on   Jan 28, 2021**
          Telecommunications: FCC Has Implemented the Lifeline National Verifier but Should Improve Consumer Awareness and Experience
    GAO-21-235
      Published:   Jan 28, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 28, 2021
.
    The Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program provides discounts on phone and internet service for low-income Americans. Service providers used to check applicants' eligibility, but by June 2020, most applicants were required to use FCC's new "Verifier" system instead. The Verifier checks state and federal data or lets people submit supporting documents. But the FCC hasn't made people aware of the Verifier, or provided information tribal...
      **Released on   Oct 30, 2020**
          Telecommunications: FCC Should Enhance Performance Goals and Measures for Its Program to Support Broadband Service in High-Cost Areas
    GAO-21-24
      Published:   Oct 1, 2020
. 
        Publicly Released:   Oct 30, 2020
.
    The Federal Communications Commission has a program to help ensure universal access to broadband service in rural, remote, and other areas of the country that are costly to serve. The program provides billions of dollars to telecommunications companies each year to deploy broadband services. But the FCC needs additional data on how the program is working, to help drive decisions on effective use of available...
    
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