The following resources provide policy and technical information about broadband financing.
COVID-19 has highlighted the increasing need for broadband access, the Council of Development Finance Agency (CDFA) partnered with Ice Miller LLP to present the Broadband Financing Series.
Council of Development Finance Agency (CDFA) partnered with Ice Miller LLP to present the Broadband Financing Series. The presenters from Ice Miller have a vast knowledge of development finance tools for broadband financing and have participated in numerous projects across the country. This unique series focuses on broadband development finance with an emphasis on the legal, technical, and financial challenges facing communities working to develop broadband.
USDOT-FHWA has been working with the federal interagency group as well as with its own internal FHWA working group to carry out the requirements of the Order, an effort that has been coordinated by the FHWA Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs.
On June 14, 2012, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order to facilitate the deployment of broadband on Federal lands, buildings, rights of way, federally-assisted highways and tribal lands.
Provides guidance for jointly use the right-of-way of public roads and streets when such use and occupancy does not adversely affect highway or traffic safety, or otherwise impair the highway or its aesthetic quality, and does not conflict with the provisions of Federal, State, or local laws and regulations.
The Permitting Dashboard is an online tool for Federal agencies, project developers, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government’s environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects, part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability.
The Executive Order on June 14, 2012 required the USDOT-FHWA to review “dig once” requirements in existing programs, as it relates to the placement of belowground fiber optic cable along highway and roadway rights-of-way (ROW)
This guide offers an overview of federal funding options that could provide financial support to Tribal, state, and local governments and utilities in their efforts to expand broadband infrastructure. We have also included the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) programs because of their wide applicability; while technically a federal-state partnership, ARC offers funding in 13 states.
The 116th Congress may consider various options for further encouraging broadband deployment and adoption, a key issue is how to strike a balance between providing federal assistance for unserved and underserved areas where the private sector may not be providing acceptable levels of broadband service, while at the same time minimizing any deleterious effects that government intervention in the marketplace may have on competition and private sector investment.
The report provides insights on rural broadband infrastructure and next generation precision agriculture technologies.
USDA is prioritizing efforts and focusing programs on rural broadband expansion. A reliable and affordable high-speed internet e-Connectivity, or electronic connectivity, is fundamental for economic activity throughout the U.S. It is the ability for all schoolchildren to have access to the best educational opportunities and for a community to offer the best health outcomes for its residents, at the lowest cost. It can stimulate job growth and innovative technologies leading to economic development.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
The NGA Broadband website features Governors discuss broadband access and education and resources.
