NTIA is like a start-up within the federal government, despite being nearly 45 years old. We’ve had the explosive growth of a new organization in my first year at the helm: Over one third of current NTIA staff was not here when I took the oath of office in January. While NTIA is still a small agency by government standards, we punched above our weight class in 2022. We delivered on programs to...

By Lisa Casias, Acting CEO, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) 2022 was another banner year for public safety and their network — FirstNet. The network now provides over 4 million connections serving more than 23,000 public safety agencies and organizations. And it continues to bring innovation and special features to public safety users, offering more than 200 unique apps and...

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations for the U.S. Department of Commerce after President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 into law. “Once again, President Biden is showing that the United States government is capable of delivering on its promises to the American people and I congratulate...

Thank you all for being here today. As you know, the Biden Administration is investing unprecedented resources in Puerto Rico’s economic growth through many of your agencies, and we are committed to working closely with partners across the archipelago—in communities and in the government, non-profit, and private sectors—to ensure growth is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.  Hurricane Fiona...

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Rhode Island received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Rhode Island is receiving $5,506,100.07 in funding from the Bipartisan...

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded 18 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling $224,479,717.83, bring the total of the program to $1.5 billion awarded to 112 Tribal entities. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): “A year ago today, President Joe Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a transformative investment that is already helping grow our economy and benefiting American...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Renee Gordon, Director of the City of Alexandria’s Department of Emergency Communications, to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Gordon will serve as one of 12 non-permanent members selected by the Department of Commerce. Three permanent seats are occupied by the Attorney...

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a new Workforce Planning Guide for states and territories to use when planning high-speed Internet deployment projects. The high-speed Internet deployment and digital equity projects funded through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative will create over 150,000 of good...

In light of President Biden’s declaration of emergency for Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Fiona, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information has temporarily waived the deadline for eligible entities to apply for funding from NTIA’s Middle Mile Grant Program for projects that would build high-speed Internet infrastructure in Puerto Rico. The new deadline for such...