Frequently Asked Questions
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BroadbandUSA program promotes innovation and economic growth by supporting efforts to expand broadband connectivity and… more
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the… more
NTIA serves as the principal Executive branch advisor to the President on telecommunications issues. As part of this mission, the agency co-chairs the … more
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National Broadband Availability Map: BroadbandUSA offers federal and state partners access to National… more
With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,2021, NTIA will implement the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program, the Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grant Program, and the… more
Through the State Broadband Leadership Network (SBLN), BroadbandUSA can connect you with state officials working to further broadband access in their state. NTIA… more
The NTIA Minority Broadband Initiative is part of NTIA’s initiative to increase minority… more
BroadbandUSA is working to improve digital inclusion by:
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Guiding communities through broadband planning and digital literacy efforts via group technical assistance, tools, and… more
BroadbandUSA staff attends events across the country to speak about the importance of broadband and share best practices and lessons learned. To request an NTIA speaker, please contact … more
BroadbandUSA hosts and co-hosts regional workshops throughout the year to bring together state, local and federal officials, regional and rural Internet service providers, community leaders,… more
In the 21st century, broadband is basic infrastructure just as vital as roads and bridges, electrical lines and sewer systems. At the community level, an advanced telecommunications network is… more
In a 2024 report examining the state of broadband deployment in the United States, the Federal… more
When a user connects to the Internet, the download speed is the rate at which data (websites, videos, music, etc.) is transferred from another source to the device. Upload speed is the rate at… more
NTIA defines Digital Inclusion as individual- and community-level access to robust broadband connections; Internet-enabled devices that meet their needs; and the skills to explore, create and… more
According to 2019 data from NTIA’s Internet Use Survey, 79 percent of Americans are using the Internet from any location, up from 71… more
People cite many reasons why they do not use broadband. However, the five most common broadband adoption barriers are: cost, access, skills, relevance and perception. (See BroadbandUSA’s Removing… more
Broadband allows students to take online courses and access cutting-edge research at schools and universities throughout the world. With broadband, Advanced Placement classes and foreign language… more
Access to broadband is transforming health care. Telemedicine expands access to health care services, particularly for people living in rural areas with few medical facilities and not enough… more
NTIA has published a Broadband Adoption Toolkit to share best practices and tips to help communities… more
BroadbandUSA’s Technical Assistance staff can provide recommendations for public and private financial resources, as well as opportunities to develop public private partnerships, that would meet… more
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A broadband advisor to the mayor of Baltimore met with BroadbandUSA and requested guidance on how the city should invest funds to support projects that would increase local broadband… more
BroadbandUSA offers a variety of webinars to share best practices and offer technical assistance. To learn more about upcoming topics that might interest you and your community, please visit the … more