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BroadbandUSA Monthly Newsletter | September 2025

This month’s newsletter is 981 words. It will take an estimated 4 minutes to read.

Highlights | Meet the New NTIA Leadership | Upcoming Events


Highlights

A headshot photo of Arielle Roth

Arielle Roth Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, NTIA Administrator
On July 30th, Arielle Roth was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator (you can learn more the experience she brings to NTIA in the Meet the New NTIA Leadership section below). Since her confirmation, Assistant Secretary Roth has met with many stakeholders across the broadband ecosystem. Some notable engagements include: 

Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Assistant Secretary Roth with Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

Assistant Secretary Roth with Senator Shelley Moore Capito.


Assistant Secretary Roth kicks off the 2025 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium.

Assistant Secretary Roth kicks off the 2025 NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium.

“Benefit of the Bargain” Reforms Turbocharge Speed and Savings
NTIA recently announced that 41 out of 56 states and territories submitted their Final Proposals – with more being submitted every week – that outline how they will utilize Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to close broadband gaps and connect all Americans to high-speed Internet. NTIA has committed to completing its review of the Final Proposals within 90 days of submission. The remaining eligible entities have been granted short-term extensions and will be submitting their Final Proposals in the coming weeks. View your state’s progress at the BEAD Progress Dashboard.

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2025 SBLN Summer Summit
NTIA hosted the State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN) Summer Summit in Chicago from August 19-21, 2025, bringing together over 200 participants, including NTIA staff, State Broadband Offices, and other federal and state speakers. Representatives from 48 states and territories attended to discuss topics such as BEAD, permitting, and Tribal consent, while sharing insights and collaborating on building and deploying broadband infrastructure. Keynote addresses were given by NTIA Chief of Staff Brooke Donilon, Associate Administrator Doug Kinkoph, and representatives from Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Champaign County Farm Bureau.

SBLN attendees are participating in a sandbox session to learn how to use the NTIA Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool.

SBLN attendees are participating in a sandbox session to learn how to use the NTIA Environmental Screening and Permitting Tracking Tool.


Meet the New NTIA Leadership

Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator
Arielle Roth was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information on July 30, 2025. In this role, she serves as Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Executive Branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on communications, broadband, and internet policy.

Prior to joining NTIA, Roth spent nearly a decade shaping federal communications and broadband policy, holding senior roles on Capitol Hill and at the Federal Communications Commission. She most recently served as Policy Director for Telecommunications on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX), and previously as Legislative Counsel to former Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO).

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Adam Cassady, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and NTIA Deputy Administrator
Adam Cassady was appointed as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on March 16, 2025. In this capacity, he provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information in the formulation, development, and implementation of telecommunications and information policies of the Executive Branch.

Prior to his appointment at NTIA, Mr. Cassady served for over four years at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for Commissioner Nathan Simington. Most recently, Mr. Cassady served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Simington, and prior to that as Commissioner Simington’s Senior Legal Advisor, managing a variety of telecommunications and technology portfolios.

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Brooke Donilon, NTIA Chief of Staff
Brooke Donilon is Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  

Prior to NTIA, Donilon was Vice President of Government Relations for NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. She also served as Chief of Staff to Commissioner Michael O’Rielly at the Federal Communications Commission, Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Ron Johnson, and Chief Counsel for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs.

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 30, 3:00 pm ET: Permitting for Broadband Infrastructure Projects

NTIA is hosting a public webinar focused on the permitting process for broadband infrastructure projects. The webinar will review the tools and resources available to NTIA grant recipients and how they can leverage NTIA’s streamlining tools to navigate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and permitting reviews and approvals. The webinar will also highlight the different types of permits that might be needed for broadband deployment, how to secure an easement or right-of-way access, steps for gaining permission to access federal, state and local lands, and strategies to reduce potential delays. 

Register Now