National Telecommunications and Information Administration August 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On July 19, 2016, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a notice and request for public comments on NTIA's preliminary guidance concerning how a qualified state may apply to NTIA for required authority to enter into a spectrum capacity lease with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and optional grant funds to assist in the construction of its radio access network (RAN) should it opt to do so as allowed under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act). In response to requests for additional time in which to comment, NTIA through this notice reopens the comment period. Comments received between the August 18, 2016 due date for comments announced in the July 19, 2016 notice, and publication of this notice in the Federal Register, are deemed to be timely.

Recognizing the exhaustion of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address space and the imperative for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) implementation and use, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking input to guide NTIA in future IPv6 promotional activities. Through this Notice, NTIA invites adopters and implementers of IPv6 as well as any other interested stakeholders to share information on the benefits, costs, and challenges they have experienced, as well as any insight into additional incentives that could aid future adoption, implementation, and support of IPv6. After analyzing the comments, the Department intends to aggregate input received into a report that will be used to inform domestic and global efforts focused on IPv6 promotion, including any potential NTIA initiatives.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as part of its BroadbandUSA program, will host a series of webinars on a monthly basis to engage the public and stakeholders with information to accelerate broadband access, improve digital inclusion, strengthen broadband policies, and support local community priorities. The webinar series will provide an ongoing source of information on the range of topics and issues being addressed by BroadbandUSA, including best practices for improving broadband deployment, digital literacy, and e-government. The webinars will be held on the third Wednesday of every month, beginning August 17, 2016 and continuing through January 19, 2017. Details on specific webinar topics and webinar registration information will be posted on the BroadbandUSA Web site https://www2.ntia.doc.gov/ under Events. Powerpoint slides and transcripts of the webinars will be posted on the Web site within seven days following the live webinar.