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

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, publishes this Notice to announce the availability of funds pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Public Law 111-5 (Feb. 17, 2009), and the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA), Title I of Public Law 110-385, 122 Stat. 4096 (Oct. 10, 2008) and to provide guidelines for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (State Broadband Data Program or Program). The State Broadband Data Program is a competitive, merit-based matching grant program that effects the joint purposes of the Recovery Act and the BDIA by funding projects that collect comprehensive and accurate State-level broadband mapping data, develop State-level broadband maps, aid in the development and maintenance of a national broadband map, and fund statewide initiatives directed at broadband planning.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) hereby makes certain changes to its regulations which relate to revisions to and the public availability of the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (NTIA Manual). Specifically, the NTIA updates the version of the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management with which Federal agencies must comply when requesting use of the radio frequency spectrum.

On April 24, 2009, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a Notice in the Federal Register on the Assessment of the Transition of the Technical Coordination and Management of the Internet's Domain Name and

This joint Final Rule implements the E-911 grant program authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942). The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP- enabled emergency network. To qualify for a grant, an applicant must submit a State 911 plan and project budget, designate an E-911 coordinator, and certify, among other things, that the State and other taxing jurisdictions within the State have not diverted E-911 charges for any other purpose within 180 days preceding the application date. This Final Rule establishes the requirements an applicant must meet and the procedures it must follow to receive an E-911 grant.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) publishes this notice to provide the guidelines for the Low- Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program (Upgrade Program) and to announce the availability of approximately $44 million for awards under this program. Upgrade Program funds will be used by eligible low- power television and translator stations to upgrade from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. Completed applications for the Priority Round must be received at NTIA no later than 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on July 13, 2009. After August 10, 2009, applications must be received at NTIA by the first business day of each subsequent month as long as funds are available. NTIA will provide updated information on a periodic basis at its website https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ lptv regarding program awards and funds remaining for grants.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) publishes this notice of availability of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final FONSI was written to evaluate the environmental impact of the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is withdrawing the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking soliciting comments on the implementation of the Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program (Upgrade Program). After reviewing and considering the comments received following two public meetings, the agency has decided not to proceed with regulations to implement the Upgrade Program. NTIA will establish and implement the Upgrade Program through a Notice of Availability of Funds (NOFA) to be published shortly.

On October 20, 2008, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the closing date for receipt of applications for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP). NTIA now announces that $18 million has been appropriated for fiscal year 2009 grants.

Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The Recovery Act further establishes authority for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to make grants and loans for the deployment and construction of broadband systems. NTIA and RUS will hold a series of public meetings about the new programs beginning on March 16, 2009. In addition to the information received about the new programs during the public meetings, written comments will be accepted through April 13, 2009. Through this notice, guidance is provided as to the matters to be discussed at these public meetings and the categories of information with respect to which interested parties may submit comments.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Rural Development, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host a public meeting on March 10, 2009, in connection with the Broadband Initiatives funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law No. 111-5.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will begin holding meetings with interested parties on Monday, March 2, 2009, in connection with the broadband grant programs described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (collectively, ``Broadband Grant Programs''). All interested parties are invited to schedule a meeting.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announces that it is extending the solicitation period for grant applications for the Low Power Television and Translator Digital-to- Analog Conversion Program. Applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, June 12, 2009.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) publishes this notice to announce the effective date of an amendment to a Privacy Act System of Records entitled COMMERCE/NTIA-1, Applications Related to Coupons for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes. NTIA is amending this system of records for applications related to coupons for the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box program to allow for the collection of additional personally identifiable information, namely the collection of the name of the nursing home facility. 47 C.F.R. Sec. 301; see also 73 Fed. Reg. 54,325 (Sept. 19, 2008).

The U.S. Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposed information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

Pursuant to the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, Public Law 110-329 (2008), the U.S. Department of Commerce announces the solicitation of applications for a grant for the Pan-Pacific Education and Communications Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT) Program. Projects funded pursuant to this Notice are intended to support the PEACESAT Program's acquisition of satellite communications to service Pacific Basin communities and to manage the operations of this network. Applications for the PEACESAT Program grant will compete for funds from the Public Broadcasting, Facilities, Planning and Construction Funds account.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking nominations of individuals to represent the business community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups interested in serving on the NTIA Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG) for a single fifteen (15) month term to commence in January 2009. At the conclusion of the working group's term, the OSTWG will provide a report to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator and to Congress on ways to promote and to preserve a safe environment for children using the Internet.

Pursuant to the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Public Law No. 110-329 (2008), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, announces the solicitation of applications for planning and construction grants for public telecommunications facilities under the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP). The PTFP assists, through matching grants, in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities in order to: (1) Extend delivery of services to as many citizens as possible by the most cost-effective means, including use of broadcast and non-broadcast technologies; (2) increase public telecommunications services and facilities available to, operated by, and controlled by minorities and women; and (3) strengthen the capability of existing public television and radio stations to provide public telecommunications services to the public.

Section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act (Act) requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement and administer a program through which each eligible low- power television broadcast station, Class A television station, television translator station, or television booster station may receive reimbursement for equipment to upgrade from analog to digital in eligible rural communities. NTIA will hold public meetings regarding the implementation of this Low-power Television Upgrade Program (Upgrade Program) \1\ in Washington, DC and Las Vegas, Nevada.

In this document, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) adopts certain changes affecting section 301.3 of its Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program regulations. See 47 CFR Sec. 301.3. Specifically, NTIA waives the ``eligible household'' and application requirements in subsection 301.3(a) and subsection 301.3(e), respectively, for individuals residing in nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and assisted living facilities, subject to alternative application requirements specified herein. NTIA also amends paragraph 301.3(a)(2) to permit an otherwise eligible household that utilizes a post office box for mail receipt to apply for and receive coupons.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) for new two year terms to commence in December 2008. This Notice reopens the application period in order to provide the public with an additional opportunity to submit applications. The evaluation criteria for selecting members contained in the August 1, 2008 notice shall continue to apply.

On October 29, 2007, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the establishment of the Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion Program (Conversion Program) and announcing $8 million in funds available for grants. Pursuant to the requirements of the DTV Transition Assistance Act, Public Law No. 110-295, NTIA has determined that the full funding amount is not necessary for the Conversion Program and herein announces the funds available for these grants to be $3.5 million. NTIA also announces certain changes in the application submission deadlines.

This notice announces that manufacturers that intend to submit, for the first time, digital-to-analog converter boxes to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for certification as part of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program) must submit their Notice of Intent (NOI) before September 1, 2008. Manufacturers who have to date received a certification notice for one or more converters (repeat manufacturers) have until September 30, 2008 to submit their NOI for any additional digital-to-analog converter boxes for certification under the Coupon Program. The intent of this notice is to allow NTIA to better plan and anticipate resource needs to process a finite group of converters.

In this document, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) proposes certain changes affecting section 301.3 of its Digital-To-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program rules set forth at 47 CFR 301.3. Specifically, NTIA proposes to waive the ``eligible household'' and application requirements in section 301.3(a), and section 301.3(e), for individuals residing in nursing homes or other senior care facilities, subject to the alternative application requirements specified herein. NTIA also proposes to amend section 301.3(a)(2) to permit an otherwise eligible household that utilizes a post office box for mail receipt to apply for and receive coupons subject to providing satisfactory proof of physical residence.

Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-161, 121 Stat. 1844 (2007), the U.S. Department of Commerce announces the solicitation of applications for a grant for the Pan- Pacific Education and Communications Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT) Program. Projects funded pursuant to this Notice are intended to support the PEACESAT Program's acquisition of satellite communications to service Pacific Basin communities and to manage the operations of this network. Applications for the PEACESAT Program grant will compete for funds from the Public Broadcasting, Facilities, Planning and Construction Funds account.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S.Department of Commerce (Department), will hold a public meeting on February 28, 2008, to discuss the mid-term review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Department and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).