National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Most Americans Continue to Have Privacy and Security Concerns, NTIA Survey Finds
Privacy and security online continue to be major issues for Americans, according to a National Telecommunications and Information Administration survey conducted by the US Census Bureau. Nearly three-quarters of Internet-using households had significant concerns about online privacy and security risks in 2017, while a third said these worries caused them to hold back from some online activities. About 20 percent said they had experienced an online security breach, identity theft, or a similar crime during the past year.
NTIA Files Petition to Update Wireless Priority Service Program
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the Federal Communications Commission to update the rules governing Wireless Priority Service (WPS), a program that enables wireless emergency calls to get through if networks are congested. The petition is designed to update rules governing WPS, which were developed in the late 1990s and have not been updated since the program began following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Thirty-Seventh Quarterly Status Report to Congress Regarding BTOP
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides quarterly statutory reports to Congress on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This report covers activities from January 1 to March 31, 2018. NTIA continues to protect taxpayer investments by proactively engaging with these grant recipients to monitor project activities and grant compliance. Each quarter, the active BTOP recipients also report their financial and project performance. NTIA analyzes these reports closely to monitor progress and compliance.
Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act Annual Progress Report for 2017
The Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (CSEA) requires annual reporting on federal agencies’ progress to relocate radio communications systems from spectrum or share spectrum that has been reallocated to commercial use. This report provides details on two separate spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that included: 1) the 1710 to 1755 megahertz (MHz) band, and 2) the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands. This report covers the period from January through December 2017.
New Data Show Substantial Gains and Evolution in Internet Use
The digital divide is showing signs of giving way as more Americans from all walks of life connect to the Internet. Several historically disadvantaged groups showed significant increases in online adoption, according to initial results from NTIA’s most recent survey on Internet use conducted by the US Census Bureau.
NTIA Looks to Stakeholders to Help Shape its International Agenda
In a notice of inquiry, we are asking all interested stakeholders – businesses, civil society groups, the technical community, academics, and the general public – to provide us with comments and recommendations. The input we receive will inform NTIA's international Internet policy priorities going forward. Four broad topic areas and some key questions we think are especially important:
NTIA Requests Feedback on Improving Broadband Availability Data
Congress recognized the deficiencies of the current broadband data collection process when it directed National Telecommunications and Information Administration to update the national broadband availability map. Congress asked us to acquire third-party datasets to augment the information that is already available, in order to more accurately identify regions with insufficient capacity.
Remarks of Assistant Secretary Redl at the Media Institute Communications Forum Luncheon
As we work to cement our vision of the Internet around the world, we’re also focused on getting everyone in the United States connected. A key part of the administration’s strategy for expanding broadband deployment is removing barriers that slow or block new projects. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is working to improve federal coordination around this goal through an interagency working group that we co-chair alongside the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. Our group is focusing on three areas. The first is federal permitting.
Remarks of Assistant Secretary Redl at the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) Meeting
A year ago, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of federal networks and critical infrastructure. The order mandated that all federal agencies use the Cybersecurity Framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In April, NIST released version 1.1 of the Framework, which shows how this voluntary approach can provide a first line of cyber defense for companies.