What's New at NTIA

Federal Register Notice: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and solicitation of applications for the Broadband Initiatives Program and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. (Acrobat PDF 321 Kb)
• White House Press Release
• Fact Sheet
July 2, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program. (Acrobat PDF 301 Kb)
• Press Release (HTML version)
• Press Release (Acrobat PDF 21Kb)
• Fact Sheet (Acrobat PDF 222Kb)
July 2, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Revision to the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (Acrobat PDF 301 Kb)
July 2, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Buy American Exemption under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Acrobat PDF 56 Kb)
July 1, 2009

Press Release: U.S. Senate Confirms Lawrence E. Strickling As Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
(Print version Acrobat PDF 23 Kb)
June 26, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Ex Parte Clarification: This Notice provides clarification regarding ex parte procedures associated with public comments on the Assessment of the Transition of the Technical Coordination and Management of the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System, specifically as it relates to members of Congress, their staff, foreign government officials and officials of intergovernmental organizations. (Acrobat PDF 43 Kb)
June 17, 2009

Press Release: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Assures Americans that TV Converter Box Coupons are Still Available: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today assured Americans who are still not digital-television ready that converter box coupons are still available and that outreach will continue to those consumers who rely on free over-the-air broadcasting.
June 15, 2009

Press Release: FCC and Commerce’s NTIA Offer Continuing Consumer Assistance for DTV Transition: As the nation concludes its transition to digital television today, the Commerce Department's NTIA will continue providing consumer assistance after the June 12 transition. TV converter box coupons will be available to consumers who apply until July 31, while supplies last. In addition, the FCC is offering assistance over the phone and free in-home installation for consumers in most areas.
Key Phone Numbers for the Digital Television Transition:
• For questions about converter box installation, reception or other technical issues, or to schedule an in-home installation, call: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322).
• To apply for TV converter box coupons (through July 31) visit www.dtv2009.gov or call: 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
June 12, 2009

Press Release: 1 Day Until DTV Transition: Focus at End of Technological Transition Is On People: On the eve of an historic technological transition to digital television, the focus for the two federal agencies managing the switch is on helping Americans who are at risk of losing their TV signals. (Print version Acrobat PDF 48 Kb)
June 11, 2009

Press Release: Secretary Locke Urges Unprepared Consumers to Ensure At Least One Television is DTV-Ready for June 12 Switch: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke urged Americans who rely on over-the-air broadcasting-typically those who use older televisions with “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna-to take immediate action so that at least one television in their household continues working when the nationwide switch to digital television occurs one week from today.
June 5, 2009

Federal Register Notice: E-911 Grant Program: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a joint Final Rule implementing the E-911 grant program authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004. The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network.
(Print version PDF 400 Kb)
June 5, 2009

Press Release: NTIA to Work with ICANN and VeriSign to Enhance the Security and Stability of the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System: NTIA and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that the two agencies are working with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and VeriSign on an initiative to enhance the security and stability of the Internet. The parties are working on an interim approach to deployment, by year’s end, of a security technology -- Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) -- at the authoritative root zone (i.e., the address book) of the Internet. (Print version Acrobat PDF 26 Kb)
June 3, 2009

Congressional Testimony: Hearing on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers: Testimony of Fiona M. Alexander, Associate Administrator, Office of International Affairs, NTIA, before the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing on Issues Concerning the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). (Print version Acrobat PDF 34 Kb)
June 4, 2009

Press Release: Commerce Secretary Locke: “Time is Running Out” to Receive TV Converter Box Coupons Before June 12 Switch: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke is urging Americans who need help getting ready for the national switch to digital television (DTV) to apply for a converter box coupon no later than Monday, June 1, in order to receive it before the June 12 transition.
May 30, 2009

Press Release: NTIA Announces that Online Child Safety Working Group Will Meet June 4 and Will Include State Attorneys General Representative : NTIA today announced that the first meeting of its newly formed Online Safety and Technology Working Group will be held on June 4, 2009, in Washington, D.C., originally scheduled for May 22, 2009. The Working Group will include a representative of the National Association of Attorneys General. The meeting will be held at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC. (Print Version Acrobat PDF 25 Kb)
May 19, 2009
• Meeting Webcast Archive (The format is RealMedia) • June 4, 2009, Public Meeting Agenda (Acrobat PDF 9 Kb)
• Online Safety and Technology Working Group Background

Press Release: NTIA Announces Availability of $44 Million in Grants to Assist Low-Power TV Stations with Upgrade to Digital Broadcasting: NTIA announced the application process for a $44 million grant program to assist low-power television and translator stations with upgrading from analog to digital broadcasting. (Print version Acrobat PDF 184 Kb)
May 13, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program: 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.
May 12, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Call for Applications for Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on the Department of Commerce’s Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) for new two-year terms.
May 6, 2009

Press Release: NTIA Announces Working Group to Advise on Industry Efforts to Promote a Safe Online Environment for Children: NTIA today announced the Online Safety and Technology Working Group -- a working group dedicated to keeping children safe on the Internet.  More than two dozen private sector and child and family advocacy leaders will help evaluate industry efforts to protect the privacy and safety of children and families online. (Print version Acrobat PDF 27 Kb)
April 28, 2009

Press Release: NTIA Seeks Public Comment Regarding Expiration of the Joint Project Agreement with ICANN: NTIA published a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking public comment regarding the September 30, 2009, expiration date of its Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). (Print version Acrobat PDF 23 Kb)
April 27, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Assessment of the Transition of the Technical Coordination and Management of the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System: NTIA seeks comment regarding the upcoming expiration of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). NOTE: Contact Information Correction: The correct telephone number to contact Suzanne R. Sene, Office of International Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is (202) 482-3167. (Acrobat PDF 23 Kb)
April 24, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Notice of Availability of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program: NTIA published the Final FONSI to evaluate the environmental impact of the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program. (Acrobat PDF 47 Kb)
April 24, 2009

Report: 1710-1755 MHz Spectrum Band Relocation: NTIA has released the Second Annual Progress Report on the Relocation of Federal Systems from the 1710-1755 MHz Spectrum Band, which details progress from the commencement of relocation activity in March 2007 through December 2008. This is the first federal spectrum band selected for relocation pursuant to the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. (PDF 183 Kb)
Posted April 21, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Low Power Upgrade Program Withdrawal: NTIA withdraws the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking soliciting comments on the implementation of the Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program. (Acrobat PDF 42 Kb)
April 20, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Final Rule for Corrections to Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management: NTIA hereby makes certain changes regarding the revisions to and the public availability of the Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management. (Acrobat PDF 47 Kb)
April 13, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Corrections to Part 300, Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management: NTIA adopts certain changes to update 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. In addition, NTIA updates the address where members of the public may obtain the manual.
April 13, 2009

Federal Register Notice: PTFP Notice of Availability of Funds: NTIA announces that $18 million has been appropriated for fiscal year 2009 grants for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. Funds will be available for applications submitted by the originally announced deadline of December 18, 2008, as well as applications for certain digital television Distributed Transmission System (DTS) projects and replacement translator projects.
April 8, 2009

Congressional Testimony: Hearing on the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act: Testimony of Mark G. Seifert, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, NTIA, before the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing on Oversight of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: Broadband. (Print version Acrobat PDF 34 Kb)
April 2, 2009

Congressional Testimony: Hearing on the Digital Television Transition: Testimony of Anna M. Gomez, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce, Before the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. (Print version Acrobat PDF 40 Kb)
March 26, 2009

Press Release: Commerce’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program Now Accepting Requests to Replace Expired Coupons: NTIA has begun to accept replacement requests from eligible households whose coupons expired without being redeemed. Meanwhile, money allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allowed NTIA to clear the digital converter box coupon waiting list.
(Print version PDF 173 Kb)
Dated March 24, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Joint Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Request for Information: Pursuant to Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Commerce's NTIA and Agriculture's RUS will hold a series of public meetings about the new broadband programs beginning on March 16, 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.
(Print version PDF 48 Kb)
Comment form
Clarification (Print version PDF 5 Kb)
Updated March 20, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Broadband Grant Programs Meetings Clarification: As a result of the overwhelming demand from interested parties for meetings and the expedited time frames in the Recovery Act for making the broadband grant, loan, and loan guarantee funds available, NTIA will not able to accommodate all meeting requests received. The agency, however, does reserve the right to schedule such ex parte meetings as necessary to fulfill the needs of the Broadband Grant Program.
March 18, 2009

Press Release: Vilsack, Copps and Wade Kick Off American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Broadband Initiative: U.S. Department of Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps and U.S. Dept. of Commerce Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade kicked off the joint broadband initiative under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today and announced a series of public meetings. (Acrobat PDF 198Kb)
Updated March 10, 2009

Press Release: NTIA Begins to Clear TV Converter Box Coupon Request Waiting List: NTIA today announced that the agency has begun to clear its waiting list for requests to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program as a result of additional funds provided by Congress.
• Print version (Acrobat PDF 39 Kb)
Dated March 5, 2009

Federal Register Notice: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Broadband Initiatives 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.
• Meeting Agenda
Updated March 5, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Public Notice of Broadband Grant Programs Meetings: 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. All interested parties are invited to schedule a meeting.
Dated February 24, 2009

Federal Register Notice: Clarification of Online Safety and Technology Working Group Notice: NTIA is clarifying a notice published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008 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).
Dated February 24, 2009

Press Release: Commerce's NTIA Applauds Congress for Additional Funding to Eliminate Current TV Converter Box Coupon Waiting List
• Print version (Acrobat PDF, 27 Kb)
Dated February 19, 2009

Press Release: Commerce’s NTIA Welcomes Congressional Action on DTV Delay as Opportunity for More Americans to Prepare for the End of the Digital TV Transition
• Print version (Acrobat PDF, 27 Kb)
Dated February 5, 2009

Press Release: Commerce Department Announces New Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information To Assist in Leading Nation’s Switch to Digital Television
• Print version (Acrobat PDF, 32 Kb)
Dated February 4, 2009

Federal Register Notice: NTIA has extended the solicitation period for applications for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) replacement digital television translator projects. NTIA will accept applications for these projects until Monday, May 18, 2009.(Acrobat PDF, 58 Kb)
Posted January 30, 2009

Press Release: Commerce Department Announces Committee to Advise on Management of Nation’s Airwaves: Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced the appointment of a diverse group of representatives from the private sector for a two-year term to the Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee.
• Print version (Acrobat PDF, 32 Kb)
Dated January 16, 2009

Statement: Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Enable NTIA to Accelerate Distribution of DTV Coupons: "This approach would ease the transition for consumers seeking coupons, while maintaining the integrity of the transition plans."
• Letter to Henry A. Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives (Acrobat PDF, 809 Kb) [Identical letters have been sent to Representatives Barton, Boucher, Stearns, Pelosi, Hoyer, and Boehner]
• Letter to John D. Rockefeller, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate (Acrobat PDF, 809 Kb) [Identical letters have been sent to Senators Hutchison, Reid and McConnell]
• TV Converter Box Coupon Program Statistics and Background
Posted January 15, 2009

Federal Register Notice: NTIA has amended the system of records regarding the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program to allow for the collection of additional personally identifiable information, namely the name of nursing home facilities. (Acrobat PDF, 58 Kb)
Posted January 14, 2009

Press Release: Commerce's NTIA Releases Statement Regarding the TV Converter Box Coupons: "We are working with Congress and other stakeholders so coupons can be processed and mailed without delay," said Meredith Attwell Baker, acting administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
- Press Release, Print Version (Acrobat PDF, 28 Kb)
Posted January 8, 2009

Archived "What's New" Material from 2008

Archived "What's New" Material from 2007

Archived "What's New" Material from 2006

Archived "What's New" Material from 2005

Archived "What's New" Material from 2004

Archived "What's New" Material from 2003

Archived "What's New" Material from 2002

Archived "What's New" Material from 2001

Archived "What's New" Material from prior years