Supporting Broadband Tower Facilities in Rural America on Federal Properties Managed by the Department of the Interior

This memorandum directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan to increase rural broadband deployment by making Department of the Interior tower facilities and infrastructure assets more available for broadband use. It requires a progress report within 180 days on identifying usable assets, with model terms to be drafted for facility access agreements.

Federal Register Open PDF 83 FR 1511

Impact dates

Jul 7, 2018
Secretary reports to OSTP Director on DOI progress identifying assets for rural broadband deployment

Key directives

Develop plan to support rural broadband by increasing access to DOI tower facilities and infrastructure assets
Draft model terms and conditions for securing tower facilities for broadband deployment
Report to OSTP Director within 180 days on progress identifying usable assets

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Secretary directed to begin developing plan for rural broadband infrastructure access

Near term (90d)

Drafting of model terms and conditions for tower facility use

Long term

Potential expansion of rural broadband deployment through federal asset availability

Risks & tensions

Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation
National security concerns may constrain asset availability
Vague 'to the extent practicable' qualifier weakens enforceability