The Broadband Inventory is a centralized source for published Federal broadband applications, forms, lease agreements, policies and procedures, and process documents from the 14 Federal departments, agencies, and offices that belong to the Broadband Executive Order Working Group, established by the June 14, 2012 Executive Order (E.O.) No. 13616, “Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment.” The E.O. specifically calls for increased accessibility and usability of Federal broadband documentation to help to promote and facilitate wired and wireless broadband infrastructure deployment on Federal lands, buildings, and rights of way; federally assisted highways; and tribal and individual Indian trust lands, particularly in underserved communities. Although the majority of this documentation is also housed on agency-specific websites, this central document inventory is provided to make these resources easily accessible to wireless providers, public safety, and others who undergo Federal reviews prior to broadband deployment.
The Broadband Inventory below may be filtered by responsible agency, function, and/or resource type to help users find what they are looking for more quickly and efficiently. Below is a general explanation of each “function,” or category of Federal action, for which resources are provided:
- Licensing: Relates to an owner giving permission to an individual or an entity to use real property (e.g., Federal asset) for a specific purpose, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing of telecommunications towers.
- Leasing: Relates to a temporary agreement in which a Federal landlord grants a tenant the right to occupy real property (e.g., Federal land or building) for a specific timeframe, and the tenant agrees to terms and conditions set forth by the landlord.
- Permitting: Relates to Federal authorization or consent to perform certain activities (e.g., construction, maintenance, and/or installation) on Federal property or rights of way,
- Funding: Relates to the issuance of Federal funds to non-Federal recipients for broadband-related projects and the corresponding regulations and compliance requirements attached to those funds.
The “Resource types” category allows you to sort by tools and templates (e.g., checklists, online and software resources, and databases), policies and procedures (e.g., guidance or strategy documents, forms, and processes), or case studies/successes (e.g., best practices).
Title | Description | Function |
Resource Type![]() |
Responsible Agency |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rights of Way Utilities Information |
General information and guidance on Department of Transportation rights of way for stakeholders to understand the concept of highway rights of way. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | Department of Transportation |
Federal Communications Commission Environmental Assessment in the Antenna Structure Registration System |
Full description of what an environmental assessment entails and all necessary components/requirements. |
Multiple | Policies and Procedures | Federal Communications Commission |
State Rights of Way Manuals |
Listing of states' rights of way manuals to easily and quickly identify rules and regulations in a certain state. This listing allows other states insight into how Rights of ways are handled elsewhere. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | Department of Transportation |
Special Uses-Applying for a Permit |
U.S. Forest Service Policies and procedures in permitting that will assist applicants through the siting process on U.S. Forest Service lands. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | U.S. Forest Service |
Special Uses Information |
U.S. Forest Service guides on communications uses of U.S. Forest Service lands. It provides a helpful Q&A and fees for utilization of U.S. Forest Service lands for communications purposes. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | U.S. Forest Service |
Why has my linear rent changed? |
Bureau of Land Management document that explains changes in linear rent. This document seeks to create a more predictable investment environment for anyone deploying broadband infrastructure in a Bureau of Land Management Rights of way. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | Bureau of Land Management |
US Forest Service Manual, Chapter 2730 "Road and Trail Rights of way Grants" |
U.S. Forest Service Manual chapter that details Road and Trail Rights of way grants. The chapter explains authorities, oversight of Rights of ways, U.S. Forest Service management of Rights of ways, and other U.S. Forest Service regulations. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | U.S. Forest Service |
Rights-of-Way Process |
Website walks applicants through the rights of way process to make it as transparent as possible for siting facilities on land administered by Bureau of Land Management. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | Bureau of Land Management |
US Forest Service Manual, Chapter 2720 "Special Use Administrations" |
U.S. Forest Service Manual chapter that details U.S. Forest Service policy/authority/procedures regarding special use administrations of different structures and uses of U.S. Forest Service lands. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | U.S. Forest Service |
Rights of way/Utilities Federal Highway Administration Policy |
Explanation of utility programs, highway rights of way, laws and regulations and additional publications and links on these subjects. |
Permitting | Policies and Procedures | Department of Transportation |