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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Broadband Map |
Mapping software of broadband access across the country to identify areas that may need coverage the most. This will assist stakeholders in identifying possible areas for expansion of their services and network. |
Multiple | Tools and Templates | Department of Commerce |
| U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Lands |
Mapping for broadband applicants to identify critical areas where a project may intersect U.S. Department of Agriculture lands. This will allow for applicants to ensure that they are aware of where these lands intersect with their deployment plans. |
Permitting | Tools and Templates | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| Geonames |
Geographical database that shows landmark names, can be utilized to identify critical landmarks that may impede broadband deployment. |
Multiple | Tools and Templates | Department of Interior |
| Tower Construction Notification System |
Federal Communications Commission notification system for tribal consultations when siting on tribal lands. This systems allows applicants to coordinate with the different stakeholders when deploying assets on tribal lands. It creates a more efficient tribal review process. |
Multiple | Tools and Templates | Federal Communications Commission |
| FS-2700-4 Special Use Permit |
U.S. Forest Service Policies and procedures in permitting that will assist applicants through the siting process on their lands. It explains how a special use permit is obtained and associated fees. |
Permitting | Tools and Templates | U.S. Forest Service |
| U.S. Forest Service Regions Map |
Mapping tool for broadband applicants to identify critical areas where a project may intersect different U.S. Forest Service regions. This will allow for applicants to ensure that they are aware of where these lands intersect with their deployment plans. |
Permitting | Tools and Templates | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Federal Communications Commission Environmental Checklist |
Federal Communications Commission's environmental checklist to assist applicants through the steps of completing an environmental review before siting a tower or installing fiber. |
Multiple | Tools and Templates | Federal Communications Commission |
| Section 106 Assistance for Users |
Document repository with guidance and background materials about the Section 106 review. |
Multiple | Tools and Templates | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation |
| U.S. Government Lease of Real Property: Communications Space |
Lease for communications space on Federally owned buildings. |
Leasing | Tools and Templates | General Services Administration |
| Federal Communications Commission TOWAIR System (Determines whether registration with the Federal Communications Commission is needed) |
Federal Communications Commission system that alerts the user whether Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues exist with their attempted placement of a tower near an airport. Assists users in planning the location of broadband assets. |
Licensing | Tools and Templates | Federal Communications Commission |