NTIA Unveils Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit

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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced the availability of BroadbandUSA’s Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit, designed to simplify the planning of a broadband project.

The toolkit is coming out an ideal time as the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocated an additional $2 billion and relaxed some of the program requirements for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

NTIA Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit

Seven common elements that serve as building blocks for the successful implementation of a broadband plan, according to the toolkit:

  • Assemble a Team: develop a team with the necessary skills for the broadband project.
  • Build Relationships: Identify partners for all steps of the broadband planning process.
  • Determine priorities: Formulate clear priorities to aid the community build or expand meaningful access to broadband.
  • Explore the data: Measure current broadband use and availability in the community.
  • Select the right solutions: Choose the methods needed to reach your broadband goals.
  • Prepare a budget: Design a comprehensive budget for various broadband expenses.
  • Plan for the future: Develop a project plan to guide execution of your broadband plan.

The toolkit includes an Excel-based Tribal Broadband Plan template, a complement to the worksheets, to provide information for each element of the process.  The toolkit also includes a guide to help communities assess their strengths, a broadband planning checklist, and a list of key terms and resources.

The new Tribal Broadband Planning Toolkit aims to further NTIA’s commitment to increase broadband Internet access across America, including among tribal nations, NTIA said in a prepared statement.  Tribes can use this resource to be better prepared to design, implement, and maintain broadband plans in their communities.

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