BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

NTIA issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the Broadband Infrastructure Program, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 905, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) (Act). The Broadband Infrastructure Program provides new federal funding for the Assistant Secretary to make grants on a competitive basis for the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The Act authorizes grants to covered partnerships for covered broadband projects, defined as competitively and technologically neutral projects for the deployment of fixed broadband service that provides qualifying broadband service in an eligible service area. See Section I of this NOFO for the full Program Description.

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A covered partnership is eligible for a grant under the Broadband Infrastructure Program. The Act defines a covered partnership as a partnership between: (A) a State, or one or more political subdivisions of a State; and (B) a provider of fixed broadband service. A covered partnership may include more than one provider of fixed broadband service as part of its application. Additionally, a provider of fixed broadband service may participate in more than one covered partnership. See Section III of this NOFO for additional information concerning the eligibility requirements for this program.