This post was originally published on Network Computing
A bill that would require the creation and implementation of a national broadband strategy—spanning 133 often overlapping funding programs managed by 15 agencies could streamline processes and paperwork for all.
Politicians hope the Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act, if implemented, will help enterprises, states, overlooked rural areas, and small businesses looking to expand their business opportunities in a burgeoning broadband economy.
In general, consolidating a series of related items into a national strategy would sound like a wise move that could result in streamlined processes, time savings, and cost reductions.
The bipartisan PLAN ACT would require the Biden administration to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide and a plan to implement that strategy. The 133 funding attempts are the products of entities attempting for years to close the digital divide by providing Internet for all. The best-known and largest is the Biden Administration’s $42 billion Broadband Access Equity and Diversity (BEAD) undertaking.
A National Strategy (and PLAN) to Close the Digital Divide
The bill mandates the National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) run with the ball. Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the heads of the
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