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Telecommunications

Open Recommendations

Spectrum Management: Key Practices Could Help Address Challenges to Improving Receiver Performance

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4 Open Recommendations

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Federal Communications Commission	The Chair of FCC should define measurable goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 1)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission	The Chair of FCC should identify strategies and resources necessary to achieve goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 2)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission	The Chair of FCC should identify internal and external factors that could affect FCC achieving goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in its April 2023 policy statement. These factors should inform FCC's efforts to develop strategies for achieving its goals. (Recommendation 3)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The NTIA Administrator should assess current information and evidence sources related to federal receiver performance and identify and collect additional information as appropriate. Such information and evidence should align with and address broader spectrum efficiency efforts including objectives outlined in the National Spectrum Strategy and FCC and NTIA's MOU. (Recommendation 4)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Tribal Broadband: Additional Assistance to Recipients Would Better Support Implementation of $3 Billion in Federal Grants

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3 Open Recommendations

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Administrator of NTIA should provide technical assistance throughout the funding period to support recipients that are unable to implement their financial sustainability plans. (Recommendation 1)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Administrator of NTIA should report to Congress on the resources necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of TBCP infrastructure projects. (Recommendation 2)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Administrator of NTIA should include all key technical assistance for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Programs environmental review process in a single location on NTIA's website. (Recommendation 3)	Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Meet Deadline for Processing Permits

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6 Open Recommendations

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Bureau of Land Management	The Director of BLM should develop controls to ensure BLM data are sufficiently accurate and complete to track processing times for all communications use applications. (Recommendation 1)	Open In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management would work to develop data standards and devise a report that can accurately track processing times for communications use permit applications by January 31, 2026.
Forest Service	The Chief of the Forest Service should develop controls to ensure Forest Service data are sufficiently accurate and complete to track processing times for all communications use applications. (Recommendation 2)	Open The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.
Bureau of Land Management	The Director of BLM should continue to analyze the factors that contribute to delays in processing communications use applications as they occur and take actions to address those factors. (Recommendation 3)	Open In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with this recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would analyze the factors and processes that contribute to delays in authorizing communications use applications and develop recommendations on how to resolve the issues. Following the identification process, BLM will develop system modifications to address the delays and issue policy. The Department of Interior also indicated that the policy would also include guidance on how to document and handle issues related to proponent delays that affect the processing time. Interior indicated that it planned to complete these steps by January 31, 2026.
Forest Service	The Chief of the Forest Service should continue to analyze the factors that contribute to delays in processing communications use applications as they occur, as well as the efficacy of the actions the agency has taken to address those factors, and take additional actions as necessary. (Recommendation 4)	Open The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.
Bureau of Land Management	The Director of BLM should establish a method to alert staff to communications use applications at risk of exceeding the 270-day deadline. (Recommendation 5)	Open In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management would develop a standard report within its existing data system and issue appropriate policy to track the processing times for communications use applications. It also indicated that the report would include a method that notifies agency management when applications approach the 270-day deadline. The Department of Interior set a target completion date for these steps of January 31, 2026.
Forest Service	The Chief of the Forest Service should establish a method to alert staff to communications use applications at risk of exceeding the 270-day deadline. (Recommendation 6)	Open The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.

Spectrum IT Modernization: Incorporating Leading Practices Could Improve Planning Effort

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4 Open Recommendations

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Office of Spectrum Management should develop a high-quality reliable cost estimate that aligns with cost estimating best practices as defined in GAO's Cost Guide and Agile Guide for the IT modernization project. (Recommendation 1)	Open NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it is in the process of completing a cost estimate in accordance with GAO cost estimating best practices and developing performance measures for the IT modernization project.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Office of Spectrum Management should develop a reliable integrated master schedule that aligns with scheduling best practices as defined in GAO's Schedule Assessment Guide and Agile Guide for the IT modernization project. (Recommendation 2)	Open NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it had developed an overall plan for the project and would establish an integrated master schedule after it awards a contract for the IT modernization project.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Office of Spectrum Management should finalize its stakeholder management plan. The plan should document a regular meeting schedule for the IT modernization project to ensure covered agencies have the ability to request information and communicate on NTIA's IT modernization project. (Recommendation 3)	Open NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA provided a stakeholder management plan that, according to officials, addresses this recommendation. We are assessing the plan to determine whether it implements this recommendation.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration	The Office of Spectrum Management should develop performance measures for the IT modernization project that clearly link with the project's established goals and have specified targets and time frames. (Recommendation 4)	Open NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it is in the process of completing a cost estimate in accordance with GAO cost estimating best practices and developing performance measures for the IT modernization project.

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GAO Contacts

Carol C. Harris

Director

Information Technology and Cybersecurity

harriscc@gao.gov

Andrew Von Ah

Director

Physical Infrastructure