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Open Recommendations

Broadband Programs: Agencies Need to Further Improve Their Data Quality and Coordination Efforts
GAO-25-107207
Apr 28, 2025
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14 Open Recommendations
1 Priority
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should, for its Broadband Data Collection, formally document FCC's internal policies and procedures for conducting validations, verifications, and audits of the broadband availability data FCC collects and making enforcement referrals. (Recommendation 1)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. 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 assess and document the results of its Broadband Data Collection monitoring to identify any deficiencies in its data validations, verifications, audits, and enforcement referrals processes. (Recommendation 2)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. 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 take steps to remedy any deficiencies it identifies in FCC's monitoring of Broadband Data Collection validations, verifications, audits, and enforcement referrals. (Recommendation 3)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. 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, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and document the scope of what "covered data" (as referenced in the agencies' information-sharing MOU) includes. (Recommendation 4)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. 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, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and document timelines for agencies to submit data on funded awards to the Broadband Funding Map, including any changes to awards. (Recommendation 5)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. 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, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and formally document the agencies' broadband funding de-duplication process. (Recommendation 6)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

DOD Satellite Communications: Reporting on Progress Needed to Provide Insight on New Approach
GAO-25-107034
Mar 04, 2025
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the DOD Chief Information Officer, supported by the U.S. Space Force, reports annually to Congress on the department's progress implementing Enterprise SATCOM Management and Control and hybrid SATCOM architectures. This report should identify outcomes, opportunities, and risks associated with these efforts, and be submitted coinciding with the President's budget submission through fiscal year 2030. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Spectrum Management: Key Practices Could Help Address Challenges to Improving Receiver Performance
GAO-24-106325
Jul 18, 2024
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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
In a January 2025 letter, FCC said it will implement the recommendation through a rulemaking proceeding. Specifically, FCC staff have been directed to identify and seek comment on measurable goals that are appropriate to the information, analyses, and policies that are relevant to individual rulemakings and incorporate that work into rulemaking-related documents. We will monitor FCC's progress in implementing this recommendation and update its status when the agency has taken further action.
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
In a January 2025 letter, FCC said it will implement the recommendation through a rulemaking proceeding. Specifically, FCC staff have been directed to solicit the collection of information and data within the rulemaking process that is of sufficient fidelity to be analyzed with respect to any of the measurable goals for implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in the FCC policy statement. We will monitor FCC's progress in implementing this recommendation and update its status when the agency has taken further action.
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
In a January 2025 letter, FCC said it will implement the recommendation through a rulemaking proceeding. Specifically, FCC staff have been directed to ensure that, as part of rulemaking to address this report's recommendations, it considers internal and external factors that could affect how the FCC achieves goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in the policy statement when preparing briefings and related internal documents. We will monitor FCC's progress in implementing this recommendation and update its status when the agency has taken further action.
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
In a January 2025 letter, NTIA said that to address the recommendation, it has contracted with the MITRE Corporation to study radio frequency receiver performance and make recommendations. NTIA expects the contractor will complete a report in early 2025 and, consistent with available resources, NTIA will work with federal agencies to implement the report's recommendations. We will monitor NTIA's progress and provide further updates on the status of this recommendation.

Tribal Broadband: Additional Assistance to Recipients Would Better Support Implementation of $3 Billion in Federal Grants
GAO-24-106541
Jun 24, 2024
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3 Open Recommendations
1 Priority
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
NTIA agreed with this recommendation. In its November 2024 180-day letter, NTIA indicated that it will provide further technical assistance (to the extent feasible given administrative funding constraints) to support recipients that are unable to implement their financial sustainability plans. We will monitor these efforts and determine if they address recipients' financial sustainability needs.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Priority Rec.
The Administrator of NTIA should report to Congress on the resources necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of TBCP infrastructure projects. (Recommendation 2)
Open
NTIA agreed with this recommendation. In a November 2024 letter, NTIA indicated that during 2025, as more TBCP projects funded during the first round of funding begin construction, the agency will assess the resources needed to ensure the financial sustainability of the TBCP infrastructure projects. NTIA anticipates having the data needed to report to Congress in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026. To fully implement our recommendation, NTIA will need to submit the data on resources needed to Congress for ensuring the financially sustainability of TBCP projects. Tribal recipients of broadband funding would benefit from NTIA outlining the financial sustainability needs to Congress. Without helping to ensure that recipients have achievable financial sustainability plans, NTIA risks the long-term success of its investments in broadband infrastructure.
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
NTIA agreed with this recommendation. In its November 2024 180-day letter, NTIA indicated that it is working to consolidate its technical assistance on a dedicated web page and expects to complete these efforts in 2025. We will continue to monitor NTIA efforts regarding this recommendation.
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