The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has released a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on its framework and methodology for its 2021 Broadband Deployment Report. The Commission is required by Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to annually assess its progress in closing the digital divide. The Commission must determine whether advanced telecommunications capabilities are being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion, with specific insights into deployment in schools and Tribal lands. The 2020 Report concluded that these capabilities are being timely deployed but that there is still much work to be done. All interested parties are invited to submit comments and information to guide the FCC’s analysis in its 2021 Broadband Deployment Report. Comments are due September 18, 2020 and reply comments are due October 5, 2020.
