U.S. Commerce Department to Co-Chair Broadband Opportunity Council

New federal initiative aims to boost broadband access, investment, and adoption across America.

On March 23, 2015, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will co-chair the newly established Broadband Opportunity Council, a federal initiative designed to expand broadband access, drive investment, and remove barriers to deployment and adoption. The move followed President Obama’s Presidential Memorandum, which formally created the council and named the Commerce and Agriculture Departments as its co-leads. 

The Broadband Opportunity Council unites 25 federal agencies and departments, each tasked with collaborating with industry leaders, state and local governments, and community stakeholders. Its mission is twofold: to identify regulatory obstacles hindering broadband growth and to implement reforms that encourage competition and faster, more affordable connectivity nationwide. 

The Broadband Opportunity Council

“Broadband access is a critical component of the infrastructure America needs to compete in the 21st-century global economy,” said Secretary Pritzker. “We look forward to working with our federal partners, industry, and stakeholders to make broadband more accessible and affordable for communities across the nation.” 

The Commerce Department brings deep expertise to the council through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). NTIA has played a pivotal role in broadband expansion since the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, when it launched the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. Today, that work continues under BroadbandUSA, an initiative that provides technical assistance to communities seeking to improve broadband deployment and adoption. 

As part of this effort, Pritzker designated Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, to represent Commerce on the Council. Strickling emphasized broadband’s impact across all sectors of society: “At NTIA, we have seen firsthand how essential broadband is to schools, public safety, health care, businesses, and most other areas of daily life. This interagency effort will help marshal the resources of multiple federal agencies to promote broadband opportunities across the country.” 

The Council’s work will build on ongoing interagency collaboration, promoting best practices and aligning federal resources to accelerate broadband expansion. By directly engaging with communities, the Council also ensures that local needs and ideas are considered in shaping federal policy. 

With this initiative, the U.S. government underscores its commitment to building a connected nation where broadband access is not a luxury but a vital tool for economic growth, innovation, and opportunity.