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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
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 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 agree with this recommendation. In its November 2024 180-day 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. We will continue to monitor NTIA efforts regarding this recommendation.
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.

Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Meet Deadline for Processing Permits
GAO-24-106157
Apr 10, 2024
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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.
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