New Paper Outlines Strategies for Streamlining Broadband Permitting Process

In a significant development for the broadband industry, a group of leading organizations has published a strategic paper titled "Permitting Success: Closing the Digital Divide Through Local Broadband Permitting." This comprehensive guide aims to address the challenges faced by local governments and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the construction of broadband networks, with the ultimate goal of expanding high-speed internet access across the United States.

The paper, a collaborative effort by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy, American Association for Public Broadband, Fiber Broadband Association, Brightspeed, and GFiber, comes at a crucial time. With the introduction of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the largest broadband initiative in U.S. history, the industry is poised for unprecedented growth and expansion.

The BEAD program's substantial funding is expected to accelerate broadband network construction significantly. However, this rapid expansion will place considerable pressure on local governments responsible for permitting infrastructure within their jurisdictions. Many municipalities, particularly in rural areas where BEAD activity will be most intense, may lack the resources to handle the impending surge in construction permits efficiently.

Recognizing these challenges, the "Permitting Success" paper offers a range of strategies and resources to streamline the permitting process. The document includes case studies, strategic checklists for ISPs and government agencies, and outlines three main categories for achieving permitting success: fostering partnerships between permit seekers and authorities, maximizing available resources for permitting authorities, and ensuring transparency and consistency in the permitting process.

Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, emphasized the critical role of local governments in the national effort to close the digital divide. "The historic effort to close the digital divide will ultimately flow through the permitting offices of our local governments. This paper is intended to help those offices and their applicants operate at maximum efficiency," Garner stated.

The paper's findings stem from a collaborative national summit on local permitting processes, convened by the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy. This summit brought together over 30 permitting leaders from various sectors, including local, state, and federal governments, ISPs, civil society organizations, and philanthropies.

Industry leaders have expressed strong support for the initiative. Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, noted, "There is tremendous opportunity ahead to connect every American to reliable, high-speed broadband and to the economic benefits that come with high-quality connectivity. This paper is a valuable addition that will help ensure these networks are built right the first time."

The publication of this strategic paper marks a significant step towards addressing the complexities of broadband infrastructure deployment. By providing a roadmap for efficient permitting processes, it aims to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet access across the nation, particularly in underserved areas.

As the broadband industry moves forward with unprecedented levels of funding and ambition, the strategies outlined in "Permitting Success" could play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of high-speed connectivity reach every American household. The paper's recommendations, if implemented effectively, have the potential to streamline the deployment of broadband infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the closure of the digital divide and fostering economic growth and improved quality of life in communities across the United States.