Barrasso, Sinema File Close the Gap Act to Streamline Some Broadband Permitting

projects. The measure would direct the Agriculture and Interior departments to issue new regulations to streamline the process for broadband applications on federal land. It would also create new National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act review exemptions, including for projects on land that’s previously been permitted for deployments and collocation or replacement of radios on existing towers. “It shouldn’t take years for internet service providers to get approval to install or make simple repairs on federal land,” Barrasso said. “Streamlining the permitting process is a vital step in closing the digital divide in rural communities.” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr hailed the Close the Gap Act, saying in a statement it “would accelerate high-speed Internet builds across rural and remote parts of the country. For too long, a cumbersome and outdated permitting process has delayed and deterred broadband builds on Federal lands,” where “installing Internet infrastructure is vital to reaching those communities that remain on the wrong side of the digital divide.” Barrasso’s office cited support from the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, Dish, the Fiber Broadband Association, NCTA, NTCA, T-Mobile, The Permitting Institute, USTelecom and WTA.