What GAO Learned About Federal Broadband Programs

This week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a comprehensive review of federal broadband funding programs and what actions are needed from key agencies to help close the digital divide. In May 2022, GAO called for the synchronization of federal efforts on broadband, identifying 100 broadband programs and emphasizing the need for a national broadband strategy. In this new report, GAO examines 1) agencies’ use of broadband availability information and the extent to which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ensures the quality of data in its National Broadband Map; and 2) the extent to which agencies’ coordination of broadband funding programs aligns with GAO’s leading practices for interagency collaboration. The report also highlights state and federal coordination on broadband, with input from state broadband offices and other stakeholders.