NTIA accepts American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Island and the U.S. Virgin Islands' Digital Equity Plan

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Digital Equity plans from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Digital Equity Act, part of the Internet for All initiative and a key piece of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. The program aims to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.

Each territory received $150,000 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program to create a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

NTIA has now accepted digital equity plans from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. On March 29, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), states and territories can apply for funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to begin implementation of their accepted digital equity plans.

In the coming months, NTIA will launch the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, which will make funds available to a variety of entities, including (for example) some political subdivisions of states, native entities, nonprofits, community anchor institutions, local educational agencies, workforce development organizations, as well as territories.

Read the full press release here.

NTIA