The "DIGITAL Applications Act" mandates the creation of online portals by the Departments of Interior and Agriculture for processing communications use authorizations on public lands, streamlining the application process for deploying infrastructure.
Katherine "Kat" Cammack
Representative
FL-3
The DIGITAL Applications Act aims to streamline the process for communications companies seeking to build infrastructure on federal lands. It mandates the creation of online portals by the Departments of Interior and Agriculture for submitting and processing Form 299s, which are required for communications use authorizations. These portals will improve efficiency and transparency, and links to them will be available on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's website. The Act defines key terms related to communications facilities and land use to ensure clarity in implementation.
New DIGITAL Applications Act Streamlines Telecom Infrastructure on Public Lands: Online Portal for Form 299s Launches in One Year
The Deploying Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act—or DIGITAL Applications Act—is all about cutting red tape for telecom projects on public lands. Instead of piles of paperwork, the bill mandates a shift to online processing for Form 299s, the key to getting approval for communications infrastructure on federal turf.
Quick and Digital
The core of the DIGITAL Applications Act is straightforward: within one year, the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture must create online portals to handle Form 299s. This form is essential for any company wanting to build communications facilities—think cell towers or broadband infrastructure—on public lands and National Forest System land (SEC. 2). Once a portal is live, the relevant Secretary has just three business days to notify the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, who then posts links to these portals on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's website. This should make it way easier for companies to find and use the correct forms, speeding up the whole process.
Real-World Rollout
Let's say you're a project manager at a telecom company planning to install new fiber optic cables across a stretch of National Forest land to boost internet speeds in a rural county. Before this Act, you'd be buried in paperwork, mailing forms back and forth. Now, you'll submit everything through the new online portal. This not only saves time and postage but also likely reduces errors, as digital systems can flag incomplete fields or other issues immediately. The same goes if you are a small business owner trying to improve cellular reception in a remote area where your employees or customers are located; the process becomes much more accessible.
Potential Hiccups
While the move to digital sounds great, there are a few potential bumps. First, there's the one-year deadline. Government tech projects don't always have the best track record for punctuality. Delays could mean continued frustration for companies eager to expand service. Second, the new portals need to be user-friendly and secure. A clunky or vulnerable system could create more problems than it solves. Finally, the bill defines key terms like "communications use" and "covered land" (SEC. 2). How these definitions are interpreted and applied across different agencies could lead to inconsistencies, potentially favoring some projects or companies over others.
Connecting the Dots
This Act fits into a broader push to modernize infrastructure and expand broadband access, especially in underserved areas. By streamlining one piece of the permitting puzzle, the DIGITAL Applications Act could help speed up projects that bring better internet to homes, businesses, and public services across the country. It also complements existing efforts to make government services more efficient and accessible through digital tools.