Online Portals for Communication Authorizations

Official: DIGITAL Applications Act

IntroducedFebruary 27, 2025

Science, Technology, CommunicationsGovernment information and archivesLand use and conservationInternet, web applications, social mediaGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyTelephone and wireless communication

Why This Matters

This bill requires two government departments to set up online systems for processing requests to use public land for communication facilities. It aims to make it easier and faster for companies to get the necessary approvals.

If you work for a company that needs to set up communication equipment on public land, this bill could speed up your approval process.

Affects: Companies that want to place communication facilities on public lands and national forests.

Summary

Deploying Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act or the DIGITAL Applications Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to each establish an online portal for accepting, processing, and disposal of applications for communications use authorizations. These are requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, or other authorizations to locate or modify a transmitting device, support structure, or other communications facility on public lands or National Forest System land. Interior and the Forest Service must also notify the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within three business days of establishing their respective portals, and once the portals are established, the NTIA must link to them from its website.

What changes is this bill making?

1. The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to create online portals. 2. These portals will accept and process Form 299 for communications use authorizations. 3. The online portals must be established within one year of the bill's enactment. 4. The public will be notified about the portals through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's website. 5. The bill aims to streamline the process for locating communications facilities on public lands.