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Open Recommendations

Spectrum Management: DOD and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Should Improve External Collaboration
GAO-26-107873
Jun 05, 2026
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the DOD CIO develops a policy that requires each of its spectrum repurposing studies to have a documented approach shared with relevant stakeholders that explains how DOD considers and evaluates input from external stakeholders when developing the studies. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the DOD CIO develops a policy for future spectrum repurposing studies to require a documented approach to conducting each study, including, for example, the processes used to develop the study and how responsibilities would be assigned within and between agencies. This documentation should be developed in consultation with NTIA and other federal participants, as appropriate. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The NTIA Administrator should develop a policy for future spectrum repurposing studies to require a documented approach to conducting each study, including, for example, the processes used to develop the study and how responsibilities would be assigned within and between agencies. This documentation should be developed in consultation with DOD and other federal participants, as appropriate. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Broadband Programs: Agencies Need to Further Improve Their Data Quality and Coordination Efforts
GAO-25-107207
Apr 28, 2025
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14 Open Recommendations
1 Priority
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should, for its Broadband Data Collection, formally document FCC's internal policies and procedures for conducting validations, verifications, and audits of the broadband availability data FCC collects and making enforcement referrals. (Recommendation 1)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should assess and document the results of its Broadband Data Collection monitoring to identify any deficiencies in its data validations, verifications, audits, and enforcement referrals processes. (Recommendation 2)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should take steps to remedy any deficiencies it identifies in FCC's monitoring of Broadband Data Collection validations, verifications, audits, and enforcement referrals. (Recommendation 3)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and document the scope of what "covered data" (as referenced in the agencies' information-sharing MOU) includes. (Recommendation 4)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and document timelines for agencies to submit data on funded awards to the Broadband Funding Map, including any changes to awards. (Recommendation 5)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC, in collaboration and agreement with NTIA, USDA, and Treasury, as appropriate, should clearly define and formally document the agencies' broadband funding de-duplication process. (Recommendation 6)
Open
FCC agreed with this recommendation in a March 2025 letter commenting on this report. When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

DOD Satellite Communications: Reporting on Progress Needed to Provide Insight on New Approach
GAO-25-107034
Mar 04, 2025
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the DOD Chief Information Officer, supported by the U.S. Space Force, reports annually to Congress on the department's progress implementing Enterprise SATCOM Management and Control and hybrid SATCOM architectures. This report should identify outcomes, opportunities, and risks associated with these efforts, and be submitted coinciding with the President's budget submission through fiscal year 2030. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Spectrum Management: Key Practices Could Help Address Challenges to Improving Receiver Performance
GAO-24-106325
Jul 18, 2024
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should define measurable goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In March 2026, FCC reported progress in implementing the recommendation. Specifically, in a rulemaking anticipating an upcoming spectrum auction, FCC set a goal for how much spectrum it will make available to auction consistent with the principles of the policy statement. In the proceeding, FCC also requested analysis for protecting receivers from blocking or interference in setting rules related to the spectrum bands in the auction. In addition to rulemaking-specific activities, FCC noted that its staff is working to develop measurable goals consistent with the spectrum management principles that can be applied more broadly and plans to provide further updates at a later date. We will continue to monitor FCC's efforts.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should identify strategies and resources necessary to achieve goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 2)
Open
In March 2026, FCC reported progress in implementing the recommendation. Specifically, in a rulemaking anticipating an upcoming spectrum auction, FCC identified strategies for achieving its auction-related goals that included multiple approaches consistent with the principles of the policy statement, including drawing on lessons learned from prior spectrum coexistence experiences. FCC is looking for opportunities to implement the recommendation more broadly and plans to provide further updates at a later date. We will continue to monitor FCC's efforts.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should identify internal and external factors that could affect FCC achieving goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in its April 2023 policy statement. These factors should inform FCC's efforts to develop strategies for achieving its goals. (Recommendation 3)
Open
In March 2026, FCC reported progress in implementing the recommendation. Through recent spectrum management proceedings, FCC identified issues most likely to impede its ability to satisfy the objectives of the spectrum management principles and devoted resources to address them. For example, in proceedings related to space modernization, contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities, and use of the 37 GHz band, FCC identified factors such as coordination, interference from a specific source, and submission of specific transmitter/receiver characteristics as such factors. FCC is looking for opportunities to implement the recommendation more broadly and plans to provide further updates at a later date. We will continue to monitor FCC's efforts.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The NTIA Administrator should assess current information and evidence sources related to federal receiver performance and identify and collect additional information as appropriate. Such information and evidence should align with and address broader spectrum efficiency efforts including objectives outlined in the National Spectrum Strategy and FCC and NTIA's MOU. (Recommendation 4)
Open
In a January 2025 letter, NTIA said that to address the recommendation, it has contracted with the MITRE Corporation to study radio frequency receiver performance and make recommendations. NTIA expects the contractor will complete a report in early 2025 and, consistent with available resources, NTIA will work with federal agencies to implement the report's recommendations. In February 2026, we reached out to NTIA for an update and are awaiting a response.
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