Request for Comments on Connecting the Unconnected Worldwide in Light of the ITU's WTDC-21

As the United States prepares for the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-2021) scheduled for November 8-19, 2021, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is working closely with the U.S. Department of State, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), other federal agencies, and members of the U.S. private sector. The WTDC-2021 will set the priorities and activities for the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector in areas such as connectivity and digital inclusion. Through this Notice, NTIA is seeking public comments regarding activities, priorities, and policies that advance telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT) development worldwide to assist the U.S. government in the development of its position for the conference.

Comments are due on or before June 7, 2021.

Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Office of International Affairs (OIA), National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230. Written comments may also be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Please submit electronic comments, either in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF, using a text searchable format. NTIA will post comments to the NTIA website at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/​federal-register-notice/​2021/​request-comments-connecting-unconnected-worldwide-wtdc-21.

For further information contact Diane Steinour, Office of International Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3180; email: [email protected]. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs at (202) 482-7002 or [email protected].