DIGITAL Applications Act

This bill would make it easier to apply for permission to place or upgrade communications equipment and structures on public lands and in national forests. It tells the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to each create an online portal to accept, process, and decide on Form 299 applications for these “communications use authorizations” .

The portals must be up within one year after the bill becomes law. Within three business days of launching a portal, the agency has to notify the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and NTIA must post links to the portals on its website .

• Who is affected: Companies and groups seeking permission to place or modify communications equipment and structures on public lands or National Forest System lands.
• What changes: Applications (Form 299) move to online portals for easier submission and tracking; NTIA will list the portals in one place online .
• When: Portals must be created within one year of enactment; NTIA posting follows within three business days of each portal going live .