OPAD is responsible for NTIA's domestic telecommunications policy development. OPAD develops policy recommendations on the introduction of competition into, and deregulation of, U.S. telecommunications and information industries, including traditional common carrier services, mass media (broadcasting and cable), and other issues, such as universal service relating to the National Information Infrastructure (NII).
In addition, OPAD prepares wide-ranging studies of the U.S. telecommunications industry and of the public policies that affect it. With NTIA's Office of Chief Counsel, OPAD prepares comments advocating the Administration's position on telecommunications policy proceedings conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and helps prepare testimony on legislative issues before Congress.
OPAD also administers NTIA's Minority Telecommunications Development Program (MTDP), which was created to develop programs and policies that promote the growth and development of minority ownership in the telecommunications industry. MTDP's ComTrain program provides training in broadcast management for minority owners of full-service commercial radio and television stations who have been in business less than three years.
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