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FCC faces steep challenge in developing national broadband policy
Input from stakeholders features discord, widely differing opinions
By Doug Adams, Knight Center of Digital Excellence
It’s well chronicled how the past nine years have seen the U.S. move from a leader in broadband service to being ranked somewhere in the high teens among all nations (depending on the survey). With slower, more expensive service, our nation is not in the position it should be to make sure broadband services are available and able to foster innovation at home. The U.S. is quickly losing out on economic opportunities while its position as a generator of patents slips to nations with robust broadband platforms for innovation in place.
The broadband stimulus package brings with it hope that the U.S. can get back on track to being globally competitive. While at the same time, with $7.2 billion for broadband on the table, opinions vary as to the best way to leverage this investment. While the broadband investment is both significant and welcome, the jury is out on the economic development impact it will have as the first round (and perhaps future rounds) are focused more on rural and underserved than urban centers of innovation and development. Read more >
Stimulus Workshop deadlines: Register TODAY
Better be quick to register for workshops meant to offer guidance on the application process for stimulus funding to build broadband networks.
The federal government will hold workshops in 10 regions around the country July 7-24. Pre-registration will close for each city approximately 24 hours prior to each workshop. Given the rush for funds, the workshops are likely to fill up fast. If you want to know what they’re all about before you sign up, the NTIA and RUS have made the workshop presentations available here.
Broadband Stimulus - Notice of Funds Availability
As expected, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on July 1 released its Notice of Funds Availability
(NOFA) for the first round of grants under the Broadband portion of the Stimulus Act. The grant application should be available this week on the BroadbandUSA web site. Grant applications will be accepted from July 14th to August 14th. Click here for 5-page highlights of the 121 page NOFA document!
Secretary of Commerce and FCC Chair Announce Urban Funds in Cleveland
July 1st, after kicking off the administration’s rural broadband stimulus with Vice President Joe Biden in Erie, Pa., the Secretary of Commerce and FCC Chairman visited OneCommunity and Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s backyard to announce the availability of urban funds. The Federal Government’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) includes $7.2 billion in stimulus money.
Prior to the announcement, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski toured the Ashbury Senior Computer Center which is located in the heart of OneCommunity’s University Circle wireless network in downtown Cleveland. The center’s users shared how access to the Internet and the training provided has enhanced and changed their lives - creating job opportunities for many. The center was established to implement positive initiatives and provide empowering technology resources to inner-city residents (ages 45 and older). The Ashbury Center was chosen as the location for the press conference because it embodies the spirit of what the BTOP aims to achieve. Read more >
Guest Viewpoint: Put aside the Book of Walled Gardens
By Benoit Felten, The Yankee Group
Ever since DSL was “buzzword of the month,” the “religious war” on whether the wireline network should be open or not has been ongoing.
One side of the argument says monopolies are bad and competition is good. Therefore, if a network is monopolistic, it should be open. The other side says whomever makes the investment should reap the rewards, and let competitors lay down their own network.
In different countries, governments and regulators have taken different sides in the war - incumbents have lobbied more or less successfully and competition authorities have punished monopoly behavior with varying degrees of success. The debate is now so entrenched, riddled with specious arguments, disputable statistics and confusing analogies that it’s become really hard to understand what people even mean when saying “open access” anymore. Read more >
For libraries, it’s high-speed ahead
A view from Cuyahoga County Public Library
While the transition from an analog to a digital age has been apparent, we might not have realized how quickly our world would change. Now, especially for those in public service, we need new models to catch up with the demands and challenges of a digitally-driven social and economic environment.
At Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL), we started down this path early, due to our connectivity, since 2003, empowered by an ultra-broadband network in and around Cleveland. It remains one of the most advanced in the nation for mass distribution of images, sound and information over the Internet.
One thing we’ve learned at CCPL is that with limited financial resources, we must leverage available assets through effective collaboration. We hope our experience and lessons we’ve learned can be of value to other communities. Here are a couple of the key points we can share about the role of public libraries as a catalyst for improved social and educational services to people of all ages. Read more >
OneCommunity, Knight Center leaders receive award
OneCommunity and Knight Center of Digital Excellence CEO Scot Rourke and CTO and Senior Vice President Mark Ansboury recently received the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Supporter of Entrepreneurship category in Northeast Ohio. Rourke and Ansboury were two of only nine winners selected.
An independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders selected Rourke and Ansboury for the award, which recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. According to Ernst & Young, winners demonstrated exceptional performance in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Read more >
Knight community roundup
This month, we’re highlighting three communities where the Knight Center of Digital Excellence Connected Communities (CCT) team has been making great strides: Philadelphia; Lexington, Ky.; and Akron, Ohio. Read more >
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