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Successful broadband investment requires substantial planning
To invest smartly in broadband networks in your community, the key is to plan, plan, plan. And it’s important that entities work together - cities, counties, states, universities, public schools, hospitals and others.
Without substantial planning, you risk wasting money on ineffective projects that you and your community will regret later.
Take Akron, Ohio, as a good example of the power of collaboration: A new broadband network is going live this summer.
Measuring Technology’s Impact on Community
Guest viewpoint by Charles Benton, The Benton Foundation
The Benton Foundation is rooted in the notion that communications technology is essential to addressing social issues and challenges. This ideal dates back to our founding by my father, William Benton, a public servant who championed free speech and civil liberties.
Like the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, the Benton Foundation believes that all communities in this nation will benefit greatly when everyone has universal, affordable and robust Internet access. We are gratified to see that our vision is embraced by President Obama and his administration. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides significant funds to start the journey toward universal broadband for all Americans.
Increase your chances to obtain stimulus funding
It seems that not a day goes by without another e-mail making its way to your inbox with an invitation to participate in a webinar -
the topic these days often concerning broadband stimulus funding and how to obtain some of it.
In a recent webinar, “Mining the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus,” the Center for Communications Management Information outlined
the three most commonly asked consumer questions regarding stimulus funding:
No. 1: How can I get access to this money? Should I even try?
No. 2: What’s the process?
No. 3: What’s in a winning proposal?
Read more >
Getting your community connected: 10 key broadband principles to keep in mind
As with any large-scale community project, establishing a broadband network requires a significant investment of time and resources. While the
benefits are enormous, the road traveled to realize them doesn’t come without its caveats and pitfalls.
The Knight Center of Digital Excellence travels this road alongside a number of communities every day, steering them in the direction necessary to
achieve the success they seek. We’ve been in the trenches. We know what works and what doesn’t.
We also know that no community is exactly the same. But no matter how different, there is a similar path all can travel to ensure they realize the
full potential a broadband network brings.
