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According to a Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project study, "The Mobile Difference," nearly 40 percent Americans have positive and improving attitudes about their mobile communication devices, thereby further immersing themselves into a more robust digital lifestyle.
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How will broadband affect burgeoning controversies over health care? The answers to this question and more came courtesy of a Broadband Cenus-hosted, hour-long panel discussion. View a video of the discussion.
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President Obama on Innovation and Sustainable Growth. President Barack Obama has new plans to strengthen the economy that will all favor people with hi-tech educations.
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Elevate Miami, a comprehensive Digital Inclusion program launched by the city of Miami, aims to serve youth, low-income families, minorities, seniors and residents facing barriers to digital inclusion.
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The Knight Center of Digital Excellence held its first Stimulus Webcast Session for Knight communities and program directors July 23. Watch it online now.
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By pushing hard on broadband, lawmakers hope to close the "digital divide" that has long separated rural America. In doing so, they hope to give rural consumers access to the same sorts of high-speed services and opportunities - think telemedicine, distance-learning and Web-based commerce - that city dwellers have enjoyed for years.
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Posts Tagged ‘Rural Utilities Service’
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
A recent event that didn’t get a lot of attention but managed to bring in a lot of the communication industry’s heavy hitters was SUPERCOMM 2009, held in Chicago during late October.
Speakers presenting on their insights and strategic plans included top-ranking officials from many major communications companies such as Verizon Communications, AT&T Operations, NBC Universal and Cox Communications – just to name a few. Verizon Communications Chairman Ivan Seidenberg delivered a keynote address touching on using networking technology to create a “smarter planet, smarter health care and smarter education.”
Private sector interests were also represented by Hardik Bhatt, Chicago’s chief information officer; Jonathan Adelstein, administrator, Rural Utilities Service; Larry Strickling, assistant secretary for Communications and Information and administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Blair Levin, executive director, Omnibus Broadband Initiative, Federal Communications Commission; and Aneesh Chopra, U.S. chief technology officer and associate director for technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who delivered a keynote address on how he feels broadband will change the U.S. economy.
The event featured a number of suppliers showcasing the latest in broadband innovation as well as exhibits that demonstrated an industry-wide commitment to “green broadband,” which explores green regulations, recent studies on business opportunities in the low-carbon economy and how applications like intelligent monitoring can help reduce the energy burden of broadband.
Despite “always on” operation, broadband devices typically don’t consume a large amount of energy on their own, according to a U.S Department of Energy report. However, the appreciable indirect energy consumption they cause through extended use of related devices is proving to be significant. Figures presented at SUPERCOMM showed the standby power-draw from routers in 61 million U.S. homes served with broadband represents enough energy to meet the needs of the entire city of Oakland, Calif.
SUPERCOMM 2009’s complimentary programming also focused on broadband solutions. Technology-focused sessions took a forward-looking approach at how certain technologies were deployed in a network or how a service was applied, and how that technology or service will evolve to apply to future needs. Educational sessions covered topics such as the upcoming national broadband plan, digital content, service-oriented networks and social media.
While a number of interesting topics were discussed, it was good to see such a diverse group of key public and private sector thinkers convene to discuss how future innovation benefits everyone. It’s evident that key players in the communications game are placing an emphasis on broadband technology and the kinds of services and applications it can potentially power.
Tags: Aneesh Chopra, AT&T, Blair Levin, Broadband Expansion, California, Chicago, Cox Communications, digital, digital content, digital divide, economy, electricity, FCC, Federal, green broadband, Hardik Bhatt, high-speed, Illinois, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, Ivan Seidenberg, Jonathan Adelstein, Larry Strickling, national broadband plan, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NBC Universal, NTIA, Oakland, Omnibus Broadband Initiative, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, service-oriented network, social media, SUPERCOMM 2009, U.S. Department of Energy, utilities, Verizon
Posted in Digital news, broadband | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Late this afternoon, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced they are streamlining the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) funding to one round instead of two to increase efficiency and better accommodate applicants.
RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) are intended to expand broadband access and adoption in America, advancing the goals of the ARRA by creating jobs and stimulating long-term economic growth and opportunity. The first round of these grants and loan programs produced about 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion. The agencies are currently reviewing these applications and expect to award up to $4 billion in loans, grants and loan/grant combinations in this round beginning in December 2009.
“This will get the funds out the door faster to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It gives applicants and communities a greater opportunity to come together to form networks and find more creative ways to connect to the global economy through broadband,” said Jonathan Adelstein, administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA. “We are listening to applicants, reviewing applications received, and all indications suggest a need to revisit the application process. We will consider changes in the next NOFA [Notice of Funding Availability] to make the process more ‘applicant friendly’ from beginning to end.”
The agencies also announced they are seeking public comment on how best to administer the second round of funding for the programs in order to improve the applicant experience and maximize the ability of the programs to meet ARRA objectives. In a Request for Information (RFI) released today, the agencies are seeking feedback on procedural and policy aspects of BIP and BTOP. While inviting general input on the programs, the agencies identified specific areas for comment.
RUS and NTIA will utilize the feedback received in response to the RFI to set the rules for the second funding round, which the agencies expect to announce through a Notice of Funding Availability early next year.
Tags: Add new tag, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, digital, Internet, Jonathan Adelstein, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NOFA, Notice of Funding Availability, NTIA, Request for Information, RFI, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch, U.S. Department of Commerce, USDA
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, RUS, Stimulus Package | 5 Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
During the recent 2009 FTTH Council Conference & Expo, Rural Utility Service (RUS) Deputy Administrator Jessica Zufolo ended rampant speculation by confirming the RUS and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are strongly leaning towards merging the scheduled second and third rounds of broadband stimulus funding. Zufolo said the second round Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) would be issued in December, with funding to be doled out in summer 2010. In addition, the agencies will issue a request for information asking the public to provide some guidance on how to construct the next NOFA.
Saying the RUS is “painfully aware” of the numerous problems that plagued the first-round application process, Zufolo stated, “Everything is on the table for round two, and we want as much feedback as possible on how to expand the applicant pool to include more rural areas that are unserved by broadband.”
With this critical piece of information finally confirmed by an RUS administrator, it’s time to start thinking what the news means for potential second-round applicants.
On one hand, those who didn’t submit proposals in round one, weren’t successful and are contemplating another effort, or were going to wait for the third round to apply are now forced to “go for broke.”
On the other hand, taking more time with a single, second process could facilitate broader, more creative proposals that lead to better, more impactful projects.
The Knight Center of Digital Excellence sees the compressed timeline almost forcing the RUS and NTIA to combine the rounds if they truly want this to be a “stimulus” project. If they kept the third round for next year, as originally scheduled, they might have lost the “stimulating” of the economy effect. (According to an earlier schedule, all BTOP funds should have been awarded Sept. 30, and the round two BTOP Request for Information should be released this fall.)
But if Zufolo’s comments at the expo are any indication, it seems both agencies are committed to taking the necessary time to ensure the application process is run in a more efficient and effective manner. Her statements also show public input will play a role in how everything shapes up.
Tags: 2009 FTTH Council Conference & Expo, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, infrastructure, Internet, Jessica Zufolo, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NOFA, Notice of Funding Availability, NTIA, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, NTIA, RUS, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
The numbers are in: 2,200 applications are requesting $27.6 billion in first round broadband stimulus funding.
The problem: There’s only $4.3 billion available.
Welcome to the competition.
According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), applications were submitted by a diverse range of applicants, including state, local and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; industry; anchor institutions, such as libraries, universities, community colleges and hospitals; public safety organizations; and other entities in rural, suburban and urban areas.
While the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a total of $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funding, approximately $2.4 billion from RUS and up to $1.6 billion from NTIA is available in this first grant round.
According to a preliminary analysis of applicant-reported data, the applications break down as follows:
Infrastructure
• More than 260 applications were filed solely with NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), requesting over $5.4 billion in grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas.
• More than 400 applications were filed solely with RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP), requesting nearly $5 billion in grants and loans for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.
• More than 830 applications were both BTOP and BIP filings that requesting nearly $12.8 billion in infrastructure funding. (Applicants for infrastructure projects in rural areas had to apply for BIP funding, but were given the opportunity to jointly apply to BTOP in case the RUS declines to fund their application.)
Sustainable Broadband Adoption
• More than 320 applications were filed with NTIA requesting nearly $2.5 billion in grants from BTOP for projects that promote sustainable demand for broadband services. (The ARRA directs NTIA to make at least $250 million available for programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services. Up to $150 million is allocated in the first round.)
Public Computer Centers
• More than 360 applications were filed with NTIA requesting more than $1.9 billion in grants from BTOP for public computer center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges and other institutions (The ARRA directs NTIA to make at least $200 million available for expanding public computer center capacity. Up to $50 million is allocated in the first round.)
Keep in mind the numbers released today represent applicants’ self-reported totals from proposals submitted before the Aug. 20 deadline. Both organizations said these results are preliminary estimates and may change as the applications are reviewed for errors, omissions and duplicates. Both organizations said they would post a searchable database containing summaries of all applications received within a few weeks.
However, the numbers clearly show the demand for broadband expansion across the country. And both organizations seem committed to getting the money necessary for this expansion in the hands of applicants as quickly (and as carefully) as possible.
Read the Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s, “Back to your corners; Round one is over,” for information on some upcoming dates as they relate to BTOP funding.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, ARRA, BIP, broadband, Broadband Expansion, broadband grants, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, rural communities, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus, stimulus application, stimulus watch, underserved, unserved
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, RUS, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
The deadline for stimulus applications for both the RUS’ Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA’s Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program (BTOP) will be upon us shortly: Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. Eastern (New York) time to be exact.
To help matters, the team at the Knight Center of Digital Excellence would like to offer some resources to help break down the BIP application scoring criteria.
According to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the priority for BIP is to “provide and improve broadband service to the highest proportion of rural residents who do not have adequate access to broadband services.” Today we will share detailed breakdowns of each of the BIP scoring criteria in an effort to simplify your community’s application to qualify for as many points as possible.
The basic criteria and points possible
| 1) Project purpose: |
25 points |
| 2) Project benefits: |
25 points |
| 3) Project viability: |
25 points |
| 4) Project budget and sustainability: |
25 points |
| Total points available: |
100 points |
| READ MORE |
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, application, BIP, broadband, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, BTOP, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Stimulus Package, broadband | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
All industries have their own lexicon and acronyms that one needs to be proficient in to “talk the talk.” The world of broadband stimulus is no different. Are you lost in the world of acronyms? Here’s the Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s cheat sheet:
ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the government’s strategic and significant investment in our country’s future. This includes $7.2 billion for broadband infrastructure.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
The FCC is currently working in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Specifically working in conjunction with the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) established by the ARRA, the FCC has been tasked with creating a National Broadband Plan by Feb. 17, 2010.
NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration)
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising President Barack Obama on telecommunications and information policies.
RUS (Rural Utilities Service)
A program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the RUS provides programs to finance rural America’s telecommunications infrastructure. The Broadband Loan program provides loans to fund the costs of constructing, improving and acquiring facilities to provide broadband service to eligible rural communities.
BIP (Broadband Initiatives Program)
BIP is a program of U.S. Department of Agriculture that is administered by RUS and will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.
BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program)
BTOP is a NTIA program to provide grants for funding broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects.
NOFA (Notice of Fund Availability)
On July 1, 2009, RUS and NTIA announced a joint Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to be published in the Federal Register seeking applications for funding.
Tags: Add new tag, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, ARRA, BIP, broadband, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, FCC, infrastructure, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, rural communities, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a document containing some important information regarding the structure and substance of federal broadband funding guidelines expected by July 1.
This is crucial for prospective grant and loan applicants in the process of planning application strategies and setting schedules for competitive filings.
In defining the strategy of the $2.5 billion broadband program to be administered by RUS, the document states RUS will offer grants, direct loans and loan/grant combos.
However, it’s the definition of “priority” that many communities will be looking towards. According to the document, RUS will give priority to projects that will deliver end users a choice of more than one service provider, provide service to the highest proportion of rural residents that do not have access to broadband service, from current and former RUS Title II borrowers and that can commence immediately upon approval.
All in all, this document shows the RUS is taking steps – in coordination with FCC and NTIA – positive steps.
It’s yet another part of an ongoing transformation of our nation and our infrastructure – a transformation that will be shaped by the many programs communities and cities are planning to seek funding for. It is also in line with other RUS plans, which include a 75 percent investment in our rural areas and the July launch of a broadband awareness and training campaign.
The Knight Center of Digital Excellence will continue to monitor the ongoing progress and new developments regarding funding opportunities. Check out our Stimulus Center for daily updates and be sure to send us your questions and recommendations.
In the meantime, communities and cities should still explore and coordinate during this interim instead of waiting for official documents to be released. Keep in mind that at some point in the future, every single American is going to recognize this period as a “turning point” for our great nation and people. There’s no time to waste in planning for programs that will create present and future benefit.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, broadband, Broadband Expansion, community, digital, digital divide, economy, education, FCC, high-speed, infrastructure, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, NTIA, rural communities, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, RUS Title II, stimulus, Stimulus Center, stimulus watch, USDA
Posted in Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
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