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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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Posts Tagged ‘stimulus’
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Both the RUS and NTIA have found another solution to the continued problems that have been plaguing the electronic broadband stimulus funding application process.
Extend the deadline – again.
While all core electronic applications need to be completed and submitted by the initial Aug. 20, 5 p.m. (EDT) extended deadline, applicants who have been unable to upload any attachments now have the option to hand-deliver or mail them. Those who choose to submit materials via a manual delivery service must ensure arrival by 5 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 24. Again, this will only be available for applicants who have already completed and submitted their core application electronically by the initial extended deadline: Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. (EDT)
According to BroadbandUSA, applicants that choose a delivery service requiring a contact name and telephone number should use LaShemma Simmons, (888) 861-5509 [option 5].
Be sure to read the BIP/BTOP NOFA Method of Acceptance of Supplemental Attachments to ensure you follow the proper procedure for manually delivered materials.
For those still attempting online submission, be aware that some users have been experiencing problems with certain browsers. According to BroadbandUSA, the situation is being looked into, though for now, it is advised that applicants try a different browser, such as Firefox. If this workaround is successful, be sure to notify BroadbandUSA at Helpdesk@broadbandusa.gov so the information can be passed around to other applicants.
As usual, the Knight Center of Digital Excellence will continue to monitor the process and inform you of any crucial updates.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, core application, Firefox, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, LeShemma Simmons, NTIA, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Stimulus Package | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
As the Aug. 20 deadline for broadband stimulus applications comes closer, BroadbandUSA is releasing more crucial system updates:
“We have worked over this weekend to increase the efficiency of the intake system. We want to encourage you to log on and complete your applications as soon as possible so that you can avoid the rush on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Applicants should note that uploads larger than 16 megabits will not be accepted by the system. If you do not convert your upload files to a .pdf format prior to uploading, please be sure to use another standard format such as [Microsoft] Word or Excel. The system will reject .zip files and .html files and this will delay your application.
“In addition, if you encounter technical issues, please let us know immediately so that we can work through them. Please send us an e-mail with issues at Helpdesk@broadbandusa.gov.”
In short, be careful if you plan on waiting till the last minute to submit – it may become a lost cause by then.
For more information on how to avoid technical problems when submitting your application, read the Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s “You can help the stimulus application process run smoothly.” It features important tips to help the efficient processing of your application.
Tags: BIP, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, NTIA, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Stimulus Package | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 17th, 2009
As the Knight Center of Digital Excellence has previously written, many broadband stimulus applicants have run into a few technical road bumps while working to meet submission deadlines. (“Stimulus submission software glitches prompt an extension in electronic submission closing deadline”)
However, a few suggestions recently posted on BroadbandUSA may help applicants avoid some of those major software glitches while making the process more efficient for each other:
• Decrease generation of PDFs: Problems applicants were having in creating and storing PDFs proved to be a major reason why the system was getting bogged down last week. To reduce lag time, BroadbandUSA suggests applicants avoid creating PDFs while still working through the application, only doing so once the application is finished (or if creating a PDF is absolutely necessary).
According to BroadbandUSA, “when you upload a file, the system converts the file to PDF format for storage. This is causing a system bottleneck in an effort to convert the high volume of files we are receiving. That is the reason you often cannot view the file immediately after upload. The upload worked but the file is in the conversion queue. The number of files in the conversion queue will impact how long it takes before your file is converted.”
• Convert files yourself: While BroadbandUSA states, “We have more than doubled the server capacity to handle the spike in traffic, and are currently improving the processing power of our application to reduce system latency,” avoid being part of the bottleneck problem and convert your files to PDF format before uploading anything. Don’t have the software to do this? Don’t know how? There are a variety of free and easy-to-use products you can download or use online. Search for “free pdf convertor” or “convert to pdf.”
• Submit attachments once: Clicking the “upload” button more than once will not upload your files faster. With most online applications, this actually resets the process.
• Submit applications early and during non-business hours: BroadbandUSA suggests applicants submit application materials before the Aug. 20 deadline and after 8 p.m. (EST). To be safe, we recommend that you have your application completed by Wednesday (Aug. 19).
These are some simple tips BroadbandUSA offered to help its system run more efficiently, help you speed your application processing and ensure all applications are filed by the deadline. Keep in mind that if you have further questions, BroadbandUSA has extended its help desk hours this week and will operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Also be sure to pay attention to additional clarifying messages that have been posted throughout the step-by-step application process to help applicants navigate the process successfully.
Tags: BIP, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, NTIA, PDF files, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in Digital news, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Monday, August 17th, 2009
More than half of Americans have been hit hard during the current recession in a number of ways, according to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project study (“The Internet and the Recession”):
• 35 percent of Americans have seen their investments lose more than half their value;
• 27 percent of those employed full time or part-time have had their pay cut, hours reduced, or benefits slashed;
• 27 percent of homeowners have seen the value of their home reduced by at least half; and
• 14 percent of Americans have been laid off or lost their jobs.
Startling numbers, to be sure. But guess where a large portion of these Americans are going for help - the Internet.
According to the Pew study, roughly 69 percent of Americans have used the Internet to cope with the recession in the past year “as they hunt for bargains, jobs, ways to upgrade their skills, better investment strategies, housing options and government benefits. That amounts to 88 percent of adult Internet users in the country.”
While many Americans still tend to rely on traditional media outlets for economic and personal finance information, the Internet is quickly closing the gap. And for those who have broadband at home, the Internet has become the favored option. A little more than half (52 percent) of the 64 percent of Americans who have broadband Internet at home cite the Internet as the preferred medium for personal finance information. Eighteen percent of adults said they search at least once a day for recession-related material.
And they’re not just learning – they’re contributing to the discussion. The study cites 34 percent of “online economic users” – about 30 percent of the online population and 23 percent of the entire adult population – have contributed content and commentary about the recession online.
These facts are just a few of the answers to the big broadband question, “So what?” At the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, a big part of our job is to help Knight communities understand the value of broadband Internet – to show them how to answer the “so whats” in their efforts to connect.
It’s no secret the recession has affected the better portion of our nation. And if we haven’t been directly affected, we probably know someone who has been – in a very dramatic way. The Pew study shows that the Internet is becoming a necessary, multi-functional tool for people looking to ease their recession burdens.
For a further look at how the Internet is changing our economy for the better, read the Knight Center’s “Advertising-supported Internet presenting new opportunities.”
Tags: broadband, Broadband Expansion, community, digital, economy, high-speed, innovation, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, mass media, network, Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project, print media, recession, recovery.gov, so what, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Opinion | No Comments »
Friday, August 14th, 2009
With the NTIA and RUS granting a last-minute extension for electronic submission of BIP and BTOP applications, the Knight Center of Digital Excellence would like to take a few minutes to alert you to three key considerations for those interested in, or already in process, of submitting a proposal.
No. 1
To qualify for the electronic filing extension (Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. [EDT]) for your BIP and/or BTOP proposal, you MUST follow these five steps by 5 p.m. (EDT) TODAY (Aug. 14) to make sure your application is considered PENDING in the Easygrants® System:
- Log into the Easygrants® System at www.broadbandusa.gov;
- Select “Start a new application” under, “Apply for a new grant/loan;”
- Select one of the two choices for available funding opportunities;
- Select “Continue;” and
- Select “OK” when prompted “Are you sure you want to apply for the program?”
NOTE: All other requirements for electronic submissions set forth in the NOFA remain unchanged. There are no changes to the filing instructions, requirements, or application deadline for paper submissions.
No. 2
If you are having trouble uploading your BIP/BTOP proposal and attachments to the Easygrants® System, IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY NTIA/RUS VIA E-MAIL and make sure to provide them with your contact information. Below are instructions for contacting the NTIA and RUS with your BIP or BTOP technical questions/issues:
- For general information or help desk requests, contact NTIA/RUS at Helpdesk@broadbandusa.gov
- For problems or issues with submitting NTIA and BTOP proposals, e-mail btop@ntia.doc.gov
- For problems with submitting RUS and BIP proposals, e-mail BIP@wdc.usda.gov
No. 3
Continue monitoring broadband news and announcements from the NTIA and RUS through:
- BroadbandUSA
- Subscribing to the Knight Center of Excellence’s Broadband Headlines Newsletter
- Accessing the Knight Center’s Stimulus Center
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Headlines Newsletter, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Knight Center Stimulus Center, NOFA, Notice of Funding Availability, NTIA, OneCommunity, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, RUS, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Go ahead and take your finger off the “panic” button. It was just announced the application closing deadline for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is extended until Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. (EDT) for any electronic applications pending as of Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. (EDT). Meaning, applicants that have already begun the submission of their proposal prior to Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. (EDT) are permitted to EXTEND THE COMPLETION of their application submission until Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. NOTE: There will be NO CHANGES to the filing instructions for paper applications.
The news comes as a major relief for the many organizations that were running into some significant technical road bumps while working overtime to meet the original electronic submission deadline for the first round of broadband stimulus funding. And we’re not talking about road bumps in the way of collecting data or figuring out the proper procedures for answering certain questions.
We’re simply talking about submission.
Today the Knight Center of Digital Excellence spoke with officials that pointed out the software used by the government to accept applications has at least one major glitch – it won’t store submitted PDF files as it was designed to do.
It’s no secret an application requires significant expense in the way of both time and money as the work to get one together is so resource intensive – perhaps significantly more than the government originally anticipated. The broadband infrastructure grants application alone asks 56 questions, many of which are complex and require an applicant to file supporting documents. To make matters more complicated, a 46-page RUS loan document that needs to be reviewed but not submitted (to see if you qualify for funding) was added to the BroadbandUSA website last night.
Needless to say, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome. But the major one – whether applicants can get their proposals in before a system-wide crash – seems to have been addressed.
Before the week started, the Knight Center of Digital Excellence had heard many applicants planned on submitting as early as Tuesday to avoid a potential Friday crash. That may have been the smart way to go, as it seems the system has gotten considerably slower as the week has gone on due to more individuals logging on to work on their applications.
However, the news of an extension for pending applications is good news for applicants. But remember: The deadline for paper submissions has NOT changed and remains Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. (EDT)
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, digital, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, NTIA, PDF files, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Monday, August 10th, 2009
Our team at the Knight Center of Digital Excellence has been working around the clock to try to bring stimulus dollars to the communities we serve – and that’s only going to intensify as the Aug. 14, 5 p.m. (EDT) deadline for the first round of funding applications is quickly approaching.
Part of the work has been supplying communities with as much information on the process as possible through a number of resources. Below is an aggregated list of those resources (by topic) so those racing to meet the deadline can get what they need as quickly as possible.
Checklists and breakdowns:
• In a mad rush to apply for stimulus funding? Deep breath – and read on (Aug. 7) – As the Aug. 14 stimulus application deadline draws near, here are a few to-do items to include on your checklist.
• Breaking down BIP criteria (July 28)
• Breaking down BTOP criteria (Aug. 1)
• A quick prescription for EHR stimulus (July 21) – Interested in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for your community? Then it’s time to take advantage of funding opportunities in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
Compliance:
• Compliance to play a key role in stimulus applications (Aug. 7) – A big part of proving your program worthy of stimulus funding is proving it will be compliant with requirements set forth in the ARRA.
Details on important documents:
• A BIP/BTOP FAQ sampling (Aug. 5) – We’ve identified a few of the most commonly asked questions based on our attendance at workshops, and have provided them here, along with our perspective on why these issues are important.
• BIP/BTOP FAQ updated (Aug. 5)
Methodology:
• Solid supporting data can give stimulus applicants an edge (Aug. 3) – There’s an opportunity for communities to strengthen their broadband stimulus funding requests provided their methodology and data are solid.
Stimulus workshop debrief:
Read some key learnings identified by the Knight Center of Digital Excellence at a recent Broadband Application Training workshop.
• Part one (July 23)
• Part two (July 24)
Terminology:
• Stimulus alphabet soup (July 16) – A broadband stimulus funding acronym “cheat sheet.”
• The seven “dirty” stimulus words you need to know (July 16) – A dictionary reference of seven commonly-used broadband stimulus funding terms.
Additional blog topics:
• Planning to seek future stimulus funds? Pay attention now (Aug. 10) – Organizations not participating in the round one scramble for broadband stimulus funds still need to pay attention - both to the application process and how the money is eventually awarded.
Additional Knight Center Resources:
• Knight Center of Digital Excellence website: http://www.knightcenter.org/
• Knight Center of Digital Excellence Stimulus Center: http://www.knightcenter.org/stimuluscenter.html
• Knight Center Stimulus Webcasts: http://beta.knightcenter.org/stimulus-webcasts
• Questions: info@knightcenter.org
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, ARRA, bandwidth, Beta, BIP, broadband, Broadband Application Training Workshop, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Stimulus Funding Webcast, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, community, compliance, digital, economy, EHR, Electronic Health Record system, FAQ, FCC, healthcare, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Knight Center of Digital Excellence Stimulus Center, methodology, network, NTIA, OneCommunity, rural communities, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch, telemedicine
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
Monday, August 10th, 2009
Organizations not participating in the round one scramble for broadband stimulus funds still need to pay attention – both to the application process and how the money is eventually awarded.
As the Knight Center of Digital Excellence learned during attendance at Broadband Application Training workshops, the road to submitting a successful stimulus proposal is not only very lengthy and complicated, but the landscape can continually change.
We’ve seen this with the evolution of the original Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP)/Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) FAQ. A second update was required for clarification and posted shortly after the original FAQ – including nine new pages, six new sections and answers to a total of 42 new questions. This was in addition to the original 39 being modified to include more detailed information.
We’ll see fluctuations again during what could prove to be both an interesting and contentious process – application challenges. Funding applications will be posted publicly, and entities can challenge the conclusions, data and findings of other applicants inside of 30 days. Challenges can be refuted as well – also posted along with the challenger’s case and supporting data. For organizations planning to submit future-round proposals, this will be an inside look at what kinds of data other organizations are collecting, how they’re defining certain key terms and, when all’s said and done, how government agencies will define certain key terms.
During workshop presentations, government representatives said round one is a learning process for everyone, including the agencies handing out the money. However, they also indicated firms or entities that have gone down the funding route before and have already identified projects and strategies would have an advantage in obtaining stimulus funding.
It can’t be stated enough: Organizations planning to submit proposals for broadband stimulus funding in rounds two and three shouldn’t neglect what’s happening in round one. They need to pay attention to what’s going on now in order to avoid potential issues down the road.
Remember, many will apply for round one stimulus funding, and many will come back and become stronger competitors in future rounds. Having gone through the process once, they’ll have an advantage the second and third time around.
So pay attention to key federal agencies, the process and which organizations receive awards now. By doing so, you stand to increase your chances for future success.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, application challenges, BIP, broadband, Broadband Application Training Workshop, Broadband Expansion, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, community, digital, FAQ, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, NTIA, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Opinion, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
 By Charles Berry, Knight Center of Digital Excellence
As the Aug. 14 stimulus application deadline draws near, here are a few to-do items to include on your checklist.
Don’t forget to register by going to http://www.broadbandusa.gov/register.htm. This is a must, and time is running out. At this government registration site, you’ll be able to:
1. Get a DUNS Number for your organization.
2. Ensure your organization has a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). (You should know the taxpayer name associated with these numbers.)
3. Register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). You also must register for a Level 1 eAuthentication ID to enable you to draw the proposed service area for the application.
Monitor BroadbandUSA’s website for FAQs and the latest announcements about funding requirements. You may also ask questions at the workshops hosted by the RUS and NTIA. The vetted answers are the basis of the FAQs.
Subscribe to Broadband Headlines Newsletter, a daily release from the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, to arm yourself with the latest news about broadband and stimulus funding. Subscribe
After covering the basics, you may also be wondering how to make your application stand out in a crowded field. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Show your community is working together to leverage assets toward common goals. Instead of going it alone, develop strong partnerships with anchor institutions in your community. Create a vision for how public/private partnerships can really work.
Pay attention to details and precise specifications in your application. Use concise, persuasive language, and present clear plans and supporting information.
Capture attention with your executive summary. Make sure it conveys the big picture, while flowing logically and matching information detailed in your narrative. At one workshop, a panelist suggested the executive summary be written after the application is complete in order to ensure consistency. Remember, the pieces have to fit together to tell your story.
Describe your methodology for gathering and analyzing data used in substantiating claims of unserved or underserved service areas.
Remember, it’s all about jobs. Focus on impacts to economic development, job creation, education/skill building and public safety.
Clearly say what you propose to do. Describe the applications to be deployed and the benefits to your community. Detail the user training and education programs, along with adoption and communication plans.
Calculate the expected ROI (return on investment) and VOI (value on investment) and explain how the project will become sustainable over time.
On the flip side, here are some things you don’t want your application to convey:
A timeline that doesn’t mesh with requirements for stimulus funding. ARRA projects must be substantially complete in two years and fully completed in three.
Don’t say what you don’t know for sure. Avoid statements or claims about resources, infrastructure or capabilities that might be difficult to substantiate should you be challenged during the due diligence period.
Avoid shortcuts. In particular, proving eligibility based on the unserved/underserved guidelines is very difficult given the lack of information available. But don’t ignore this step. Take your best shot at describing the data that leads you to believe your analysis of the service area is valid.
Finally, here are a few hints to further help you on your way:
Perform the BIP Self-Assessment test and ensure you have assigned individuals/experts who will be responsible for specific sections of the application.
Pay close attention to the Project Description section of the application. This is a three- to four-sentence description (400 characters) that should concisely describe your proposed project. Your answer will be published on Recovery.gov and BroadbandUSA.gov to showcase the types of projects received. Make sure those three to four sentences say exactly what you want to convey to the world as well as to any entities that may challenge your proposal.
Continue to collect data corroborating broadband demand and access after you submit your proposal. The NOFA infrastructure application offers incumbents a 30-day period to contest your proposal by claiming they already cover the unserved or underserved areas you want to cover. Best to compile data even after submitting your proposal, so you’ll be ready for a challenge, should it occur.
If you have questions, consult the proper documents or e-mail us at info@knightcenter.org
Charles Berry serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, based in Akron, Ohio. The center is operated by Cleveland-based technology nonprofit OneCommunity, in partnership with The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and is dedicated to creating connected communities through strategies that utilize information technologies to drive civic progress and economic development. To learn more about the Knight Center, go to www.knightcenter.org or e-mail info@knightcenter.org
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, ARRA, BIP, BIP Self-Assessment test, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Broadband Headlines Newsletter, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BroadbandUSA, BTOP, Central Contractor Registration, Charles Berry, community, digital, DUNS number, economy, education, EIN, electricity, healthcare, high-speed, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Level 1 eAuthentication ID, methodology, network, NTIA, OneCommunity, Project Description, public safety, ROI, rural communities, RUS, stimulus, stimulus application, stimulus watch, telemedicine, TIN, underserved, unserved, utilities, VOI
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, OneCommunity, Opinion, Stimulus Package, broadband | 2 Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
 By Doug Adams, Knight Center of Digital Excellence
While President Barack Obama and Congress have made clear how important broadband is to our nation by putting $7.2 billion in stimulus funding behind broadband initiatives, there still seems to be a perception gap among many non-adopter citizens.
In short, there is a lack of understanding of the value broadband connectivity can bring to their lives. The U.S. Telecom Association recently said many citizens aren’t adopting because of “perceived lack of Internet relevance.”
If the perception is that high-speed access is about iTunes and iPods, then public education should become part of public policy as it relates to stimulus funding on broadband networks.
We know it’s routine for students to submit their assignments online, or for job seekers to find and apply for employment. What’s less obvious is that high-speed Internet is the new platform for innovation, collaboration, education, learning and professional development opportunities. Broadband networks are critical to our individual, community, and nation’s progress.
In the Cleveland area, for example, public libraries offer summer programs to teach children 3-D imaging, animation and other skills that will prepare them for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Or go to Detroit, where an organization named Youthville is promoting a holistic and integrated approach to developing youth. Programs for children cover computer skills, leadership, academics, fitness, Web broadcasting and music studio recording. Among these programs is a new, one-of-a-kind, 24-hour broadcasting studio.
This spring in Miami, the city announced the start of a $200 million Smart Grid initiative led by state utility company Florida Power & Light. An initial build-out to 1,000 homes will validate different devices and services such as dashboards, smart thermostats, smart appliances and demand response software that are designed to help consumers more actively manage their energy consumption.
These are just a few examples of ongoing initiatives we at the Knight Center of Digital Excellence are helping along.
It is a disservice to America to trivialize the importance of broadband by relating applications primarily to pop culture. Sure, entertainment options increase as broadband expands, but that’s hardly the driving force of broadband networks. The public relations firm Ruder Finn found in a recent survey that research and self-education topped entertainment as reasons for going online. Those findings mirror a 2008 study by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, which found over 60 percent of online visits at public libraries were work or education related.
While our nation invests $7.2 billion in stimulus funding for broadband initiatives, let’s not lose sight of the compelling “so what” – that is, the opportunity for economic growth that will improve quality of life for Americans.
Beyond what’s at stake for individuals and communities, our nation is now in a position of playing catch-up with global competitors. We’re woefully behind in developing the broadband platform needed to continue moving forward and spurring innovation. In a recent Technology Policy Institute study analyzing download speeds, the U.S. falls between 11th and 14th in the world in that category, depending on the survey.
More disheartening is a Speedtest.net study that shows the U.S. had one of the worst increases in download speed over the past year of any nation.
It gets even worse regarding upload speeds. A number of studies shows the average U.S. upload speed to be somewhere between 371 kilobytes per second (Kbps) and 435 Kbps. Hardly adequate for the many potential business, education, telemedicine and e-government applications we need to drive down costs and spur innovation.
It’s critical to get everyone in the U.S. connected to high-speed Internet as soon as possible. When citizens aren’t online, our nation’s resources – our entrepreneurial spirit and innovative minds – are not being leveraged.
It’s time now to connect the dots on the demonstrated payoffs, so that Americans clearly know what opportunities are in store as a result of broadband adoption.
So what? It’s our future.
Doug Adams oversees public information efforts for the Knight Center of Digital Excellence based in Akron, Ohio. The center is operated by Cleveland-based technology nonprofit OneCommunity, in partnership with The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and is dedicated to creating connected communities through strategies that utilize information technologies to drive civic progress and economic development. To learn more about the Knight Center, go to www.knightcenter.org or e-mail info@knightcenter.org.
Tags: 3-D, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, bandwidth, Barack Obama, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Cleveland, community, Congress, Detroit, digital, digital divide, Doug Adams, economy, education, Florida, Florida Power & Light, healthcare, high-speed, infrastructure, innovation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Internet, iPod, iTunes, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Miami, Michigan, network, non-adopter, Ohio, OneCommunity, Smart Grid, Speedtest.net, stimulus, stimulus watch, Technology Policy Institute, U.S. Telecom Association, upload speed, utilities
Posted in ARRA, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, OneCommunity, Opinion, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
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