Breaking News Alert
Applicants for BIP Infrastructure projects will have until 5 p.m. EDT, March 29th to file their applications to RUS
[2010/3/3]
NTIA and RUS will grant a limited extension of time to file infrastructure applications in the second funding round. Specifically, applicants for BTOP Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects will have until 5 p.m. EDT, March 26th to file their applications to NTIA. Applicants for BIP Infrastructure projects will have until 5 p.m. EDT, March 29th to file their applications to RUS. Applications in NTIA's two other project categories - Public Computer Centers and Sustainable Broadband Adoption - remain due at 5 p.m. EDT, March 15th.
Please visit BroadbandUSA for more information from NTIA and RUS regarding the status of pending/announced Round 1 applications, Round 2 frequently asked questions, and program updates. The BroadbandUSA HelpDesk is also available to answer questions about BIP and BTOP at 1 (877) 508-8364 and BroadbandUSA@usda.gov.
Round 2 NOFAs Announced
[2010/1/15]
The NTIA and RUS announced two new sets of NOFA rules that govern the second and final round of the Broadband Stimulus initiatives.
Important dates: - January 15 – February 12 – ARRA Broadband Workshops: Attendees must choose to attend either BTOP or BIP information sessions.
- February 16 – March 15 – Agencies plan to accept applications.
- June – NTIA intends to announce BTOP Round 2 awards on a rolling basis.
- September 30 – All BTOP and BIP awards will be completed.
Questions Arise About Tax Status of Broadband Stimulus, Smart Grid Awards
[2010/3/10]
There have been so many questions around the recent smart grid and broadband stimulus programs that only recently did interested parties stop to ponder whether these monies will be taxable .....
Horry County fights for stimulus funding for technology
[2010/3/10]
Horry County is partnering with Horry Telephone Cooperative to bring the latest in wireless broadband technology to the Grand Strand .....
Tax confusion could hamper broadband stimulus deployments
[2010/3/9]
Service providers and communities that were lucky enough to get a broadband grant in the first round of grant awards may have gotten through one hoop .....
Columbia County Oregon wins $13.5 Million Grant for Broadband Stimulus
[2010/3/9]
Columbia County, located in the U.S. state of Oregon, has won a grant of about $13.5 million from the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) .....
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The Broadband Dead Zone
March 11, 2010
By Paula Bernier
It sounds like a remake of a weird sci-fi TV series from the early ‘60s. But, in fact, the Broadband Dead Zone is the name of a report the FCC is compiling to get a better handle on where broadband is and is not available.
The FCC is inviting U.S. citizens to submit the street address of locations at which broadband is not available. They can do this by filling out and submitting a special form, which can be accessed at www.broadband.gov; by e-mailing the address information to fccinfo@fcc.gov; by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC); by sending a fax to 1-877-627-7460; or by using snail mail to relay information about a dead zone to the FCC.
In addition to this new program, the FCC this week also introduced what it calls the Consumer Broadband Test, which allows citizens to test the speed and latency of their broadband connections, and shares that information with both the individuals as well as to the FCC. A mobile version of the tool is available via Apple and Android app stores. A fixed version can be accessed through www.broadband.gov.
Comments: To comment on this blog or on other issues related to the broadband stimulus or The National Broadband Plan, email Paula Bernier at paulabernier@mac.com.
Paula Bernier is executive editor for the IP Communications Group at TMC where she manages editorial content for the print versions of Internet Telephony Magazine, Next Generation Networks Magazine and Unified Communications Magazine. An 18-year communications industry reporting veteran, Bernier was formerly editor in chief of xchange magazine. She’s also worked as a senior writer for Inter@ctive Week. Bernier got her start in telecom at Telephony magazine, where she spent nearly five years, leaving as the news director. Bernier also has been on the reporting staffs of various mainstream daily and weekly newspapers in Iowa, Minnesota and South Carolina.
The contents of this blog represent solely the opinions of the author and are not the opinions of, or approved by, ADTRAN, Inc. |
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Broadband Stimulus: What is it?
The Broadband Stimulus program is the initiative defined by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that was signed into law February 17, 2009. This law formed the basis for two federal government programs—the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) administered by the NTIA and RUS, respectively. The BTOP and BIP program provides $4.7 billion to be distributed by NTIA and $2.5 billion to be administered by RUS.
Who qualifies? - A state or political division thereof
- Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian Organization
- NonProfit
- Any other entity, including a Broadband Service or Infrastructure Provider, whose participation is found by NTIA to be in the "public interest"
Grant / Loan Application Tools
Interesting Highlights: - The two agencies have until Sept. 30, 2010 to "disperse" the funds
- Funded projects have 2 years to complete
- FCC required to develop the "comprehensive national broadband plan to provide universal coverage and encourage people to use the network"
Key Association Links and Resources:
Please send any comments or questions to:
Comments@adtran.com
or
Request a meeting with our Broadband Stimulus team via:
BroadbandStimulusMeetingRequest
@adtran.com
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