Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

BroadbandUSA Newsletter April 2018

Volume 3 | Issue 4 | April 2018

To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.doc.gov.

Smart States and Broadband

Last year, the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices began discussions about a new Smart States Initiative.

The NGA has being looking at:

  • Identifying the technologies and policies driving communications- enabled innovation across cities and states;

  • Exploring how states can use smart technologies improve data access and services to residents and businesses; and

  • Designing a “Smart States” initiative to help states design policy and deploy these technologies.

Some best practices of “smart states” include New York’s telehealth plans, Illinois’ streetlight system and Virginia’s public safety efforts.

The New York State Health Department announced on February 20, 2018, a series of sweeping recommendations that will improve the delivery of health care in New York State, including delivering telehealth to patients at any location, including their homes. The State’s Regulatory Modernization Initiative report “Putting Patients First (2017)” noted that the state needed to increase access to health care in rural areas. The plan included a number of policy changes, such as allowing Medicaid reimbursement of telehealth interactions that occur “wherever a patient is located.”

In January 2018, the State of Illinois announced its intent to enter into a state master contract for Smart Street Lighting, part of Governor Rauner’s vision to transform technology in Illinois. In its press release, Illinois explained that “Smart Street Lighting is an emerging area that brings the opportunity for savings in energy and maintenance costs, as well as improved services such as air quality monitoring, traffic management, smart parking, gunshot detection and electric vehicle charging.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia became the first state to “opt-in” to the First Responders Network (FirstNet) National Public Safety Broadband Network on July 10, 2017. Then in January 2018, Richmond and Fairfax County became the first localities in Virginia to begin using the network. Mission Critical Communications reported that Jackie Crotts, the deputy director of technology for Richmond’s Department of Emergency Communications, noted that “Richmond police officers and Department of Emergency Communications executive team members are testing FirstNet during daily operations with phone and mobile data devices.”

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

    State News

    Public Safety/FirstNet

    Stakeholder Resources

    Funding

    Other Broadband News

    BroadbandUSA Spotlight

    On February 6, 2018, the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) held its 9th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit on the impact of media, telecommunications and technology policy on the most vulnerable communities. Leaders from government, industry, social organizations and advocacy groups converged on Washington, D.C., to address topics such as Smart Cities, advanced telecommunications infrastructure 5G buildout, digital diversity and digital empowerment. delivered remarks at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council's Broadband & Social Justice Summit in Washington, D.C. Mr. Redl acknowledged longstanding disparities in Internet use based on race and ethnicity, among other demographic gaps. He noted that “NTIA is partnering with the Commerce Department's Office of Civil Rights and North Carolina Central University to promote collaboration among the CIOs of North Carolina's 11 historically Black Colleges and Universities.” He emphasized that NTIA seeks to enhance broadband on the campuses and the surrounding communities, “with the ultimate goal of advancing local economic development.” Click here to read the transcript of his remarks. For more information, see MMTC 2018 Summit.

    Events

    NTIA Events

    April 18, 2018
    BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: How Smart States are Using Innovative Techniques to Enhance Technology Use
    BroadbandUSA’s Practical Conversations have showcased how cities and communitiesare using technology to solve local issues.Now, join us for the April webinar to find out how states are using smart technology and policy to enhance economic development and quality of life for their urban, suburban and rural communities. Representatives from three states and a moderator from the National Governors Association will provide examples of how they are changing healthcare delivery, improving disaster mitigation, controlling traffic and lighting, creating economic growth and enhancing public safety. Speakers:

    • David Ihrie, CIO Virginia Center for Innovative Technology

    • Mahesh Nattanmai, Chief Digital Health Strategist, New York State Department of Health

    • Essam El-Biek, Consultant, Illinois Century Network, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology

    • Moderator: David Forscey, Policy Analyst, Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association

    Registration link

    Want to access past Practical Broadband Conversations webinars?Visit our Webinar Archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.

    Events of Interest

    April 15-17, 2018
    NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association Legislative & Policy Conference, Washington, D.C.
    The ever-changing political climate makes it critical that Congress understand the needs of rural broadband providers and consumers.

    April 17-19, 2018
    National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) Net Inclusion 2018, Cleveland, OH
    Net Inclusion 2018 welcomes digital inclusion community practitioners, advocates, academics, Internet service providers, and policymakers to discuss policies and policy innovations impacting digital equity, sources of financial and programmatic support of digital inclusion programs, and digital inclusion best practices from across the country.

    April 19, 2018
    2018 Georgia Institute of Technology Tech Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) Industry Innovation Day: Intelligent Health, Atlanta, GA.
    The theme of this year’s IPaT Industry Innovation Day is Intelligent Health—integrating advancements in science, technology, and design that create longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

    May 1-2, 2018
    APCO Public Safety Broadband Summit, Arlington, VA

    Policy Corner

    On March 14, 2018, David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, addresses the Satellite 2018 conference in Washington, D.C. He stated that “there is no doubt that the United States needs a vibrant satellite sector. He noted that “in the next few years, a new era in satellite coverage will strengthen our nation’s broadband infrastructure and power advanced services that will improve people’s lives.” He added that “In addition to existing broadband capabilities, new satellites will enable lower-latency services in the U.S., expand broadband coverage inside and outside the U.S., and add broadband capacity to the overall satellite infrastructure.” See his complete remarks on “Affirming Our Partnership for Growth and Innovation in Space.”

    BroadbandUSA Resources

    What Speed Do You Need?(PDF)
    Wondering whether your community institutions have the baseline speeds that they need for today’s capabilities?

    NTIA's BroadbandUSA program promotes innovation and economic growth by supporting efforts to expand broadband access and meaningful use across America. In this role, BroadbandUSA serves communities, industry and non-profits that want to expand broadband infrastructure and promote digital inclusion.

    Contact Us:If you are interested in receiving technical assistance, please send an email to broadbandusa@ntia.doc.gov or call 202-482-2048.

    Follow us online:
    www.facebook.com/ntiagov
    www.twitter.com/ntiagov
    www.youtube.com/ntiagov

    NGA