Volume 3 | Issue 3| March 2018
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Public-Private Partnerships and Broadband and Smart City Deployment
This month, the BroadbandUSA webinar will highlight successful public-private partnerships in deploying broadband in unserved areas. Here are just a few examples that are making a difference in access to broadband throughout the country.
In south-central Minnesota, the RS Fiber Cooperative (named after Renville and Sibley Counties) is a model public-private partnership that now includes 10 small cities and 17 rural townships. The broadband network is operated by Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC) of Winona, Minn. HBC evolved from a non-profit initiative to connect educational institutions through a fiber-optic network. The RS Fiber has learned that a successful public-private partnership depends on local community involvement; a committed telecommunications partner; and a strong team for consulting, legal, banking, operational, engineering, and construction services.
A strong public-private partnership is also critical for rolling out advanced services such as fifth generation (5G) wireless broadband services and smart city/smart rural applications. For example, Verizon is partnering with the City of Sacramento to upgrade infrastructure to create a more mobile sustainable city. The partnership includes free Wi-Fi, in public parks, digital kiosk and STEM education support. In Texas, AT&T is partnering with the Dallas Innovation Alliance to launch the DIA Smart Cities Living Lab. The Lab works with more than 20 city departments and 30 partner organizations to create solutions to “solve city problems, conserve resources and create an inclusive and prosperous city.” NTIA will also be facilitating a number of public-private partnerships to advance the Internet of Things and create replicable projects for rural communities and partyers through the Global Cities Team Challenge Smart Agriculture and Rural Supercluster.
(Photo: Chelsea Collier, Smart Cities Connect Editor-At-Large, interviews Dennis Gakunga, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chula Vista, California. Courtesy of Smart Cities Connect.)
Broadband News and Updates
Federal News
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NTIA Identifies 3450-3550 MHz for Study as Potential Band for Wireless Broadband Use
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Growing the American Economy: The Economic Report of the President (Chapter 4 addresses broadband)
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If You Really Want to Solve the Digital Divide, Show Me the Money
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White House Released Report on Empowering Americans to Innovate
State News
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The Georgia Smart Communities Challenge (“Georgia Smart”) fosters awareness and adoption of advanced technologies and data in the public sector by supporting projects with local governments across the state of Georgia
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Broadband to the Neighborhood: The Quello Center investigated the degree that neighborhoods in Detroit are disconnected from the Internet—not online—and what could be done to increase digital equity and digital inclusion across three urban neighborhoods of the city
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Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs Executive Order creating the Michigan Consortium for Advanced Net- works, "directed to establish a roadmap to help strengthen statewide broadband access and connectivity.
Public Safety/FirstNet
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Appoints Public Safety, Business Leaders to the First Responder Network Authority Board
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FirstNet Goes Nationwide with 50 States, 5 Territories and DC
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The Public Safety Advisory Committee of the Future, by Tom Sorley, Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) Chair
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Trump signs law for direct 9-1-1 calls from multi-line systems (Kari’s Law)
Stakeholder Resources
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Foundation for Rural Service has launched their first ever Rural Youth App Challenge to encourage students to develop a concept for a mobile app that will address a problem or improve a process in their rural community or in rural America.at-large
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Purdue University: Broadband’s Impact A Brief Literature Review
Funding
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USDA Invests in e-Connectivity to Restore Rural Prosperity by Providing Training and Health Care Ser- vices
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Chairman Pai Proposes $500 Million Boost for Rural Broadband
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Knight Foundation Arts launches “Knight Prototype Fund” to discover thoughtful approaches for use of technology in the cultural sector
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$341 Million Round III Investment Provides Last Mile Funding to Ensure High-Speed Internet Access for Every New Yorker
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Wireless Innovation for a Networked Society (WINS) Challenges
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U.S. Department of Justice: Communications Technologies Research and Evaluation for Law Enforcement and Corrections Applications (PDF)
Other Broadband News
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Helping farmers feed the world: San Carlos startup offers farmers data-driven tools to drive profits
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
March 20, 2018
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Broadband Summit Conference
BroadbandUSA, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, will host a Broadband Summit about ''Creating Partnerships to Ensure Access for All.'' This no-cost regional work- shop targets broadband stakeholders at the local, regional, state and federal level as well as internet service providers and community organizations. Attendees will explore ways to partner to increase broadband deploy- ment and improve broadband adoption to advance their overarching goals. For further information please con- tact Janice Wilkins at (202) 482-5791 or jwilkins@ntia.doc.gov.
March 21, 2018
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations: Focus on States from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT.
Topic: Broadband Public-Private Partnerships: Delivering Solutions for America’s Communities
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2018, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EDT
Overview: Join BroadbandUSA for a practical conversation on broadband public-private partnerships and how to create successful partnerships for different types of projects and communities. Learn about the successes, challenges, and risks as well as specific details on implementation and management steps. Our speakers will high- light their experiences with public- private partnerships in deploying broadband networks, implementing smart cities, powering the Internet of Things, and creating digital inclusion projects.
Speakers:
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Danielle DuMerer, Chief Information Officer and Commissioner, Department of Innovation & Technology, City of Chicago
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Kara Silbernagel, Pitkin County, Colorado & Evan Biagi, Vice President of Colorado Operations, Mammoth Networks, Inc.
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James Fortune, Town of Cranberry Isles, Maine & Mark Ouellette, President, Axiom Technologies
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Dennis Gakunga, Chief Sustainability Officer, Economic Development Department, City of Chula Vista, CA
Events of Interest
March 3 - 7, 2018
National Association of Counties (NACo) 2018 Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
Conference for over 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and residents. Attendees will participate in educational sessions and interact with federal officials.
March 5 - 8, 2018
South by Southwest (SXSW) EDU, Austin, TX.
SXSW EDU features a diverse array of speakers, sessions, workshops, learning experiences, policy discussions and film screenings programmed to foster learning and discovery for all education stakeholders.
March 5 - 8, 2018
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) Reservation Economic Summit,Las Vegas, NV.
RES will feature access to tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local elected officials and top CEO’s, on a national platform. Attendees will benefit from networking, teaming opportunities, business development sessions, American Indian Artisan Market, and much more.
March 6 - 8, 2018
WISPAMERICA Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) Meeting,Birmingham, Alabama.
WISPA is bringing together Internet Service Providers, industry experts and leading suppliers.
March 11 - 14, 2018
National League of Cities (NLC) 2018 Congressional City Conference, Washington, D.C.
More than 2,000 city leaders will gather to represent and advocate for the interests of cities in the Nation's Capital.
March 18 - 21, 2018
WTA Advocates for Rural Broadband 2018 Spring Meeting,Destin, FL.
WTA is a member-driven association strengthening the ability of its members to provide affordable, advanced broadband and communications services in rural America through advocacy and education.
March 19 - 21, 2018
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2018 Washington Policy Conference,Arlington, VA
The NADO Washington Conference will be held in conjunction with the Development District Association of Appalachia Annual Conference.
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.
Policy Corner
On March 6, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information David Redl testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on the Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In his testimony, Mr. Redl noted that “[t]his is an exciting time to lead NTIA, which plays a vital role in many important areas of telecommunications. Whether it is broadband deployment, the digital economy, or managing our government spectrum resources, NTIA is at the forefront of preserving and advancing our information economy.” Mr. Redl’s testimony is available here and you can view the hearing at http://go.usa.gov/xnJQc.
Want to access past Practical Broadband Conversations webinars?
Visit our webinar archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.
BroadbandUSA Resources
Did you know that 80% of Fortune 500 companies require online job applications and 84% of all job seekers have submitted an online application? Learn more from this informative guide.
NTIA's BroadbandUSA program pro- motes innovation and economic growth by supporting efforts to expand broad- band 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.
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