Volume 3 | Issue 10 | October 2018

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

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BroadbandUSA Leads the Way in Making Federal Funding Information More Accessible

With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NTIA’s BroadbandUSA co-chairs the Broadband Interagency Working Group (BIWG). Through the BIWG, NTIA works with other federal agencies to improve coordination across programs, reduce regulatory barriers to broadband deployment, promote awareness of the importance of federal support for broadband investment and digital inclusion programs, and collect and share information with communities about available federal resources for broadband deployment and digital inclusion efforts.

A major part of that effort is researching sources of federal funding for broadband projects at the state and local levels. BroadbandUSA is currently working with the more than 25 federal agencies to collect, verify, and publish information about the funding programs. When completed, users will be able to search for funding based on the federal department and the type of eligible institutions.

To highlight this work, the BroadbandUSA October 2018 webinar will feature speakers from the USDA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). They will provide an overview of federal funding options to support increasing broadband access in communities across the United States.

For more information, see Federal Broadband Funding: Policies and Programs to Connect America.

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Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

• NTIA and Virginia CIT to Host Virginia Broadband Summit October 30

• Most Americans Continue to Have Privacy and Security Concerns, NTIA Survey Finds

• GAO Releases New Report: Broadband Internet: FCC's Data Overstate Access on Tribal Lands

• U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates

• NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge Industry Day

State News

• Georgia: Georgia Falling Behind in the Move to Bring Broadband-Like Service to Rural Areas

• Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota: Partnership Helps to Expand Broadband Service in Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota

• Indiana: Gov. Holcomb Plans $1B In Infrastructure Projects Funded by Hike in Toll Road Fee, Including $100 for Rural Broadband

• Kentucky: Official Says Kentucky Missed Chance to End Broadband Deal

• Maine: Coalition Outlines Top Priorities of Maine Businesses for the Next Governor

• New York: Residents, Officials Voice Concerns About State’s Broadband Promises

• South Dakota: Report: Rural South Dakotans Get Better Broadband Service Than in Other Rural States

• Vermont: State Will Open Northeast Kingdom Fiber Network

• Virginia: Tech Giant, Local Agencies Work to Bring Broadband to Rural Virginia

• West Virginia: Leaders Discuss Broadband

• Wyoming: Business Council Passes Wyoming Broadband Plan and link to Plan

Public Safety/FirstNet

• Sheriff Richard Stanek Named Vice Chair of FirstNet Board

• FirstNet Goes Local

• FirstNet CEO Mike Poth announces plans to resign

• Edward Parkinson Named Acting Chief Executive Officer of First Responder Network Authority

Smart Community and 5G News

• Philly CIO: Smart-city Initiatives Can ‘Help Build Trust in Government’

• The Future of 5G Mobile Data Could Hinge on a Battle Over Utility Pole Fees

• Cities Feel Run Over in 5G Race as FCC Sides with AT&T, Verizon

• Florida Town to Test World's First Driverless School Shuttle

Funding

• USDA Posts Comments on RFC Rural Pilot Program

• Moving Forward with 911 Grants

• Capito, 5 Members Seek Dedicated Broadband Monies for Geographically Challenged States

• FCC Approves $225 Million for 35 Electric Cooperatives to Provide Rural Broadband

Resources

• Report on the “Homework Gap”: The Educational Equity Imperative: Leveraging Technology to Empower Learning for All

• Broadband Connects America: A Coalition to Connect Rural America

• Report: Unlocking the Value of Broadband for Electric Cooperative Consumer-Members

• NLC Brings Best Practices and Small Cell Wireless Tech Guide to Cities

• UN Broadband Commission Report: The State of Broadband 2018

• Research & Policy Insights: Estimation of the Net Benefits of Indiana Statewide Adoption of Rural Broadband

• You Can Build, But Will They Subscribe? A Look at Indiana Broadband Adoption Differences

• Preparing Workers for the Expanding Digital Economy

• Telehealth Along the Texas–Mexico Border

• Cybersecurity Threats to Precision Agriculture

General News

• The City of Tomorrow Challenge to Collaborate on Connected Mobility Issues

• The Cost of Doing Business across the Rural Digital Divide

• A New Accelerator for Community-Owned Broadband Networks

• The Drive Toward Broader Broadband in Rural America

• Broadband "As Essential As Water and Electricity", Report States

• Opinion: The Educational Equity Imperative: Leveraging Technology to Empower Learning For All

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BroadbandUSA Spotlight

Libraries empower individuals and communities to thrive in today’s economy.

Modern libraries are dynamic community hubs that offer free access to computers and the Internet, digital literacy training, digital collections, and services that range from GED prep to 3D printing and videoconferencing. In fact, 73 percent of local government leaders say libraries play an important or highly important role in providing access to high-speed Internet service. Approximately 73 percent of libraries offer training and services to help people apply for jobs and 90 percent of libraries offer digital training.

Over the past few years, the U.S. has made significant gains in efforts to connect K-12 schools with high-speed broadband connections of 100Mbps per 1000 students. Unfortunately, students who lack broadband at home are at a significant disadvantage. Although there are a number of excellent strategies to resolve this homework gap, American public libraries have been on the front lines and especially helpful for students living in rural areas with limited broadband options or from low-income families unable to pay for service.

BroadbandUSA has published the infographic America’s Libraries: Connectivity that Transforms to highlight the importance of libraries in our modern society.

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Events

NTIA Events

October 17, 2018
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: Federal Broadband Funding: Policies and Programs to Connect America We will provide an overview of federal funding options to support increasing broadband access in communities across the United States. Learn about recent program and policy updates from officials representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Scheduled speakers include:

• Barrett L. Haga, Ph.D., Senior Administrator for Economic Engagement, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

• Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Origination and Approval Division, RUS Telecommunications Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture

• Kate Dumouchel, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission

Click here to register

October 30, 2018
BroadbandUSA and the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) Virginia Broadband Summit, Roanoke, VA. The purpose of the summit is to gather information from the public and stakeholders on how to accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, and support local priorities. The summit will provide information on topics including local broadband planning, funding and engagement with service providers. Speakers and attendees from Virginia, federal agencies and across the country will explore ways to facilitate the expansion of broadband capacity, access, and utilization. The summit will be held at the Roanoke South County Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018. Pre-registration is requested as space is limited.

Events of Interest

October 1 – 3, 2018
Competitive Carriers Association Annual Convention, Orlando, FL.CCA’s Convention focuses on smart strategies, technology innovations, and business opportunities for carriers. NTIA Speakers: David Redl

October 2– 4, 2018
Smart Cities Week 2018, Washington, DC.

October 7 – 10, 2018
WTA - Advocates for Rural Broadband Fall Meeting, Palm Springs, CA.BroadbandUSA Speakers: Andy Spurgeon and Don Williams

October 10 – 12, 2018
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition Annual Conference, Washington, DC.The conferenceunites industry leaders across diverse sectors, such as education, health, government, and broadband providers. BroadbandUSA moderator: Aimee Meacham

October 18, 2018
Indiana 2018 Broadband Summit: Connecting Hoosier Communities, Danville, IN. This summit will provide information on topics including local broadband planning, funding and engagement with service providers. Presented by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the state Department of Agriculture and the Office of Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.BroadbandUSA Speaker: Scott Woods

October 23 – 25, 2018
Broadband Communities Fall Fiber & Economic Development Conference, Ontario, CA. Conference will address the key developments affecting fiber projects, in both densely populated and more rural areas. Sessions will examine successful partnerships of many kinds; the emerging role of cooperatives; what next-generation wireless networks may mean for fiber networks; the key legal and regulatory issues; federal, state and other funding sources; and “Smart Cities” initiatives.

October 23 – 25, 2018
Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference, Wenatchee, WA. This event will focus on identifying the funding and support needed to execute infrastructure projects. This year’s agenda features more broadband sessions and highlights Washington States new broadband grant and loan program. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

November 8, 2018
New England Connect, Hartford, CT. Conference will focus on local Solutions for broadband development. Event is hosted by Next Century Cities in partnership with the State of Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel.

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Policy Corner: Ensuring America’s Leadership in a 5G World

“When we talk about 5G, we’re talking about no less than the future of the Internet”

On September 12, 2018 David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, spoke at the Mobile World Congress Americas in Los Angeles, California. Here are a few highlights of his remarks.

Our view of the next few years is simple: America must win the race to 5G. This goal is not negotiable. While no one can predict all that 5G will unleash, we know the parameters of what can be enabled if we get it right. Tremendous boosts in capacity and download speeds, seamless connectivity, and ultra-low latency communications means the opportunities for new applications really are limited only by our imaginations.

Our spectrum work is not the only way NTIA is helping to foster growth across the wireless industry. The Administration has prioritized efforts to spur investment in broadband infrastructure. NTIA is working to improve federal coordination around this effort through an interagency working group that we co-chair with the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. The group is focusing on three core areas: streamlining federal permitting, leveraging federal assets for broadband, and coordinating federal funding of broadband projects.

I think it’s clear from what you’re seeing and experiencing here this week that when we talk about 5G, we’re talking about no less than the future of the Internet, and how it will shape our lives for decades to come. It is also clear that a wide range of policy decisions and actions will play important roles.

See the complete remarks here