Vol 5 | Issue 10 | October 2020
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Policy Corner: Another Successful Spectrum Policy Symposium
By Adam Candeub, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information

September marked the launch of NTIA’s 3^rd annual Spectrum Policy Symposium. This virtual symposium brought together policy experts from across the federal government and private industry to discuss the most pressing issues facing spectrum management. The all-day event began with keynotes from U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Kelvin Droegemeier, and myself. While we focused on different specific accomplishments, all of us hit on the same fundamental: the U.S. is moving in the right direction to win the race to 5G. Later in the day two different panels of experts took up discussions on federal and private spectrum. In all, it was a productive and deeply constructive conversation, and NTIA is appreciative of everyone who gave their time to participate as keynote speakers, panelists, and audience members. If you missed the symposium or were only able to view part of it, the full webcast is available on our website.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

• NTIA: Comments Received on Internet Use Survey Questionnaire Development

• NIST: Smart Buildings: A Foundation for Safe, Healthy & Resilient Cities (GCTC)

• EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.2 Million in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping Texas Respond to Coronavirus

• FCC: FCC Opens Second E-Rate Application Window for Funding Year 2020

• FCC, HHS, and USDA Team Up for Rural Telehealth Initiative

• USDA: Special Authority to Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs

  • Continues to make ReConnect Round 2 awards

• Education: Request for Comment: Administrative Priority and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs to Support Remote Learning

• HHS: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has published a forecast notice for the availability of $3,900,000 in funding to support the Regional Telehealth Resource Center Program (RTRC)

• HUD: ConnectHomeUSA National Digital Inclusion Week Virtual Training Series

• IMLS: American Libraries and Museums Awarded $13.8 Million in IMLS CARES Act Grants

State News

• State Investment in Broadband Improves Localities: Report

• Alabama: Alabama Internet Vouchers Are in The Mail, State Agency Says

• Colorado: State Officials Announce Public-Private Partnership to Expand Access to Broadband Services for Students for the Upcoming School Year

• Florida: Nichols Joins Bipartisan Group Of Legislators Calling For State Broadband Plan

• Idaho: $2 Million In CARES Funding Going To Idaho Libraries To Boost Broadband 24/7 In Small/Rural Communities

• Kentucky: Electric Co-Op and Telephone Co-Op Partner to Bring Gigabit Service to Rural Kentucky

• Minnesota: Minnesota Lawmakers Divided on Broadband Funding Issues

• New Mexico: New Mexico Legislature Works on Broadband Expansion

• New York: NSF funding to help erase upstate NY’s digital divide

• North Carolina: Governor Cooper Announces Nearly $40 million to Connect Students and Communities to High-Speed Internet, Help Educators With Remote Learning

• South Carolina: South Carolina to Start Expanding Broadband Efforts

• Tennessee: Gov. Lee Announces $61 Million in Emergency Broadband Grants

• Texas: Lawmakers Call on Gov. Greg Abbott to Plan to Expand Broadband Access As Pandemic Worsens Disparities

• U.S. Virgin Islands: Internet Providers Detail Plans to Keep V.I. Connected During Pandemic

• Washington: State Launches Interactive Data Tool To Help Leaders Plan And Track Recovery Efforts Across Regions, Sectors And Demographics

• West Virginia: Gov. Justice Discusses First Day of School; Announces Nearly 850 Kids Connect Wi-Fi Locations Online

• Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Public Service Commission Announced Tuesday $24 Million in Funding Is Available to Expand High-Speed Broadband Internet To Unserved And Underserved Areas Across The State

Digital Inclusion

• NDIA releases Revised Digital Inclusion Start-Up Manual

• How Local CIOs Can Help Narrow the Digital Divide Amid COVID

• Digital Equity Program in Maryland Adds Plume Wi-Fi to Its Internet Access

• Sarasota County libraries look to the Internet to boost digital literacy

• Across North Carolina, the barriers — and solutions — to broadband internet access for students and families are multi-layered

Local

• Pennsylvania County Moves Ahead with $1.1M Broadband Plan

• Broadband Grant Hopes for Southern Mille Lacs County

• More County Governments Are Using Chatbots — Here's How

• Dayton, OH Plans to Use CARES Act Funding for Municipal Wireless

• Internet for All Seattle Report

Public Safety/FirstNet

• FirstNet: Improving Communications for Public Safety

• Chief Richard Carrizzo Named Vice Chair of FirstNet Authority Board

• AT&T’s FirstNet Expands to Knox County to Advance Public Safety Communication Capabilities

• Google, OnStar, ADT and Others Integrate With 911 Startup

• FirstNet One, a Public Safety Blimp, Deployed in Louisiana for Hurricane Disaster Recovery Support

• FirstNet Network Builds Cell Site in Romulus for First Responders

General News

• The Farms of the Future Hinge on High-Speed Internet

• COVID-19 Lockdowns Expose The Digital Have-Nots In Rural Areas – Here’s Which Policies Can Get Them Connected

• Broadband's Inequities

NTIA Events

October 21, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: Digital Inclusion and K-12 Education: The Impact of COVID-19 on Students and Educators
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
The rapid shift to online learning can be a challenge for students, families, and educators – particularly in low-income, rural, and tribal communities. As the new school year begins, the longstanding issue of digital inclusion stands in sharp relief. Join BroadbandUSA on October 21^stto learn how communities are helping students get connected, assisting parents and caregivers gain the skills to help their children navigate online learning environments, and transitioning educators to online teaching. This panel will explore the challenges that communities and schools are facing, their innovative solutions to keep students connected, and their plans to transition from short-term solutions to long-term sustainable programs.

Speakers:

• Dr. Christine Diggs, Chief Technology Officer, Albermarle County Public Schools

• Michael Culp, Director of Information Technology Department, Albermarle County

• Kimball Sekaquaptewa, Chief Technology Director, Santa Fe Indian School

• Joshua Edmonds, Director of Digital Inclusion, City of Detroit

Visit our Webinar Archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.

Contact Us. If you are interested in receiving technical assistance, please email broadbandusa@ntia.gov or call 202-482-2048. For more information, visit our website at broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov.