Vol 5 | Issue 1 | January 2020
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Celebrating 2019 Successes in 5G, Broadband, Security and Public Safety

In the past year, NTIA supported key Administration priorities by making spectrum available for 5G, enhancing broadband connectivity, improving technology in 911 call centers, and securing networks from cyber threats.

Under the American Broadband Initiative, NTIA worked with the White House and 20 federal agencies on strategies to improve broadband for all Americans. We looked across government to identify sources of broadband funding, and created a comprehensive guide featured on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA website. In October, NTIA debuted a pilot version of its new National Broadband Availability Map, in partnership with an initial eight states. The map will help federal, state and local policymakers more accurately understand where new infrastructure is needed. Read more on the NTIA blog.

(Photo: Doug Kinkoph, Performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.)

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

• Stakeholders Prepare for Further Work on Software Transparency in 2020

• NTIA Celebrates 25 Years of Internet Use Survey Research

• NTIA Closes Out 2019 with Broadband Workshops in New Mexico and Arkansas

• Pai Announces Plan to Launch $9 Billion 5G Fund for Rural America

• FCC Announces Tribal Priority Window for 2.5 GHz Band, Opens February 3, 2020

• Universal Service Administrative Co.: National Verifier Launches in Five Additional States

• Federal Register: Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service ReConnect Pilot Program

• Congressional Research Service: Demand for Broadband in Rural Areas: Implications for Universal Access (PDF)

• American Community Survey 2014-2018 5-Year Estimates Now Available

• Congress Passes RURAL Act, Preserves Co-ops’ Tax-Exempt Status

State News

• Alabama: C Spire Announces Major Expansion of Broadband Internet In Birmingham

• Alaska: Alaska Finds Permanent CIO After Months of Upheaval

• California: Closing The Homework Gap in a California Desert Community

• Connecticut: Connecticut Hires Scott Gaul as New Chief Data Officer

• Georgia: Georgia Authorizes Electric Cooperatives to Deliver Rural Broadband

• Iowa: Fiber Network Provider Makes Plans to Bring Internet to Iowa

• Massachusetts: Broadband Reaches Hilltowns With Help From State’s Last Mile Grant Program

• Michigan: Centurylink Expands Fiber Infrastructure in Michigan to Help Enable Autonomous Vehicles

• Missouri: Governor Parson Launches Inaugural Broadband Grant Program

• Ohio: Roadway Rights In Ohio's Plan For More High-Speed Internet and Connected Nation Ohio Releases Updated Broadband Availability Maps, Asks For Consumer Input

• Oregon: Bridging Oregon’s Digital Divide

• New York: New York State Names New Interim CIO

• South Dakota: Connecting South Dakota’s Rural Communities to Opportunities In Business, Education, Health Care and Beyond

• Tennessee: Gov. Lee Visits Tipton County, Updates Upgraded Broadband for Rural Counties In TN

• Vermont: Broadband Study Gets Funding

• West Virginia: Rural Broadband in West Virginia: Building on Successes Of 2019

• Wisconsin: Broadband Expanding to Thousands In Rural Wisconsin With $4.6 Million From FCC

• Wyoming: Wyoming Quietly Hires Its First Chief Data Officer

Public Safety/FirstNet

• Firstnet-Approved Device List Names 163 Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops

• PSAC Meeting Highlights 2019 Accomplishments and 2020 Initiatives

• The Firstnet Ecosystem: Spurring Innovation

• Firstnet Authority Engages With Emergency Managers At IAEM

• New Firstnet Cell Site Launches in Clinton County to Support Public Safety

• Firstnet Authority Highlights Network Advancements, Outlines Strategic Priorities

• Buffalo County Sheriff Receives Prestigious Public Safety Broadband Communications Award

Broadband Funding

• FCC Authorizes $89.2 Million For Rural Broadband In 21 States

• USDA to Make $550 Million in Funding Available in 2020 to Deploy High-Speed Broadband Internet Infrastructure in Rural America

• USDA Invests $18.88 Million in Rural Broadband for Alaskan Families

• USDA Provides $6 Million to Expand Broadband Infrastructure for Two Rural Oregon Counties

• USDA to Make $550 Million in Funding Available in 2020 to Deploy High-Speed Broadband Internet Infrastructure in Rural America

• USDA Invests $5.2 Million in Rural Broadband for Kansas Families

• USDA Invests $4.79 Million in Rural Broadband for Wyoming

• USDA Invests $12.8 Million in Rural Broadband for Illinois Families

• USDA Invests $62.3 Million in Rural Broadband Infrastructure for Alabama Families

• USDA Invests $7.9 Million in Rural Broadband for North Carolina Families

• USDA Invests $5.6 Million in Broadband for Rural West Virginia Communities

• Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native American Library Services: Basic Grants

• Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants

• Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native Hawaiian Library Services

Digital Inclusion

• What We Learned About the Digital Divide in 2019

• Installing Free Wi-Fi To Help Count Rural Communities Of Color In 2020 Census

• You Don't Need a College Degree to Work For Indiana IT

• Disconnected: Internet Stops Once School Ends for Many Rural California Students

General News

• Can 5G Replace Everybody’s Home Broadband?

• Center on Rural Innovation Unveils the Rural Opportunity Map: A Unique, Data-Driven Framework a Foster Economic Success in Small Towns

• How State Policy Shapes Broadband Deployment

• Employment, Education, Health Services Flow Through Rural Counties’ Fiber

• Demand For Broadband In Rural Areas: Implications for Universal Access

• Local CIOs Strategize on Broadband Use

• NASCIO: For State and Local Government, 2019 was the Year Of Ransomware

• How Gigabit Internet is Turning Smaller U.S. Cities into Tech Hot Spots

• Turning Barbershops into Telehealth Centers

• Black Friday and Cyber Week Sales Highlight the Need for Faster Broadband Speeds

NTIA Events

Jan. 15, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: The Benefits of Smart Building Technology
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Smart buildings are quickly becoming the building blocks of smart cities, providing benefits to both the building owners and tenants. They provide greater energy efficiency, improved use of building resources, and increased productivity of the occupants. Developing smart buildings can lead to an exponentially positive impact on the surrounding community. This panel will discuss smart buildings use cases, the foundational technologies that support them, and the benefits reaped.
Speakers:

• Benny Lee, Director of SMC Public Wi-Fi, San Mateo County and Councilman, San Leandro, CA

• Limor Schafman, Senior Director, Smart Buildings Program, Telecommunications Industry Association

• Jiri Skopek, Board of Governors Vice-Chair, 2030 Districts Network

Moderator:

• Jean Rice, Senior Broadband Analyst, BroadbandUSA

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

Feb. 12 – 13, 2020
State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN) Summit, Washington, D.C. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Feb. 19, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: The Role of States in Expanding Broadband Access. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Feb. 19, 2020
Global Cities Team Challenge (GCTC ) Smart Ag and Rural SuperCluster Workshop, Phoenix, AZ. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice

Events of Interest

Jan. 22 – 24, 2020
United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) 88th Winter Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Jan. 23, 2020
Next Centuries Cities: Opportunities for Bipartisan Tech Policy 2020, Washington, D.C.

Jan. 28, 2020
U.S. General Services Administration Webinar:Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) Map Webinar,1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

Feb. 9-12, 2020
2020 National Conference of Regions (NARC), Washington, DC.

Feb. 16 – 19
NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association, Phoenix, AZ.

Feb. 29 – March 4, 2020
National Association of Counties Legislative (NACo) 2020 Legislative Conference, Washington, DC.