VIDEO: Connected Nation and ESRI Talk with NextGenWeb about BroadbandStat
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Labels: BroadbandStat, ESRI, ICAC, Philip Brown, SOTN
Labels: BroadbandStat, ESRI, ICAC, Philip Brown, SOTN
Summit participants had the opportunity to express opinions, concerns, and policy suggestions in three vigorous roundtable discussions on topics including Broadband Literacy, Broadcasting and Journalism in the Broadband World, and Closing the Digital Divide.
Larry Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), informed the audience that NTIA has been directed by Congress to focus on adoption issues in order to:
Secretary Strickling provided insight on the selection priorities during the next round of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding, including:
Strickling also invited all to attend the series of workshops around the country jointly organized by the NTIA and the Department of Agriculture to provide application processing assistance to this target audience.
MMTC, a Connected Nation partner, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity and civil rights in the mass media and telecommunications industries. MMTC is generally recognized as the nation's leading advocate for minority advancement in communications.
Raquel Noriega, Director of Policy Development at Connected Nation, addressed the group about one of Connected Nation’s community initiatives called Every Citizen Online (SM).
Every Citizen Online proposes a public-private partnership that brings together broadband service providers, personal computer equipment manufacturers, and companies such as Intel to deliver a program that targets low-income segments of the population with an affordable personal computer, discounted monthly broadband service and the appropriate level of follow on education and support.
Intel, Dell, Lenovo, Fujitsu, Velocity Micro, and ZT Systems are among the private sector partners joining in the initiative.
Every Citizen Online aims to help vulnerable populations overcome top barriers to adoption, including broadband awareness and training, computer ownership, and subscription affordability.
“The focus of the summit was very much consistent with our goals and mission and we applaud MMTC for creating this important public forum to encourage more people to use broadband-enabled applications,” Noriega said.
Related information:
Blog Post: Broadband and Social Justice Summit Underway in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, January 26, technology leaders, legislators and the general public in Washington, D.C. will be given a sneak peek at a new cutting-edge hands-on tool for finding real-time information on high-speed Internet availability.
Daryl Phillips, Executive Director of the Hickman County Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), had the opportunity to see the demonstration in Tennessee.
Here’s his reaction:
“Five years ago, we had local business owners that couldn't decide where to locate within the county because they didn't have access to this kind of detailed information,” Phillips said. “Now, business and industry can use this tool for relocation decisions, home buyers can use this while shopping for a home and government and ECD can use it for planning purposes. BroadbandStat gives Tennessee an advantage over other states."
Connected Nation, along with ESRI, will be showcasing BroadbandStat at the kickoff technology policy reception for the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s 6th Annual State of the Net Conference.
BroadbandStat was developed by Connected Nation in conjunction with ESRI, the world market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software.
BroadbandStat is a new interactive mapping platform that is a multi-functional, user-friendly way for local leaders, policymakers, consumers and technology providers to devise a plan for the expansion and adoption of broadband.
BroadbandStat is unique because it allows a user to build and evaluate broadband expansion scenarios using a wealth of data, including education and population demographics, current broadband speeds and availability and research about the barriers to adoption. The tool also provides an instant feedback mechanism for consumers to validate broadband data electronically or via phone.
This technology will soon be implemented in 12 different states and one U.S. territory as part of Connected Nation’s federal stimulus funded broadband mapping and planning programs. These mapping activities are supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.
We invite you to stop by and view the demonstration on January 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (EST) at the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902.
Labels: BroadbandStat, ICAC
Anyone involved in agriculture can now immediately connect with consumers - and with each other, sharing vital information on weather, how crops are fairing and anything else that may impact business. Twitter even sends the latest Greenpeace and Humane Society of America updates into the palm of one working man’s hand.