Mapping in the Stimulus Plan

The New York Times recently wrote an article regarding the value of a nationwide broadband inventory as described in the federal stimulus plan. The article provides various points of view and justifications for the $350 million price tag currently allocated for a “nationwide inventory map of existing broadband service capability and availability in the United States.” Connected Nation and its many state-based affiliates have long been developing and updating similar broadband efforts and these maps are valuable vehicles for change among the state broadband landscape.

However, as Connected Nation’s experience has demonstrated and as Congress and the Obama administration have so aptly laid out in the new “broadband stimulus,” the broadband service inventory is only one component of the required efforts to ensure that everyone has access to broadband and is able to realize the value of getting connected. As laid out in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (and as funded by the $350 million for state grant programs) the broadband inventory must be complimented by:

Efforts to increase awareness of broadband availability, adoption and applications;
Statewide public-private partnership that is dedicated to full broadband deployment;
Community-level demand creation program that brings together local citizens to educate them and energize the opportunity of broadband; and
Computer distribution programs to put computers in the hands of low-income households.

Simply put, these broadband inventories outline where broadband is and where it is not. Understanding the landscape of the broadband environment as well as available connectivity options develops educated consumers and entices providers to build out. Coupled with serious and comprehensive demand side activities, these inventory maps become a critical tool in addressing the challenges to digital inclusion.

As prescribed in the stimulus and as included in Public Law 100-385 (the Broadband Data Improvement Act) Connected Nation works closely with the private sector throughout all efforts to successfully improve digital inclusion in our states and local communities. During map development, we work closely with telecom providers of all types and sizes to exchange detailed versions of their coverage data. Provider information is sometimes unavailable at the start of a process, it is rarely in any standard format and it always requires special considerations on the part of the aggregator so that a certain level of confidentiality is upheld for the most sensitive data.

This engagement with the private sector at all points in the process allows for more informed decision-making for companies and more effective policy making among the public sector. It is the essence of effective public-private partnership. We commend Congress and President Obama for taking the bold step to enable this type of partnership in each and every state. America will be better for it.

Connected Nation Policy Update

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was rolled out by the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 15, 2009. Contained in this large bill designed to stimulate the U.S. economy were $6 billion in funding for broadband. Of that $6 billion, $5.65 billion was set aside for broadband infrastructure grants targeted to unserved and underserved areas. $350 million was designated for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (which was created by P.L. 110-385 – the Broadband Data Improvement Act) and the creation of a national broadband inventory map.

On Thursday, January 22, 2009, the House Energy & Commerce Committee marked-up the health, energy and broadband related parts of the proposed stimulus bill. In addition to an amendment offered by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) that amended the broadband infrastructure portion of the broadband package, the Committee considered the following amendments:

• Amendment offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) tying the infrastructure grants to interoperable communications for first-responders. Accepted by voice vote.
• Amendment offered by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) requiring that infrastructure funding be used in unserved areas before being used in underserved areas. Failed by a vote of 23 to 33.
• Amendment offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) requiring that, after the NTIA has made public a national broadband inventory map, the FCC revisit upcoming definitions of “unserved area” and “underserved area.” Accepted by voice vote.
• Amendment offered by Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX) prohibiting infrastructure grant funding from going to any entity that receives funds from the Universal Service Fund. Failed by voice vote.
• Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN) requiring the NTIA to review percentage allocations for the grant program not less than 3 months after it makes public a national broadband inventory map. Failed by a vote of 21 to 33.
• Amendment offered by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) requiring that the grant infrastructure program consider whether or not the entities eligible to receive grant funds are socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns. Agreed to by voice vote.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has announced that the plans to consider the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act on the House floor on Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

Connected Nation will provide more updates on this important broadband activity as it becomes available.

Connected Nation’s Summary of the Broadband Data Improvement Act

Connected Nation applauds the bipartisan support of federal legislation dedicated to ensuring that all Americans enjoy the benefits of a broadband connection.

Passed by unanimous consent in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, S. 1492 – the Broadband Data Improvement Act – is the culmination of almost two years of work by the Commerce Committees in both chambers. Congress working in a bi-partisan manner achieved consensus on a national broadband plan that includes as a cornerstone the Connected Nation model of public-private partnerships leveraging their combined power to improve the quality-of-life for all Americans.

In the Broadband Data Improvement Act, Congress agrees that broadband deployment and adoption results in enhanced economic development, enhanced public safety, healthcare and educational opportunities, and improves quality of life. The Congress also stipulates that continued progress in deployment and adoption are vital to America’s future, that better federal data on broadband will help this progress, and that the federal government should assist in state efforts to create public-private partnerships.

S. 1492 takes action to improve the knowledge of the federal government on the status of broadband in the U.S. through directives to the FCC, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Comptroller General, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through new collected information from consumers and broadband providers, and studies on broadband, these provisions will help inform federal activity on broadband policy in the years to come. In addition, statewide broadband availability maps must be compiled by the Department of Commerce into a national broadband map.

The Broadband Data Improvement Act also creates a new competitive grant program to spur the creation and support of state-based broadband initiatives. In order for states to access grant funds, they must work with a nonprofit to:

• Create a statewide broadband availability map
• Increase broadband availability by working with broadband providers and the public sector
• Increase broadband adoption using grassroots demand aggregation
• Conduct research to assess the barriers to technology use
• Create a Computers4Kids™-like program that puts computers into the hands of at risk children

Statement from Connected Nation’s CEO
"By passing this bill unanimously in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, every member of Congress has promoted the importance of broadband and the related technologies that are enabled when communities and families have the ability and desire to connect to a world of opportunity. We appreciate the U.S. Congress’ support and leadership on this matter, particularly of those many Members of Congress who directly sought the input of Connected Nation as they crafted this groundbreaking legislation. Congress has demonstrated an appreciation of the need to ensure that all people, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, have the ability to realize the promises of technology. Connected Nation is heartened by both the bipartisanship demonstrated in the passage of this crucial legislation and the wide coalition of groups and interests that joined together to ensure it was passed before Congress adjourns. For the United States, this new broadband policy will mean better education, more jobs, improved healthcare, more efficient government and a better quality of life accessible for all Americans, regardless of their location or socio-economic circumstances.”

-- Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, Inc.

Congress Has Opportunity to Connect the Nation

Below from Link Hoewing over at the Verizon Policy Blog

Last night during the first presidential debate, Senator Barack Obama included the deployment of broadband technology to all Americans as one of the economic priorities he would establish if he became President. Senator John McCain supports the deployment of broadband technology and calls it a “top priority” to ensure deployment as widely as possible.

All year, both house of Congress have been considering legislation that would, among other things, establish grant programs to support mapping initiatives in the states to identify gaps in broadband deployment and to help fund the efforts of groups in the states, like Connected Nation, focused on promoting the deployment of broadband. The legislation, S. 1492, has passed the Senate and is now pending in the House. Over the last several years, we have made great progress in a number of states in promoting broadband deployment using mapping strategies and “e-teams” focused on encouraging deployment and helping people get training and PCs so they can take advantage of broadband.

There is abundant evidence that broadband technology can promote economic growth, energy efficiency, improved education programs and better health care. The multiplier effects of broadband technology are immense. Relatively small investments in broadband can encourage substantial returns in economic growth, new jobs and innovation. Dozens of organizations – from the Alliance for Public Technology to the Communications Workers of America to companies like Verizon and Cisco – support S. 1492. Congress can take a big step to promote a healthy economy by passing this legislation and I hope it does so today.

http://policyblog.verizon.com/PolicyBlog/Blogs/policyblog/LinkHoewing9/537/Pass-Legislation-to-Promote-Broadband-Deployment-.aspx