Policy Models

Free Press: A Roadmap for Stimulus Success

Julie Schwartz — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:11:07 -0500

Virginia Community Broadband Tool-kit

Julie Schwartz — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:26:43 -0500

Opportunities for Federal Grants, Loans and Other Support for Broadband Projects

Julie Schwartz — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:19:05 -0500

Guide to Broadband Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

PSN — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:26:41 -0500

The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriates an unprecedented amount of money to initiatives aimed at increasing access and adoption of affordable broadband technology. This recognition of broadband’s rapidly expanding role in all aspects of our lives, underscores why it’s imperative for states to think strategically about how to integrate broadband into their long-term goals. For example, broadband can be used to increase government transparency, improve access to healthcare, improve energy management, assist in workforce redevelopment and increase educational opportunities. By effectively leveraging broadband, a state can create efficiencies, implement cost saving programs, increase transparency, and provide better services and increased opportunities to its citizens.

The stimulus plan allocates $7.2 billion to promote high-speed Internet programs. The majority of the funding will be used to increase broadband access in rural, unserved, and underserved areas. Additionally, funding is provided to support community programs that encourage broadband adoption in low-income communities, for initiatives that expand public community centers capacity and to fund the development of a national broadband map. The National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utility Service (RUS) will be charged with distributing the grants and loans. However, NTIA and RUS appropriated funds will operate independently and are mutually exclusive ofone another. For example, if an area is receiving funds with a grant from RUS that same area cannot be covered under a project funded through NTIA’s, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration:

The NTIA was allocated $4.7 billion in total. The majority of the NTIA funds, $4.35 billion, will be distributed as grants, which may go to states, political subdivisions of states, municipalities, non-profits or private companies through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. In addition to grants aimed at increasing access to broadband, at least $250 million of the NTIA funds are set aside for competitive grants for programs that encourage sustainable broadband adoption, while an additional $200 million in grants are set aside for expanding public computer center capacity. Additionally, another $350 million will fund the Broadband Data Improvement Act to develop broadband inventory mapping and support community initiatives.

Specifically, the NTIA may provide eligible entities with grants to accomplish the following

Acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology, and infrastructure for broadband services;
Construct and deploy broadband service related infrastructure;
Facilitate access to broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations in order to provide educational and employment opportunities to members of such populations;
Ensure access to broadband service by community anchor institutions;
Construct and deploy broadband facilities that improve public safety broadband communications services; and
Undertake other projects and activities that the grantor finds consistent with the purposes for which the program is established.

While many of the grant application requirements have yet to be released, the following details were included in the stimulus bill:

Under the legislation the NTIA was directed to:
- Award at least one NTIA grant to each state;
- Dispense grants by the end of the 2010 fiscal year;
- Fund only projects that adhere to the Federal Communications Commission's Internet nondiscrimination and openness principles;
- Promote projects that will "provide the greatest broadband speed possible;”
- Consult with state governments to determine which areas are "unserved" and “underserved;”
- Consult with states when determining how to allocate grants within that state;
- Consider whether an application to deploy infrastructure in an area will increase the affordability of and subscribership to the greatest population of users in the area; provide the greatest broadband speed possible to the greatest population of users in the area; enhance service for health care delivery, education, or children to the greatest population of users in the area; and will not result in unjust enrichment as a result of support for non-recurring costs through another Federal program for service in the area.
- In order to receive funding from the NTIA, eligible entities must submit an application, at such time, in such form, and containing such information as maybe required.

Grant applications must include, among other things, the following information:
- A demonstration that projects receiving money will be substantially completed in two years;
- A demonstration that an entity can meet the grant’s 20% matching requirement (the federal government will pay up to 80% of the cost) or is eligible for an economic hardship waiver;
- An explanation of how any amount received under the program will carry out the objectives of the legislation and be used to an efficient and expeditious manner, including a demonstration that the project would not have been implemented during the grant period without federal grant assistance;
- Demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the grantors, that it is capable of carrying out the project or function to which the application relates in a competent manner in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Rural Utility Service Grants and Loans:

The Rural Utility Service (RUS) will administer $2.5 billion in grants and loans. In order to receive a grant from the RUS, 75% of the area being served must be rural and without sufficient access to high-speed broadband to facilitate rural economic development. Priority will be given to applications for broadband systems that will allow end users to have a choice of more than one service provider, to projects servicing the highest proportion of rural residents, and to borrowers or former borrowers under Title II of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

PSN's Guide to Key Broadband Bills in 2009

PSN — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:38:12 -0500

Key Broadband Bills for 2009

PSN is currently working with state legislators to both provide support to sponsors and build national messaging campaigns in order to move two pieces of legislation that focus on strategic integration of broadband into states long term plans. Moving these policies across multiple states will create opportunities for national messaging and mobilize the power of state action to move progressive broadband initiatives, and lead the way for bold federal reform. A key goal is to use these initiatives as a means to generate support for increased investment in broadband and motivation to leverage new broadband technologies to improve our economy, implement environmentally friendly and energy efficient policies and increase health care, education and social opportunities.

More on these and other policies can be found in Broadband and Technology Investments: Policy Options for 2009, PSN’s report detailing a range of bold policies states are introducing to ensure universal access to and adoption of affordable broadband, initiatives both comprehensive and incremental in scope.

Broadband Strategy Councils: Currently, approximately 20 million Americans today do not have access to a single high-speed Internet provider, and even more are currently priced out of the market. In order to ensure that states remain competitive in the 21st century, state legislators should consider creating an entity that is focused on increasing access and adoption of affordable broadband. Additionally, the entity should be tasked with considering how to leverage broadband technology across various sectors, such as government, healthcare, energy management and education to create efficiencies, save money, increase transparency and provide better services and increased opportunities.

Any legislation establishing an advisory council should: require the council consist of diverse members representing various stakeholders; develop a statewide strategic approach to broadband deployment and adoption; establish clear goals and accountability metrics; provide a forum for public/private collaboration; be set-up to meet federal requirements for matching grant and other funding opportunities; protect municipalities’ rights; and, help spur demand aggregation.

Digital Inclusion: In order to ensure that as more government programs, jobs, education and health care institutions take advantage of technological advancements, every individual can be a full participant in our 21st century digital society, states should commit to investing in digital inclusion initiatives.

Initiatives to increase digital inclusion and the everyday use of technology must meet three major requirements. First, states need to educate the public on how digital skills and better access to information can empower them; and publicize the fact that improved technology access is tied to economic development, better health care, and improved environmentally friendly policies. Second, individuals need access to technology and digital skills training which will teach them how to use and reap the benefits of 21st century infrastructure. Third, any digital inclusion initiative must be tied to the overall goals of the state to ensure long term sustainability.

Guiding Principles for Broadband Strategy Councils

PSN — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:55:15 -0500

Broadband Strategy Councils

The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has earmarked an unprecedented amount of money to broadband and associated technology programs. This recognition of the role broadband currently plays and will play in all aspects of our lives, from energy management to healthcare, underscores why its imperative for states to think strategically about how to facilitate universal broadband access and adoption and to integrate broadband into numerous state goals.

Currently, approximately 20 million Americans do not have access to a single high-speed Internet provider, and even more are currently priced out of the market. In order to ensure that states remain competitive in the 21st century, state legislators should consider creating a Broadband Strategy Council that is focused on increasing access and adoption of affordable broadband, especially to unserved and underserved areas and populations. Additionally, the entity should be tasked with developing a strategy to leverage broadband technology across various sectors, such as government, healthcare, energy management, workforce development and education to create efficiencies, save money, increase transparency and provide better services and increased opportunities to its citizens.

Any legislation establishing a broadband strategy council should require the council to:

Develop a statewide strategic approach to broadband deployment. Work with various state leaders, such as the heads of the transportation, commerce, work-force development, health care and energy agencies to ensure that broadband deployment is done efficiently and coordinated with other long-term state goals.
Consist of diverse members representing various stakeholders, experts, government and agency leaders who are able to develop a "big picture" build-out and adoption strategy that provides increased access to affordable broadband and protects the public interest, especially to unserved and underserved areas and populations.
Establish clear deployment and adoption goals and accountability metrics. Determine the type of infrastructure available to residents, set minimum connectivity speeds fast enough to support advanced applications and address barriers to adoption.
Provide a forum for public/private collaboration that allows states to work with privately owned providers to expand services in underserved and unserved areas.
Help spur demand pooling to create increased affordable access to broadband and encourage private corporations to act in the public interest. For example, state or local governments can act as anchor tenant as a means of attracting private telecommunications infrastructure investment.
Meet federal requirements for matching grant and other funding opportunities. State broadband deployment councils should have the power to apply for federal grants that will assist in broadband build-out.
Protect municipalities rights to undertake local broadband projects and the provision of services in connection with those projects and services; lease infrastructure that they own or control; aggregate customers or demand for broadband services; create public / private partnerships; or apply for and receive funds or technical assistance to undertake projects which increase broadband access to their businesses and residents. For example, broadband Internet deployment councils should include language to protect municipalities' ability to build their own networks.

Guiding Principles for Digital Inclusion Policies

PSN — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:54:38 -0500

Digital Inclusion

Beyond investing in physical infrastructure, states need to invest in education and community media infrastructure to overcome the digital divide. The digital divide not only refers to the gap in broadband adoption between different demographics, but also refers to imbalances in the resources and skills needed to participate as a digital citizen in the 21st century. Groups frequently disenfranchised in other parts of society, such as low income individuals and minorities, often have fewer opportunities to gain essential digital skills.

State broadband initiatives that focus on increasing affordable access to broadband only help address the supply side ofthe digital divide equation. In order to ensure that as more government programs, jobs, education and health care institutions take advantage of technological advancements, every individual can be a full participant in our 21st century digital society, states should commit to investing in digital inclusion initiatives.

Overview of Strategy:

Initiatives to increase digital inclusion and the everyday use of technology must meet three major requirements. First, states need to educate the public on the benefits and opportunities provided by 21 st century technologies. This includes discussions about how technology is tied to economic development, better health care, implementing nvironmentally friendly policies, better access to information and increased opportunities. Second, individuals access to technology and digital skills training which will teach them how to use and reap the benefits of 21 st century infrastructure. Third, any digital inclusion initiative must be tied to the overall goals of the state to ensure long term sustainability.

Digital Empowerment: Many individuals without broadband access do not understand the benefits and practical applications of broadband and new technology. Any strong digital inclusion program needs to educate the public on the uses of broadband and related applications and a community outreach program that helps residents, particularly those from underserved communities, understand the value information technology can add to their lives. It is imperative that a digital inclusion initiatives engage underserved groups, such as low-income families and individuals, children, seniors, people with disabilities and non-English-speaking immigrants. These underserved communities should be shown how broadband and related application can improve their economic and social lifestyle, as well as expand their employment opportunities.

Affordable Access to Technology and Digital Training Programs: A key to expanding digital inclusion is to invest in community technology centers, tutoring, and other educational initiatives. Any digital inclusion program must have an integrated set of strategies to bring hardware, software, and high- speed Internet access services to underserved communities. Below are elements that help increase access to technology and digital skills.

Community Technology Centers (CTC): A community technology center offers resources to help bridge the digital divide, primarily through public access to computers and the Internet. Centers not only provide training in basic computing skills but also can educate individuals on applied skills, like online job searching. CTCs can be freestanding operations, or be located in public libraries, schools, social service agencies, neighborhood centers, and religious centers. If states incorporate CTCs with other objectives which have sustainable funding streams, such as work-force training and health care, they may be able to qualify for public dollars. For example, it has been demonstrated that digital skills are necessary for the 21st century workforce. Therefore, states could direct more federal dollars (e.g., Workforce Investment Act) towards programs that teach individuals basic and advanced technology skills necessary for many 21 st century jobs.
"Technology Refresh" strategy: When states replace their computers or other technological devices, these machines although not suitable for state work, could potentially be refurbished and used in public facilities or sold at reduced prices to qualified residents.
Use state buying power: Negotiate bulk buys from technology suppliers to create purchasing efficiencies as a means to making technology more affordable.
Public / Private Partnerships: The support of the public-sector and private-sector partnerships can provide a community approach to increasing digital inclusion that will ensure every citizen has access to 21st century technology.

Long-Term Sustainability: Digital inclusion initiatives should be seen as long-term components of state and local policy, a mechanism to help states meet a variety of economic, health care, environmental and educational goals.