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News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter May 2020

Fri, May 01, 2020

Vol 5 | Issue 5 | May 2020
Download PDF version here.
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Kinkoph photoPolicy Corner: Our Commitment to Connectivity Needs
By Doug Kinkoph, Associate Administrator performing the delegated duties of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information

I’m pleased to report that NTIA has been hard at work maintaining continuity of our operations while most of our employees have been teleworking during the unusual and difficult time for our country. On the spectrum front we have been working with businesses, federal stakeholders and the FCC to make sure our response to connectivity needs remains flexible. One way federal agencies can help during a time of increased demand is by enabling additional sharing of spectrum to provide short-term capacity for commercial services. NTIA has been working with agencies to accommodate these requests. Moving forward, NTIA will do all it can to help keep Americans connected to vital Internet services. Part of this work includes raising awareness of federal broadband resources, and I’m pleased to report that we’ve updated ourBroadbandUSA website database of 57 federal broadband programs, spanning 14 federal agencies with billions of dollars for broadband grants, loans, and other resources. And we’re continuing our multistakeholder work on building a more secure software supply chain through the Software Bill of Materials initiative.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal COVID-19 Broadband Resources

State COVID-19 Broadband Resources

Federal News

State News

Public Safety/FirstNet

General News

NTIA Events

May 20, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: Using Smart Technologies to Drive Regional Transformation
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Local leaders are deploying smart technologies to address regional challenges, create economic efficiencies, improve sustainability, and enhance residential quality of life. Please join BroadbandUSA on May 20th to learn more about smart region efforts in Arizona, Colorado and the Great Lakes area. These initiatives focus on economic development, water quality, and the use of artificial intelligence to create stronger and more resilient communities.Speakers will also describe their work in the Global City Teams Challenge (GCTC) Smart Regions Collaborative. The GCTC is a peer-to-peer learning and best practices development effort started in 2014 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In 2019, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) partnered with NIST for the Smart Regions Collaborative.

Speakers:

  • Dominic Papa, Vice President, Smart States Initiative, Arizona Commerce Authority

  • Eric H. Drummond, CEO and Founder, Innovation Corridor; Co-Founder and Chair GCTC- Supercomputer Modeling and AI Cluster

  • Mark Fisher, President and CEO, Council of the Great Lakes Region

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

News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter April 2020

Wed, April 01, 2020

Vol 5 | Issue4 |April2020
Download PDF version here.
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Policy Corner: Broadband is More Important Than Ever
By Doug Kinkoph, Associate Administrator performing the delegated duties of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information

Broadband is more important than ever, and NTIA has been working to expand access and increase connectivity for all Americans. We recently provided a one-year update to the American Broadband Initiative (ABI), the Trump Administration’s government-wide approach to connectivity challenges. Five new states – Nebraska, New Mexico, Michigan, Missouri, and Virginia – have joined the initial eight states participating in our National Broadband Availability Map. We have seen increased participation in our State Broadband Leader’s Network, and our BroadbandUSA website now has the most comprehensive information on state resources available. At NTIA, we have also worked with the FCC, businesses, and federal stakeholders to make sure our response to connectivity needs remains flexible. Most recently, NTIA supported Verizon’s application to the FCC for a Special Temporary Authority to access radio frequency spectrum due to increased commercial use. We plan to continue our hard work to meet the needs of the American people.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety / FirstNet

Digital Inclusion

General News

NTIA Events

April 15, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: Rural Broadband: Three Service Providers Discuss Business Models and Solutions
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Rural service providers continue to deploy broadband solutions and work to close the digital divide, developing strong local partnerships and sustainable business models. Please join BroadbandUSA for its April webinar on broadband topics of interest, which features three providers that utilize different technologies to bring broadband solutions to their rural communities. Panelists include an electric co-op from the Virginia Piedmont, an independent telephone company serving rural areas in the Southeast, and a regional cable provider, offering a triple play of video, Internet, and voice in the upper Midwest.

Speakers:

  • Renee Chapline, Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs, Prince George Electric Cooperative

  • James Garner, Vice President of Operations, Telephone Electronics Corporation

  • Justin Forde, Senior Director of Government Relations, Midco

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

News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter March 2020

Sun, March 01, 2020

Vol 5 | Issue 3 | March 2020
Download PDF version here.
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Policy Corner: Working with States to Solve the Broadband Challenge

By Doug Kinkoph, Associate Administrator performing the delegated duties of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information

NTIA’s State Broadband Leaders Network is a powerful forum for connecting local government, industry and stakeholders across the country that are focused on broadband activities. NTIA has spent many years building up these relationships, and recently updated our website with detailed information on state broadband offices and funding opportunities. The SBLN also holds regular meetings for states to improve funding coordination, align policies, and address barriers to collaboration across states and agencies. Given the critical importance of expanding broadband access throughout America, we are eager to keep these conversations going to encourage investment and close the broadband gap. Read the complete blog here.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety / FirstNet

Broadband Funding

Digital Inclusion

Minority Broadband Initiative

General News

NTIA Events

Mar. 18, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: American Broadband Initiative – 1 year update
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
In 2019, the Trump Administration launched the American Broadband Initiative (ABI) with the release of the Milestones Report. A year later, federal agencies have made significant progress across government to improve broadband access for Americans. Please join BroadbandUSA on March 18, 2020 at 2pm ET to hear from key agencies that participate in the ABI who will highlight the commitments and accomplishments of this effort. The event will open with a message from the Executive Office of the President on the status of the initiative. NTIA will provide an update on work to build the National Broadband Availability Map (NBAM), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chad Rupe, Rural Utilities Service Administrator, will discuss the ReConnect program and some of the agency’s regulatory changes that affect broadband permitting. Finally, the U.S. Department of the Interior will cover important changes to broadband permitting policies.

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

Events of Interest

March 8 – 11, 2020
National League of Cities (NLC) Federal Advocacy Round Table, Washington, DC.

April 5 - 7, 2020
IEEE 6th World Forum on Internet of Things (IoT), New Orleans, LA

April 5 - 7, 2020
National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) Net Inclusion 2020, Portland, OR

April 9, 2020
GCTC Smart Regions Collaborative, Denver, CO.

News Resources

News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter December 2019

Sun, December 01, 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 11 | December 2019
Download PDF version here.
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

NTIA Launches Minority Broadband Initiative with Historically Black Colleges and Universities

On November 15, 2019, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched a new Minority Broadband Initiative (MBI) focused on solving broadband deployment challenges in vulnerable communities. NTIA announced the initiative at the 2019 Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education (CASE) Summit held at Johnson C. Smith University. The program seeks to ensure that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can successfully advance broadband connectivity on their campuses and in their surrounding communities, enabling the participation of all Americans in the digital economy. NTIA’s initiative will work with connected HBCUs, or “Smart HBCUs,” to promote them as hubs of digital applications and innovation, and ensure their inclusion and awareness of broadband deployment grant opportunities. The MBI also will seek to partner with federal agencies, local governments, and the private sector to lay the groundwork for extensive expansion of broadband networks across HBCU campuses and throughout the rural South. See more information here.(Photo: Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.)

Policy Corner

Council to Secure the Digital Economy (CSDE) Forum in Washington, D.C. on November 21, 2019.
Highlights of remarks of Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

Botnets are a global problem, and a challenge for the entire Internet ecosystem. Industry alone – government alone – can’t solve these continually evolving security challenges, working separately. But working together, we can make progress. The model NTIA proposed in our botnet report allows for private-sector stakeholders to lead the way. Where appropriate, government will play a coordinating and collaborative role. CSDE released its International Anti-Botnet Guide, and NTIA was pleased to participate in the development of this effort. I was especially encouraged by the core principles of security advanced by the guide: that security is a shared responsibility that relies on teamwork and demands flexible solutions. We are setting a strong example of what we can accomplish through a strong partnership between the government and the private sector. In the coming weeks, we expect to issue an update to our Botnet Road Map. We are pleased to have a lot of progress to share, with more than half of the tasks either in progress or completed, and many others poised to begin in the near future. As long as we continue to take risks and create new technologies, problems like botnets will always exist. That’s the nature of progress. But we can take action to increase our resilience, mitigate any damage, and dramatically reduce the threat that these attacks pose. Let’s keep working together. See complete remarks here.(Photo: Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, at the CSDE Forum on November 21, 2019.)

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety/FirstNet

Broadband Funding

Digital Inclusion

General News

NTIA Events

Please note that BroadbandUSA will not be hosting a webinar in the month of December 2019.

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

Events of Interest

Dec. 4, 2019
Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA)-Ice Miller Broadband Financing Bootcamp, online.

Dec. 4 - 6, 2019
National Associated of Development Officers (NADO) Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA) Conference, Santa Fe, Calif. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Justin Fazzari

Dec. 9, 2019
USDA Arkansas Rural Broadband Solutions Workshop, Little Rock, Ark. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Dec. 12, 2019
Alabama HBCU Broadband Convening, sponsored by the Alabama Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, Alabama A&M University. NTIA BroadbandUSA Speaker: Francine Alkisswani

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.

News Resources

News

NTIA Launches Minority Broadband Initiative

Fri, November 15, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Media Contact: Anne Veigle, (202) 482-4208,aveigle@ntia.gov

Press release: NTIA Launches Minority Broadband Initiative

Report: NTIA Minority Broadband Initiative Framework

Remarks: Remarks of Acting Assistant Secretary Rinaldo at the 2019 Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education Summit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched a new Minority Broadband Initiative (MBI) focused on solving broadband deployment challenges in vulnerable communities. NTIA announced the initiative at the 2019 Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education (CASE) Summit held at Johnson C. Smith University. The program seeks to ensure that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can successfully advance broadband connectivity on their campuses and in their surrounding communities, enabling the participation of all Americans in the digital economy.

To prepare students and surrounding communities to lead in the digital age, this year’s CASE Summit highlights the importance of HBCUs as force multipliers for economic growth and rural prosperity. The summit is committed to building strategies to compete successfully for federal and public-private resources to fulfill HBCUs'historical mission.

NTIA’s initiative will work with connected HBCUs, or “Smart HBCUs,” to promote them as hubs of digital applications and innovation, and ensure their inclusion and awareness of broadband deployment grant opportunities. The MBI also will seek to partner with federal agencies, local governments, and the private sector to lay the groundwork for extensive expansion of broadband networks across HBCU campuses and throughout the rural South.

“We’re excited to launch this initiative that can help address some of the longstanding digital connectivity gaps in our nation,” said Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. “NTIA’s expertise in convening partnerships will be a tremendous asset in solving these challenges, and we look forward to developing this initiative with our partners in government, industry, academia and public policy.”

“I am pleased to support this new initiative to support economic growth and competitiveness in HBCU anchor communities through high capacity broadband networks and connectivity,” said Johnathan Holifield, Executive Director of theWhite HouseInitiative on HBCUs. “I believe that this initiative will help HBCUs emerge as premier tools and preferred vehicles to inclusively address U.S. competitiveness challenges for themselves and for their communities.”

Broadly, the MBI seeks to achieve the following strategic policy objectives:

  1. Convening a forum where stakeholders can explore options for leveraging HBCU broadband infrastructure to connect neighboring communities of vulnerable populations; an
  2. Using broadband infrastructure investment as a catalyst for adoption that will result in job growth and economic development and deployment of advanced mobile technologies primarily in the economically distressed communities of the rural South.

NTIA’s work on the Minority Broadband Initiative complements theWhite House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which supports the nation’s priorities of fully deploying 5G and improving the prosperity of economically distressed and unconnected rural communities. The CASE Summit and Smart HBCU planning teams will facilitate conversations among North Carolina and South Carolina HBCUs, local community leaders, and state stakeholders to ensure affordable broadband in their communities, especially rural areas.

For more information,please see a reportsetting out a framework for discussion.

News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter November 2019

Fri, November 01, 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 11 | November 2019
Download PDF version here.
To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Summit Empowers Wyoming Rural Communities

Despite freezing temperatures, closed roads, and Wyoming’s first major snowfall of the year, more than 100 stakeholders from across the state joined NTIA, USDA, and the Wyoming Business Council on October 10th for the Wyoming Rural Broadband Summit. The summit focused on community empowerment, specifically on teams, tools and actions necessary for connecting rural communities to broadband services. Governor Mark Gordon spoke in the afternoon and stayed through closing, taking time to talk with attendees. Participants said they appreciated the messages on inclusion and adoption. Keynote speakers Roberto Gallardo from Purdue University Extension and Jeremy Hegle from Federal Reserve of Kansas City spoke about the importance of digital inclusion and adoption to the success of broadband buildouts during the morning session. The afternoon session included roundtables and workshops designed to promote coalition building and improve the use of data when developing broadband plans . (Photograph, left to right: Russ Elliott, Broadband Manager State of Wyoming; Karen Perry, NTIA; Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming; Wally Wolski, State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wyoming.)

Policy Corner

Mobile World Congress Americas 2019 in Los Angeles, California, on October 23, 2019
Highlights of remarks of Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

At last year’s Mobile World Congress, representatives from NTIA and the Department of Commerce made a commitment on behalf of the Administration: That America would win the race to 5G. We’ve worked to craft a long-term, comprehensive approach to spectrum policy, removed obstacles to infrastructure buildouts, and we’ve collaborated with industry to put security first. Now, a year later, there are 5G networks in 35 American cities, covering nearly half of the states. By the end of the year, almost 100 networks will be up and running across the country. What I’m most encouraged by, however, is that we’ve once again proved the strength of the American approach. Free market principles are leading the way. We have worked to leverage the unmatched power of the free enterprise system. A country full of entrepreneurs stand ready to use these advances in connectivity to create life-changing products and services. We are on the right path. Let’s continue to work together and make our shared vision for the future a reality. See complete remarks here.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety/FirstNet

Broadband Funding

Digital Equity

General News

NTIA Events

Nov. 20, 2019
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: Building Digital Workforce Skills at the Local Level
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
A digitally skilled workforce is essential for the economic development of our nation’s communities. Companies of all sizes need employees that understand technology, whether it’s on the business or operational side of the organization. Join NTIA’s BroadbandUSA webinar to hear how local leaders are building partnerships between governments, businesses, nonprofits and education institutions to help residents attain the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy. Click here to register.

Speakers:

  • David Keyes, Digital Equity Program Manager, City of Seattle Information Technology

  • Stacey Wedlake, Research Coordinator and Analyst, Technology and Social Change Group (TASCHA) at University of Washington’s Information School

  • Shonna Dorsey, Senior Business Systems Consultant, Mutual of Omaha

Moderator:

  • Emy Tseng, Senior Program Specialist, NTIA’s BroadbandUSA

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

Nov. 26, 2019
State Broadband Leaders Network Monthly Meeting (virtual.) NTIA BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Events of Interest

Nov. 13, 2019
Southern New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Truth or Consequences, NM. NTIA BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 14, 2019
Northern New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Albuquerque, NM. NTIA BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 15, 2019
Tribal New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Albuquerque, NM. NTIA BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 14 - 16, 2019
Carolinas Alliance for Success in Education (CASE) Summit, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C.

Nov. 20, 2019
Buckeye Hills Regional Council’s (BHRC) Policy Summit: Opportunities for Rural Appalachian Ohio, Marietta, OH

Nov. 20 – 23, 2019
National League of Cities (NLC) 2019 City Summit, San Antonio, TX. BroadbandUSA Speakers: Francine Alkisswani, Maureen Lewis

Dec. 12, 2019
Alabama HBCU Broadband Convening, sponsored by the Alabama Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, Alabama A&M University. NTIA BroadbandUSA Speaker: Francine Alkisswani

News Resources

News

news image

BroadbandUSA Newsletter October 2019

Thu, October 24, 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 9 | October 2019

Download PDF version here.

To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

NTIA Releases National Broadband Availability Map for Eight Pilot States

NTIA released the first phase of its National Broadband Availability Map (NBAM) on September 30, 2019. The map is accessible to the eight participating pilot states including California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. The first release includes data from the participating states as well as U.S. Census Bureau, USDA, DOI, and FCC. The states will test the map’s functionality in the coming months. Feedback from the states will inform the next phase of the map’s development. Information and updates about the map are available on the BroadbandUSA website.

Nevada Broadband EventA Successful Nevada Broadband Workshop

The BroadbandUSA team went on the road to Reno, Nevada this month to hold the Nevada Broadband Workshop. BroadbandUSA was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Nevada state officials, and both U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. The workshop engaged the public and stakeholders with information helpful in accelerating the rate of broadband connectivity, improving digital inclusion, and supporting local priorities. The broadband workshop provided information on topics including local broadband planning, funding, and engagement with service providers. Speakers voiced support for the expansion of broadband capacity, access, and utilization.

See coverage of the event in Government Technology, The Dos and Don'ts of Community Broadband Network Planning.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety/FirstNet

Broadband Funding

Broadband Mapping

Digital Equity

General News

Events

NTIA Events

Oct.16, 2019
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: Broadband’s Role in Revitalizing Main Street.
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Broadband connectivity helps to ensure that local communities are vibrant and successful. In parts of the country that are not fully connected, some communities are creating partnerships with local businesses, health organizations, schools and art groups to solve these challenges. These innovative partnerships leverage existing assets to build new opportunities. Join NTIA’s BroadbandUSA to hear case studies of models that are working to successfully connect Main Street in underserved areas.
Speakers:

  • Michael W. Burns, Senior Advisor to the Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4/CUPP Program Manager

  • Mona El Khafif, Associate Professor UVA School of Architecture, RCN Co-Director MainStreet21

  • Fletcher Kittredge, CEO, GWI

Click here to register

Oct. 22, 2019
State Broadband Leaders Network Monthly Meeting, Virtual. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Events of Interest

Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2019
Smart Cities Week Washington DC, Washington, D.C. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice

Oct. 2, 2019
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Conference, Harrisburg, Va. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Hanson

Oct. 2, 2019
Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Rural Broadband Summit, Atlanta, Ga.

Oct. 8, 2019
Utah Digital Summit, Salt Lake City, Utah. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Justin Fazzari

Oct. 8 - 10, 2019
15th Annual Minnesota Broadband Conference, Nisswa, Minn. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Andy Spurgeon

Oct. 8 - 10, 2019
Smart Cities Connect Fall Conference and Expo, National Harbor, Md.

Oct. 10, 2019
Wyoming Rural Broadband Summit, Casper, Wyo. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Oct. 16 - 18, 2019
2019 AnchorNets Conference, Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, Crystal City, Va

Oct. 20 - 23, 2019
International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Nashville, Tenn. BroadbandUSA Speakers: Katherine Bates, Karen Hanson

Oct. 21, 2019
Mississippi Rural Broadband Workshop, Raymond, Miss. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Oct. 22, 2019
Mississippi Rural Broadband Workshop, Verona, Miss. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Oct. 24 - 25, 2019
Oregon Connections Telecommunication Conference, Ashland, Ore. BroadbandUSA Speakers: Jean Rice, Karen Archer Perry

Oct. 30, 2019
Bridging the Digital Divide: Broadband Communities’ 2019 High-Speed Broadband: Driving America’s Growth Conference and Expo, Alexandria, Va. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Tim Moyer

Nov. 13, 2019
Southern New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Las Cruces, NM. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 14, 2019
Northern New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Albuquerque, NM. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 15, 2019
Tribal New Mexico Rural Broadband Workshop (Sponsored by the USDA, NTIA, State of New Mexico), Albuquerque, NM. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry

Nov. 20 – 23, 2019
National League of Cities (NLC) 2019 City Summit, San Antonio, TX.

Diane RinaldoPolicy Corner

Data Privacy Conference USA 2019 in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2019
Highlights of remarks of Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

Internet privacy and security are sometimes treated as separate concerns, but the simple fact is even the strongest privacy laws won’t do much to protect consumers if our networks aren’t secure. We know that consumers care about both of these issues. Data from NTIA’s most recent Internet use survey show that nearly three quarters of households that use the Internet expressed concern about privacy and security risks, such as identity theft or loss of control over personal information. NTIA is working to address both concerns. There is broad consensus that we cannot have a patchwork regulatory landscape within the U.S., especially surrounding privacy. As new technologies like 5G, the Internet of Things and AI become more integrated into our daily lives, we must strive to have the right policies in place so that the United States can continue to harness the economic benefits of our technological leadership. See complete remarks here.

Event

November 2019 Webinar: Building Digital Workforce Skills at the Local Level

Date: Wednesday, November 20th, 2019
Time: 02:00 PM EDT

A digitally skilled workforce is essential for the economic development of our nation’s communities. Companies of all sizes need employees that understand technology, whether it’s on the business or operational side of the organization. Join BroadbandUSA to hear how local leaders are building partnerships between governments, businesses, nonprofits and education to help residents attain the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.

Speakers:

  • David Keyes, Digital Equity Program Manager, City of Seattle Information Technology
  • Stacey Wedlake, Research Coordinator and Analyst, Technology and Social Change Group (TASCHA) at University of Washington Information School
  • Shonna Dorsey, Senior Business Systems Consultant, Mutual of Omaha
  • Kagan Coughlin, Co-Founder, Trustee Base Camp Coding Academy

Moderator: Emy Tseng, Senior Program Specialist, BroadbandUSA

Event Resources

News

BroadbandUSA Newsletter September 2019

Sun, September 01, 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 8 | September 2019

Download PDF version here.

To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Nevada Broadband Workshop September 27, 2019

NTIA's BroadbandUSA Program will host a broadband workshop in Reno, Nevada on Friday, September 27, 2019. The workshop is designed to provideinformation on how to accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, and support local broadband priorities. Topics to be discussed include local broadband planning, funding, and engagement with service providers. Speakers and attendees from Nevada, federal agencies, and across the country will come together to explore ways to facilitate the expansion of broadband capacity, access, and utilization. See details here.

NTIA Data: Two-thirds of U.S. Internet Users Do Not Participate in the Sharing Economy
Summary of NTIA Blog

In our most recent Internet Use Survey, conducted in 2017, NTIA included questions about participation in the sharing economy for the first time. The results show that a third of Internet users in the U.S. reported selling goods or requesting or offering services from others through online platforms. This compares with the significant majority of Internet users – 69 percent – who reported using the Internet for more traditional e-commerce activities such as online shopping or travel reservations. See complete blog here. BroadbandUSA will explore Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband in its September 2019 webinar. See details below.

Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

Federal News

Public Safety/FirstNet

Broadband Funding

Broadband Mapping

Digital Equity

General News

Events

NTIA Events

Sept. 18, 2019
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
Description:The digital economy accounted for 6.9 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, or $1.35 trillion, according to a recent survey by the Department of Commerce. Understanding how to measure and communicate the benefits of broadband is critical to building support for efforts to expand connectivity and use. Join BroadbandUSA and leading U.S. researchers to discuss their research into the economic impact of broadband deployment and adoption in the United States.
Speakers:

  • Roberto Gallardo, Assistant Director - Center for Regional Development, Purdue University

  • Brian Whitacre, Professor, Oklahoma State University

  • Alison Grant, Research Assistant and Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Purdue University

Moderator:

  • Katherine Bates, Manager of State and Local Partnerships, BroadbandUSA

Click here to register

Sept. 24, 2019
State Broadband Leaders Network Monthly Meeting, Virtual. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Sept. 27, 2019
Nevada Broadband Workshop, Reno, Nev.
NTIA's BroadbandUSA Program will host a broadband workshop in Reno, Nevada on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Lawlor Events Center, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557.

Oct. 22, 2019
State Broadband Leaders Network Monthly Meeting, Virtual. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

Events of Interest

Sept. 10-12, 2019
Global Cities Team Challenge (GCTC) Global Tech Jam, Portland, Ore. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice

Sept. 10-12, 2019
Telecommunications Association of Maine and Telecommunications Association of New England, Rockland, Me. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Aimee Meacham

Sept. 16, 2019
Washington State Rural Broadband Workshop, Olympia, Wash. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Archer Perry

Sept. 17 - 20, 2019
Broadband Training Opportunities for EPA’s College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP) Target schools: Clemson University, Tuskegee University and the University of West Alabama, Livingston, Ala. BroadbandUSA Facilitators: Scott Woods, Don Williams

Sept. 18 - 19, 2019
Kansas Broadband and Technology Opportunities Conference, Wichita, Kan.. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice

Sept. 19, 2019
Washington State Rural Broadband Workshop, Davenport, Wash. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Archer Perry

Sept. 23 - 26, 2019
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors 2019 Annual Conference, Tampa, Fla.. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Scott Woods

Oct. 2, 2019
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Conference, Harrisburg, Va. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Hanson

Oct. 2, 2019
Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Rural Broadband Summit, Atlanta, Ga.

Oct. 8 - 10, 2019
15th Annual Minnesota Broadband Conference, Nisswa, Minn. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Andy Spurgeon

Oct. 8 - 10, 2019
Smart Cities Connect Fall Conference and Expo , National Harbor, Md.

Oct. 16 - 18, 2019
2019 AnchorNets Conference, Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, Crystal City, Va

Oct. 20 - 23, 2019
International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Nashville, Tenn. BroadbandUSA Speakers: Katherine Bates, Karen Hanson

Oct. 24 - 25, 2019
Oregon Connections Telecommunication Conference, Ashland, Ore. BroadbandUSA Speakers: Jean Rice, Karen Archer Perry

Oct. 30, 2019
Bridging the Digital Divide: Broadband Communities’ 2019 High-Speed Broadband: Driving America’s Growth Conference and Expo, Alexandria, Va. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Tim Moyer

Policy Corner

Internet Governance Forum USA 2019 in Washington, D.C., on July 25, 2019
Summary of remarks of Diane Rinaldo, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

NTIA understands the power that bottom-up processes can have in creating sustainable, adaptable solutions. We’ve worked hard to build relationships with key stakeholders and gain their trust, which allows us to lead complex, difficult discussions related to the Internet. These discussionstypically lead to the creation of best practices or codes of conduct that enable industry leadership in areas of emerging technology, where regulation would be ill-fitting or premature. Since the early days of the Internet, NTIA has not shied away from confronting hard problems facing the Internet. We do not plan to stop now as we take on issues like cyber and supply chain security, secure 5G competition, and protecting American values online.

See complete remarks here.

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BroadbandUSA Newsletter August 2019

Thu, August 01, 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 7 | August 2019

Download PDF version here.

To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.

Rinaldo Calls for Increased Vigilance in the New Broadband Era

Acting Assistant Secretary Diane Rinaldo hailed the work of the Internet Governance Forum USA in a July 29 speech, congratulating the group on celebrating its 10th anniversary. With great progress come challenges, Rinaldo told the IGF-USA 2019 meeting. The new era of connected devices demands an increased vigilance, she said. Since the early days of the Internet, NTIA has not shied away from confronting hard problems, she added. “We do not plan to stop now as we take on issues like cyber and supply chain security, secure 5G competition, and protecting American values online.” She also talked about NTIA’s continued work on the national broadband availability map, as directed by Congress, and work on smart cities concepts. Read her remarks here.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas Releases Digital Divide Report at State Broadband Leaders Network Meeting

BroadbandUSA joined with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for a State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN), meeting July 31-August 1, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. The meeting allowed SBLN participants to discuss ways to engage policymakers and stakeholders, work with broadband task forces/councils, and learn about broadband data and mapping efforts. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City also released its report Disconnected: Seven Lessons on Fixing the Digital Divide at the meeting. To find your state broadband leader, see the State Broadband Programs map.

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Federal News

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Public Safety/FirstNet

Smart Communities

Federal Funding

Digital Equity

Broadband Mapping

General News

Events

Aug. 5 – 8, 2019
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2019 Legislative Summit, Nashville, TN.

Aug. 17, 2019
Office of Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) is hosting a Community Event to Attract Broadband Providers Panel: Broadband and How to Expand Broadband Service, Mineral, VA. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Aimee Meacham

Aug. 19, 2019
16th Annual Kentucky Cable and Telecommunications Conference, Lexington, KY. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Aimee Meacham

Aug. 21, 2019
Utilities Technology Council (UTC) Broadband Workshop, Kansas City, MO, BroadbandUSA speaker, Karen Perry

Aug. 28, 2019
USDA ReConnect Broadband Workshop, Independence, OR. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry.

Aug. 29, 2019
USDA ReConnect Broadband Workshop, Madras, OR. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Perry.

Sept. 10-12, 2019
Telecommunications Association of Maine and Telecommunications Association of New England, Rockland, ME. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Aimee Meacham

Sept. 16, 2019
Washington State Rural Broadband Workshop, Olympia, WA. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Archer Perry

Sept. 17, 2019
Washington State Rural Broadband Workshop, Chehalis, WA. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Archer Perry

Sept. 17 - 20, 2019
Broadband Training Opportunities for EPA’s College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP) Target schools: Clemson University, Tuskegee University and the University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL. BroadbandUSA Facilitators: Scott Woods, Don Williams

Sept. 18 - 19, 2019
Kansas Broadband and Technology Opportunities Conference, Wichita, KS. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice

Sept. 19, 2019
Washington State Rural Broadband Workshop, Davenport, WA. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Karen Archer Perry

Sept. 23 - 26, 2019
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors 2019 Annual Conference, Tampa, FL. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Scott Woods

Sept. 24, 2019
State Broadband Leaders Network Monthly Meeting, Virtual. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates

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