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BroadbandUSA Newsletter March 2019

Vol 4 | Issue 2| March 2019

Download PDF version here.To sign up for BroadbandUSA’s newsletter, email broadbandusa@ntia.gov.


American Broadband Initiative: The Administration’s Strategy for Promoting Broadband Connectivity

This report outlines actions that Executive agencies are taking to increase private-sector investment in broadband. The Initiative focuses on actions in three workstreams: streamlining federal permitting processes, leveraging federal assets to lower the cost of broadband buildouts, and maximizing the impact of federal funding. Learn more about this Initiative at this month’s webinar. See details on the right and register here.


Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

State News

Public Safety/FirstNet

Federal Funding

General News

Resources


Events

NTIA Events

March 20, 2019
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series: American Broadband Initiative: The Administration’s Strategy for Promoting Broadband Connectivity

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern


Join BroadbandUSA on March 20, 2019 to learn about the newly launched American Broadband Initiative and Milestones Report, which details the Administration’s strategy to expand broadband connectivity across the country. NTIA will provide an overview of the Initiative’s goals and will be joined by officials from key agencies who are contributing to its mission. Click here to register

Events of Interest

March 2-6, 2019
2019 NACo Legislative Conference, Washington, DC

March 5-6, 2019
National Collaborative for Digital Equity (NCDE) 2019 Summit, Washington, DC

March 6, 2019
Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council: 10th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit, Washington, DC
Remarks: David J. Redl Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

March 7-13, 2019
2019 NRECA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, FL

March 10-12, 2019
NTCA, The Rural Broadband Association 2019 Telecom Executive Forum, Clearwater, FL

March 10-13, 2019
National League of Cities (NLC) 2019 Congressional City Conference, Washington, DC

March 12, 2019
USDA ReConnect Webinar: Engineering Requirements Necessary for Completing an Application, Webinar

March 13-15, 2019
The Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) 2019 Spring Conference, Des Moines, IA

March 14, 2019
USDA ReConnect Webinar: Financial Requirements Necessary for Completing an Application, Webinar

March 18-20, 2019
Minnesota Telecom Alliance (MTA) Annual Convention and Trade Show, Minneapolis, MN

March 17-20, 2019
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2019 Washington Policy Conference, Arlington, VA

March 19-20, 2019
Healthcare Informatics Midwest Health IT Summit, Cleveland, OH

March 21, 2019
USDA ReConnect Webinar: Comprehensive Look at the Application Requirements Contained in the FOA, Webinar

March 22, 2019
Connecting New Mexico – The Future of Broadband in Our State, Albuquerque, NM

March 25-27, 2019
Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) 6th Annual Meeting & Expo, Des Moines, IA

March 26, 2019
Do Not Pass Go Documentary Screening and Discussion hosted by Next Century Cities, the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the National Association of Regional Councils, and the National League of Cities; Washington, DC

April 1, 2019
Closing the Digital Divide 101 for Local and State Elected Officials, Charlotte, NC

April 1-3, 2019
Net Inclusion, Charlotte, NC

April 8-11, 2019
Broadband Communities Summit: Fiber: Putting Your Gigs to Work, Austin, TX


Policy Corner

NG911 Institute 16th Annual 911 Honor Awards

Summary of Remarks of David J. Redl Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

These days, our phones do a little more than make calls. Consumers are using their mobile devices to text, post, and video chat. There’s a reasonable expectation, I think, that the same tools we use to talk to friends and family can be used in an emergency.

This is encouraging progress, but there’s a catch. Between the state-of-the-art technology in the hands of consumers, and the state-of-the-art technology in the hands of first responders, we have 911 call centers, the vast majority of which are stuck with analog, 1980s technology. NTIA is committed to modernizing our 911 call centers, and we welcome your partnership in this transition. Only with a shared vision of what our call center capabilities should be, and continued effort to make that vision a reality, will we fundamentally transform emergency response in America.

See the complete remarks here.