Broadband
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) calls for $7.2 billion in funding to be spent on the deployment of broadband and other related activities. These funds will create jobs, expand the availability of service, and produce a lasting infrastructure to be used for years to come. Broadband funding will be distributed by two federal agencies. Below is a breakdown of the funding, its sources and some additional information.
Click the chart below for more information
$4.7 billion through Department of Commerce/National Telecommunications and Information Administration
- In addition to funding for broadband infrastructure projects, the Act targets dollars to the following specific activities:
- $200 million for expanding public computer center capacity
- $250 million for sustainable adoption programs
- $350 million for a national broadband inventory map
- 20 percent matching requirement (can be waived)
- Private corporations and states are among those that can apply for funding
- NTIA's grants are intended to:
- target unserved and underserved areas
- stimulate demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation
- facilitate greater broadband use by providing broadband education, training, and access to schools, libraries, healthcare providers, higher education institutions, and public safety agencies
$2.5 billion through United States Department of Agriculture/Rural Utilities Services
- Within 90 days from enactment of the Act, the Agriculture Secretary must report on planned spending and obligations
- Projects receiving funds shall serve an area that is at least 75 percent rural and without significant access to high speed broadband to facilitate economic development
- Priority given to projects that
- will deliver end users the choice of more than one service provider
- provide service to the greatest number of rural residents lacking broadband
- are submitted by former borrowers of the RUS program
- are achievable with the money awarded
The Governor's Office is working closely with its Office of Information Technology, which has applied for two ARRA Broadbrand grants. The applications are summarized below:
The first is a two-year, $3.7 million proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) for sustainable broadband adoption. Specifically, the proposed project takes a multi-pronged approach to build awareness for broadband accessibility and to educate the citizens on how broadband can have a positive effect on important activities such as business growth, health care, and education. The project will use both a mobile vehicle and partnerships with community anchor institutions to extend its reach and success.
The second is a five-year, $4.3 million proposal to NTIA under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (SBDD) to continue the State of Colorado's ongoing assessment of broadband deployment across the state and development of geographically-based coverage maps and to engage in planning activities for outreach to and coordination with local groups, broadband providers, and other potential stakeholders to promote broadband adoption and enhance broadband market information.
The sustainable adoption-related funds sought through the BTOP directly align with and compliment the mapping and planning activities that would occur under a SBDD-funded program.
You can find more information about the federal broadband programs at www.broadbandusa.gov.