Kansas awarded $2 million from National Telecommunications and Information Administration for broadband mapping initiative

Recovery Act funding to lay groundwork for increased high-speed Internet in rural Kansas; Lt. Governor Findley, Commerce Secretary Thornton to host news conference Dec. 7 in Topeka

Kansas has been awarded a $2 million matching grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund broadband mapping and planning through the Connect Kansas initiative.

The award will help Kansas collect data and develop a detailed map of the state’s existing broadband infrastructure. The map will be a crucial tool for businesses, consumers and policymakers involved in the Connect Kansas initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in rural Kansas.

“High-speed Internet is crucial to our economy, our ability to serve citizens and our overall quality of life,” Governor Mark Parkinson said. “We look forward to utilizing these Recovery Act funds to advance the Connect Kansas initiative and better serve our rural communities.”

Connect Kansas is a Kansas Department of Commerce initiative to increase high-speed Internet access in the state’s underserved rural areas. The initiative is funded primarily by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and has two components: 1) mapping Kansas’ broadband capacity, as well as related planning; and 2) providing federal grants and loans to qualified organizations involved in expanding broadband to rural areas. Today’s announcement concerns only the mapping and planning component.

The mapping component is made possible by a $185,000 contribution from the Information Network of Kansas and $15,000 from Kansas Farm Bureau. The state has contracted with Connected Nation, a national leader in broadband issues and technology, to help with mapping and planning.

“Rural Kansas remains a crucial to our state’s economy and heritage,” said Carole Jordan, Rural Development Division Director for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “We’re excited to move forward with the Connect Kansas initiative and increase broadband access in rural Kansas, which will benefit our state economy, create new Kansas jobs and help us fulfill the mission of the federal Recovery Act.”

Kansas businesses, organizations, Internet service providers and citizens are asked to contribute to the mapping process by visiting www.connectkansas.org and providing information about broadband access in their areas.

“Now that we’ve received federal funding for the mapping process, it’s crucial that Kansas businesses, organizations and everyday citizens provide us data about Internet connectivity in their regions,” Jordan said. “By doing so, they’ll help us create a more complete map, which will allow us to achieve better results throughout rural Kansas.”

Kansas is one of 21 states since October to receive Recovery Act funding through the NTIA for state-level mapping initiatives. NTIA expects to continue announcing awards on a rolling basis throughout the fall. Data from the states’ individual maps will ultimately be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map.

“We are pleased to be working with the Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office to help create a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Kansas,” said Brian R. Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer. “We applaud NTIA for working diligently to create a national broadband map and are honored to have been selected to help Kansas in its efforts to close the digital divide in the state.”

NEWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR DEC. 7 IN TOPEKA

The Kansas Department of Commerce will celebrate today’s announcement with a news conference hosted by Lt. Governor Troy Findley and Kansas Commerce Secretary Bill Thornton on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. in the auditorium of Memorial Hall in Topeka. All media, Internet service providers, organizations and citizens are invited to attend.

Download Press Release here.

Connected Nation,Sunbay Software, USA Inc. Partner to Solve Rural Broadband Connectivity

WASHINGTON, DC and LOS ANGELES, CA – Management of Sunbay Software, USA, a developer of mobility infrastructure software for telecom network operators, and Connected Nation announced today that the two organizations have formed a partnership to promote their common vision of rural broadband availability throughout the United States.

“With $4 billion now available in broadband stimulus funds, we fully support Connected Nation’s programs to assist states in increasing their broadband availability. Connected Nation is committed to maximizing the American quality of life and national competitiveness through broadband adoption,” said Jay Elliot, Sunbay Software’s chairman of the board. “This is a problem that we at Sunbay Software recognize as a national priority and we believe our product, Netsnapper, provides a significant connectivity solution for the rural operators.”
As a part of this partnership, Elliot, along with Juan M. Arimany, Sunbay Software’s managing director, will join Connected Nation’s National Advisory Council.

This council advises, participates in and promotes the activities of Connected Nation in order to foster American broadband availability and usage. Other members of the council include representatives from several of America’s leading broadband suppliers and public policy organizations, including AT&T, the American Academy of Nursing, Comcast Corporation, Communications Workers of America (CWA), CTIA—The Wireless Association, Cisco Systems, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Microsoft Corporation, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the National Consumers League, NIC, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), The Children’s Partnership, Verizon Communications and USTelecom.

“We are pleased to have Sunbay Software become part of Connected Nation’s National Advisory Council, and we look forward to benefiting from Jay and Juan’s participation and insight,” said Brian Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer. “With billions being invested in broadband through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this is a pivotal time to impact the broadband landscape of our country. We look forward to doing our utmost to maximize the deployment, use and understanding of this critical national infrastructure.”

Download press release here.

Texas State Library and Archives Commission Hosts Second Summit to Improve Internet Access in Texas Public Libraries

Margarita Dominguez of the Hill County Telephone Coop leads a table discussion on sustainable broadband and the role of emerging technology. She is joined by (L to R) Merla Watson, Library Director, Dickens County Spur Public Library; and Joyce Howze, Spur Main Street Program.

Library, local, and state leaders come together to discuss new strategies to improve and sustain high-speed Internet access for communities through public libraries

SAN ANTONIO - The Texas State Library and Archives Commission assembled more than 270 public library leaders, community supporters, broadband providers, and local and state leaders for Texas’ second Opportunity Online Broadband Summit on November 18 -19, 2009, in San Antonio, to discuss how to improve and sustain high speed Internet access in the Texas public libraries.

Summit participants had the opportunity to build upon the work from the previous summit to further ensure that all Texas public libraries have a meaningful broadband connection. The Texas Opportunity Online Broadband Summit provides an opportunity to understand the value of community partnerships and the possibilities of technology as well as in-depth discussion about possible connectivity solutions and next steps necessary to reach improved connectivity speed.

Currently, more than 200 Texas public library systems lack Internet connections fast enough to meet the most basic needs of patrons, and many more report speeds that are inadequate to meet the true demand of their community. Ironically, some of these public libraries offer the only technology lifeline to their communities.

Both Texas summits were sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its pilot Opportunity Online broadband grant program. Texas, along with six other states, was invited to participate. The grant program supports public libraries as they seek to improve their broadband connectivity and calls for a broadband sustainability strategy, to be developed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, to ensure that public libraries continue to improve and maintain adequate connectivity for patrons

The summit included a comprehensive analysis of Texas’ current broadband climate and the future of technology access in Texas public libraries. Stephen Abram, a library futurist, spoke about future library services and applications driven by technology that will influence how Americans use computers and the Internet, and why reliable, sustainable broadband connections in libraries will be essential to ensure library patrons can use these programs to improve their lives.

Keynote speaker Graham Richard, former mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana and partner of public libraries, highlighted the importance of public and private partnerships on the local and state level to prioritize funding for improved connectivity in public libraries.

Peggy Rudd, Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s director and state librarian, led the summit and represented the agency.

“Every day we are reminded of the value of Texas’ public libraries,” Rudd said. “Today’s public libraries continue to provide traditional services, but a growing number of patrons depend on library Internet access to apply for jobs, further their education, run businesses or stay connected with families and friends. This summit and grant program will help meet these increasing personal and community needs better by improving library connection speeds.”

Building on dialogue and ideas generated at the summit, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is currently working with an advisory group — including Commissioner Todd Staples of the Texas Department of Agriculture, former Governor Mark White, and Texas State Library and Archives Commission Chairman Sandra J. Pickett — to develop a strategy to increase and sustain broadband connections in all Texas public libraries. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission will now work with libraries across the state to support their Internet connectivity upgrade and create a long-term state sustainability strategy.

“The summit highlights the vital role libraries play in connecting communities to information and knowledge through technology,” said Jill Nishi, deputy director of U.S. Libraries at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “What is needed now is long-term collaboration among government, business, communities, and library leaders to ensure that public libraries can continue to provide the high-speed Internet access their patrons need to improve their lives and thrive.”

Connected Nation worked closely with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to support the event development and execution. For more information about the Texas Opportunity Online Summit, please contact 1-866-882-3081 or tx2summit@opportunityonline.org.

Download press release here.

Connected Nation’s CEO to Serve Two-Year Term on Malaysian Prime Minister’s International Advisory Panel

Brian Mefford Outlined Connected Nation Broadband Program Success at International Conference

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia --This week, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer, Brian Mefford, was appointed to a two-year term on the MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel (IAP). Chaired by the Malaysian Prime Minister, the IAP provides advice and counsel to the Malaysian Government to set and prepare the agenda for the way forward in the development and growth of the MSC Malaysia and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in Malaysia.

In addition, Mefford was a featured panelist at the 12th annual IAP meeting, outlining the success of Connected Nation’s public-private partnership model for increased broadband deployment and adoption.

The IAP brings together the “meeting of the minds” of some of the world’s most renowned industry luminaries and thought leaders in the global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. This year’s IAP meeting, Innovation Economy: Paving the Path to Prosperity, was held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), near Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 8-10.

The meeting included discussions on how to keep “the MSC Malaysia at the forefront of assisting Malaysia’s economic recovery and creating future prosperity via an innovation-based economy,” according to an article in The Malaysia Star.

Mefford spoke about the success of Connected Nation and its grassroots-level digital inclusion work that began in Kentucky and has since spread to 20 states across the United States. It was the hope of the conference that Connected Nation can serve as a model for possible similar programs in Malaysia.

“At ConnectKentucky and Connected Nation, we believe that states, communities, families and individuals can realize the tremendous economic and social advantage of widespread broadband deployment and adoption,” Mefford said. “Our public-private partnership model has not only seen success in Kentucky, but in other states around the country. We are confident that we can translate this success to Malaysia and help grow the country’s new, high-technology economy.”

To learn more about the conference, visit http://iap-portal.msc.com.my/about.html.

Related Links:

Article: IAP Meeting to Be Smaller But More Focused (The Malaysia Star, 11/3/09)

Article: IAP to Set Tone For MSC Malaysia In Sync With New Economic Model (Bernama, 11/2/09)

Article: IT Experts to Share Views on Enhancing the Role of MSC Malaysia, (The Star Online, 11/07/09)

Article: Broadband: Kentucky Style (Malaysian Life, 11/10/09)

Article: Kentucky News Review (Lexington Herald-Leader, 11/10/09)

Article: Malaysia seeks Kentucky Expertise to Wire Nation (Business Lexington, 11/10/09)

Article: Broadband Lessons From Kentucky (The Malaysia Star, 11/10/09)

Video: MDeC: Innovation-based Economy (The Star Online TV)

Press Release: Download here

Connected Nation’s FCC Comments Highlight Successful Public-Private Partnerships

Connected Nation Urges FCC to Consider Importance of Working with State and Local Governments as Part of National Broadband Plan

Washington, DC – Connected Nation has extensive experience in working with state and local governments to help close the digital divide in their communities. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Connected Nation outlined several of these successful public-private partnerships and why these types of programs should be considered in the National Broadband Plan.

Coal to Broadband: Making the Transition, Making the Connection

This collaborative effort between ConnectKentucky and state and local government entities will provide high-speed Internet access (broadband) to people living in rural areas of Breathitt, Estill, Lee and Powell counties in Eastern Kentucky. The program formed a non-profit called the Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA). The non-profit, RTA, will work to create and execute high speed Internet service to the four counties

The project is a collaboration among Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA); ConnectKentucky; the Kentucky Department for Local Government; Breathitt County Fiscal Court; Estill County Fiscal Court; Lee County Fiscal Court and Powell County Fiscal Court.

The project is funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and matching multi-county coal severance funds.

To read more about the program, click here.

CyberSafeKY

In October, ConnectKentucky partnered with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and the Kentucky Department of Education to form an Internet safety partnership, CyberSafeKY. This partnership is expanding and launching new programs this school year to educate parents and help keep children safe on the Internet.

The partnership has already hosted free regional parent workshops to instruct parents about how to use technology and monitor activity on the Internet.

To learn more about the program, click here.

Connected Tennessee’s e-Government Filing

Connected Tennessee also weighed in with the FCC by issuing a filing outlining importance of e-Government to broadband deployment in Tennessee.

The report details the various ways Tennessee is served by e-Government and draws the parallel between increased e-Government services and increased broadband adoption. Connected Tennessee’s research shows that from July 2007 to January 2009, the growth in e-Government services coincided highly with Tennessee’s significant increase in broadband adoption. The share of adults who use the Internet to access information about government policies or services almost doubled from 22 percent to 47 percent.

To view Connected Tennessee’s filing click here.

Computers 4 Kids: Making the Difference in Rural Tennessee

In addition, Connected Tennessee’s Computers 4 Kids work in Stanton, Tenn. is highlighted in the Connected Nation filing. Connected Tennessee’s Computer 4 Kids is an innovative initiative designed to positively impact the future of children in need in Tennessee by awarding computers to kids and families facing economic challenges, in the foster care system or struggling with behavioral disorders and other issues. Connected Tennessee coordinates that project with the State of Tennessee, the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Human Services.

To view a video of the work, click here.

Related Information:

Connected Nation FCC filing: The Contribution of Federal, State, Tribal and Local Government to Broadband

Video:Computers 4 Kids: Making a Difference in Rural Tennessee

Press Release: Download PDF here