Connected Nation Showcases New Interactive Mapping Tool at State of the Net Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Importance of Innovative Broadband Data and Analysis Tools Featured at the 13th Annual Kickoff Technology Policy Exhibition and 6th Annual State of the Net Conference

Jim Geringer (former Governor of Wyoming) and Randy Frantz of ESRI viewing BroadbandStat at Tuesday’s kickoff reception.



Washington, D.C. –Today, Connected Nation and ESRI, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, joined forces to demonstrate the latest in broadband mapping technology at the State of the Net Conference hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC).

Called BroadbandStat, the new interactive mapping platform created by Connected Nation and ESRI is a multi-functional, user-friendly way for local leaders, policymakers, consumers, and technology providers to devise a plan for the expansion and adoption of broadband.

Former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, Director of Policy and Public Sector Strategies at ESRI, served as one of the conference panelists and talked about the important benefits of proper broadband data and analysis tools.

“The common underpinning of all activities — economic, social, or health — is people connecting with other people and that activity doesn’t happen without broadband,” he said at Tuesday’s kickoff reception. “You will never understand how much information is in the world until you can connect with broadband. Broadband mapping —or showing who is connecting and who is not — is just the first step.”

BroadbandStat uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to enable a user to build and evaluate broadband expansion scenarios that incorporate data such as education and population demographics, current broadband speeds, and availability and research about adoption barriers. Results are displayed on a Web-based interactive map. The broadband-related data can be used for grant writing, broadband investment, and economic development, and it gives the public the ability to find information about broadband providers down to the street level.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) welcomes attendees to the Congressional Internet Caucus Kickoff Reception and Technology Policy Exhibition.

Michael Ramage, Executive Director for Connected Tennessee, a Connected Nation state-based initiative, previewed BroadbandStat last night at the 13th Annual Kickoff Technology Policy Exhibition prior to the conference.

“BroadbandStat is literally going to change the face of broadband expansion in Tennessee,” Ramage said. “Providers and citizens alike will now have a crystal-clear picture of exactly where broadband exists and where it does not, with exhaustive information and intricate detail. We feel that BroadbandStat puts Tennessee at an advantage over other states in the arena of broadband expansion and are pleased to be able to provide this tool for Tennesseans to access broadband data on a whole new level.”

BroadbandStat will soon be available on the Connected Tennessee website, Ramage said.

In addition to Tennessee, 11 more states and the territory of Puerto Rico will be using BroadbandStat to organize the results of data they are currently collecting on available broadband services. This activity is supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.

Today’s State of the Net Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill. It is the largest information technology policy conference in the U.S.

Related Links:
More About BroadbandStat

Blog: Connected Nation Previews Interactive Broadband Mapping Tool at Technology Policy Exhibition in Washington, D.C.

Watch: NextGenWeb video with Connected Nation

Download press release here

Connected Nation Receives ARRA Grant for Connected Texas Initiative

Connected Texas Will Give Residents Powerful Hands-on Mapping Tool

Washington, DC –Texas is getting approximately $3 million in federal funds to improve high-speed Internet access across the state. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) made the announcement yesterday.

The grant money will fund a project called Connected Texas (http://www.connectedtx.org/) which is a partnership between the Texas Department of Agriculture and the national non-profit, Connected Nation. Work will begin immediately on the five-year initiative, by first creating a detailed map of current broadband availability across the Lone Star State. The map will be created with new, cutting-edge technology that will give Texans a powerful, hands-on tool for finding real-time information on high-speed Internet availability. BroadbandStat was developed by Connected Nation in conjunction with ESRI, the world market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software. BroadbandStat allows viewers to zoom in all the way down to street level for specific information on what services are available in a specific area. The information gathered by Connected Texas will also be included in the new, national broadband map mandated by the federal government, which is scheduled to be available beginning February 2011.

“We are pleased to be working with the Texas Department of Agriculture to help create a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Texas,” said Brian R. Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer. ”Broadband is a modern lifeline to quality jobs, information and vital services like interactive telemedicine and education. Yet, thousands of Texas residents still have no access to affordable, high-speed Internet. Connected Texas is going to lay the foundation for broadband expansion across Texas.”

The grant is comprised of $2.5 million for two years of researching current broadband in Texas and creating a map. Another $500,000 is allotted for future broadband planning activities over a five-year period, bringing the total grant award to approximately $3 million. The award comes through NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program and is a matching grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Connected Texas also gives residents a powerful, interactive tool for improving their access to high speed Internet. The state’s Web site (http://www.connectedtx.org/) was launched in September 2009 and allows people to test their current Internet speed, provide feedback on service in their area and share their personal stories of how high speed Internet has impacted their lives.

This latest award brings the number of Connected Nation’s partner projects to a total of thirteen: 12 states and one U.S. territory on the national broadband mapping effort. These efforts comprise approximately 42 percent of the country’s landmass and encompass approximately 39.5 million households.

More than $7 billion in stimulus funds have been designated to help expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the United States. These funds are available through NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Rural Utilities Service’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). NTIA has received applications for the grant program from all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia. The agency is currently reviewing the remaining five applications. The remaining awards are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

As the organization that produced the nation’s first granular statewide broadband availability map in 2005, Connected Nation is a prominent voice for the nation’s need for better broadband data. Connected Nation has completed statewide broadband availability maps for eight states, all prior to the current stimulus fund availability. In addition to these mapping projects, Connected Nation has worked with local communities to encourage broadband adoption and use. These programs, including computer donation, technology planning and economic development, are an essential step in closing the digital divide in the United States.

Connected Nation has worked closely with national leaders and provided numerous filings in support of a process for broadband data collection at the national level. To learn more about the programs that are helping more families and communities connect through broadband, visit http://www.connectednation.org/.

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Related Links:

Press Release: Texas Receives $3 Million for Broadband Mapping and Planning

Press Release: Connected Texas Launches Web site to Solicit Citizen Feedback About Broadband
ESRI: About BroadbandStat

Blog: Connected Tennessee Debuts Latest Innovation in Broadband Mapping

Press Release: Connected Nation State-level Digital Inclusion Work Highlighted at FCC Public Hearing

News Article: Texas Partners with Connected Nation to Map Broadband Availability and Prepare for Federal Stimulus Funding (Texas Magazine, 07/31/09)

Press Release: Texas Partners with Connected Nation to Map Broadband Availability and Prepare for Federal Stimulus Funding

Press Release: Ten More Connected Nation Partner Projects Receive Recovery Act Funding For Broadband Mapping and Planning Initiatives

Download press release here.

Ten More Connected Nation Partner Projects Receive Recovery Act Funding For Broadband Mapping and Planning Initiatives

New state projects will feature latest in broadband mapping technology

Washington, DC –Recently, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced grant awards for 10 Connected Nation state-level partner projects. Connected Nation has been selected by these nine states and one United States territory to launch comprehensive broadband mapping and planning initiatives in the interest of increasing broadband accessibility and use.

“When Congress passed legislation creating this grant program, they provided the pathway for a comprehensive approach to solving our nation’s broadband challenges. We are excited and humbled to be a part of this national effort to expand the use and availability of broadband,” said Brian R. Mefford, Connected Nation’s chief executive officer. ”Connected Nation’s mission is to achieve digital inclusion for all Americans. And, from experience, we have seen that every state, territory and community has its own unique technology challenges. Broadband mapping is the first step to getting where we need to be faster and with greater effectiveness.”

Awards include:

Florida: NTIA has awarded the Florida Department of Management Services approximately $2 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Florida, bringing the total grant award to approximately $2.5 million. The Florida Department of Management Services is the designated entity for the state of Florida.

Iowa: NTIA has awarded Connected Nation approximately $1.7 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and nearly $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Iowa, bringing the total grant award to approximately $2.2 million. Connected Nation is the designated entity for the state of Iowa.

Illinois: NTIA has awarded the Partnership for a Connected Illinois approximately $1.3 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and approximately $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Illinois, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 million. The Partnership for a Connected Illinois is the designated entity for the state of Illinois.

Michigan: NTIA has awarded Connected Nation approximately $1.3 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Michigan, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 million. Connected Nation is the designated entity for the state of Michigan.

Minnesota: NTIA has awarded Connected Nation approximately $1.2 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Minnesota, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.7 million. Connected Nation is the designated entity for the state of Minnesota.

Nevada: NTIA has awarded Connected Nation approximately $930,000 for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Nevada, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.4 million. Connected Nation is the designated entity for the state of Nevada.

Ohio: NTIA has awarded the Ohio Office of Information Technology approximately $1.3 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Ohio, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 million. The Ohio Office of Information Technology is the designated entity for the state of Ohio.

Puerto Rico: NTIA has awarded the Puerto Rico Office of the Chief Information Officer approximately $925,000 for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Puerto Rico, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.4 million. The Puerto Rico Office of the Chief Information Officer is the designated entity for the territory of Puerto Rico.

South Carolina: NTIA has awarded Connected Nation approximately $1.2 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in South Carolina, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.7 million. Connected Nation is the designated entity for the state of South Carolina.

Tennessee: NTIA has awarded Connected Tennessee approximately $1.3 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period in Tennessee, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.8 million. Connected Tennessee is the designated entity for the state of Tennessee.

As part of these initiatives, Connected Nation will be implementing a brand new interactive mapping tool for viewing, analyzing and validating broadband data. Called BroadbandStat, the new interactive mapping platform is a multi-functional, user-friendly way for local leaders, policymakers, consumers and technology providers to devise a plan for the expansion and adoption of broadband. BroadbandStat was developed by Connected Nation in conjunction with ESRI, the world market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software.

Connected Nation will soon be working with 12 states and one U.S. territory on the national broadband mapping effort. These efforts comprise approximately 42 percent of the country’s landmass and encompass approximately 39.5 million households.

More than $7 billion in stimulus funds have been designated to help expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the United States. These funds are available through NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Rural Utilities Service’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). NTIA has received applications for the grant program from all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia. The agency is currently reviewing the remaining 15 applications. The remaining awards are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

As the organization that produced the nation’s first granular statewide broadband availability map in 2005, Connected Nation is a prominent voice for the nation’s need for better broadband data. Connected Nation has completed statewide broadband availability maps for eight states, all prior to the current stimulus fund availability. In addition to these mapping projects, Connected Nation has worked with local communities to encourage broadband adoption and use. These programs, including computer donation, technology planning and economic development, are an essential step in closing the digital divide in the United States.

Connected Nation has worked closely with national leaders and provided numerous filings in support of a process for broadband data collection at the national level. To learn more about the programs that are helping more families and communities connect through broadband, visit www.connectednation.org.

Related Links:

ESRI: About BroadbandStat

Blog: Connected Tennessee Debuts Latest Innovation in Broadband Mapping

Press Release: Connected Nation State-level Digital Inclusion Work Highlighted at FCC Public Hearing

In the News: State to Map Its Broadband Access (AP via the Wichita Eagle, 12/08/09)

In the News: Editorial: Using Technology

In the News: Group To Map Internet Availability (Juneau Empire, 12/01/09)