NARUC Unveil Web Portal for 'Best Practices' on State Broadband Deployment

WASHINGTON, October 9, 2009 – An advisory board to the Federal Communications Commission consisting of state utility regulators has developed a new web portal for tracking and referencing broadband expansion projects nation-wide.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has allocated more than $7 billion towards broadband deployment and adoption projects, and the site, http://broadbandbestpractices.org, provides an easily searchable database for programs being established across the country.

Users of the site will be able to research different projects and add their own information to collaborate on letting the best projects rise to the top, said the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services in a press release. The site will be maintained by the National Regulatory Research Institute, an independent research agency specializing in utility regulation.

“BroadbandBestPractices.org will be the place to go for those responsible for pursuing greater broadband deployment in their State,” said NARUC President Frederick Butler. “The site will be an interactive, dynamic atmosphere that will embody the spirit of Web 2.0: Collaboration.”

And State Chair of the Joint Conference Larry Landis said the site will be a “crucial resource” for State commissions as they determine how best to utilize ARRA grants.

“The intent is to provide a State regulator, State agency staff member, or other organization seeking to undertake a new broadband program a venue to compare and contrast projects that are already in existence,” said D.C. Public Service Commission chair Betty Ann Kane, who spearheaded the project. “BroadbandBestPractices.org will be open, transparent, and accessible to anyone who is interested in bringing high-quality broadband services to all Americans.

About BroadbandCensus.com

BroadbandCensus.com was launched in January 2008, and uses “crowdsourcing” to collect the Broadband SPARC: Speeds, Prices, Availability, Reliability and Competition. The news on BroadbandCensus.com is produced by Broadband Census News LLC, a subsidiary of Broadband Census LLC that was created in July 2009.

A recent split of operations helps to clarify the mission of BroadbandCensus.com. Broadband Census Data LLC offers commercial broadband verification services to cities, states, carriers and broadband users. Created in July 2009, Broadband Census Data LLC produced a joint application in the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program with Virginia Tech’s eCorridors Program. In August 2009, BroadbandCensus.com released a beta map of Columbia, South Carolina, in partnership with Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation.

Broadband Census News LLC offers daily and weekly reporting, as well as the Broadband Breakfast Club. The Broadband Breakfast Club has been inviting top experts and policy-makers to share breakfast and perspectives on broadband technology and internet policy since October 2008. Both Broadband Census News LLC and Broadband Census Data LLC are subsidiaries of Broadband Census LLC, and are organized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. About BroadbandCensus.com.