BET Makes Submission of National Sustainable Broadband Adoption Project

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2010 – BET Networks announced on Monday its submission of a proposal to the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) for a grant under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The  BET program, called the National Sustainable Broadband Adoption Project would, if successful, increase broadband adoption among African Americans by providing compelling reasons  for new households to adopt broadband, BET said in a release.

The program will address three specific problems: Increase the awareness of “the promise” of broadband technology; Increase the relevance of broadband technology to marginalized African Americans; And increasing the digital literacy of those who have been “left behind” in as many targeted communities as possible.

“BET Networks is proud to have the opportunity to create a public-private partnership with such a strong group of organizations on such an important campaign impacting African Americans,” said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks. “Our proposal clearly communicates a comprehensive plan to increase the adoption of broadband technology among some of the most vulnerable within our community and specifically addresses meaningful opportunities for them in health, education, and employment.”