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Illinois Broadband
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Free Sign up Illinois BroadbandOokla Releases 5G Availability Data For Each State
T-Mobile found to have greatest 5G availability among users.
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Affordable Connectivity Program's End Spurs State-Level Action on Broadband
States are exploring new approaches to maintain broadband affordability for low-income households.
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Sean Gonsalves: States Should Consider Adopting Affordable Broadband Laws
Massachusetts is advancing legislation to provide $15 monthly broadband service to low-income residents.
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NTIA Awards $23 Million to Illinois for Digital Equity
Funds will help jump start key digital equity initiatives.
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Mercury Broadband Defaults on Hundreds of RDOF Locations
Largest default was in Michigan, with 640 Census Block Groups
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Cable One, Mercury Broadband Default on RDOF Locations
FCC decided not to provide blanket amnesty for RDOF defaults.
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Kendall County, Illinois, Builds Its Own Fiber Network After Being Snubbed By Big ISPs
The fiber-plus-fixed wireless project is estimated to cost $67 million to connect more than 13,000 county locations.
Illinois to Launch Next Phases of Connect Illinois, Waits on NTIA
Illinois says that the Connect Illinois program is the largest state broadband funding program in the U.S.
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Harris Accepts Democratic Nomination, Vows Support for Rule of Law and Common Sense
Artificial intelligence only tech or telecom issue mentioned by Harris in acceptance speech.
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Rural Leaders See Their Hospitals Closing Without Robust Broadband
The Biden administration's broadband initiatives were described as crucial for saving rural hospitals.
In Chicago, Democratic Mayors Hail Biden’s Infrastructure Agenda
'If it weren't for these investments, you wouldn't be seeing economic comeback in cities across the country.'
Union Leaders Applaud Harris for Historic Broadband Investment and Job Creation
Union leaders lauded the BEAD program's pro-union and workforce protection provisions.
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In Chicago, Democratic Mayors Urge Action to Preserve Affordable Internet
Mayors nationwide strategized to protect vulnerable communities from losing vital internet access.
Social Media Influencers to Take the Stage at Chicago Convention
Each night of the DNC will feature a speech by at least one influencer.
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Broadband, CHIPS Act, Green Energy, Other Tech Issues in Democratic Platform
The platform links together investments in broadband infrastructure with policies promoting semiconductors and green energy.
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Harris-Walz Announce Largest Digital Ad Buy In Presidential History
The campaign's $200 million digital ad buy reflects the growing influence of streaming and social media in shaping modern elections.
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At DNC, Experts Sound Alarm on AI's Role in Election Misinformation
Even as deceptive content proliferates, social media companies have sharply downsized their election integrity departments.
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Biden-Harris Infrastructure Coordinator Co-Chair of the Democratic National Convention
Biden's infrastructure czar among the four political leaders tapped to chair the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
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SiFi Announces T-Mobile Fiber Partnership
The partnership will expand fiber networks across five cities in four states.
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Advice from Midwest State Broadband Heads on BEAD
Directors talk provider default prevention and fixed wireless technology.
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Surf Internet Expands Fiber In Partnership With Newton County, Indiana
The company will contribute $6.6 million to the new endeavor.
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Illinois Program Establishes County Broadband Plans
The program helps rural communities develop a broadband plan for universal coverage.
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Connected Complexity: The Journey to Modern Fiber Networks in Chicago
Many areas of Chicago rely on outdated and privately-owned telecommunication networks.
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NTIA Approves Four State BEAD Volume Two
NTIA approved BEAD initial proposal volume two for Illinois, Oregon, Colorado, New Hampshire and Puerto Rico.
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Broadband People: New Director for Illiniois Office of Broadband
Devon Braunstein, the current assistant director, will be heading the office.
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FCC Hits Pause On Bank Ratings Firm After Hearing Concerns, Complaints
For one year, FCC won't use Weiss ratings for banks' letters of credit of RDOF, CAF II winners.
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Vermont to Start BEAD Challenge Process
Four other states are accepting challenges and three more are planning to begin the process soon.
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Illinois, Indiana and Georgia Announce Plans for BEAD Challenges
Illinois aims to kick off the challenge process on Monday, January 29, and Indiana plans a March 4 start
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FCC and State AGs on Cybersecurity, FCC Approves Starlink, Verizon and Zebra on 5G
The FCC is partnering with state attorneys general to crack down on cybersecurity measures.
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SiFi Network’s Placentia FiberCity First of Company’s Communities to Go Live
New SiFi FiberCity live with two more to be announced soon.
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FCC Commits $2.5 Million from Emergency Connectivity Fund
The FCC inches closer to exhausting the $7.17 billion fund.
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Broadband Mapping Masterclass on September 27, 2022
Learn how your ISP and community can avoid the broadband mapping trainwreck.
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Broadband Breakfast on August 24, 2022 – Summer of Broadband: Illinois
On August 24, Broadband Breakfast Editor and Publisher Drew Clark will return to the Land of Lincoln.
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States Broadband Offices Outline Plans for Billions in Broadband Funds
Officials from Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine and New Mexico outline how they are preparing for broadband funding.
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Partnerships Likely to Be Deciding Factor in State Distribution of BEAD Funds, Say Experts
State and federal broadband policy experts agreed that partnerships would be instrumental to spending $42.5 billion in broadband funds.
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FCC Announces $43 Million in COVID-19 Telehealth Subsidies
The Federal Communication said the awards will help connect patients to critical health services during a new wave of Covid-19.
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Federal Court Blocks Social Media Law, Illinois Broadband Initiative, Fiber Leads for Telecom Giants
A Texas court blocked enforcement of a social media that would prevent companies from removing extreme speech.
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Another $700 Million for 26 States Through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
Over 400,000 locations across the U.S. will get broadband in this funding wave.
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Sustainability and Scalability are Crucial For State Broadband Projects, Say State Experts
Partnerships for broadband need to emphasize community engagement to improve connectivity
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New York Drops $15 Internet, Lumen Gets Army Contract, Illinois Signs Telehealth Bill
New York drops $15 internet after interim court decision, Lumen gets army contract for broadband, Illinois allows telehealth for all.
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Tech Companies Delay Reopening, Facial Recognition Lawsuit, Facebook Privacy Policies
Tech companies are hesitant to reopen their offices, Axios reported. Many companies have announced that employees will be able to telework through the end of the year, although several had previously planned to allow some employees to resume in-office work before that. Snapchat announced Tuesday tha
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CostQuest and The CommLaw Group Join to Host Fine-Grained Webinar on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
TYSONS, Virginia, and CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 14, 2020 – Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group, and CostQuest Associates have announced a free webinar, “How to Prepare and Effectively Bid in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction,” on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 12 Noon ET. The webinar will
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Although Privacy is on a Back Burner, California May Outdo Its Own State Law in November
April 1, 2020 –States have put privacy legislation on a back burner during the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, even the well-known California Consumer Privacy Act may be superseded by a new referendum, the California Privacy Rights Act, to be placed on the state’s ballot in November. Passed
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Tech Industry Pushes Back Against EARNIT, Microsoft on Digital Divide, Satellite Analyzer-in-the-cloud
The Computer and Communications Industry Association and four other internet trade groups sent a letter Thursday to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to protest aspects of the proposed Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interact
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Applications for Municipalities and States to Join Key FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Due Monday
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2018 – Local government officials seeking to offer a corrective tonic on broadband deployment to the Federal Communications Commission may consider applying for the expanded Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. Nominations for the more-than-10-year-old group are due on Monday,
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At Inaugural AnchorNETs Conference in Silicon Valley, The Broadband Talk is About Public-Private Partnerships
MOUNTAIN VIEW, November 24, 2015 – Community broadband institutions are a key building block to accelerate deployment of high-capacity internet service, said speakers and panelists at the inaugural Anchornets conference here last week. Such community institutions also play a vital role in facilitat
Community Broadband Center Leaders to Gather in Silicon Valley for AnchorNETS and NTIA Event on November 16-17
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California – Local broadband institutions seeking to leverage high-speed connectivity for the benefit of their broader communities will benefit from attending the inaugural AnchorNETS conference [http://www.anchornets.com/] here on November 16 and 17. Sponsored by the Schools, Health
Illinois CIO Hardik Bhatt Addresses Need for ‘Smart City’ Technology to Run State Government
CHICAGO, Illinois, October 6, 2015 – State government need to use “Smart Cities” information technology to leapfrog to leadership among competing states, said Hardik Bhatt, chief information officer for the state of Illinois, speaking on Wednesday at the City Club here. Bhatt, the former CIO for th
Kentucky Deploys State-Wide Fiber Network Through Public Private Partnership with Macquarie Capital
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, September 21, 2015 – The lieutenant governor of Kentucky, a bevy of state officials and their private sector counterparts here celebrated the finalization of the deal to build a $324 million broadband infrastructure project. The project, KentuckyWired, is a public-private partn
Important Resources for Broadband and Planning
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., September 16, 2014 – Below are several links of interest to professionals involved in broadband planning: PLANNING RESOURCES “Partnership for a Connected Illinois and Internet Expansion in Illinois 1996 to 2011,” By Drew Clark and Layton Olson, Spring 2012, American Planning Asso
Alaska
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Alaska.
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Virginia
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Alabama
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American Samoa
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in American Samoa.
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Arkansas
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Arkansas.
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Connecticut
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Connecticut.
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Delaware
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District of Columbia
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in the District of Columbia.
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Florida
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Georgia
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Guam
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Hawaii
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Hawaii.
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Idaho
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Idaho.
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Nebraska
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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North Carolina
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Montana
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California
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Vermont
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North Dakota
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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Texas
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Utah
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Washington
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West Virginia
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Wisconsin
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Wyoming
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Puerto Rico
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U.S. Virgin Islands
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Northern Mariana Islands
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South Carolina
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Colorado
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Colorado.
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Arizona
Get a snapshot view of broadband initiatives in Arizona.
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Obama Administration Continues Follow-through on Broadband Infrastructure Executive Order
WASHINGTON, September 18, 2013 – Demonstrating a thoroughness in following through on its broadband policy initiatives, the Obama administration on Monday highlighted the launch of several new broadband tracking tools. These tools including interactive asset maps, a web-based dashboard focusing on a
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Seeks to Break New Broadband Ground with Social Media Lineup Announcement
March 17, 2013 – How a music festival connects to their audience is paramount to having a successful event. In recent years, several festivals – including the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival – have turned to aggressive viral campaigns to keep people talking about a festival before and after the mus
California State Assembly Passes Online Sales Tax Bill
WASHINGTON June 7, 2011- The California State Assembly passed a bill last week that would require online retailers such as Amazon to collect state sales taxes on all goods the site sells within the state. The bill is similar to those that a number of other states and the U.S. Congress are currently
Let Consumers See Clearwire’s Network: They’ve Got a Map For That
By now, the omnipresent television commercials have drummed Verizon’s 3G message into all our heads: big red map good, splotchy blue map bad. But nascent national WiMAX provider Clearwire has taken the “maps” battle to a whole new level, in a way that potential wireless users might find more useful
Eight States Win Broadband Funds From Agriculture Department
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday announced broadband infrastructure projects to give rural residents in eight states access to better economic and educational opportunities.
Chicago Sets its Sights on Ultra-Modern Web Site With Enhanced E-Government
CHICAGO, March 12, 2010 – When the City of Chicago has tried its hand at computerized technology of recent, it hasn’t exactly been a hit with citizens. Those fancy electronic signs on public transit platforms? They tell you everything except the time the next trains will arrive, a la London’s Under
Partnership for a Connected Illinois Announces Drew Clark as Executive Director; Founder of BroadbandCensus.com to Lead State Broadband Data and Deployment Effort
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, and WASHINGTON, February 25, 2010 – The Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a non-profit organization that includes partnerships with Southern Illinois University, Man-Tra-Con, and Connected Nation, on Thursday announced Drew Clark as its new Executive Director. On Wednesda
NTIA Awards $12 Million to Two Illinois Counties
WASHINGTON, February 22, 2010 – Illinois’ DeKalb County and portions of the state’s LaSalle County have won nearly $12 million to improve and expand their broadband service from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
FCC: Broadband Critical For Often Undervalued Small Business Market
WASHINGTON, January 4, 2010 – At a field hearing at the University of Chicago on December 21, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission voiced its commitment to provide broadband opportunities to small businesses – in spite of the feeling that small businesses are sometimes forgotten. “When discu
U-S
State Broadband Pages.
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Sen. Durbin Joins Lawmakers Cheering On State Broadband Grants
WASHINGTON, December 29, 2009 – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill., last week joined the bandwagon of lawmakers voicing support for the government grants currently being awarded to support broadband deployment and map broadband penetration across the country.
Broadband Speeds Matter Just as Much as Internet Access, Say New Yorkers
NEW YORK, December 13, 2009 – Broadband speeds matter just as much as does internet access, in order to ensure educational, economic and social opportunities for individuals of all incomes and ethnic backgrounds, participants in a community broadband hearing here agreed on Friday. Policy officials,
The Scoop on NARUC: From Washington to Main Street, Broadband Questions Remain
CHICAGO, November 18, 2009 – One striking sentiment dominated this week’s convention of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners: The federal government remains on nearly as steep a learning curve on crafting the future of broadband as many state agencies, and the best work ahead
Federal Broadband Stimulus Funds to Come in as Soon as Three Weeks
CHICAGO, November 17, 2009 – As the 121st meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners kicked off Tuesday, the usual presentations on energy efficiency, commodities and electrical grid jiggering couldn’t match the drama and dilemma surrounding a topic that didn’t even exis
Governors of Illinois and Kansas Winnow State Broadband Stimulus Applications
October 20, 2009 – The states of Illinois and Kansas on Tuesday released their recommendations for the first round of broadband stimulus funding, with Illinois winnowing 140 applicants for broadband projects to a list of 31 proposed projects, and Kansas narrowing its pool of 85 applicants to 22.
Week in Review: Application Roundup
WASHINGTON, August 31, 2009 – Although the NTIA and RUS are expected to release the names of the applicants for broadband stimulus funding later this week, the names of many of the applicants are emerging through press releases and through reporting by a wide variety of organizations.
Illinois Unveils Plan to Supplement State's Applicants for Federal Broadband Stimulus Grants
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2009 — Illinois has unveiled a plan to provide supplemental grants for state projects applying for the first round of federal broadband initiative money. Anyone wishing to grab stimulus funding, however, must hurry. Applications are due August 5. Awardees will be notified of the
ZeroDivide Looks for Broadband Grant Partnerships
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2009 – ZeroDivide, an investor in community enterprises leveraging technology to help underserved communities, is looking for non-profit partners to apply for broadband monies that are part of the national economic stimulus plan.
Connecting Broadband Networks and Applications in NTIA Proposals
LAKE FOREST, Ill., July 19, 2009 – The NTIA’s BTOP program tracks the old NTIA Technology Opportunities Program. There are going to be maximum awards for those applications which attempt to solve multiple policy objectives, on the “biggest bang for the stimulus buck” theory. And states are going to
States Seek Best Strategies on Obtaining Broadband Stimulus Funds Close-to-Home
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2009 – As the Obama administration on Monday begins poring over the nitty-gritty details about how they will be spending $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds, individual states are grappling to find their own best strategies to tap the funds.
Illinois Proposal for Transparent Town Halls
CHICAGO, January 12, 2009 – Broadband As a Tool for Transparent Town Halls for Responsible Infrastructure Investments of $700 Billion: A proposal of the Community Life Initiative.
Broadband Census State-by-State Articles on Broadband Deployment and Data
WASHINGTON, September 22 – BroadbandCensus.com unveiled a new web site — BroadbandCensus.com/conference [http://broadbandcensus.com/conference] — for the “Broadband Census for America” Conference on Friday, September 26, 2008. Additionally, as part of its participation in One Web Day, BroadbandCens
Illinois Plants 'Johnny Appleseed' Projects Promoting Broadband in State
September 3 – In describing efforts to improve broadband in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn uses this analogy: “We have to be the modern-day, 21st century Johnny Appleseeds, planting good technology projects all over the state.”