|
|
Just Released! The first Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) was jointly released by the RUS and NTIA on July 1. The numbers, the rules and criteria are now known for accessing Broadband Grant funds. The applications willl be evaluated on a point basis to determine project viability.
Broadbandtrends, a leading research and analyst firm closely following the Broadband Stimulus proceedings, has released an excellent report summarizing the July 1 NOFA and providing valuable information.
Click Here to download Broadband Stimulus Moves Forward with NOFA for BTOP, BIP |
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), drafted January 6, 2009 and ratified by Congress on February 13, 2009, allocates $7.2 B in Federal funds to be used for projects extending broadband services to underserved and unserved markets and citizens. In addition to using these funds to stimulate the economy, the Act also fulfills a campaign pledge by President Obama to make broadband available to everyone, everywhere. The funds will be administered by two government agencies, the NTIA under the Department of Commerce, and the RUS under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
|
|
USDA Rural Utilities Services (RUS) Grant Funds 
The RUS has been the historical organization providing federal loans to rural Independent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC’s), Telephone Cooperatives and Native American tribal telephone cooperatives for infrastructure and modernization projects. It has been allocated $2.5 B in funds under the ARRA to be used for infrastructure projects expanding broadband availability in rural markets to unserved and underserved citizens. Telephone companies interested in obtaining a grant for a qualified project must submit an application and proposal, which must be accepted. The general guidelines for a ‘qualified project’ are:
- At Least 75% of the area serviced by the project must be rural, and without significant access to high-speed broadband services.
- 20% of the project must be funded by the applicant.
- Preference will be given to applications whereby doing so delivers customers a choice between one or more service providers.
- Preference will be given customers with the highest proportion of rural customers without access to broadband services.
- Existing RUS loan participants will be given priority.
- Projects ready for immediate implementation are given a higher priority.
|
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) Grant Funds |
 |
The NTIA administers a number of programs such as the DTV converter box program. It has received $4.7B in broadband grant funds from the ARRA to be used in a variety of purposes different from the RUS. It’s primary charter is to make possible, through grants, “the highest broadband speeds possible to the greatest population in unserved and underserved areas.” All grants are to issued by September 30, 2010, and used within two years. These grants are primarily targeted for projects on a non-profit basis, however they can be used by for-profit entities such as ILEC’s if the project and purpose falls within the scope of the NTIA guidelines. The NTIA program is known as Broadband Telecommunications Opportunity Program, or BTOP. Some of the guidelines for grants include:
- Projects bringing broadband to schools, education, distance learning, etc.
- Projects bringing broadband to health services, such as telemedicine and public health facilities.
- Projects bringing broadband to low income and economically disadvantaged areas where it is otherwise unavailable.
- Projects extending broadband availability for state, regional, local and municipal governments.
- Projects utilizing broadband for public health, welfare and public safety.
- Projects involving Native American entities, such as reservations.
- NTIA has a goal of at least one project per state.
|
| Regulations are pending
Meetings are being held throughout the Month of March to solicit input from prospective applicants, telecommunications industry interested parties and organizations, as well as other interest groups. Actual regulations and program requirements are expected to follow in the April timeframe so applications and proposals can begin to be reviewed and processed. As these regulations and rules are developed, it is time to identify potential projects, begin the planning process, and preparing a proposal. Allied Telesis will regularly update this site with new information, and track new developments. In the meantime, service providers have a variety of resources available to them, which we provide links to below. Success will come from having support from a number of sources, including:
- Your local government officials, Congressional representatives, and Governor.
- State and national telecommunication associations.
- Your Engineering Consulting firm.
- Your broadband vendors and suppliers.
|
Important Information
- Grant funds from RUS and NTIA cannot be combined, however you are entitled to submit to both.
- Initial grant awards will be made in the June timeframe, so submitting a proposal early qualified you for early grant distribution.
- Engage and solicit political support as well as advocacy support from industry associations you belong to lobby on you behalf.
- The majority of funds are scheduled to be allocated by October, 2009.
- In addition to the guidelines outlined, a major focus of the ARRA is employment and job creation . Make sure proposals identify and quantify employment opportunities, including re-training and job security created by the project.
- Another key element is community benefit. Projects that encompass social and quality of life improvement to the community create a stronger business and economic climate, and enable choices in service providers (competition) are considered. These should be identified in your proposal.
|
Advocacy and Resources
Federal Government Links
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): http://www.recovery.gov/
ARRA interactive map of state recovery websites:http://www.recover.gov/?q=content/state-recovery-page
National Telecommunications and Information Administration: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
Rural Utilities Services (RUS): http://www.usda.gov/rus/
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
Meetings & hearings: http://www.ntia.gov/broadbandgrants/
Industry Associations and organizations
US Telecom – The Broadband Association http://www.ustelecom.org/
OPASTCO: http://www.opastco.org
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA): http://www.ntca.og
Rural Independent Competitive Alliance: http://www.ricalliance.org
FTTH Council: http://www.ftthcouncil.org
|
Allied Telesis Partnership for Broadband Stimulus 
Allied Telesis is an active participant and strong supporter of the Broadband Grants Program and its goals. We have contracted influential consultants in Washington DC to work on behalf of our customers and company to have a say in the programs as well as support customer applications for grants as needed.
Allied Telesis works with national and state telephone associations and organizations to promote the interests of our customers with regards to the Broadband Grant initiatives.
Allied Telesis shares in its commitment to a successful project, and will develop its own Allied Telesis Stimulus Program (ATSP) as the regulations are finalized and actual projects begin to assist our customers participating in RUS or NTIA grants projects meet economic and timeline objectives through a “share the risk, receive the benefit” philosophy.
|
| About Allied Telesis Broadband Technologies
Allied Telesis has a comprehensive line of RUS approved broadband technologies widely used by services providers and meeting RUS contract requirement:
- iMAP IP Multiservice Access Platform
- iMG intelligent broadband Multiservice Gateways products
- iMG-MOD intelligent FTTx outdoor Multiservice Gateways
- ADSL2+ & G.Bond, VDSL2 broadband access and CPE
- GEPON and Active Ethernet broadband access and ONT’s
- Outdoor environmental cabinets and cabinet retrofit kits
|