Broadband Stimulus Public Meeting, March 24, 2009
Source: Flickr.com, Uploaded on March 30, 2009 by tvol

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

NTIA was directed to establish a “national broadband service development and expansion program in conjunction with the technology opportunities program, to be referred to as the “Broadband Technology Opportunities Program” (BTOP). BTOP will stimulate demand and facilitate greater use of broadband services while contributing to economic growth and job creation. The NTIA is in the process of developing regulations with input from the FCC and the public. The website for the program can be found at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/

ARRA Section 6001 (a), page 398.

The grant funding may not exceed 80 percent of the allowable costs for the project. “The 20 percent matching requirement for grants may be satisfied by the grant applicant or any third party partnering with the grant applicant.” The NTIA may increase the Federal share above 80 percent on the basis of a waiver petition filed by the grant applicant, if the NTIA determines that “the petition demonstrates financial need.”

ARRA Section 6001 (f), page 400.

Grant funding is available for projects in urban, suburban, and rural areas. (RUS requires that 75% of the coverage area be rural.)

Agency Documents

RUS and NTIA Joint Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Solicitation of Applications

White House Press Release: "Vice President Biden Launches Initiative to Bring Broadband, Jobs to More Americans"

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program: Notice of Funds Availabilitiy -- Fact Sheet

Eligible Organizations

Any entity is eligible to apply for a grant, such as “municipalities, public / private partnerships, and private companies, so long as the entity can comply with the grant conditions.” Eligible entities include:

Nonprofit Organizations, including private educational institutions

Commercial entities, including “wireless carriers, wireline carriers, backhaul providers, satellite carriers, public-private partnerships, and tower companies.” (Conference Report). The NTIA is required to conduct the grant program in a technologically neutral manner.

Government Agencies, including public educational institutions

ARRA Section 6001 (e) page 399.

NTIA Program Purposes

The goals of the grant programs are to support (i) the construction of broadband infrastructure, and (ii) the delivery of broadband services to targeted areas, with the anticipation that this will provide jobs and stimulate the economy. This can be accomplished by:

establishing broadband access in unserved areas and improving broadband access in underserved areas;

“The NTIA is directed to consult with States on the identification of unserved and underserved areas within their borders. (Congress) recognize(s) that States have resources and a familiarity with local economic, demographic, and market conditions that could contribute to the success of the broadband grant program. States are encouraged to coalesce stakeholders and partners, assess community needs, aggregate demand for services, and evaluate demand for technical assistance.” (Conference Report)

creating and expanding markets by providing “broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment, and support” to:

educational institutions, libraries, healthcare providers and other community support organizations to “facilitate greater use of broadband service by or through these organizations;

organizations and agencies (“public computer centers”) that provide “outreach, access, equipment, and support services to facilitiate greater use of broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations;” and

job creating strategic facilities located in a state designated economic zone, economic development district, empowerment zone, or enterprise community.

improving access to and use of broadband service by public safety agencies; and

stimulating the demand for broadband access, economic growth and job creation.

ARRA, Section 6001 (b), page 398 – 399