Democrats Failed on Digital Divide, Too Sep 15, 2009
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (now there's an Orwellian name) produced several studies of the problem. A 1997 report on digital "haves and have nots" worried that America faced a "racial ravine." Though "all racial groups now own more computers than they did in 1994," the report continued, "Blacks and Hispanics now lag even further behind Whites in their levels of PC-ownership and on-line access." (Emphasis in original. (Townhall.com)
Broadband map may cost $350 million Sep 13, 2009
To ensure the mapping money is used "in a fiscally prudent manner," the National Telecommunications and Information Administration signaled Wednesday it would initially spend more than $100 million, and then reassess the program. Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Sunday, September 13, 2009. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Review Set For NTIA's Efforts On Stimulus Sep 13, 2009
Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is the White House's chief telecommunications adviser and oversees government spectrum, much as the Federal Communications Commission does with commercial spectrum. In a memo to NTIA administrator Larry Strickling, Judith Gordon, assistant inspector general for audit and evaluation, said the goal of the review was to gauge how effectively that agency is overseeing and managing the program, including supervising contractors and... (Multichannel News)
$100M-Plus Broadband Map Runs Into Cost Questions Sep 13, 2009
To ensure the mapping money is used "in a fiscally prudent manner," the National Telecommunications and Information Administration signaled Wednesday it would initially spend more than $100 million, and then reassess the program. The agency, which is part of the Commerce Department, said it has received requests for $107 million in funding for projects that would map broadband in individual states over the first two years. (ABC News -- Wire)
GigaBeam Announces Restructuring Plan Under Protection of Chapter 11 Sep 5, 2009
the ability of the Company to continue to operate as a going concern; * the ability of the Company to obtain approval of the Bankruptcy Court (as defined herein) with respect to motions filed by it from time to time in the Chapter 11 Case described herein; * the Company's ability to obtain debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing; * if the Company should seek to obtain DIP financing and is able to obtain such financing, whether the Bankruptcy Court will grant final approval of any such financing;... (Primezone Releases)
Applications for broadband grants under the stimulus law far outstrip available funds Sep 1, 2009
Commerces National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the USDAs Rural Utilities Service are administering the grants from the $4 billion pool, which is the first round of funding. Overall, the stimulus law makes available $7. (FCW.com)
Broadband Stimulus Requests Top $28B, Outweigh Funds Sep 1, 2009
"Applicants requested nearly seven times the amount of funding available, which demonstrates the substantial interest in expanding broadband across the nation," Lawrence Strickling, administrator of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), said in a statement. Strickling, whose organization is working with the Agriculture Department's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to oversee the programs, said the agencies would "move quickly but carefully to... (SmallBusinessComputing)
Broadband Stimulus Funds Draw Lots of Requests Aug 30, 2009
It is being overseen by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). NTIA did not release any data about proposals but says it plans to post brief summaries "in the coming weeks.". (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Newsbits: Broadband flood, iPhone in China Aug 29, 2009
2 billion to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. About $2. (EETimes)
Arizona agencies form broadband committee Aug 29, 2009
The group will work on grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The state agencies participating include the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and the state departments of Administration, Commerce, Education, Health Services, Homeland Security, Public Safety, Transportation and Land. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
FCC Diversity Chief: GOP Hurts Civil Rights Aug 29, 2009
However, a 1998 report from the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) concluded that FCC policies were not the primary reason for the minority gap in communications. Minority broadcasters are finding it increasingly difficult to compete, the report concluded. (Newsmax)
Cable Technology Aug 26, 2009
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration told Congress last week that it will reveal bidders thtat made the first cut in their pursuit of up to $1. 6 billion in broadband stimulus grant money "no earlier" than Sept. 14, and it gave bidders another extension. (Multichannel News)
GITA applies for $4.3M broadband map grant Aug 22, 2009
GITA submitted the grant to the U.S. Department of Commerce s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Chad Kirkpatrick, the state chief information officer and director of GITA, said the project is designed to find unserved and underserved areas of broadband in order to tie in more rural communities to the state s telecommunications infrastructure. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Level 3 seeks stimulus funds for broadband Aug 21, 2009
Level 3 seeks grants from both the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (RUS) and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The agencies are overseeing distribution of $4 billion worth of grant and loans in the first round of broadband stimulus funding. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Broadband Stimulus Gets First-Round Extension Until Aug. 20 Aug 15, 2009
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service are administering the plans. The initial round was mainly for last mile and middle mile projects in unserved and underserved areas of the country. (Multichannel News)
Deadline for U.S. broadband grants, loans extended Aug 14, 2009
Applicants who started the process using the online Easygrants System will be given until the close of business Thursday, August 20, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said. The NTIA said additional servers had been added. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Cover Story: Strings Attached Aug 10, 2009
The agencies in charge of the programs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Utilities Service have until September 2010 to disperse all the funds. Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, a D.C. public-interest advocacy group, has been advising some potential bidders and has heard her share of grousing over the ground rules. (Multichannel News)
Telco Companies to Provide Data for Broadband Map Aug 8, 2009
"The information that the broadband carriers are now committed to providing is crucial to the creation of the national broadband map," said Lawrence Strickling, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department that is overseeing the mapping project. Congress included up to $350 million in the economic stimulus bill passed in February to develop a "comprehensive nationwide inventory map of existing broadband service capability and... (ABC News -- Wire)
Dot-org zone offers lessons learned in implementing DNSSEC Aug 7, 2009
In a July 17 letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Afilias Ltd. offered advice on protocols for minimizing computational overhead; processes for rolling over, distributing and securing cryptographic signing keys; and warned of a possible increase in bandwidth demand when DNSSEC is being used. Afilias provides technical services to. (FCW.com)
'Clunkers' Echoes DTV Kerfuffle Aug 1, 2009
In the first year of the program, the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued more than 40 million coupons. But the deluge of applications caught the government off guard, and by January 2009 the NTIA announced it had run out of money to fund the coupons and had established a waiting list. (ABC News -- Business)
DTV Coupon Program Ends Aug 1, 2009
The coupon program, overseen by the Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration, officially ends at midnight. As of July 22, about 63. (USA Today -- Tech)
2 Commissioners Approved to Round out FCC Jul 25, 2009
Baker was head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Bush White House. The newest FCC chairman, Democrat Julius Genachowski, was sworn in last month. (ABC News -- Wire)
IN THE FIELD: Rural Americans long to be linked Jul 18, 2009
How the program works: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are responsible for handing out the money. By the end of June, they're expected to issue rules that will spell out, in detail, how to apply for funding. (USA Today -- News)
Feds to hold broadband stimulus workshop Jul 18, 2009
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture s rural utilities service and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will present to organizations. The workshop, one of 10 to be held nationwide, will feature opening remarks and break-out sessions. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Officials Ask Help Controlling Prison Cell Phones Jul 16, 2009
Maryland has made a request to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for a 30-minute demonstration at a Maryland prison that houses federal inmates to inform Congress about available technology to combat illicit cell phone use. The agency shares responsibility for managing the nation's communications network with the Federal Communications Commission. (KCRA 3, CA)
Federal funds unlikely for Palo Alto fiber project Jul 15, 2009
But earlier this month, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration -- which is charged with distributing $4. 7 billion for broadband projects -- released funding guidelines that essentially guarantee Palo Alto wouldn't be selected. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Broadband stimulus workshop to be held in Memphis Wednesday Jul 14, 2009
The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service are hosting a public broadband grant and loan workshop at the Holiday Inn Hotel at University of Memphis Wednesday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. The workshops will teach business owners how to apply for the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the expansion of broadband access and updating Internet infrastructure. (Memphis Business Journal, TN)
Bham to host broadband funding workshop Jul 11, 2009
The public broadband grant and loan workshop will be held July 14 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel at 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. It is sponsored by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. The stimulus funds are becoming available in the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
Perriello announces launch of $4 billion fund for Broadband Jul 10, 2009
Two federal agencies, the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) - managed by the Department of Commerce - and the Rural Utility Service (RUS) - managed by the Department of Agriculture - will each operate a program to disburse these broadband funds. The agencies will begin accepting applications on July 14, 2009, and will continue to accept applications until August 14, 2009. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
NTIA wants volunteers to review broadband grants Jul 10, 2009
Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) July 6 seeking volunteers with significant expertise and experience in broadband applications to help evaluate grant proposals scheduled to arrive from July 14 to Aug. 14. The reviews will continue through September. (FCW.com)
Omnicity Positioned to Attract Stimulus Funding Jul 8, 2009
July 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Responding to President Obama and Congress' mandate to bring high speed internet to underserved rural areas of the United States, Omnicity Corp (OTCBB: - ) will be applying to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Department of Agriculture, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce in response to their notices of stimulus funding that were released in detail last week. Omnicity has been delivering advanced... (Primezone Releases)
Feds announce billions available for broadband grants Jul 7, 2009
2 billion for broadband expansion under programs directed by USDAs Rural Utilities Service and Commerces National Telecommunications and Information Administration. NTIA will invest $4. (FCW.com)
First broadband stimulus comes big and fast Jul 7, 2009
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration () controls about $4. 7 billion and about $2. (EETimes)
Govt. Releases $4 Bln Broadband Stimulus Jul 3, 2009
7 billion has been given to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award grants for projects that will build out broadband infrastructure in unserved or under-served areas, to deliver broadband capabilities for public safety agencies and to stimulate broadband demand through training and education. The remaining $2. (BusinessWeek)
NTIA drops 'buy American' requirements for broadband stimulus funds Jun 29, 2009
In a notice published Friday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is distributing $5 billion of the $7. 2 billion earmarked for broadband deployments in unserved and underserved areas, said the Secretary of Commerce granted a limited waiver of the buy American stipulation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to broadband equipment used in broadband networks deployed using stimulus money. (Multichannel News)
White House Nominates Baker to FCC Jun 26, 2009
een acting head of National Telecommunications and Information Administration before exiting in January. While the converter-box program has come under fire, Attwell Baker's stewardship has received generally high marks. (Multichannel News)
Comptels Boles Joins AT&T in D.C. Jun 26, 2009
She replaces Rochelle Cohen, who joined the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. More Content. (Multichannel News)
Feds Cast a Wide Net for Broadband Projects Jun 23, 2009
Mark Seifert, who is heading up the broadband grant program at the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, talked about the importance of "breaking down silos" among government agencies to coordinate the application and dispersal of grants. "I think a one-stop application process would be a major achievement," he said. (SmallBusinessComputing)
Record number consumers call for help with digital switch Jun 17, 2009
The FCC and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration also continued to coordinate activities and promote the NTIA's converter box coupon program. Chairman Copps and FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Robert McDowell spent the morning getting out the word about the steps consumers need to take to make the transition, conducting over 25 national and local live television and radio interviews across the country. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Valley networking firms see stimulus potential in customers Jun 2, 2009
Of the total, the U.S. Commerce Department s National Telecommunications and Information Administration will distribute $4. 7 billion to build broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, deliver broadband to public safety agencies and stimulate demand through training and education. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Stimulus dollars may boost broadband in rural areas May 22, 2009
The stimulus money, which will be used to offset the costs of installing high-speed Internet, is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the federal Rural Utilities Service. They are expected to take applications three times during the next year. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Network Vendors Reach for Stimulus Checks May 16, 2009
It's also retained the services of Nancy Victory, the former head of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), to help with its stimulus-related efforts. The is tasked with figuring out the rules by which the broadband stimulus grants will be awarded. (Datamation)
Senate Staffers to Get DTV Briefing May 14, 2009
That will include a slide show by National Telecommunications and Information Administration coupon-box program administrator Bernadette McGuire-Rivera. Currently, there is enough money in the program to send out coupons to everyone who asks for them, according to the agency, and if it looked like there might not be, the agency is prepared to prioritize coupons for the for the transition. (Multichannel News)
Wiring remote regions: Statewide plan will help New Mexico access broadband stimulus funds May 14, 2009
7 billion (see Kent Hoover s related story on page 10) to be administered by the U.S. Commerce Department s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and $2. 8 billion to be administered by the Department of Agriculture s Rural Utilities Service (RUS). (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
30 Days and Counting to DTV Transition: FCC Concentrates on Preparing Consumers for June 12 Deadline May 14, 2009
Coupons worth $40 toward purchase of a converter box can be obtained from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration by visiting or calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). Each household is entitled to coupons for up to two boxes. (PR Newswire)
Cover Story: The $7.2 Billion Question May 10, 2009
For their part, the two agencies earmarked to administer the funds the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (in charge of $4. 7 billion of the funding) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service (handling $2. (Multichannel News)
Libraries eye stimulus money for Web access May 6, 2009
Whether that happens is, in part, up to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is working on criteria for judging grant applications under the stimulus package. NTIA spokesman Mark Tolbert said the agency could not comment on the specifics of the application process before the criteria are released this summer. (MSNBC -- Technology)
State trying for $1 billion for better Internet access May 5, 2009
But like so much of the stimulus package, the promise is shrouded with complex uncertainties: Distribution of the money is being overseen by three federal agencies -- the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration -- each responsible for different aspects of the program. That complicates the process. (Modesto Bee, CA)
3.1% of Homes Still DTV Unready May 2, 2009
As of April 29, the U.S. Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration had spent more than $1. 4 billion sending out about 56 million coupons to defray the cost of converter boxes. (TVweek.com)
City's fiber dreams still flickering Apr 13, 2009
" Such a plan could be significantly bolstered if the city gets federal assistance. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is preparing to release $4.7 billion for broadband projects as part of the federal stimulus package and city officials are currently putting Palo Alto's application together. Bob Harrington, member of a citizen group that advises the council on the fiber project, said Silicon Valley would be a natural candidate for federal funds. "Silicon Valley is... (Palo Alto Online, CA)
What's 'broadband'? Billions in stimulus funds are at stake Apr 8, 2009
The FCC is advising the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which will make the final call on how stimulus money gets doled out. The stakes are high for consumers and, ultimately, the U.S., says Chris Murray, a senior lawyer for Consumers Union. (USA Today -- Tech)
Verizon's Michael McKeehan Named to NTIA's Online Safety and Technology Working Group Formed to Provide a Safe Environment for Children Using the Internet Apr 8, 2009
WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael McKeehan, Verizon's executive director, Internet and technology policy, has been named to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Online Safety and Technology Working Group. The group, established by the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, will report to the assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information and to Congress on industry efforts to promote a safe online environment for children. (PR Newswire)
Cable Show 2009: Levity, Martin On Luncheon Menu Apr 4, 2009
Dodging recusals and restrictions on lobbying, a majority of the Federal Communications Commission and the acting head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration addressed an National Cable & Telecommunications Association lunch crowd primarily in generalities, albeit entertaining ones. FCC commissioners Robert McDowell and Jonathan Adelstein, joining acting NTIA head Anna Gomez, were mostly restricted from talking about broadband stimulus-related issues. (Multichannel News)
Area news briefs Apr 1, 2009
2 billion is available across the nation for broadband improvement loans and grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utility Service (RUS). The PSC anticipates that the NTIA and RUS will issue broadband guidelines sometime between April and June 2009. (Menomonie Dunn County News, WI)
Got an expired TV converter coupon? Try again Mar 25, 2009
The recent stimulus package put more money into the coupon program, letting the National Telecommunications and Information Administration give households with expired coupons a second chance. Each household can apply for two $40 coupons that cover most of the cost of converter boxes. (AZCentral -- Business)
Digital TV coupon program hampered from the start Mar 25, 2009
As of Monday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration started accepting requests for replacement coupons ... The question, posed by consumer advocate DeAnne Cuellar, was directed at Tony Wilhelm of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. (USA Today)
- Grant boosts communications 0 Mar 21, 2009
The grant, which was awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is being earmarked to improve emergency communications through voice, data and video signals throughout Imperial County. This comes in at the right time, Beard said. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Agriculture's RUS and Commerce's NTIA Announce Public Meetings for Discussion and Public Comment on Broadband Initiatives Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Mar 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Services (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have announced upcoming Public Meetings on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the additional authority for the RUS to make grants and loans for the deployment and construction of broadband systems as published in the Federal Register. WHAT:... (PR Newswire)
NAB Protests DTV-Unready Count Mar 13, 2009
Meanwhile, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nearly 8 million converter box coupons remain active, which means households have received the coupons but have not yet used them to purchase converter boxes, wrote Mr. Rehr. While these households may be technically unready, it is unfair and misleading to classify them as completely unready, especially those that have already purchased converter boxes. (TVweek.com)
Warning over US broadband funding Mar 10, 2009
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are expected to hold the first of many public meetings over how to disperse the money. US residents endure some of the slowest broadband speeds. (BBC News -- Technology)
TV Converter Box Coupons Start Flowing Again Mar 8, 2009
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration was still able to mail out coupons, but only as old ones expired. It's accumulated a wait list of 2. (Newsmax)
Broadband companies await stimulus details Mar 6, 2009
The remainder will be funneled through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which also was responsible for the distribution of millions of dollars in coupons for the digital television transition ... Distribution: The U.S. Department of Agriculture s Rural Utilities Service will handle a portion of the grant process, while the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will handle the remainder. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Digital TV coupon program catching up with demand Mar 6, 2009
So says the Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is overseeing the program. The agency on Wednesday announced that it had begun to clear its waiting list for coupons, which now has 4. (USA Today -- Tech)
DTV coupons flowing Mar 6, 2009
Helped by $650 million from the economic stimulus package, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has started to mail out coupons to the 2. 3 million households on the wait list, said Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, associate administrator of the Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Sounds like the same deal we get here in DeKalb... Mar 4, 2009
No word yet from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration about when it will release the guidelines for administering the economic-stimulus package's , but advocacy groups Free Press and Internetforeveryone. org want everyone to get a sense of why getting broadband to the rural U.S. is so important. (Multichannel News)
