Engaging Partners

Collaboration is a key to success for expanding broadband access for most communities. While there are exceptions to this rule, communities that foster relationships with other organizations are more likely to succeed with large-scale broadband expansion than those that try to tackle it all on their own.

Federal Agencies and Programs

A number of federal agencies are spearheading broadband initiatives across the United States. The FCC has outlined a National Broadband Plan and issues an annual report that outlines how the United States’ broadband expansion efforts are impacting communities. NTIA has offered opportunities for broadband grant funding, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Utilities Service is working to expand broadband access to rural residents. These agencies are able to provide information and assistance to local government in support of broadband expansion and can serve as very valuable partners.

  • National Broadband Plan – The National Broadband Plan, released by the FCC on March 17, 2010, sets out a roadmap for initiatives to stimulate economic growth, spur job creation, and boost America's capabilities in education, health care, homeland security, and more. The plan includes sections focusing on economic opportunity, education, health care, energy and the environment, government performance, civic engagement, and public safety.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/national-broadband-plan

  • Measuring Broadband America – The Measuring Broadband America program is an ongoing nationwide performance study of broadband service in the United States that developed out of a recommendation by the National Broadband Plan to improve the availability of information for consumers about their broadband service.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/measuring-broadband-america

  • National Broadband Map – The National Broadband Map website provides maps and data to analyze availability of broadband services across the United States.

http://broadbandmap.gov/

  • National Telecommunications and Information Administration - NTIA is the executive branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth.

https://www.ntia.doc.gov/

  • NTIA BroadbandUSA –NTIA developed BroadbandUSA to provide assistance to communities that want to expand their broadband capacity and promote broadband adoption. BroadbandUSA brings stakeholders together to solve problems, contribute to emerging policies, link communities to other federal agencies and funding sources, and address barriers to collaboration across agencies.

http://www2.ntia.doc.gov

  • USDA Rural Development - Rural Utilities Service - USDA’s Rural Utilities Service administers programs that provide much-needed infrastructure or infrastructure improvements to rural communities. These include water and waste treatment, electric power, and telecommunications services. All of these services play a critical role in helping to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural residents.

http://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-utilities-service

  • ConnectHome – ConnectHome is a public-private collaboration to narrow the digital divide for families with school-age children who live in HUD-assisted housing. ConnectHome is one step in the federal government’s continued efforts to bring affordable broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and electronic devices to all Americans.

http://connecthome.hud.gov

  • Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative (SC2) – The Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative pilot program began in July 2011. The SC2 concept was developed through engagement with mayors, members of Congress, foundations, nonprofits, and other community partners who are committed to addressing the challenges of local governments. SC2 and its partners are working together to coordinate federal programs and investments to spark economic growth in distressed areas and create stronger cooperation among community organizations, local leadership, and the federal government.

https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sc2/home.html

Nongovernmental Organizations

A number of national and international nongovernmental organizations are also highly active in promoting expanded broadband access and digitally inclusive communities.

  • International City/County Management Association (ICMA) – ICMA identifies leading practices to address the needs of local governments and professionals serving communities globally. ICMA provides services, research, publications, data and information, peer and results-oriented assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of people living in thousands of communities, ranging in size from small towns to large metropolitan areas.

http://icma.org

  • National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) –NATOA is the premier local government professional association that provides support to members on the many local, state, and federal communications laws, administrative rulings, judicial decisions, and technology issues impacting the interests of local governments. Founded in 1980, the association offers a range of advocacy services to individual and agency members representing cities, towns, counties, and commissions across the country. NATOA actively analyzes and addresses emerging issues in areas such as:
    • Local government communications and Internet policy
    • Broadband planning best practices
    • Cable franchising
    • Operation of public, education, and government access channels
    • Wireless zoning
    • New technology initiatives and advancements

https://www.natoa.org/web/

  • National Digital Inclusion Alliance – The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is a unified voice for local technology training, home broadband access, and public broadband access programs. The alliance works collaboratively to craft, identify, and disseminate financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs while serving as a bridge to policy makers and the general public.

http://www.digitalinclusionalliance.org/

  • National Association of Counties (NACo) –NACo unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government, and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.

http://www.naco.org/

  • National League of Cities (NLC) –NLC is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages, and towns it represents.

http://www.nlc.org/

  • Next Century Cities - Across the country, innovative municipalities are already recognizing the importance of leveraging gigabit-level Internet to attract new businesses and create jobs, improve health care and education, and connect residents to new opportunities. Next Century Cities is committed to celebrating these successes, demonstrating their value, and helping other cities to realize the full power of truly high-speed, affordable, and accessible broadband.

http://nextcenturycities.org/

  • EveryoneOn - EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit working to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet service and computers, and free digital literacy courses, accessible to all unconnected Americans. The program provides options for low-cost Internet access, deals on purchasing computers, and educational opportunities based on ZIP code and eligibility for free/reduced-cost lunch programs.

http://everyoneon.org/

  • NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association – NTCA is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development, publications and industry events, and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation, and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the Internet Protocol (IP) evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security, and smart energy use.

http://www.ntca.org/

  • Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition - “Connecting Anchor Institutions: A Broadband Action Plan” was developed by the SHLB Coalition to provide ideas and actionable policy recommendations for government leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to address the broadband needs of anchor institutions. The ten policy papers highlight connectivity gaps and explain why broadband access is vital to communities nationwide.

http://www.shlb.org/

  • US Ignite - US Ignite fosters the creation of next-generation Internet applications that provide transformative public benefit.

https://www.us-ignite.org/

  • Connected Nation - Connected Nation facilitates P3s to increase access to and use of broadband and related technology, creating dramatic results that translate into economic and community development, better education, higher-quality healthcare, more efficient public service, and improved quality of life. Connected Nation aspires to be recognized as an international market leader among organizations that work in the trenches to bridge the digital divide and increase opportunities that are enabled when people have the ability and desire to connect.

http://connectednation.org

  • National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) - NARC serves as the national voice for regionalism by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities—large and small, urban and rural.

http://narc.org/development/rural-development/broadband/

  • National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - State Broadband Task Forces, Commissions or Authorities and Other Broadband Resources - NCSL is committed to the success of all legislators and staff. Its mission is to:
    • Improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures.
    • Promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures.
    • Ensure that state legislatures have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/state-broadband-task-forces-commissions.aspx

State Agencies and Programs

States are also playing a role in broadband expansion. Wisconsin has created a State Broadband Office. Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Maine, and others also have efforts underway to expand broadband and provide positive economic benefits through a variety of programs, grants, and incentives. Most, if not all, states have some kind of broadband expansion initiative, including funding/partnering options for underserved areas. Examples include the following.

  • Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin - State Broadband Office - An app displaying statewide Internet access as declared by ISPs through the biannual data collections by the PSC and FCC. The app allows users to search by address and identify their local providers by simply clicking on the map. The PSC's map layer for Broadband Expansion Grant eligibility is also displayed here.

http://www.link.wisconsin.gov/broadband-maps

  • Colorado Department of Local Affairs - Broadband Program - The Colorado Department of Local Affairs supports the efforts of local governments to improve broadband service to their constituents to achieve enhanced community and economic development. The initiative:
    • Promotes interjurisdictional communication
    • Supports better access to services available over broadband, such as distance learning opportunities and telemedicine
    • Provides planning and “middle mile” infrastructure grants

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dola/broadband-program

  • Missouri Broadband Now – Governor Nixon created MoBroadbandNow as a public-private initiative of multiple cooperative partners to expand and enhance broadband accessibility and adoption to all areas of the state.

http://mobroadbandnow.com/

  • Connected Texas – Connected Texas is an independent, public-private initiative working to ensure that all can experience the benefits of broadband, with the understanding that technology, especially widespread access, use, and adoption of broadband, improves all areas of life.

http://www.connectedtx.org/

  • ConnectME Authority – The ConnectME Authority is a component unit of Maine state government whose mission is to facilitate the universal availability of broadband to all Mainers and help them understand the valuable role it can play in enriching their lives and helping their communities and businesses thrive.

http://www.maine.gov/connectme/

  • Connect Ohio – Connect Ohio is working to bring the benefits of universal broadband to Ohio. Connect Ohio works together with the State of Ohio to advance broadband issues in communities across the state.

http://www.connectohio.org

  • Connecticut State Broadband Initiative – The Connecticut State Broadband Office was created in 2015 to explore options for more communities to gain access to broadband Internet services.

http://www.ct.gov/broadband/site/default.asp

Private Sector

  • Google Fiber – Google Fiber provides 1 Gbps Internet services to a small and growing number of U.S. cities. The company works closely with each city to map out and understand all possible local needs and challenges. The Kansas City metropolitan area was the first to receive Google Fiber service.

https://fiber.google.com/about/

  • Comcast Internet Essentials Program – Internet Essentials is a program that seeks to remove barriers to digital inclusion. Internet Essentials is designed to be a wraparound solution to directly address every barrier to adoption by providing affordable Internet, subsidized computers, and free digital literacy training to eligible low-income families.

https://Internetessentials.com/about

  • Connect2Compete – Cox’s Connect2Compete program serves qualifying families with school-age children (in kindergarten through twelfth grade) who receive free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In addition, Cox has partnered with HUD to support its ConnectHome initiative. Families with school-age children who live in public housing, as well as families who receive Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, or Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance are eligible for Cox’s Connect2Compete discounted Internet service offer.

https://www.cox.com/aboutus/cox-in-the-community/connect2compete.html

  • Access by AT&T – Access by AT&T offers low-cost Internet service to eligible low-income families.

https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/

Local Partners

Local leaders should consider engaging the following local partners depending on the community, leadership, and willingness to get involved with each.

  • Local governments and other public entities – Local leaders should consider collaboration with other municipal or county governments. Many jurisdictions have had success in engaging with local utilities, public school districts, housing authorities, or public library systems to advance broadband and digital literacy goals.
  • Local anchor institutions – Anchor institutions can be excellent local partners. Private universities, community colleges, hospital systems, and other local institutions are important stakeholders in any initiative to expand broadband access or improve digital literacy. These organizations can also be a valuable source of information resources or financial support.
  • The local business community – Understanding the impact that greater broadband access can have on economic growth and competitiveness, local businesses can be a great partner for local broadband and digital inclusion initiatives. In many communities, the local tech and start-up communities have been particularly active. Communities can also engage with their local chambers of commerce and other business interest groups.
  • Local Internet service providers – The group that best understands the technological options is private industry. Broadband providers can be strong partners for many local programs. Many communities have had success in deploying private solutions to increase broadband access in targeted areas. Also, technical experts from private companies are often available and can be contracted for verification of up-to-date information and options.

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