BTOP Call for Reviewers

Thanks to Amalia Deloney for the head up on this very interesting opportuntiy…

July 6, 2009 – Call for Reviewers – Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

Help America Advance its National Objective of Broadband Access for All

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of
the U.S. Department of Commerce is soliciting volunteers to serve as panelists to evaluate grant proposals for the $4.7 billion Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an important part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

NTIA is accepting applications for its first round of BTOP grants from July
14, 2009 until August 14, 2009, and will conduct panel reviews through at least the end of September, 2009. As a reviewer, your evaluations will be an important factor considered by NTIA in determining whether to award grant funding. To be considered as a reviewer you must have significant expertise and experience in at least one of the following areas:

1) the design, funding, construction, and operation of broadband networks
or public computer centers;
2) broadband-related outreach, training, or education;and
3) innovative programs to increase the demand for broadband services. In
addition you must agree to comply with Department of Commerce policies on conflict of interest and confidentiality.

We are committed to ensuring that reviewers come from diverse backgrounds
and areas of the United States. Please feel free to circulate this “Call for
Reviewers” to other individuals or organizations that may be sources of qualified reviewers.

To apply to be a panel reviewer for BTOP, please email a resume containing
the information below to BTOPReviewers@ntia.doc.gov:
• Name
• Residence (city and state)
• Email/phone number
• Employer
• Position/Title
• Years and types of experience and positions in fields related to BTOP
activities

NTIA will examine and approve reviewer applications on a first-come,
first-served basis. Approved reviewers will be contacted to schedule participation in a webinar orientation session and teleconference panel reviews.

Although there will be no direct reimbursement for your time and expertise,
you may be assured that you will be making a significant contribution to enhancing broadband services throughout the United States. We appreciate the valuable contribution you will be making to the success of BTOP and look forward to working with you as a reviewer.

If you have questions, please send them by email to:
BTOPReviewers@ntia.doc.gov.
For additional information, please see http://www.broadbandusa.gov

Lake County folks excited about broadband

Folks in Lake County are pretty excited with the prospect of broadband in their area. According to the Lake County News Chronicle, “The overall response was excellent,” said Chris Swanson, at a Lake County Board meeting this week. “They (Lake County residents) are very supportive of the project.”

It sounds as if the average Lake County resident pays $122 per month for Internet, TV and phone services. National Public Broadband, the folks who are implementing the broadband plan, feel they can beat that price.

Broadband Task Force Meeting July 17

blog_taskforceJust wanted to send a reminder to folks about the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Task Force meeting this month. (See the Agenda below.) It’s on July 17 in Mankato. I’ll still be in Ireland, so I won’t be there – but a kind friend has offered to record it for me so I’m hoping to get the notes regardless.

Also I wanted to remind folks that Blandin Foundation will be presenting a Broadband Policy Seminar on July 16 in Mankato. Last month’s session in Grand Rapids went very well. If you’re near Mankato and can make it to either meeting, I’d encourage you to go.

Task Force Meeting Agenda
Date Friday, July 17, 2009
Time 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Location Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center
119 S. Front Street
Mankato, MN

8:00 – 9:00 Continental breakfast – meet and greet the Task Force – open to all

9:00 – 9:15 Opening comments; review meeting agenda
Approve meeting minutes from June 19th meeting

9:15 – 10:15 Public comment

10:15 – 11:00 How to approach aspirational speed goal
• A number stated as ”the equivalent in 2015 of XX in 2010”
• A statement about where we want to be on the rankings in the US and Globally
[Craig Taylor, Brent Christenson, Dan McElroy, Peg Werner, Shirley Walz]

11:00 – 11:15 Break

11:15 – 11:30 Symmetrical sub-group report
• Review language to cover the notion of symmetrical vs. asymmetrical speeds
[Shirley Walz, JoAnne Johnson, Mike O’Connor]

11:30 – 12:15 Role of Government – sub-group report
• Discuss and decide on language for the report
[Tom Garrison, Mike O’Connor, Vijay Sethi, Karen Smith, John Stanoch, Robyn West]

12:15 – 12:45 Break for Lunch

12:45 – 1:30 Recommendation #2 – Policies and actions necessary to achieve ubiquitous broadband – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Mike O’Connor, Brent Christensen, JoAnne Johnson, Diane Wells, Peg Werner, Mary Ellen Wells/Joe Schindler, Carlos Seone]

1:30 – 2:15 Recommendation #3 – Opportunities for public and private sectors to cooperate to achieve goal – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Brent Christensen, Steve Cawley, Tom Garrison, Tim Lovaasen, Vijay Sethi, Robyn West, Mary Ellen Wells/Joe Schindler, Diane Wells]

2:15 – 3:00 Recommendation #4 – Evaluation of strategies, financing, financial incentives used in other states/countries to support broadband development & Recommendation #6 – Cost estimate – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[John Gibbs, Dan McElroy, John Stanoch, Dick Sjoberg, Diane Wells]

3:00 – 3:30 Recommendation #5 – Evaluation and recommendation of security, vulnerability, and redundancy actions necessary to ensure reliability – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Mike O’Connor, Steve Cawley, Craig Taylor, Jack Ries/Gopal Khanna, Shirley Walz]

3:30 – 3:45 Plans for Upcoming Meetings (reference Planning Calendar)
• August 21st Fergus Falls
• Expectations for reviewing updated draft of report
• September 18th Thomson Reuters
• October 2nd,16th, 30th Thomson Reuters

3:45 Closing comments, adjourn meeting