Stronger Economies Together
Webinar
April, 13 2016
What is the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA)?
• NTIA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce
– Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible
for advising the President on telecommunications and
information policy issues.
– Programs and policymaking focus:
• Expanding broadband Internet access and adoption
in America through BroadbandUSA
• Managing the government’s use of spectrum
• Ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for
continued innovation and economic growth
What are BroadbandUSA’s Goals?
BroadbandUSA serves as a strategic advisor to help communities implement broadband
deployment and digital inclusion programs to drive economic development, advance education
and healthcare, support public safety and expand access to government services.
Connecting America’s
Communities
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Helping communities expand
local broadband connectivity
and access
Ensuring robust bandwidth
for schools, libraries,
hospitals, government
buildings and other
community anchor
institutions
Promoting next-generation,
gigabit-capable networks
Getting Americans
Online
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Advancing digital literacy
training and broadband
adoption efforts to close the
digital divide among
vulnerable populations
Supporting programs to
provide online job search
assistance and help small
businesses get online
Promoting programs to
provide subsidized computer
equipment and low-cost
access to those who
otherwise couldn’t afford it
Promoting Economic
Development
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Ensuring communities have
advanced, high-speed
telecommunications networks to
attract businesses, create jobs
and drive growth
Supporting local efforts to
deploy cutting-edge
infrastructure needed to
compete in the 21st Century
economy
Connecting rural communities to
broader resources and
opportunities
Broadband Opportunity Council
Established by Presidential Memorandum on March 23, 2015
• Co-chaired by DOC and
USDA, with 25 member
agencies
• Focused on Executive
Branch potential for action
• Aims to coordinate federal
policies to promote
broadband deployment and
adoption
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– Addressing regulatory
barriers
– Encouraging public and
private investment
– Promoting broadband
adoption and meaningful
use
– Supporting broadband
deployment, competition
and adoption
Community Connectivity
Initiative
Preliminary Program Design
April 13, 2016
Objectives
Strategies:
1. Develop clear indicators for broadband access, adoption and use
that facilitate community self-assessment and planning.
2. Spur community mobilization to identify and implement
community-aligned broadband improvement plans.
3. Support communities with technical assistance and other
resources as they plan and execute broadband projects.
4. Foster a national community of practice.
Recommended Action from Broadband Opportunity Council Report
Part of NTIA’s BroadbandUSA Program
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Program Scope
Goal: Support communities with strategic assessment
and planning tools to promote local priorities for
broadband access, adoption, policies, and use.
Self-Assessment Tool
Report, Recommendations, and Index
Planning and Implementation Support
National Community of Practice
Self-Assessment Scope
Access
• Wireline and fixed
wireless availability,
choice, speed,
quality, price
• Wireless coverage
• Technology
infrastructure,
community assets,
redundancy,
technology types
Adoption
Policy
Use
• Residential and Small
Business Adoption,
device ownership;
mobile data
subscriptions
• Institutional Support,
public wifi, CAI
connectivity
• Digital Opportunity
and Training,
accessibility,
advanced training,
outreach and
community support
• Leadership,
broadband planning,
needs assessment,
inter-agency
coordination
• Funding, demand
aggregation,
partnership
development
• Use of Public Assets,
GIS mapping,
inventory, fair use
processes,
accountability
• Government Services
and Civic
engagement
• Economic
Development and
Innovation
• Education and
Continuous Learning
• Health and Wellness
• Energy and the
Environment
• Transportation
• Public Safety
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Progress Through Collaboration
 Design – Provide input on benchmarks, indicators,
recommendations, scoring, and the self-assessment
tool. Pilot online tools and share insight.
 Scale – Organizations that provide communications
channels to engage members. Create structure and
content for national community of practice.
Design
Scale
Support
Collaborate
 Support – Provide funding or other resources to support local
communities or engaged organizations.
 NTIA’s Commitment – Develop online assessment tool. Facilitate
engagement and implementation. Leverage existing federal programs
and resources to support community broadband projects.
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Timeline
1Q16
• Formal stakeholder and partner engagement
• Develop partnership and align resources
• Identify pilot communities
2Q16
• Alpha Pilot – Test drive indicators in communities
• Translate recommendations into action
• Assessment instrument design; evaluate and refine
3Q16
• Create online assessment
• Develop peer assessment methodology
• Plan for national community of practice
4Q16
• Launch online tool
• Beta Test – Tool, indicators and recommendations
• User test online assessment tools
1Q17
• Expand roll out; marketing and outreach
• Collect aggregate data and develop peer analysis
• Establish change process
Dates are by calendar year
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Community Benefits
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Aligns broadband plans with community objectives.
Streamlines broadband planning and actions.
Provides measures for local comparisons.
Builds the case for broadband and strengthening community
support.
 Codifies best-practices and national benchmarks for local use.
 Facilitates access to a national community of practice.
 Creates expanded aggregated data to inform policies and
practices.
Design Principles
 Benchmarks: Goals for community connectivity
 Indicators: Amplify and delineate goals
 Attributes: Measures that can be answered yes/no, number
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Framework benefits from broad engagement/input
Progressive but not prescriptive
Balance aspiration with the practicality
Neutral on technology and business model
Relevant for different community types and sizes
Note difference between and outputs
Leverage existing data sources to jumpstart planning
Provide flexible assessment paths
Connectivity Initiative Workshops and Plenaries
 SHLB Annual Conference
Grand Hyatt Crystal City,
Arlington, Virginia
Thursday, April 28 9:45-noon
http://www.shlb.org/calendar/vi
ew/2016-SHLB-AnnualConference-
 NDIA NetInclusion 2016
Kansas City Public Library, Kansas
City, Missouri
Thursday, May 19, 2:00 – 3:15
http://www.digitalinclusionallianc
e.org/netinclusion2016/
 BroadbandUSA
Connectivity Webinas
April 12, 2:00 – 3:00 ET
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/otherpublication/2016/nwcommunityi
nitiativeworkshop
For More Information
 BroadbandUSA Community Connectivity Initiative
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/category/community-connectivity-initiative
⁻ “NTIA Launches Community Connectivity Initiative with Backing
from Major Community Groups” http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/node/948
 Email BroadbandUSA@ntia.doc.gov
– Include your name, organization and phone
– Indicate any specific interests beyond being added to
Connectivity Initiative communications
 Call or write:
– Laura Spining LSpining@ntia.doc.gov (202) 482-5637
– Karen Perry KPerry@ntia.doc.gov (206) 861-6043
– Jean Rice Jrice@ntia.doc.gov (202-482-2614