As a resident of Florida I am following closely the broadband stimulus applications emanating from our State. It seems that the State of Florida has selected a handful of proposals to review. Large incumbent service providers like Comcast, Time Warner, AT&T, Verizon are also reviewing the many broadband stimulus proposals emanating from Florida and other States. This is encouraging based upon their feelings prior to the first round application deadline.
You might say that having Cable or Telcom's involved is a bad thing but these incumbents have cash reserves and can assist the States in formulating a viable broadband plan in conjunction with the numerous last mile/middle mile/un-served/under served applications being served up to the NTIA and RUS from pockets within our states.
Comcast and Time Warner are in the driver's seat as they are starting to resell the 2.5GHz wireless mobile services through Clearwire. This is the here and now and this means that metro, urban, suburban AND rural markets would be receiving the same ubiquitous services. Please see Rural vs. Metro Broadband - Who Will Become the "Under Served"?
I had the opportunity to sit in on a panel discussion surrounding the broadband stimulus for the State of Florida on October 8, 2009 and I attended the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) panel group that represented Palm Beach County. The participants were the State of Florida Department of Management Services (Tallahassee) and CIO's/Adminstartors from Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties.
IMHO the lack of communication between the above mentioned constituents prior to submission of their grant proposals was perplexing. Everyone seems to be doing something different and submitted applications with a "wait and see" type approach.
This is mainly due to limited time after the broadband stimulus NOFA was published to allow public/private agencies from the State to coordinate proposals. This has lead to the traditional flawed government processes and confusion the whole application process introduced.
Following is a letter sent to the Dept. of Commerce NTIA from the Florida Governor's Office that explains in more detail this flawed process.
Letter from Don Winstead, Special Adviser to the Governor, to the NTIA
Link to Broadband Stimulus Applications that the FL Governor's Office is evaluating
If this is true of every State then we are in for a very long haul. As the deadline for a National Broadband Plan approaches (February, 2010) let's hope that sensible State wide ubiquitous broadband plans are
formulated and deployed -- that benefit every individual, student or business!
The following Power Point was sent to the Florida Dept. of Management Services. It contains some relevant information and action items that may lead to a viable state wide plan specific to Florida.
Power Point - Florida Broadband Plan
Please also read National Broadband Plan
You might say that having Cable or Telcom's involved is a bad thing but these incumbents have cash reserves and can assist the States in formulating a viable broadband plan in conjunction with the numerous last mile/middle mile/un-served/under served applications being served up to the NTIA and RUS from pockets within our states.
Comcast and Time Warner are in the driver's seat as they are starting to resell the 2.5GHz wireless mobile services through Clearwire. This is the here and now and this means that metro, urban, suburban AND rural markets would be receiving the same ubiquitous services. Please see Rural vs. Metro Broadband - Who Will Become the "Under Served"?
I had the opportunity to sit in on a panel discussion surrounding the broadband stimulus for the State of Florida on October 8, 2009 and I attended the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) panel group that represented Palm Beach County. The participants were the State of Florida Department of Management Services (Tallahassee) and CIO's/Adminstartors from Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties.
IMHO the lack of communication between the above mentioned constituents prior to submission of their grant proposals was perplexing. Everyone seems to be doing something different and submitted applications with a "wait and see" type approach.
This is mainly due to limited time after the broadband stimulus NOFA was published to allow public/private agencies from the State to coordinate proposals. This has lead to the traditional flawed government processes and confusion the whole application process introduced.
Following is a letter sent to the Dept. of Commerce NTIA from the Florida Governor's Office that explains in more detail this flawed process.
Letter from Don Winstead, Special Adviser to the Governor, to the NTIA
Link to Broadband Stimulus Applications that the FL Governor's Office is evaluating
If this is true of every State then we are in for a very long haul. As the deadline for a National Broadband Plan approaches (February, 2010) let's hope that sensible State wide ubiquitous broadband plans are
formulated and deployed -- that benefit every individual, student or business! The following Power Point was sent to the Florida Dept. of Management Services. It contains some relevant information and action items that may lead to a viable state wide plan specific to Florida.
Power Point - Florida Broadband Plan
Please also read National Broadband Plan
