WISPA as well will be filing comments, and have been patiently waiting this anticipated ROI.
Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Wu To: [email protected] ; WISPA General List Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:39 PM Subject: [WISPA] NTIA / RUS - Request for Information for 2nd Round Released We will be filing comments, so if you want to add your “2 cents” on the process, let me know and we’ll be more than happy to incorporate your thoughts Agencies Plan to Consolidate Final Two Funding Rounds, Seek Comment on Program Enhancements WASHINGTON – The USDA‟s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department‟s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced they are streamlining the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act‟s broadband grant and loan programs by awarding the remaining funding in just one more round, instead of two rounds, to increase efficiency and better accommodate applicants. The agencies also announced they are seeking public comment on how best to administer the second round of funding for the programs in order to improve the applicant experience and maximize the ability of the programs to meet Recovery Act objectives. “Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide us with well-informed feedback on how the first round worked for applicants, the agencies will be able to make improvements to the process, and potential applicants will gain more time to form partnerships and create stronger project proposals. Ultimately, this approach can help us run the programs with increased efficiency and produce better results for the American public,” Strickling said. In a Request for Information (RFI) released today, the agencies are seeking feedback on procedural and policy aspects of BIP and BTOP. While inviting general input on the programs, the agencies identified specific areas for comment. In terms of procedural matters, for example, the RFI seeks input on ways to streamline the application process while still ensuring that the agencies obtain the information necessary to make awards in accordance with statutory requirements. The RFI also asks whether the agencies can better balance the public‟s interest in transparency and openness with stakeholders‟ legitimate interest in maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary data. Among policy matters raised, the RFI seeks comment on how to best target the remaining funds to achieve the goals of the Recovery Act. Commenters proposing a more targeted approach are asked to quantify the impact of their proposal based on metrics such as the number of end users or community anchor institutions connecting to service, the number of new jobs created, and the projected increase in broadband adoption rates. The RFI asks whether to focus second round funding on projects that create “comprehensive communities” by installing high capacity middle mile facilities between anchor institutions that bring essential health, medical, and educational services to citizens. The RFI also invites input on various other issues, including whether the definition of “remote area,” which is used to determine grant eligibility under BIP, is too restrictive, how the agencies can best ensure that investments are cost effective, and ways the programs might impact regional economic development and stability. RUS and NTIA will utilize the feedback received in response to the RFI to set the rules for the second funding round, which the agencies expect Charles Wu President [email protected] cell: 773-870-0962 • office: 847-346-0990 x2500 16W235 83rd Street, Suite A, Burr Ridge, IL 60527 • tel: 847.346.0990 fax: 847.346.0991 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
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