BTOP applications database published

Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program
The NTIA and RUS have published the database of BTOP applications in Round 1 at
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/applications/search.cfm

Of $7.2 billion allotted to broadband under the ARRA approximately $2.4 billion from RUS and up to $1.6 billion from NTIA is available in this first grant round.

A USDA press release reports the following analysis:

The nearly 2200 requests for grants and loans totaled nearly $28 billion.

When including about $10.5 billion in matching funds committed by the applicants, there are over $38 billion in proposed broadband projects.

Infrastructure
• More than 260 applications were filed solely with NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), requesting over $5.4 billion in grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas.

• More than 400 applications were filed solely with RUS’s Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP), requesting nearly $5 billion in grants and loans for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas.

• More than 830 applications were filed with both NTIA’s BTOP and RUS’s BIP, requesting nearly $12.8 billion in infrastructure funding. (Applicants for infrastructure projects in rural areas must apply to BIP but were given the opportunity to jointly apply to BTOP in case RUS declines to fund their application.)

Sustainable Broadband Adoption
• More than 320 applications were filed with NTIA requesting nearly $2.5 billion in grants from BTOP for projects that promote sustainable demand for broadband services, including projects to provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment or support, particularly among vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized. (The Recovery Act directs NTIA to make at least $250 million available for programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services, of which up to $150 million is allocated in this first round of grants.)

Public Computer Centers
• More than 360 applications were filed with NTIA requesting more than $1.9 billion in grants from BTOP for public computer center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions that provide the benefits of broadband to the general public or specific vulnerable populations. (The Recovery Act directs NTIA to make at least $200 million available for expanding public computer center capacity, of which up to $50 million is allocated in this first round of grants.)

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NYC related applications

* stimulatingbroadband.com reports that NY State has put in $770m in applications. This includes $220m for an upgraded emergency network.
* One can view all NY state applications or seperate categories such as last mile ; Public Computer Center ; and Sustainable Broadband Adoption

Keyword searches appear to only work on descriptions so provide less than optimal results:
* Keyword NYC reveals two DoITT applications – approx $12m for public computer centers, and approx $28m for schoolkids.
* Keyword Harlem reveals two applications: Columbia U. $12.5m for community wireless (Silicon Harlem), and WHGA $80k to expand a public computer center.
* Keyword Brooklyn reveals two applications: RJ Software & Seventh Day Baptists $2.75m for a public computer center; and Trans Video Comms. $226k to equip & train kids and teachers.
* Keyword Bronx gives nothing. However the category searches reveal that Mount Hope has asked for $3.5m to develop access and community centers.
* Keyword Manhattan gives that same Silicon Harlem project.
* Keyword Staten gives a CUNY application of $1.2m to help develop public computer centres.
* Keyword Queens gives 3 results, again both RJ Software and TVC have partnerships with local community groups – $2m and $200k respectively. A company Roraima Consulting asks for $20m for a public computer center.
* Keyword Fiber in the ‘Last Mile’ category reveals a request for $27m from the Urban Communications Transport Corp. in the Bronx to fiber up Housing Authority projects.

About joly

isoc member since 1995

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