Policy & Law Commentary

Applicants for broadband stimulus money get creative

Tim Sylvester, CEO of Avanzar Networks, a startup WiMAX Internet service provider in Santa Cruz, Calif., that is seeking broadband stimulus money, worked for hours to create a huge spreadsheet detailing all of the companies vying for the $4 billion that’s up for grabs in the first round. He shared it with me after the National Telecommunications & Information Administration published the list of applications last week.

Federal government flooded with broadband stimulus applications

The NTIA said more than 320 applicants are seeking about $2.5 billion for broadband awareness, training, access and support, while another 360 are asking for a total of $1.9 billion for computer centers to expand broadband access. The rest want funding for infrastructure projects.

Worry not on jamming

The FCC must get input from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, must establish rules and criteria for the approval of jamming systems, and must conduct field testing of all devices submitted for approval.

Broadband’s flying stop

Let’s say that a rural town cut a deal with a commercial carrier that was financed with stimulus money. The carrier would build the middle mile to connect services to the Internet and also lease its spectrum to the town for the last mile. That sounds feasible until you consider that the stimulus money is going to run out and the whole thing will need to support itself.

Power to the people

Broadband will enable advanced devices and applications that will generate a blizzard of useful information for first responders. The potential flip side is that next-generation technology will create so much information that 911 telecommunicators will be buried under an avalanche.

SkyTerra’s grab for broadband stimulus money could be a bellwether

Satellite provider SkyTerra has applied for $37 million in broadband stimulus money — money that the federal government is granting to entities willing to bridge the digital divide. But SkyTerra’s proposal calls for increasing broadband adoption by the public-safety community, not the average citizen for whom the program appears to be primarily intended.

Maybe it’s time for a new 911 funding game plan

Last week at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) annual conference in Las Vegas, Greg Rohde, executive director of the E-911 Institute, expressed his frustration with the lack of progress the 911 sector has made toward what is expected to be a very bright future borne of some amazing technological advances. At the heart of the inertia is a lack of funding.

Public safety needs to help itself when it comes to 911 funding

When you speak to Greg Rohde, the executive director of the E-911 Institute, you can hear the frustration in his voice. When you look into his eyes, you can see the fire that burns within. The frustration stems from his belief that the 911 sector should be much further along the path to its future. The passion is borne from a firm belief that the future is exceedingly bright and eventually will be realized.

Some investments actually do pay huge dividends

A couple of months ago, I wrote about the advice of risk-management guru Gordon Graham, who extols the virtues of rigorous, ongoing training as the key to preparing for “the unthinkable event.” On Oct. 12, 2000, Kirk Lippold discovered first-hand just how true that axiom is.

AT&T position helps public safety, but more is needed

AT&T formally expressed its support for a proposal calling for Congress to reallocate the 10 MHz D Block — currently earmarked for commercial auction — to public safety

Applicants for broadband stimulus money get creative

Federal government flooded with broadband stimulus applications

Worry not on jamming

Broadband’s flying stop

Power to the people

SkyTerra’s grab for broadband stimulus money could be a bellwether

Maybe it’s time for a new 911 funding game plan

Public safety needs to help itself when it comes to 911 funding

Some investments actually do pay huge dividends

AT&T position helps public safety, but more is needed

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