April, Stronger Economies Together Webinar

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

3 What are BroadbandUSA’s Goals? Events TA Products Partnerships 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 Getting Americans Online Promoting Economic Development 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 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 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 21 st Century economy Connecting rural communities to broader resources and opportunities

4 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 – Addressing regulatory barriers – Encouraging public and private investment – Promoting broadband adoption and meaningful use – Supporting broadband deployment, competition and adoption Broadband Opportunity Council Established by Presidential Memorandum on March 23, 2015

Community Connectivity Initiative Preliminary Program Design April 13, 2016

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 ReportBroadband Opportunity Council Report Part of NTIA’s BroadbandUSA ProgramBroadbandUSA 6 Objectives

Program Scope Self-Assessment Tool Report, Recommendations, and IndexPlanning and Implementation SupportNational Community of Practice Goal: Support communities with strategic assessment and planning tools to promote local priorities for broadband access, adoption, policies, and use.

Self-Assessment Scope Access Wireline and fixed wireless availability, choice, speed, quality, price Wireless coverage Technology infrastructure, community assets, redundancy, technology types Adoption 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 Policy Leadership, broadband planning, needs assessment, inter-agency coordination Funding, demand aggregation, partnership development Use of Public Assets, GIS mapping, inventory, fair use processes, accountability Use Government Services and Civic engagement Economic Development and Innovation Education and Continuous Learning Health and Wellness Energy and the Environment Transportation Public Safety 8

 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. DesignScaleSupportCollaborate Progress Through Collaboration  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. 9

Timeline 10 Formal stakeholder and partner engagement Develop partnership and align resources Identify pilot communities 1Q16 Alpha Pilot – Test drive indicators in communities Translate recommendations into action Assessment instrument design; evaluate and refine 2Q16 Create online assessment Develop peer assessment methodology Plan for national community of practice 3Q16 Launch online tool Beta Test – Tool, indicators and recommendations User test online assessment tools 4Q16 Expand roll out; marketing and outreach Collect aggregate data and develop peer analysis Establish change process 1Q17 Dates are by calendar year

Community Benefits  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.

 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 Design Principles Benchmarks: Goals for community connectivity Indicators: Amplify and delineate goals Attributes: Measures that can be answered yes/no, number

Connectivity Initiative Workshops and Plenaries  NDIA NetInclusion 2016 Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri Thursday, May 19, 2:00 – 3:15 e.org/netinclusion2016/  SHLB Annual Conference Grand Hyatt Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia Thursday, April 28 9:45-noon ew/2016-SHLB-Annual- Conference-  BroadbandUSA Connectivity Webinas April 12, 2:00 – 3:00 ET publication/2016/nwcommunityi nitiativeworkshop

For More Information  BroadbandUSA Community Connectivity Initiative ⁻“NTIA Launches Community Connectivity Initiative with Backing from Major Community Groups”  – Include your name, organization and phone – Indicate any specific interests beyond being added to Connectivity Initiative communications  Call or write: – Laura Spining (202) – Karen Perry (206) – Jean Rice