RUS posts project summaries for all BIP awards

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has posted a list of project summaries for all of the Last Mile, Middle Mile, and Satellite awards made under the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP).

BTOP & BIP awards include libraries

The White House announced the 66 award recipients of the second round of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP).  Libraries were included among the recipients, both as primary recipients and as part of a group.  For more details, including a link to the White House announcement and a list of award winners, go to the District Dispatch posting.

RUS BIP Round 2 Application Directory posted; Help Desk has extended hours

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has posted a Round 2 Application Directory for the Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP).  According to BroadbandUSA.gov:

“This directory provides a listing of the BIP Infrastructure applications received under NOFA 2, as well as a listing of the organizations which filed Public Notice Responses to Round 2 BIP Infrastructure applications.”

Information on extended hours for the Help Desk is also posted on BroadbandUSA.gov:

“To assist RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) applicants during the final application days for the Satellite, Rural Library Broadband, and Technical Assistance Grant Programs, the Broadband USA Help Desk is announcing extended support hours. The Help Desk will be open Saturday June 5, and Sunday June 6, 2010 between the hours of 9am until 7pm EDT and on the deadline day of Tuesday June 8, 2010 from 7am until 9pm EDT. For any assistance with BIP or this website, please contact the Broadband USA Help Desk by phone at 1-877-508-8364 or by email at BroadbandUSA@usda.gov.”

RUS announces specific BIP Grant Programs

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has announced the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) Satellite, Rural Library Broadband, and Technical Assistance Grant Programs.  The deadline for applications is June 7, 2010.  Details are in the Request for Proposal (RFP) in the Federal Register.

RUS posts project summaries for Round 1 BIP awards

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has posted a list of project summaries for all 68 of the Round 1 Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) awards.  These recipients were previously announced in press releases.

BIP Round 2 Public Notice Filings posted

According to the BroadbandUSA web site:

 “RUS has posted Public Notice Filings of the proposed funded service area(s) of each Round 2 BIP Infrastructure application. You are now able to view these filings by going to the BroadbandUSA Mapping Tool. For more information about the Public Notice Filings, please click on the “Public Notice” menu option.”

BIP Round 2 feedback & RUS responses

A few weeks ago, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) posted an open letter describing how to submit feedback on Round 2 of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP).  Two letters submitted, as well as responses from RUS, have been posted on BroadbandUSA.gov.  Additional letters and responses will be posted to this site in the future. 

• Letter from E-Copernicus
• RUS Response

 

• Letter from American Cable Association
• RUS Response

New & updated Broadband Round 2 documents available

Several new or updated documents have been posted:

• BTOP FAQ – The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) has posted an updated FAQ. Go to the BroadbandUSA FAQ page and click on NTIA Broadband Opportunities Program.
• Top Ten Broadband Application Helpful Tips – NTIA and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) posted this document.
• Technical Tips for CCI applicants – This is a document from NTIA for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI).
• Open Letter from RUS – Administrator Jonathan Adelstein has written an open letter describing how to submit feedback on Round 2.

BIP & BTOP updated information available

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has posted the latest version of the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) Application Guide for Round 2.  Go to the BroadbandUSA Information Library and click on the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) Round 2 Application Guide in the BIP section. 

The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) posted guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about the tax implications of BTOP grants.  For details, view the guidance document.

Some BTOP & BIP deadlines extended; Round 1 & 2 updates posted

Some BTOP & BIP deadlines extended

 According to the BroadbandUSA web site (http://www.broadbandusa.gov):

 “NTIA and RUS will grant a limited extension of time to file infrastructure applications in the second funding round. Specifically, applicants for BTOP Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects will have until March 26th to file their applications to NTIA. Applicants for BIP infrastructure projects will have until March 29th to file their applications to RUS. Applications in NTIA’s two other project categories – Public Computer Centers and Sustainable Broadband Adoption – remain due on March 15th.”

 BTOP Round 1 Information available

 The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) posted updated information about the Round 1 applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Sustainable Broadband Adoption, Public Computer Centers and Middle Mile Infrastructure programs.  There is also information about pending BTOP Round 1 Last Mile Infrastructure applications.  The new information may be found at BroadbandUSA.gov.

 BTOP Round 2 Grant Guidance available

 NTIA posted the latest version of grant guidance for the Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI ), Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) and Public Computer Centers (PCC).  Go to the BroadbandUSA Information Library, scroll down to BTOP and click on the link for grant guidance for the program of interest.