[Okgrantsmanship] Fwd: Broadband Opportunity Council Seeks Public Comments on Broadband

Wed Apr 29 17:16:13 CDT 2015

If you have not received this request for public comment, here is your chance to give input in to funding for rural computing access.

Linda Mason Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: USDA Rural Development <ruraldevelopment at public.govdelivery.com<mailto:ruraldevelopment at public.govdelivery.com>>
Date: April 29, 2015 at 10:41:00 AM CDT
To: <LMASON at OSRHE.EDU<mailto:LMASON at OSRHE.EDU>>
Subject: Broadband Opportunity Council Seeks Public Comments on Broadband
Reply-To: <ruraldevelopment at public.govdelivery.com<mailto:ruraldevelopment at public.govdelivery.com>>

Today, the President’s interagency Broadband Opportunity Council (BOC) announced it is seeking public comment on how federal agencies can promote broadband deployment, adoption, and competition.The Council, which is made up of 25 federal agencies and co-chaired by the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, was established by a March 23 Presidential Memorandum<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDI5LjQ0NTQ0NDExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyOS40NDU0NDQxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDUxMDk2JmVtYWlsaWQ9TE1BU09OQE9TUkhFLkVEVSZ1c2VyaWQ9TE1BU09OQE9TUkhFLkVEVSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/03/23/presidential-memorandum-expanding-broadband-deployment-and-adoption-addr>. The Council's purpose is to explore ways to remove unnecessary regulatory and policy barriers, incentivize investment, and align funding polices and decisions to support broadband access and adoption.

In a request for comment<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNDI5LjQ0NTQ0NDExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDQyOS40NDU0NDQxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDUxMDk2JmVtYWlsaWQ9TE1BU09OQE9TUkhFLkVEVSZ1c2VyaWQ9TE1BU09OQE9TUkhFLkVEVSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2015/broadband-opportunity-council-notice-and-request-comment> (RFC), the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce are asking the public for input in helping to identify regulations and other barriers that are hampering deployment of broadband. The RFC is also seeking recommendations on ways to promote public and private investment in broadband and get a better understanding of the challenges facing areas that lack access to broadband. President Obama specifically noted discrepancies in access between rural and urban areas in the Memorandum, directing agencies to "pay particular attention to increasing broadband access for under-served communities, including in rural areas, and to exploring opportunities to reduce costs for potential low-income users".

Specifically, the RFC is seeking comment on such questions as:

  *   How can the federal government best promote coordination and use of federally-funded broadband assets?
  *   What regulatory barriers exist within the agencies of the Executive Branch to the deployment of broadband infrastructure?
  *   Are there specific regulations within the agencies of the Executive Branch that impede or restrict competition for broadband service?
  *   How can communities and regions incentivize service providers to offer broadband services, either wired or wireless, in rural and remote areas?
  *   What can the federal government do to make it easier for state, local, and tribal governments or organizations to access funding for broadband?

The deadline for submitting comments is June 10, 2015. Written comments can be submitted by email to BOCrfc2015 at ntia.doc.gov<mailto:BOCrfc2015 at ntia.doc.gov> or by mail to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4626, Attn: Broadband Opportunity Council, Washington, DC 20230.

We strongly encourage interested parties to submit their comments and potentially help shape the direction of the Broadband Opportunity Council. This is a great opportunity to let your voice be heard!

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