|
Fall 2020 Newsletter |
November 19, 2020 |
|
|
Welcome to the fourth quarter newsletter!
Broadband has been a major topic in 2020, not only for Colorado, but nationwide. The Polis administration has taken a proactive approach to address the needs of Coloradans, which resulted in a number of exciting milestones this quarter.
To get more students connected for remote learning, the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) partnered with the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Colorado Department of Education. This effort provided much needed Wi-Fi hotspots for students, as well as a $2 million fund for school districts to provide home connectivity for their students.
The Broadband Initiatives Report was released on Oct. 30, 2020, and an Executive Order creating a Broadband Advisory Board to drive increased collaboration and coordination of broadband efforts for Colorado. The report is a joint effort between the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Department of Local Affairs, Department of Regulatory Affairs, Colorado Department of Transportation, and the CBO. More information can be found in this press release.
On Oct. 7, 2020, the Broadband Deployment Board completed an application review for the Summer 2020 Grant Cycle. Initial awards were made on eight applications for a total of $6.8 million.
Also in October, two companies were awarded ReConnect grants from the United States Department of Agriculture. Emery Telecommunications & Video Inc. and Yampa Valley Electric Association received $6.3 million and $6 million, respectively, to deploy gigabit fiber-to-the-premise, benefitting over 2,100 Coloradans. Learn more about these grant awards in “The Federal Corner” below.
And finally, I am excited to announce that the Governor has appointed me as the Chief Information Officer and Executive Director for the Office of Information Technology (OIT). While I am honored to serve Colorado in this new role, I must regretfully leave the position of CBO Executive Director. Though the search is on for a new Executive Director, please know that we have a high performing team who continue to work tirelessly for Coloradans to address their broadband needs. I look forward to continuing to serve Colorado in all of its technology needs.
|
|
Two companies were awarded grants from the USDA ReConnect program in October. On Oct. 13, 2020, Emery Telecommunications & Video Inc. (Emery) was awarded $6.3 million to deploy a gigabit fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to connect 1,638 people, 91 farms, 52 businesses, 3 fire stations, and 2 post offices in Dolores, San Miguel and Montezuma counties. This will build upon Emery’s round one ReConnect award of $2.7 million to deploy a FTTP network in Dove Creek, Colorado. On Oct. 29, 2020, Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) was awarded $6 million to deploy a gigabit FTTP network connecting 553 people, 27 farms, 27 businesses, and 3 post offices to high-speed broadband in Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, Grand, and Eagle counties. The CBO assisted both companies by providing ReConnect program information and helping to secure letters of support from Governor Polis, Senators Bennet and Gardner, and Representative Tipton.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction began on Oct. 29, 2020, targeting $16 billion to deploy networks to serve up to 10.25 million homes and businesses in census blocks designated as entirely unserved by the FCC, lacking voice and broadband with download speeds of at least 25 Mbps. Visit our RDOF webpage for updated information.
Lastly, on Oct. 27, 2020, the FCC adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over the next decade to fund the deployment of 5G in rural America. The FCC will use multi-round reverse auctions in two phases. Phase I of the 5G Fund will target up to $8 billion of support nationwide to areas lacking unsubsidized 4G LTE or 5G mobile broadband, with $680 million specifically set aside for bidders offering to serve Tribal lands.
For more information, visit The Federal Corner.
|
|
In March 2020, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe reached out to the CBO to facilitate connectivity for telehealth and teletherapy needs. In response, the CBO began working with multiple carriers to explore a wide range of solutions, including Wi-Fi hotspots, microwave, mesh networks, and aerostats. In this ongoing effort, the CBO is working closely with the Tribes and the carriers to consider the Tribe’s immediate and future connectivity needs for mental health, telemedicine, remote work, eLearning and public safety.
Find out more about this effort on our website.
|
|
With the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, many Coloradans began to work and learn from home. This rapid shift was especially difficult for families with students, particularly in low-income and rural communities. According to the School District Community Needs Inventory conducted by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and Colorado Education Initiative in the spring, more than 65,000 students in Colorado lacked internet access. The CBO has been working closely with CDE, the Governor’s Office, and the Office of the Attorney General to help get students connected. Since there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, our group has been working directly with broadband providers and school districts to identify solutions for each situation. We are leveraging opportunities like T-Mobile’s “Project 10Million”, which will provide up to 34,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots for low-income student households in Colorado. Additionally, the CDE committed $2 million from the emergency federal funding set aside for state-level activities from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act to help school districts provide broadband access to low-income families. The Connecting Colorado Students Grant Program applications due on Nov. 6, 2020 are currently being reviewed.
To highlight Colorado’s stories, issues, and accomplishments, the CBO hosted a series of webinars, with the goal of shining a light on the complex issue of ensuring broadband access for all students to enable remote learning. In the series we talk with school districts, broadband providers, and policymakers about the challenge of connecting students, understanding the needs, innovative solutions, existing programs, and how to fund student connectivity. You can watch the series here.
To highlight Colorado’s stories, issues, and accomplishments, the CBO hosted a series of webinars, with the goal of shining a light on the complex issue of ensuring broadband access for all students to enable remote learning. In the series we talk with school districts, broadband providers, and policymakers about the challenge of connecting students, understanding the needs, innovative solutions, existing programs, and how to fund student connectivity. You can watch the series here.
|
|
|
The Broadband Mapping team has completed the biannual data collection and updated the Colorado Broadband Map. In this cycle, we received broadband availability data directly from 71 of the 92 known broadband providers in Colorado, who provided the data voluntarily.
Need help learning how to use the map? This month’s Lunch & Learn Series will feature an overview of the Colorado Broadband Map. Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 at noon to learn about the recently relaunched map, the data behind it, and the Broadband Board Data Toolkit. You can also check out this short video tutorial, which will walk you through the basic features of the Colorado Broadband Map.
|
|
|
Our Broadband Stories survey is still running! If you haven’t taken the survey yet, take this opportunity to tell us about your experience using the internet during the pandemic.
Take the Survey
Visit our website for an in-depth review of the survey results.
|
|
|
|
|