|
| April 2021 Newsletter |
April 13, 2021 |
|
|
|
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the Colorado Broadband Office! In the past, the CBO has sent quarterly newsletters. However, with the recent upswing of discussion, awareness and activity around broadband deployment, we have decided that a monthly newsletter will better serve our stakeholders (you!) by providing more timely and consistent updates. Check your inbox on the second Tuesday of each month for CBO updates!
What's inside:
|
|
 |
|
Check out this short video to get to know Antonio Martinez, the new Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office. |
|
|
|
As the New Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office, I will use this space to provide updates and highlight the areas of focus and concern here in Colorado. This month I write about the impacts of age and income on broadband usage.
Antonio Martinez, Executive Director
Age and Income are Major Factors in Broadband Usage
When it comes to broadband usage in Colorado, age and income make a big difference. Access and affordability are major issues across our State, however when it comes to those age 65 and older oftentimes it's a matter of choice. According to the Pew Research Center 25% of adults ages 65 and older report never going online, compared with much smaller shares of adults under the age of 65 [source]. However recent data indicate that this is changing. A recent study on age showed that the proportion of people aged 75 and over that use the internet has nearly doubled in the last seven years [source]. It is also expected that among those 65 and older, coronavirus has further increased internet use when it comes to staying connected with families. This research would indicate that more and more adults ages 65 and older are changing their minds and making the choice to have Internet access. It is the responsibility of the Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Rural governments to ensure that broadband access is available for anybody over the age of 65 who wants it.
Income and affordability are also major inhibitors to broadband usage. Across Colorado income variance has a major impact on those who have access to broadband. The Pew Research study also found that adults living in households earning less than $30,000 a year are far more likely than those whose annual household income is 75,000 or more to report not using the Internet (14% versus 1%) [source]. According to Pew, there are no statistically significant differences in non-Internet use by gender, race and ethnicity or community type [source]. This lends further to the argument that government is responsible for leveling the playing field when it comes to broadband affordability regardless of one’s income.
As Colorado changes, so must our broadband policy when it comes to addressing access and affordability based on age and income. It is a key focus of the Colorado Broadband Office mission to work everyday to improve access and affordability for all Coloradans regardless of age and income.
|
|
Broadband Advisory Board Meeting
April 20, 2021 at 9 a.m.
The monthly Broadband Advisory Board meeting, set for 9 a.m. on April 20, will focus on broadband mapping. The meeting will feature a presentation by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on the National Broadband Availability Map (NBAM) as well as a presentation on the Colorado Broadband Mapping Program by the CBO and the OIT GIS Coordination and Development Team.
Visit the Broadband Advisory Board page on our website for the agenda, public comment policy, and information on future meetings.
Important note regarding future Broadband Advisory Board meetings: Starting in May, the recurring meeting time will change to 11 a.m. The meeting day will remain on the third Tuesday of each month.
Colorado Digital Literacy and Inclusion Committee Launch
April 27, 2021 at 11 a.m.
The Broadband Advisory Board's Subcommittee on Digital Literacy and Inclusion will host its first meeting on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The Subcommittee on Digital Literacy and Inclusion is an ongoing committee to discuss, research, and analyze digital literacy and inclusion to provide regular updates to the Broadband Advisory Board. The Subcommittee’s goal is to ensure every Coloradan has digital skills for work, learning and daily life, as well as access to technology, connectivity and equipment needed to meet their needs.
April Lunch & Learn: Municipal and Cooperative Broadband Networks
April 27, 2021 at noon
This month’s session will feature experts from Colorado municipal and cooperative broadband service providers discussing best practices, lessons learned and how federal stimulus funding could impact the future of broadband infrastructure investment in Colorado.
|
|
|
The Federal government has passed a number of relief packages that include funding for broadband programs. Recent developments are highlighted below; please visit our website for summaries and updates on the various programs and funding opportunities.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
-
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB): a $3.2 billion program that provides a broadband service discount of up to $50 per month, or $75 per month in tribal areas, and provides $100 connected device credit for eligible households. The program start date is expected in late April. Resources: Webinars, Consumer Fact Sheet, Provider EBB Participation, and a list of EBB providers.
-
COVID-19 Telehealth Program: the FCC will commit over $249 million to health care providers per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133). On March 30, the FCC issued final rules providing application guidelines and establishing an abbreviated, 7-day application window. The application window is expected to be noticed before April 30.
-
Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7.2 billion program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) to close the “homework gap” by helping schools and libraries provide devices and connectivity to students, school staff and library patrons during the pandemic. On March 16, the FCC issued a public notice seeking comments on the program, Comments are due April 5 and reply comments are due April 23, 2021, WC Docket No. 21-93.
-
Broadband Data Collection: The FCC was appropriated over $98 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) to fund the implementation of improved broadband mapping as directed by the Broadband DATA Act. During the February FCC Open Meeting the Broadband Data Task Force was established to begin the process of developing a broadband-addressable location fabric to collect and disseminate granular broadband service availability data.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA
-
ReConnect Grant and Loan Program: $635 million in available last mile broadband funding late summer 2021. Comments to improve the program are due April 27, 2021 and can be filed here. The USDA will host a webinar on April 14, providing an in-depth look at the ReConnect program and providing guidance on how to submit public comments.
-
Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants: on March 5, the USDA announced that it will commit over $44.5 million in its next round of DLT program grants to increase access to education, training and health care in rural areas. The application window closes June 4. Resources: Fact Sheet, Webinars.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
|
|
|
|
|
