USDA Investing over $83 Million in Broadband Grants in Three States: Alabama, Illinois, South Carolina 

In Illinois, the USDA announced it has invested $12.8 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 1,650 homes in rural Illinois.   

“We know that rural communities need robust, modern infrastructure to thrive, and that includes having access to broadband e-Connectivity,” Secretary Bill Northey said.  “Broadband is no longer an amenity.  It is essential for education, health care and public safety.  I’m excited about the tremendous benefits broadband will have for farmers here in Illinois.  USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in deploying this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.” 

In South Carolina, the USDA announced it has invested $8.1 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 3,780 homes in rural South Carolina.   

“Rural America needs robust modern broadband infrastructure to thrive,” Secretary Jim Hubbard said.  “The critical funding we’ve announced today will be used to improve internet speeds for hospitals, public safety and schools, and provide new opportunities for economic growth.” 

In Alabama, the Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced  the USDA has invested $62.3 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44 businesses, 17 educational facilities, 14 critical community facilities and three health care facilities in rural Alabama. 

“Beyond connecting us to our friends and family, high-speed broadband internet connectivity, or e-Connectivity, is a necessity, not an amenity, to do business, access opportunities in education and receive specialized health care in rural America today,” LaVoy said.  “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in deploying this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.” 

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The Regulatory Mix Today: USDA Investing over $83 Million in Broadband Grants in Three States: Alabama, Illinois, South Carolina,  NG911 Self-Assessment Tool Released,  California to Host En Banc to Discuss Communications Grid 

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NG911 Self-Assessment Tool Released 

The SAFECOM-National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators(NCSWIC) NG911 Working Group has released a NG911 Self-Assessment Tool.  The Tool is a detailed, easy-to-use NG911 readiness checklist that is intended to help emergency communications center (ECC) and PSAP administrators and oversight personnel evaluate a system’s NG911 maturity state and understand the next steps necessary to continue NG911 deployment progress.  ECC/PSAP leadership can use the Tool to strengthen their understanding of NG911 elements, increase awareness of the NG911 maturity continuum – a model utilized as part of the national NG911 Cost Study– to assist in planning NG911 transition steps and enable a consistent terminology for NG911 maturity.  After identifying whether the 911 agency using the Tool is an ECC/PSAP, a state, regional, or local entity, the user answers questions regarding the functions and capabilities of their 911 system. The Tool translates the answers to these questions into one of six maturity states: Legacy, Foundational, Transnational, Intermediate, Jurisdictional End State or National End State.  

According to the NCSWIC, the Tool will take approximately 1 hour to complete. Instructions, definitions and additional resources are available within the Tool to help guide users through each step. Users must enable macros for the Excel file to function as intended and can use the matrix to document individual feedback on the Tool and resources. A Fact Sheet is available here.  

Learn about Inteserra's NG911 Project Management

California to Host En Banc to Discuss Communications Grid 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced it will host an En Banc on the future of California’s communications grid to address how the state’s processes and regulations will need to evolve to stay relevant to Californians.  The agenda is contained in the announcement.   

WHAT: CPUC Communications Division’s En Banc: “A Provider Perspective on the Future of California's Communications Grid” 

WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

WHERE: CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102; also available via webcast at www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc 

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.