National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

"Broadband Technology Opportunities Program" (BTOP)

The U.S. Congress has appropriated $4.7 billion to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies.

Of these funds, $250 million will be available for innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services; at least $200 million will be available to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers, including community colleges and public libraries; $10 million will be a transfer to the Office of Inspector General for the purposes of BTOP audits and oversight. Up to $350 million of the BTOP funding is designated for the development and maintenance of statewide broadband inventory maps.

Key Points:

The $4.7 Billion total is divided between:

  • $350 Million for Broadband Mapping
  • $4.35 Billion for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program of which...
    • $200M for expanding public computer center capacity
    • $250M for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services

NTIA to work with FCC to develop National Broadband Plan (1 year)

Award funds by September 30, 2010

Projects must be completed within two years

Key criteria to obtain funding:

  • Project must be targeted to "unserved or underserved"
    • Doesn't necessarily mean rural
  • Provide Broadband Education, Awareness, Training, Access, Equipment and Support to schools, Libraries, Healthcare Providers, Support services to Low Income, Unemployed and Aged Populations and Job Creating Strategic Facilities in Economic Zones
  • Improve access to Public Safety Agencies
  • Stimulate demand for Broadband, Economic Growth and Job creation
  • 20% matching funding except with waiver

Challenges:

Define broad terms and issue application requirements - "broadband", "unserved", "underserved", "sufficient access to broadband", "rural area" "exceptions to matching funds"

2009 budget was $19M now need to award $4.7B in about 18 month window

Increase in oversight by Congress