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Written by Michelle Shelton
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Friday, 06 February 2009 14:19 |
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California Emerging Technology Fund
Recommendation on Implementation of Federal Investments in Broadband
December 2008
The California Emerging Technology Fund applauds the Obama Administration Transition Team and Congress for their focus on broadband deployment and adoption as a component of a federal economic recovery strategy. Federal funding for broadband infrastructure and its expanded use to close the Digital Divide not only will attract private capital and generate jobs in the near term, but it also will improve the global competitiveness of the United States in the foreseeable future.
The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) recommends that the Obama Administration and Congress build upon the experience in California as a model for a national program. CETF proposes that federal funding for broadband be dispersed in the form of state block grants to Governors’ Offices and the Public Utilities Commissions, which can designate themselves, if appropriate, and/or a non-profit to expeditiously implement a strategic program based on best practices and the ability to demonstrate and measure results. This approach harnesses existing organizational capacity and embraces success to date to immediately utilize new federal funding for broadband to optimize the impact instead of re-inventing wheels of management bureaucracy.
The California readiness to effectively and efficiently use federal funds is based on three initiatives:
• Report from the Governor’s Broadband Task Force (“State of Connectivity”) released a year ago
that provides the roadmap for the State of California, led by the State Chief Information Officer.
• Establishment of the California Emerging Technology Fund at the direction of the California
Public Utilities Commission as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to close the
Digital Divide with seed capital of $60 million.
• Capitalization of the California Advanced Services Fund by the CPUC at $100 million to incent
broadband deployment into unserved and underserved communities.
Collectively these efforts have formed the foundation for mobilizing and the framework for action:
Broadband availability and lack of access have been mapped by CETF on behalf of the
Governor’s Broadband Task Force which provides a comprehensive baseline for the “supplyside” or “deployment” component of the Digital Divide challenge.
Broadband adoption and patterns of use have been documented by CETF through a statewide survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California which provides a comprehensive baseline for the “demand-side” or “adoption” component of the Digital Divide challenge. Consensus among civic leaders and policymakers in California about priorities for broadband has been reached through the Governor’s Broadband Task Force.
CETF has adopted a Strategic Action Plan (peer reviewed by experts and stakeholders) that sets forth the overall approach for systematically closing the Digital Divide, both to: (a) deploy the infrastructure into unserved and underserved areas; and (b) increase adoption among lower using populations, particularly lower-income and non-English speaking residents.
CETF and CPUC have established the management capacity and accountability mechanisms to work with and make grants to industry providers, public agencies, research institutions, higher education, and community-based organizations to effectively and efficiently distribute funds according to state priorities and a strategic plan that is results-oriented and data-driven.
Thus, California has the organizational foundation to immediately partner with the Obama Administration and Congress that will serve as a model for distributing funding for broadband nationwide. This approach will deliver tangible economic results for the nation.
For more information, visit the California Emerging Technology Fund Website: www.cetfund.org or contact CETF President and CEO Sunne Wright McPeak, 5 Third Street, Suite 520, San Francisco 94103; (415) 744-2383;
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 February 2009 14:26 )
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Sacramento Broadband Roundtable, Feb 4 2009 |
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Written by Crost
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Tuesday, 03 February 2009 12:32 |
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Here are some notes from live blogging February 4th 2009 from the Sacramento regional broadband roundtable The purpose of the Sacramento Broadband Roundtable is to convene regional leaders to: *Share the latest information on the activities of local and regional partners, CETF, theGovernor’s Broadband Task Force, and other state and philanthropic initiatives; * Hear about key regional issues, assets, gaps and opportunities that will inform CETFstrategic planning and state initiatives; and * Identify specific strategies and a clear path of action to accelerate the availability and useof high‐speed Internet access and services, and to promote “digital literacy”to close the Digital Divide. Here are some of the comments discussed at the roundtable: One of the key applications to help California “want” broadband = telemedicine. In our central sierra region we may not have enough economy of scale for profitable business cases but part of this meeting is coming together at a regional scale to get economies of scale. Carole Anne Ogdin from El Dorado County introduced a slogan for reducing emissions – let’s use bits not bodies Broadband contributed 198,000 jobs and 11.6 Billion dollars in CA from 2002 -2005 according to SSRI research. What are some applications to help adopt broadband? For agriculture: farmers and ranchers can benefit from less traffic. Broadband helps match consumers and producers of food Improve air quality by reducing miles travelled, improve land use. New and diversified job base in rural areas Cost, interest and safety are all issues that we need to address for broadband adoption. Dr Tom Nesbitt from UC Davis California Telehealth Network discussed some of the benefits of developing and using broadband enabled teleheath. With Telehealth information about medications available can be readily available. The telehealth network can be leveraged for ongoing disaster preparedness and responseAbout 1000 local hospitals and non-profits are collaborating to aggregate the demand. A regional hub plus peer to peer networks will allow establishment of a new telemedicine highway. In addition to infrastructure developers to engage in development of broadband adoption, we also have public, civil, faith-based, CBO leaders to help engage. For service providers, one of the major hurdles is getting access and permits. There is no economic return plan strictly looking at infrastructure development so we need to look at the bigger picture of jobs, health, economic vitality and reduction of emissions. In addition to the digital divide in terms of income, there is also a divide in terms of generations: kids, parents and seniors do not integrate and process technological skills in the same way. Public safety is a key demand for broadband – especially in recessionary times – we can leverage broadband to help fight crime and fire. Notes posted by live blogger Sharon Crost representing Central Sierra Connect |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 February 2009 11:57 )
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Marvelous Alpine Community Forum! |
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Written by Kristin Rippee
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Tuesday, 20 January 2009 20:48 |
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Fantastic turnout in Woodfords tonight! Twelve folks from the community came out to sit with Shannon and I, to talk about broadband access and eat fruit (it was the first meeting in CSC history where the fruit was more popular than the cookies!).
Tonight was not the first time we've heard that residents do not have access in places where we've been told there is access - we need your feedback! The only way we can let the service providers know where to branch out is when the people utilizing the service (or attempting to) tell us their expectations aren't being met. We appreciate hearing the stories.
Thanks so much to the Alpine Learning Center for hosting us! And thanks to the community for making us feel so welcomed...and for pointing out the Mesa! We appreciate the support - please keep those surveys rolling in (click here). Meetings like this really keep us energized and moving toward our ultimate goal: ubiquitous broadband for all! |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 January 2009 21:05 )
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Written by Kristin Rippee
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Thursday, 08 January 2009 10:33 |
Are you interested in Broadband (high-speed) internet access for Alpine County?
Do you have questions about the future of broadband and computer literacy in Alpine County?
Would you like to hear more about our project and offer your feedback?
Then join us at our Community Broadband Forum:
January 20, 2009, 6-8 p.m. at the Alpine Learning Center, 100 Foothill Rd, Woodfords
If you're a Central Sierra Connect participant or interested party and you find yourself in Woodfords on the 20th, please join us for a community forum!
Contact Shannon if you need more information: 209 763 2794.
Power Point presentation available here. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 January 2009 14:42 )
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Next quarterly AC meeting reminder! |
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Written by Michelle Shelton
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Tuesday, 18 November 2008 14:32 |
Our next quarterly meeting is at the Amador Health and Human Services Building Conference Room A from 10-12. The address is 10877 Conductor Blvd
Sutter Creek, CA 95685. This meeting is open to the public. We will have an agenda up before the meeting ;) |
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