Washington, D.C. -- NAF and Diverse Consortium of Public Interest, Community, Media, Arts and Native American Groups Propose Significant Changes to Broadband Stimulus Programs
 
Groups file comments recommending NTIA and RUS prioritize "Comprehensive Community" middle-mile broadband projects, encourage holistic and innovative proposals, establish a small grants fund, and improve outreach and transparency
 
Yesterday, the New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative, together with a diverse consortium of 38 groups responded to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) Request for Information regarding changes to the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) grant programs.  The groups, representing urban and rural regions, applicants and potential applicants, and policy advocates and community organizers, proposed over two-dozen recommendations to encourage comprehensive, collaborative projects, scalable middle mile deployments, and smaller, innovative projects.
 
"The level of consensus among such a diverse array of public interest organizations is indicative of the need for fundamental changes to the NTIA application process," explained Sascha Meinrath, director of the Open Technology Initiative. "We are calling for stronger focus on holistic broadband interventions tailored to the specific needs of local constituencies and the prioritization of far more innovative approaches to digital excellence during this final round of broadband stimulus funding."
 
"The broadband stimulus program has inspired visionary new thinking on the important role of broadband in our communities," stated OTI senior field analyst, Joshua Breitbart. "The coalition's comments highlight the best thinking on these issues from a broad range of practitioners and advocates."
 
Among the key recommendations:

•  Make all submissions public and available online in their entirety
•  Prioritize Middle Mile ''Comprehensive Community" projects.
•  Create a comprehensive understanding of "anchor institution" and support a diverse range of public computer centers.
•  Target workshops to specific disadvantaged populations and proactively create avenues for collaboration among applicants.
•  Establish a Tribal Priority for Tribal Entities seeking to serve their own Tribal lands.
•  Set aside $50 million for a small grants program consistent with the goals of BTOP

To read the full list of recommendations and comments, visit:
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/resources/2009/comments_regarding_rus_and_ntia_request_for_information  
 
The consortium of groups include: New America Foundation, Access Humbolt, Allied Media Projects, Benton Foundation, Bindlestiff Studios, California Center For Rural Policy, Center For Media Justice, Center For Rural Strategies, Center For Social Inclusion, Columbia University Center For Technology Innovation And Community Engagement, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, CUWiN Foundation, Esperanza Peace And Justice Center, First Voice Media Action, Institute For Local Self Reliance, Main Street Project, Media Access Project, Media Literacy Project, Media Alliance, Media Mobilizing Project, Media Action Grassroots Network, Media And Democracy Coalition, Mountain Area Information Network, National Alliance For Media Arts And Culture, National Congress Of American Indians, National Federation Of Community Broadcasters, Native Public Media, The Open Source Wireless Association, People Escaping Poverty Project, People's Production House Prometheus Radio Project, Public Knowledge, Reclaim The Media, Rural Broadband Policy Group, Southwest Organizing Project,Texas Media Empowerment Project, Thousand Kites, and Tribal Digital Village.
 
About the Open Technology Initiative
New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative formulates policy and regulatory reforms to support open architectures and open source innovations and facilitates the development and implementation of open technologies and communications networks. For more information, visit, http://oti.newamerica.net/home.