Description of Florida Broadband Grant funded Projects from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

1. DMS
Broadband Florida Projects Abstract
Total State Broadband Data Development (SBDD) Grant
1st Award, 12/28/2009: $2,568,458
Supplemental Award, 10/28/2010: $6,308,570
Total Federal funds: $8,877,028
With initial SBDD grant funding and Legislative budget authority DMS through competitive
procurement entered into contract with Connected Nation to inventory and map broadband
services and availability to Florida citizens and Community Anchor Institutions. The project
results have been online and available to the public since June of 2010. The project is ongoing
and continues to provide essential research and baseline information to citizens, anchor
institutions, business and universities. This project’s initial funding and term was for $2.1M for
two years.
DMS also entered into contract with the University of Florida Public Utilities Research Center to
study and analyze; current government investment in broadband services and infrastructure,
current and future broadband needs and develop options with recommendations to improve
those investments. This project funding was for $500,000 and runs through February 2011.
With the supplemental SBDD award and Legislative authority once provided, DMS would create
a Broadband Programs Office (BPO) to manage projects funded through the supplemental
award. With SBDD funding and Legislative authority the BPO through the funded projects
described below would manage the implementation of those broadband projects to; continue
mapping for three additional years, organize and disseminate broadband information, apply for
additional funding when available, provide E-rate support to schools and libraries and develop
regional broadband planning. The outcomes of these projects will inform and enable Florida’s
leaders and institutions responsible to address broadband challenges and future opportunities.
DMS as prescribed in the grant application would partner with the Department of State, Division
of Libraries and Florida’s Regional Planning Councils to carry these projects out.
Florida’s BPO would manage SBDD funded and authorized projects:
BPO Office and Technical Assistance Strategy: Establishes a Florida E-Rate Team who
will provide schools, libraries and health care institutions with coordinated support to
apply for federal programs funding such as E-rate. Establishes a Broadband Grant Team
who will work with anchor institutions throughout Florida to obtain additional funding
opportunities. Funding: $2,416,226, Duration: 2011-2014
Data Strategy (mapping): will continue to focus on currently funded broadband services
data collection, integration, verification and display activities and their extension into
years 3-5 including the incorporation of best and lead practices. Funding: $2,342,344,
Duration: 2012-2014,

2. Library Technology Strategy: The Library Connectivity Assessment project will deploy
technology teams to provide a hardware and network assessment to 180 Florida public
libraries. The project team will work with each library to provide recommendations for
increasing E-rate funding and addressing larger, systematic problems. Funding:
$560,000, Duration: 2011-2012, Partner with Dept. State
Planning Strategy: Local Regional Technology Planning Teams: In partnership with
Florida’s 11 Regional Planning Councils (RPCs), DMS would develop and implement
regional planning process, toolkits and training that can be integrated into the current
work of the RPCs to assist regions to develop broadband plans. The project will
inventory and document local broadband assets and broadband demand through an
inclusive process that draws residents and institutional actors to develop a
comprehensive regional plan. Funding: $990,000, Duration: 2011-2012, Partner with
Regional Planning Councils
Broadband Florida’s goal, as led by the BPO’s strategies, is to provide Florida with a unified
vision and planning framework to stimulate sustainable investment in broadband infrastructure,
adoption, literacy, computer ownership, access and participation in the digital economy.