In late 2009 and early 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) awarded $293 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to state designated entities from each of the 50 states, 5 U.S. territories and the District of Columbia to implement the State Broadband Initiative (SBI). The program implemented the purposes of the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA) of 2008 to “to facilitate the integration of broadband and information technology into state and local economies”.
Each state-developed program varied according to local needs but included programs “to assist small businesses and community institutions in using technology more effectively, research to investigate barriers to broadband adoption, innovative applications that increase access to government services and information, and state and local task forces to expand broadband access and adoption”.
In addition, each state gathered and updated information semi-annually on the availability and speed of broadband services in their state, as well as broadband services used by community institutions. This data was used to update the National Broadband Map, a combined effort of the NTIA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The MBI projects included broadband mapping, broadband planning, computer and Internet ownership and usage, and technical assistance.
MBI Broadband Mapping Program Information:
- MBI Broadband Mapping Methodology Paper
- Original MBI Broadband Mapping and Planning Project Summary
- Letter Designating MBI as the State Broadband Mapping Entity
- MBI Veterans’ Portal Project: Mass VetsAdvisor
- MBI Small Business Technical Assistance Project
Federal Broadband Mapping Program Information:
- Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008
- State Broadband Initiative
- National Broadband Map
Other New England Broadband Mapping Programs:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island's Digital Literacy Program
- Vermont