NYS Broadband Development and Deployment Council Held Quarterly Meeting

Council Discusses Closing the Digital Divide to Provide Broadband Access to All New Yorkers

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Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart discusses broadband adoption rates in NY and the U.S.

ALBANY, NY (03/16/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council held a quarterly meeting on March 15, 2010 in the State Capitol Blue Room. The meeting featured updates on the federal broadband stimulus programs, an update on the state's broadband mapping efforts, and a presentation by Tech Valley Communications on the grant they received to expand broadband accessibility and improve digital literacy.

"My administration remains committed to increasing affordable high speed broadband access and digital literacy throughout New York's borders," said Governor David A. Paterson. "The important work of the Broadband Development and Deployment Council will help position New York as a leader in the New Innovation and Digital Economy and pay big dividends in New York's economic recovery."

Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, Chair of the New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council opened the meeting and welcomed Council members and guests. She said, "The work this Council has undertaken is important and meaningful. By leveraging our broadband infrastructure with federal and state investments, citizens can connect to educational and training opportunities, communities can foster economic development, businesses can access new markets and create jobs, and our schools, colleges and universities can conduct high-tech research and development."

Jeffrey Mirel, Director of Wireless Services at Tech Valley Communications a featured speaker. Tech Valley Communications, in partnership with Mayor Gerald Jennings and the City of Albany, received a $625,000 grant from New York State to expand Albany FreeNet into several new areas throughout Albany, implement free digital literacy training and virtual workforce development programming, and provide highly subsidized desktop computers for those who cannot afford them. The grant monies are being used to significantly expand Albany FreeNet service into the neighborhoods of Arbor Hill, West Hill, the South End and along Delaware Avenue – where Internet adoption rates are lowest – more than doubling the number of access points in the city of Albany. The wireless network will also support applications to enhance public safety and streamline City services.

Through partnerships with 20 local community organizations, the city of Albany will also begin providing digital literacy classes and site-based job skill assessments – at no cost – to city residents through neighborhood-based Community Technology Centers (CTCs) overseen by the city's Department of Youth and Workforce Services.

"The vision and support of New York State and CIO/OFT is enabling our ALLbany Online partnership to comprehensively address digital inclusion, including the affordability, usability and utility of broadband service, for City of Albany residents in neighborhoods where it is needed most," said Jeff Mirel, Director of Wireless Services, Tech Valley Communications.

William Pelgrin, Director of the NYS Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination (CSCIC) provided an update on the State's broadband mapping program and the $2.5 million broadband mapping grant awarded to New York by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Mr. Pelgrin said, "We've been moving rapidly over the past quarter and are well-positioned to meet our first major data delivery requirements to the NTIA at the end of this month. We've had tremendous cooperation from the broadband provider community and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with them, as well as with our state agency partners and other key stakeholders."

In addition, Sharon Cates-Williams, New York State Deputy CIO, briefed the Council on the latest news regarding the federal broadband stimulus programs. To support organizations interested in applying for Round 2 broadband stimulus funds, New York State, in partnership with the Governor's Recovery Cabinet and NYSTAR, held a series of regional meetings to outline changes to this round of funding, answer questions, and provide networking opportunities for organizations seeking a partner for their applications. Applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program's (BTOP's) Public Computer Centers (PCC) and Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) programs were due at 5 p.m. EDT on March 15, 2010. The NTIA expects a high volume of applications during this round of funding.

Lastly, Broadband Technical Committee Chairs discussed 2010 priorities to advance broadband initiatives as described in the New York State Universal Broadband Plan. Four technical committees support the work of the Council. They focus on the following areas: Digital Literacy & Adoption, which will address affordability, computer ownership and adoption, digital literacy and training and consumer education; E-Government Expansion, which will improve and increase access to government services offered online and promote the development of open, simple and secure online applications with measurable outcomes; Economic Development & Infrastructure, which will focus on building stronger economies, promoting the economic growth of New York State by increasing business activity, identifying and implementing public/private partnerships and determining strategies to create and maintain a skilled and professional workforce; and Planning & Policy, which will focus on recommending and advocating for broadband policies at the state and federal levels to close gaps and advance adoption.

Applicants for BTOP Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects have until 5 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2010 to submit applications to the NTIA. Applicants for Broadband Initiative Program (BIP) Infrastructure projects will have until 5 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2010 to submit applications to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). More information on the federal grants can be found at www.BroadbandUSA.gov.

Lastly, Broadband Technical Committee Chairs discussed 2010 priorities to advance broadband initiatives as described in the New York State Universal Broadband Plan. Four technical committees support the work of the Council. They focus on the following areas: Digital Literacy & Adoption, which will address affordability, computer ownership and adoption, digital literacy and training and consumer education; E-Government Expansion, which will improve and increase access to government services offered online and promote the development of open, simple and secure online applications with measurable outcomes; Economic Development & Infrastructure, which will focus on building stronger economies, promoting the economic growth of New York State by increasing business activity, identifying and implementing public/private partnerships and determining strategies to create and maintain a skilled and professional workforce; and Planning & Policy, which will focus on recommending and advocating for broadband policies at the state and federal levels to close gaps and advance adoption.

The Development and Deployment Council meeting will be available at http://www.cio.ny.gov/OFT/webcast.htm for 30 days.

More information about the New York State Broadband Development and Deployment Council and New York State's Broadband Strategy can be found at http://www.cio.ny.gov/oft/UniversalBroadband/overview.htm.

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About CIO/OFT

The State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) provide statewide IT strategic direction, IT policy and centralized IT services to the state and its governmental entities. CIO/OFT provides IT enterprise services to support the missions of state agencies by operating four mainframe data centers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including more than 90,000 telecom users, 50 statewide mission-critical applications, a secure network of over 1,600 miles of fiber, including IT operations, telecommunications, Internet and Intranet services, enterprise email systems and support, IT training, networking, data storage and processing. In addition, the agency has a world renowned project management practice, operates a first class technology academy for NY government entities and e-learning program for groups, operates a 24/7 customer care center, develops and supports web applications and assists with application development. For more information, visit http://www.cio.ny.gov.