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Local Network Cookbook:
A Recipe for Launching a Local Broadband Wireless Network
Introduction:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $7.2 billion in stimulus funding for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved communities. This funding will be distributed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) over the next 12 months. NTIA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce; RUS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A summary of federal broadband stimulus funding can be found at: http://www.baller.com/pdfs/Baller_Herbst_Stimulus_2-19-09.pdf
Most of this federal broadband stimulus funding is earmarked for nonprofit organizations and government entities. Commercial providers must receive special permission from the director of NTIA. It is not yet clear whether RUS will adopt this funding approach. Grant application windows are expected in June, November, and May, 2010. These are approximate dates until an official request for proposal (RFP) is issued.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local nonprofit organizations -- especially community media centers -- to become Internet service providers and begin developing new revenue streams. It's also an historic opportunity for advocates of Internet Freedom. The proliferation of community-based, broadband networks would be a huge step toward creating the critical "third pipe" alternative to the cable/telco duopoly, thereby generating market pressure to force the major carriers to restore “net neutrality” protections for broadband users.
The broadband stimulus opportunity opens the door to a vision for a new Jeffersonian Internet comprised of a “network-of-grassroots-networks” where civil liberties and quality journalism are valued over Wall Street business models.
"Local Network Cookbook: A Recipe for Launching a Local Broadband Wireless Network" is aimed at helping nonprofit organizations -- especially those already using digital technologies -- move quickly to plan and submit a broadband stimulus funding proposal for one of the three application windows.
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The rest is at the link up there. There's also a PDF file copy at the very bottom of the page as well as contact info:) If you're in any way interested in starting up your own broadband carrier service, then this can help. I hope you knoe someone that can use this info:)

A Recipe for Launching a Local Broadband Wireless Network
Introduction:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $7.2 billion in stimulus funding for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved communities. This funding will be distributed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) over the next 12 months. NTIA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce; RUS is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A summary of federal broadband stimulus funding can be found at: http://www.baller.com/pdfs/Baller_Herbst_Stimulus_2-19-09.pdf
Most of this federal broadband stimulus funding is earmarked for nonprofit organizations and government entities. Commercial providers must receive special permission from the director of NTIA. It is not yet clear whether RUS will adopt this funding approach. Grant application windows are expected in June, November, and May, 2010. These are approximate dates until an official request for proposal (RFP) is issued.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local nonprofit organizations -- especially community media centers -- to become Internet service providers and begin developing new revenue streams. It's also an historic opportunity for advocates of Internet Freedom. The proliferation of community-based, broadband networks would be a huge step toward creating the critical "third pipe" alternative to the cable/telco duopoly, thereby generating market pressure to force the major carriers to restore “net neutrality” protections for broadband users.
The broadband stimulus opportunity opens the door to a vision for a new Jeffersonian Internet comprised of a “network-of-grassroots-networks” where civil liberties and quality journalism are valued over Wall Street business models.
"Local Network Cookbook: A Recipe for Launching a Local Broadband Wireless Network" is aimed at helping nonprofit organizations -- especially those already using digital technologies -- move quickly to plan and submit a broadband stimulus funding proposal for one of the three application windows.
******************************
The rest is at the link up there. There's also a PDF file copy at the very bottom of the page as well as contact info:) If you're in any way interested in starting up your own broadband carrier service, then this can help. I hope you knoe someone that can use this info:)
