Broadband Stimulus
Key points:
- Broadband Stimulus funds are available from July 1st, 2009, administered by RUS and NTIA
- We believe 21st century telephony is a key element of universal broadband access
- Metaswitch VoIP solutions can make Stimulus applications more likely to attract funding
- We can help you with your VoIP-enabled Stimulus application
On February 17th, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA). This funded a number of initiatives including two broadband stimulus programs -
BIP and BTOP, administered by RUS and NTIA respectively. These programs are focused on
making broadband available and affordable for all Americans. As a result we expect to see
a large number of independent and competitive operators in rural areas accelerate the migration
to IP-enabled networks. In addition to increased cost efficiency, we expect this investment
will support the introduction of advanced communications services beyond
"just broadband" - such as Web-enabled service control, high definition voice
and video, and richer calling features not previously available to rural subscribers.
These will further help stimulate economic growth and lead us towards universal access
to 21st Century communications services.
The first tranche of funding was announced in the NOFA (Notice of Funds Available)
of 1st July 2009. The second (and final) NOFA was issued 22nd January 2010 - with the
window for funding applications open from 16th February until 15th March 2010. It is
clear from these NOFAs and the detailed content of the funding application guides that
the Government recognizes the importance of voice as a component of broadband services.
In fact some successful first round applications included Metaswitch based voice
services - see our press release covering
customer
and market milestones in the new decade.
Metaswitch is excited about the Broadband Stimulus package. We are well positioned
to help service providers take advantage of this opportunity to extend broadband connectivity
by providing the essential voice and converged services needed in the 21st century.
Since our products are native IP they fit seamlessly into an IP infrastructure.
Our products provide the foundation for future services that a ubiquitous IP infrastructure
enables. As a result we are confident that Metaswitch applications will enhance projects
in all four of these evaluation categories, and will help deliver on the objectives
of the programs - bringing the real value and power of broadband to every community in America.
Metaswitch set out some ideas and suggestions in our document "Broadband Stimulus Application
Guidelines", which shared and summarized our
experiences in helping customers prepare applications in the first round of funding. The new NOFA
sets out changes in the application process, and we have continued working with customers helping
prepare new applications - and there's a revised edition of the Guidelines reflecting the new rules
and evaluation criteria. The new guidelines are available from the Resources links on this page.
If you would like to discuss how Metaswitch can help make your application for
Broadband Stimulus funds more complete and attractive please contact your account executive or
Ned Lowe at
.
More Information On The Broadband Stimulus
Official Government web sites:
- broadbandusa.com
The official site for the RUS-BIP and NTIA-BTOP application for funds.
- recovery.gov
As part of the openness policy the federal government has established this site for tracking
the progress of all ARRA programs. For the RUS-BIP look under the Department of Agriculture
(USDA), and for the NTIA-BTOP look under the Department of Commerce.
- www.usda.gov/recovery
For specific information from the Department of Agriculture on the RUS BIP program.
- www.commerce.gov/recovery
For specific information from the Department of Commerce on the NTIA BTOP program.
Some useful Partner web sites:
News and Opinions: