Support

Date Submitted: February 17, 2010
Last Modified: February 24, 2010

On July 8, 2009, the NTIA published the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (SBDD) pursuant to the authority provided by the ARRA of 2009 and the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA). The ARRA provides funding, through grants from NTIA, for states and US territories to implement the SBDD program, collect data and create maps of broadband availability. The states will collect broadband service data and deliver this information to NTIA as outlined in the NOFA Appendix A: Technical Appendix. The NOFA also directs the states to develop publicly accessible statewide broadband maps and allows for statewide broadband planning initiatives.

The ARRA also requires the NTIA to develop and maintain a comprehensive, interactive, and searchable nationwide inventory map of available broadband service. The state mapping programs are designed to assist in achieving these goals. For more information contact the telecom team.

NSGIC recognized that if the NTIA was to use the data collected at the state level as a basis for a national map, consistency in the reporting and delivery of the data would be essential. To aid in this objective, NSGIC worked with its members to develop and publish a data model (NSGIC Data Model) that conforms to the technical specifications outlined in the NOFA Appendix A and subsequent clarifications. The NSGIC Data Model is publicly available to guide states as they prepare to deliver broadband service data to NTIA.

When the NOFA was released in July 2009, ESRI and Connected Nation were already in the process of developing an online interactive broadband mapping application, called BroadbandStat, compatible with the SBDD objectives and program requirements. The online application was designed based on Connected Nation’s previous experience working with states to develop broadband mapping programs and gather data essential for development of sound broadband policy, along with ESRI’s experience working with state and federal governments on mapping and analysis solutions. BroadbandStat is designed to help federal, state, and local public policy officials; industry stakeholders; consumer advocates; and consumers better understand the broadband environment in their communities and across states. This application provides analytical tools that help users formulate sustainable broadband expansion and adoption strategies that take into account the specific challenges that face different regions and communities. The data model can be used by any state for their interactive broadband mapping and analysis application or as a foundation for developing a customized data model for interactive broadband mapping, analysis, and planning. States can download the BroadbandStat data model from ESRI or Connected Nation web sites.