Broadband Mapping Grants Announced
The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced Monday that it has awarded grants to organizations in six states to fund broadband mapping and planning activities. The grants will go to government agencies and nonprofit groups in Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana and Missouri to help provide the nation with a better picture of where high-speed Internet service is available.
The funds were provided under money appropriated by the economic stimulus plan, which included funding for a national broadband plan. NTIA has already awarded 15 other grants for broadband mapping and planning activities. The agency said it will announce additional awards in the coming weeks. The grant money will be used by the awardees to gather and verify state-specific data on the "availability, speed, location, and technology type of broadband services," according to the NTIA. The data collected and compiled by these groups and agencies will be used to develop state-wide broadband maps available to the public and contribute to a comprehensive, interactive national broadband map, which the NTIA is required to create by February 2011.
"This program will advance efforts to expand broadband access and adoption nationwide, which is vital to job creation and economic recovery," NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling said in a statement.
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