Connected Nation’s FCC Comments Highlight Successful Public-Private Partnerships
Connected Nation Urges FCC to Consider Importance of Working with State and Local Governments as Part of National Broadband Plan
Washington, DC – Connected Nation has extensive experience in working with state and local governments to help close the digital divide in their communities. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Connected Nation outlined several of these successful public-private partnerships and why these types of programs should be considered in the National Broadband Plan.
Coal to Broadband: Making the Transition, Making the Connection
This collaborative effort between ConnectKentucky and state and local government entities will provide high-speed Internet access (broadband) to people living in rural areas of Breathitt, Estill, Lee and Powell counties in Eastern Kentucky. The program formed a non-profit called the Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA). The non-profit, RTA, will work to create and execute high speed Internet service to the four counties
The project is a collaboration among Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA); ConnectKentucky; the Kentucky Department for Local Government; Breathitt County Fiscal Court; Estill County Fiscal Court; Lee County Fiscal Court and Powell County Fiscal Court.
The project is funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and matching multi-county coal severance funds.
To read more about the program, click here.
CyberSafeKY
In October, ConnectKentucky partnered with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and the Kentucky Department of Education to form an Internet safety partnership, CyberSafeKY. This partnership is expanding and launching new programs this school year to educate parents and help keep children safe on the Internet.
The partnership has already hosted free regional parent workshops to instruct parents about how to use technology and monitor activity on the Internet.
To learn more about the program, click here.
Connected Tennessee’s e-Government Filing
Connected Tennessee also weighed in with the FCC by issuing a filing outlining importance of e-Government to broadband deployment in Tennessee.
The report details the various ways Tennessee is served by e-Government and draws the parallel between increased e-Government services and increased broadband adoption. Connected Tennessee’s research shows that from July 2007 to January 2009, the growth in e-Government services coincided highly with Tennessee’s significant increase in broadband adoption. The share of adults who use the Internet to access information about government policies or services almost doubled from 22 percent to 47 percent.
To view Connected Tennessee’s filing click here.
Computers 4 Kids: Making the Difference in Rural Tennessee
In addition, Connected Tennessee’s Computers 4 Kids work in Stanton, Tenn. is highlighted in the Connected Nation filing. Connected Tennessee’s Computer 4 Kids is an innovative initiative designed to positively impact the future of children in need in Tennessee by awarding computers to kids and families facing economic challenges, in the foster care system or struggling with behavioral disorders and other issues. Connected Tennessee coordinates that project with the State of Tennessee, the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Human Services.
To view a video of the work, click here.
Related Information:
Connected Nation FCC filing: The Contribution of Federal, State, Tribal and Local Government to Broadband
Video:Computers 4 Kids: Making a Difference in Rural Tennessee
Press Release: Download PDF here
Washington, DC – Connected Nation has extensive experience in working with state and local governments to help close the digital divide in their communities. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Connected Nation outlined several of these successful public-private partnerships and why these types of programs should be considered in the National Broadband Plan.
Coal to Broadband: Making the Transition, Making the Connection
This collaborative effort between ConnectKentucky and state and local government entities will provide high-speed Internet access (broadband) to people living in rural areas of Breathitt, Estill, Lee and Powell counties in Eastern Kentucky. The program formed a non-profit called the Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA). The non-profit, RTA, will work to create and execute high speed Internet service to the four counties
The project is a collaboration among Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Powell Regional Technology Authority, Inc. (RTA); ConnectKentucky; the Kentucky Department for Local Government; Breathitt County Fiscal Court; Estill County Fiscal Court; Lee County Fiscal Court and Powell County Fiscal Court.
The project is funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and matching multi-county coal severance funds.
To read more about the program, click here.
CyberSafeKY
In October, ConnectKentucky partnered with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and the Kentucky Department of Education to form an Internet safety partnership, CyberSafeKY. This partnership is expanding and launching new programs this school year to educate parents and help keep children safe on the Internet.
The partnership has already hosted free regional parent workshops to instruct parents about how to use technology and monitor activity on the Internet.
To learn more about the program, click here.
Connected Tennessee’s e-Government Filing
Connected Tennessee also weighed in with the FCC by issuing a filing outlining importance of e-Government to broadband deployment in Tennessee.
The report details the various ways Tennessee is served by e-Government and draws the parallel between increased e-Government services and increased broadband adoption. Connected Tennessee’s research shows that from July 2007 to January 2009, the growth in e-Government services coincided highly with Tennessee’s significant increase in broadband adoption. The share of adults who use the Internet to access information about government policies or services almost doubled from 22 percent to 47 percent.
To view Connected Tennessee’s filing click here.
Computers 4 Kids: Making the Difference in Rural Tennessee
In addition, Connected Tennessee’s Computers 4 Kids work in Stanton, Tenn. is highlighted in the Connected Nation filing. Connected Tennessee’s Computer 4 Kids is an innovative initiative designed to positively impact the future of children in need in Tennessee by awarding computers to kids and families facing economic challenges, in the foster care system or struggling with behavioral disorders and other issues. Connected Tennessee coordinates that project with the State of Tennessee, the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Human Services.
To view a video of the work, click here.
Related Information:
Connected Nation FCC filing: The Contribution of Federal, State, Tribal and Local Government to Broadband
Video:Computers 4 Kids: Making a Difference in Rural Tennessee
Press Release: Download PDF here