On October 17, the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) submitted to the FCC CTC’s cost model study for fiber construction to schools and libraries. SHLB filed A Model for Understanding the Cost to Connect Schools and Libraries with Fiber Optics in the E-Rate Modernization proceeding in support of its recommendation to the FCC to fund fiber construction to schools and libraries that are not currently connected with such state-of-the-art infrastructure. The study creates a model for fiber costs across six different geographies of the United States so as to enable evaluation of the cost of construction in different regions of the country.
Author Archives: CTC Technology & Energy
OCT
17
FCC Announces RBE Filing Window
The filing window for the Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) will open on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 9:00am ET., according to a public notice released by the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau. All application and bid materials are due Friday, November 7, 2014 at 6pm ET.
There is an opportunity for accelerated funding through RBE, which we explain in some detail here.
Bidders have a short window to gather necessary data to prepare applications. The FCC released screen shots of form 5610, along with sample documents to be used in the application process. CTC previously issued a memorandum providing insight on the application process.
Access the full RBE order here, and see our memorandum providing guidance on the original order. Please also visit the FCC’s Rural Broadband Experiments website.
We are available to offer comprehensive guidance as necessary.
Published: Friday, October 17, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
OCT
17
Filing Window Announced for Rural Broadband Experiments
The filing window for the Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) will open on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 9:00am ET., according to a public notice released by the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau. All application and bid materials are due Friday, November 7, 2014 at 6pm ET.
Access the full RBE order here.
Published: by CTC Technology & Energy
OCT
15
Westminster, MD Begins Drilling
We are excited to share that the City of Westminster, Maryland broke ground Monday on the construction of a citywide fiber optic network. The initial phase of the project is intended to serve two distinct pilot areas, which will encompass both residential and business customers. The City fully funded construction of the open-access network, which is intended to reach “to the curb” within the right-of-way adjacent to every business and residence, and “to the premises” in certain locations. The citywide deployment is expected to require approximately 80 route miles of new fiber optic infrastructure.
Because the City is acting as the infrastructure provider and absorbing associated costs, there is a chance in Westminster for a network operator and potentially several service providers to gain entry into what can be a challenging market. We are pleased that we were able to assist Westminster in their pursuit of this construction, and we celebrate their efforts. Below are some official photos of the groundbreaking!
A drilling crew in Westminster, MD prepares equipment and the roadway for work
The equipment used to break ground in Westminster, MD
An up close look at the crew and the equipment in Westminster, MD
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
OCT
15
Construction Begins in Westminster, MD
The City of Westminster, Maryland broke ground Monday on the construction of a citywide fiber optic network. The initial phase of the project is intended to serve two distinct pilot areas, which will encompass both residential and business customers. The City fully funded construction of the open-access network, which is intended to reach “to the curb” within the right-of-way adjacent to every business and residence, and “to the premises” in certain locations.
Published: by CTC Technology & Energy
SEP
05
RBE Awardees May Receive Accelerated Disbursement of Funds
Our team has prepared a memorandum explaining the “Accelerated Disbursement Option” in the FCC’s Rural Broadband Experiments Program. To promote expedited build-out, the experiments allow for awardees to receive 30 percent of total funding upfront based on certain criteria outlined in the order. In our memorandum, we detail this funding option and describe the eligibility requirements for receiving accelerated disbursement.
Applications for the Rural Broadband Experiments program are due Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Read the full memorandum here and access the full FCC order here.
Published: Friday, September 5, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
AUG
29
CTC Insight on RBE Application Process
CTC has condensed the details of the FCC’s public notice regarding the Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) application process into a memorandum that reflects our understanding of this procedure. If you have not already done so, we encourage parties who may be interested in participating in the experiments to begin the necessary analysis, build the relevant technical and financial analysis, and develop the preliminary documents necessary for an application.
Applications for the Rural Broadband Experiments program are due Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Read the full memorandum here, view the Public Notice here, and access the full FCC order here.
Published: Friday, August 29, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
AUG
15
CTC awarded NAED Phase One Contract
CTC Principal Engineer and Analyst Tom Asp will lead CTC’s effort working with the North Attleborough Electric Department (NAED) to develop a communications system strategy. CTC will provide strategic support, as well as a budgetary and feasibility analysis to aid NAED in reaching their goal of global advanced communications.
Published: Friday, August 15, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
AUG
14
CTC Director of Engineering to Present at MACo Summer Conference
CTC Technology & Energy Director of Engineering Andrew Afflerbach will speak at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Conference. His presentation Innovative Internet Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas: County-Initiated Wireless Broadband in Garrett County will be part of the Going the Distance – Building the “Last Mile” of Broadband Infrastructure session. The session, which is in the “Administrators” category, will be from 2:00PM to 3:00PM on Thursday, August 14, 2014 in Room #204. The conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. More information about the conference can be found at the Maryland Association of Counties website.
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2014 by CTC Technology & Energy
AUG
04
CTC President to Speak at Broadband Communities Conference
CTC Technology & Energy President Joanne Hovis will speak at the Broadband Communities Conference in Springfield, MA. Hovis will be the leader and speaker at By the Numbers: Documenting Broadband’s Contribution to Economic Development in addition to presenting for the workshop A Community Fiber Toolkit Developing Fiber Projects. The Broadband Fiber Networks Conference is part of the Economic Development Conference Series, and will be held September 16-18, 2014, at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel in Springfield, MA.
For more information about the conference and to register, please visit Broadband Communities Magazine.