Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
Grant: Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
Agency: National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Deadline: Limited reopening of the Comprehensive Community Infrastructure application for entities that have recieved waiver authority from the FCC to use the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum by May 19, 2010. Applications due July 1, 2010.
Description: On January 15, 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the second and final round of BTOP. Established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, BTOP is designed to extend broadband access to unserved areas, improve access to underserved areas, and expand broadband access to a wide range of institutions and individuals, including vulnerable populations.
After the first round was completed, NTIA made key changes to the program in response to public comments, including simplifying the first phase of the application process. For an overview of these changes, review the agency's Key Revisions in Second Notice of Funds Availability document here. Most of the core project activities, however, remain intact. NTIA divides projects into three categories: Comprehensive Community Infrastructure, Public Computer Center and Sustainable Broadband Adoption.
Comprehensive Community Infrastructure (CCI)
This category will focus predominately on Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects. Middle Mile projects offer new or substantially upgraded broadband connections to community anchor institutions, such as community colleges, libraries and hospitals. In order of importance, NTIA has set forth the following CCI program criteria:
1. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects committed to offering new or substantially upgraded service to community anchor institutions (esp. community colleges) that have expressed a demand or indicated a need for access or improved access to broadband service will receive higher priority;
2. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects that incorporate a public-private partnership among government, non-profit and for-profit entities, and other key community stakeholders, particularly those that have expressed a demand or indicated a need for access or improved access to broadband service;
3. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects with the intent to bolster growth in economically distressed areas;
4. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects with a commitment to serve community colleges that have expressed a demand or indicated a need for access or improved access to broadband service;
5. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects with a commitment to serve public safety entities that have expressed a demand or indicated a need for access or improved access to broadband service;
6. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects that include: (i) a Last Mile infrastructure component in unserved or underserved areas; or (ii) commitments or nonbinding letters of intent from one or more Last Mile broadband service providers. Last Mile programs have the predominant purpose to provide broadband service to end users and end-user devices, including homes, businesses, schools, libraries, medical and health care providers, community support organizations, public safety entities, vulnerable populations and other institutions and individuals. For Last Mile infrastructure components in rural areas, the additional costs of the Last Mile component used to offer service to residential consumers and non-community anchor institutions may not exceed more than 20 percent of the total eligible costs of the project; or
7. Middle Mile broadband infrastructure projects that propose to contribute a non-federal cost match that equals or exceeds 30 percent of the total eligible costs of the project. In this round, NTIA will rank applicants higher if they provide at least a 30 percent match.
Public Computer Center (PCC)
Public Computer Center projects complement CCI projects by providing broadband access to the general public or a specific vulnerable population. PCC projects must either create or expand a public computer center or improve broadband service or connections at a public computer center.
Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA)
The SBA program is designed to fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand, especially among vulnerable population groups where broadband technology traditionally has been underutilized. NTIA seeks SBA projects that demonstrate a clear ability to measure and sustain an increase in broadband adoption without ongoing federal grant assistance, so that the nation will continue to see the benefits of these projects well after the period of performance for the grant award has ended.
Fit for public broadcasting: BTOP is a fit for stations that already provide Internet service to their schools or community. It is not a broadcast fund, but the public computing center and sustainable adoption categories may be a fit for public stations. To get a sense of what the fit might be, look at the University of Utah's proposal, who is partnering with UEN.
Eligibility: Entities that have recieved waiver authority from the FCC to use the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum by May 19, 2010. See list of eligible entites here.
Anticipated funding: NTIA has announced the availability of $2.6 billion for the second round of the BTOP program. The agency expects to dedicate $2.35 billion to Comprehensive Community Infrastructure programs, with awards ranging from $5 million - $150 million. Public Computer Center projects will get total of $150 million, with awards ranging in size from $500,000 to $15 million. Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects are expected to receive $100 million, with awards ranging in size from $500,000 - $15 million.
Anticipated award date: All grants will be awarded by September 30, 2010.
How to apply: All applicants must apply online.
Resources:
Program notice
Program website
