Fiber Broadband Association, NTCA update Broadband Infrastructure Playbook
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association say they will reveal updates to their jointly authored Broadband Infrastructure Playbook during a webinar Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 11:00 AM EDT. The enhancements to the playbook include information from the NTIA Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) information released in May.
The two broadband organizations announced last December that they would team to create a playbook to help state broadband authorities leverage U.S. federal funds earmarked for broadband expansion (see “Fiber Broadband Association, NTCA team to deliver Broadband Infrastructure Playbook to states”). The playbook was released this past March, ahead of the May NTIA announcement. The new edition incorporates information from the NTIA announcement.
“With the latest update to the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook, we’re providing states with the latest information as they embark on closing the digital divide and building high-speed, future-proof fiber infrastructure that will last for generations,” said Gary Bolton, president and CEO at the Fiber Broadband Association. “With deadlines approaching and the work set to begin as states look to develop a five-year plan, the FBA stands ready to assist to ensure each state and every home can leverage this once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring everyone and every community forward.”
“State offices are central players in overcoming our nation’s remaining broadband challenges, and even the most prepared of them have significant work ahead. Whether they retrofit existing grant programs to comply with NTIA requirements or create completely new broadband programs, our playbook is designed to help guide these efforts,” added Shirley Bloomfield, CEO at NTCA. “This playbook will be instrumental in helping each state realize the promise of the BEAD program and build a better broadband future for everyone.”
In addition to Bolton, speakers during the July 12 webinar will include:
- Michael Romano, senior vice president of industry affairs and business development, NTCA
- Michael Dargue, vice president, Cartesian
- Tom Cohen, FBA counsel and partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
- Joanne Hovis, FBA board member and president, CTC Technology & Energy
- Ariane Schaffer, government affairs and public policy, Google Fiber, and co-chair, FBA Public Policy Committee
- Jordan Gross, manager, federal government affairs, Corning.
Registration for the webinar is free; one does not need to be a member of either organization. Copies of the updated playbook are available on the Fiber Broadband Association website.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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