[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 150 (Wednesday, August 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46566-46567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19229]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Community Broadband Summit

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), through the BroadbandUSA program, in conjunction with Next 
Century Cities will hold a one-day regional broadband summit, ``Digital 
New England,'' to share information to help communities build their 
broadband capacity and utilization. The summit will present best 
practices and lessons learned from broadband network infrastructure 
build-outs and digital inclusion programs from Maine and surrounding 
states, including projects funded by NTIA's Broadband Technology 
Opportunities Program (BTOP) and State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant 
programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009.\1\ The summit will also explore effective business and 
partnership models.
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    \1\ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 
111-5, 123 Stat. 115 (2009).

DATES: The Digital New England Broadband Summit will be held on 
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September 28, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 
Portland, Maine at 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine 04101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Brown, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Room 4628, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-4374; email: [email protected]. Please 
direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-
7002; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NTIA's BroadbandUSA initiative provides 
expert advice and field-proven tools for assessing broadband adoption, 
planning new infrastructure and engaging a wide range of partners in 
broadband projects. BroadbandUSA convenes workshops on a regular basis 
to bring stakeholders together to discuss ways to improve broadband 
policies, share best practices, and connect communities to other 
federal agencies and funding sources for the purpose of expanding 
broadband infrastructure and adoption throughout America's communities.
    The Digital Broadband Summit will feature subject matter experts 
from NTIA's BroadbandUSA initiative and include NTIA presentations that 
discuss lessons learned through the implementation of the BTOP and SBI 
grants. A panel will explore key elements required for successful 
broadband projects using a mix of regional examples. Topics will 
include marketing/demand aggregation, outreach, coordination with 
government agencies, partnership strategies, construction and 
oversight. A second panel will explore why broadband matters in 
comprehensive community

[[Page 46567]]

planning and will provide real-world examples of how broadband 
applications help communities improve economic development, workforce 
development, and educational opportunities. A third panel will examine 
business model options, including private networks, public/private 
partnerships, co-ops and municipal systems. Panelists will provide tips 
to communities on how to research funding options, make a compelling 
case to funders, and leverage multiple federal, state, and nonprofit 
funding streams. Community leaders interested in expanding economic 
development opportunities or commercial providers interested in 
expanding their markets, among others, should find the information 
presented at the summit valuable as they plan their broadband projects.
    The summit will be open to the public and press. Pre-registration 
is required, and space is limited. Portions of the meeting will be 
webcast. Information on how to pre-register for the meeting, and how to 
access the free, live Webcast will be available on NTIA's Web site: 
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2015/NEsummit. NTIA will ask 
registrants to provide their first and last names and email addresses 
for both registration purposes and to receive any updates on the 
summit. If capacity for the meeting is reached, NTIA will maintain a 
waiting list and will inform those on the waiting list if space becomes 
available. Meeting updates, changes in the agenda, if any, and relevant 
documents will be also available on NTIA's Web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2015/NEsummit.
    The public meeting is physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Individuals requiring accommodations, such as language 
interpretation or other ancillary aids, are asked to notify Barbara 
Brown at the contact information listed above at least five (5) 
business days before the meeting.

    Dated: July 31, 2015.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-19229 Filed 8-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P