Comments Open on 2nd WAve of Broadband Applications

Washington’s Department of Information Services informs us the state’s 2nd wave broadband stimulus review process begins today.

You have an opportunity to submit written comments about an application submitted by a Washington company or organization for federal funding under the National Telecommunications & Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology and Opportunities Program (BTOP).

Here is the link to NTIA’s Database of BTOP Applications:

The Deadline is 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 8, 2010.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT COMMENTS SUBMITTED PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE TIME PERIOD ALLOTTED WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN WASHINGTON’S STATE BROADBAND REVIEW PROCESS.

Comments are limited to the scope of the questions below. Any comments that exceed the scope of the questions will be redacted and disregarded.  The questions are:

1. If overbuild is an issue, then the commenting party should provide information on the adequacy of service to that area. Please describe in detail the services provided today, or any future plans to provide service, including but not limited to the location, speed, and price of such service and the community anchor institutions currently served or not served.
2. With respect to the adequacy of the application, please provide a detailed explanation about how the application meets or does not meet the requirements of the 2nd wave broadband stimulus NOFA.

You are limited to 5 pages, on 8x11 paper, double-spaced; not including the cover page. Any additional pages will be removed from the review process.

The cover page should provide the following information:

• Name of Commenter
• Name of application you are commenting upon
• Date of your submission
• Contact person, email and phone number for any questions

Group Filings

Parties that decide to file as a group may file comments up to 10 pages, on 8x11 paper, double-spaced; not including the cover page. Please note that an individual commenting party may not also participate in a group filing. In that eventuality, the individual commenting party’s filing will be disregarded.

When comments are accepted, written responses must be either mailed with return/receipt or submitted by hand delivery to the attention of Angela Wu, Broadband Policy and Programs Manager at Department of Information Services, 1110 Jefferson St., SE, PO Box 42445, Olympia, Washington, 98504-2445. The office is closed by 5:00 p.m.

If you have questions about this Notice, please contact Angela Wu or 360-902-2983.