Karen Ziegler
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Digital Access Task Force Meeting
Thursday April 11, 2024
8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
We will begin promptly ​@ 8:00 am
Kibitzing with Colleagues 9:15-? ​See Details Below.
Please engage by video rather that just audio
so that we can ​also share our screens with you.
Meeting Schedule -Day And Time
Meeting Schedule: 8:00 AM ​April 4, 11, 18, 25.
​​​Zoom login 
Zoom Meeting ID: 919 9321 8962
​Join the Meeting 
​Password AZBSN
Phone: Dial by your location
  • +1 213 338 8477 US (Los Angeles)
  • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
  • +1 206 337 9723 US (Seattle)
  • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
ID: 919 9321 8962
You will be prompted to enter your unique participant ID - 
​​Press # to skip
​​Registration Required: To enable collaboration, we are requiring you to register when you join the meeting so that we can capture and share presenter and attendee contact info. This contact info will then be included in the meeting report.
Kibitzing with Colleagues: ​An Optional
Thursday Morning Task Force Experience
After the Task Force Meetings - About 9:15 - ?
​At the conclusion of our regular Task Force meeting, you are invited to stay on line to Kibitz With Your Colleagues. This an informal gathering of Task Force members. ​There will be no agenda, no presentations, no ending time, just discussion, sharing and collaborating. ZOOM will remain open as long as people want to keep kibitzing. Come kibitz with us. 
Download Task Force Reports
​and ​Meeting Presentations​
Recap: April 4 Task Force Meeting
Missed the meeting? Want to review the meeting?  Want to find a contact that attended the meeting? See the links on this page to view/download the Meeting Summary, Recording, Registration List, Chat, and Zoom ​Transcript files. BTW, the April 4 Zoom Transcript link below takes you to the Otter AI webpage where you can review the transcript, and, if you double click on the paragraph, you can also hear the speaker. Pretty awesome. 
See the April 4 Meeting Summary, as well as
​Meeting Reports and Recordings ​Archives from
​Previous Months, Here
AZBSN Contact Info
Steve Peters, AZBSN and ​Task Force Coordinator
[email protected] ​Phone or Text: 520-321-1309
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Want To Connect With
​Task Force Colleagues?
​Link To Task Force Participant List
​The list includes only those who 
​​have completed our Google Form ​​
Are you Included? You could be!
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Enter Your contact info here
April 11, 2023
AZBSN Digital Inclusion Presentation
Presentation/Discussion 1
TRIAD Wireless ACP Initiative

Presentation/Discussion 2 FCC and ACP ​
  •  Presentation/Discussion 1 regarding TRIAD Wireless ACP Initiative: Rory Conaway, CEO Triad Wireless will present/discuss how Triad Wireless believes that broadband carriers have a moral responsibility to step in and fill the void left by the demise of ACP. Triad, therefore, will extend the ACP rebate for those existing customers that apply until the ACP program is re-funded or another program is put in its place. In addition, they will extend this offer to any of their competitors’ customers that qualify for the Triad Affordable Connectivity Program (TACP). We will also discuss how we can get the word out about this initiative and encourage other ISPs to adopt a similar program.

  • Presentation/Discussion 2 FCC and ACP: Ilana Lowery, Arizona Director Common Sense Media and other, Common Sense representatives, will discuss the FCC draft of an upcoming decision related to title reclassification that include a forbearance provision that could slow or limit the ability of the FCC to effectively create an “ACP” like program in the Universal Service Fund.  Common Sense Media and others have filed comments with the FCC flagging this issue and are following up with the Commission to try to correct this in their final draft. Considering the uncertainty of ACP extension and USF contribution reform moving through Congress it is especially critical that the FCC avoids forbearance on this issue and preserve their ability to fund a broadband affordability program without having to rely on Congressional appropriation. 
Task Force Comprehensive Statewide
​Digital Access Strategy Report
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View/Download
​​In November 2020 the Task Force published a Comprehensive Statewide Digital Access Strategy Report that includes short and long term tactical and strategic recommendations and initiatives to address the Internet and other digital access needs of all Arizona citizens.
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Support The Task Force
We are launching a Task Force Sponsorship Campaign. Find out how you can sign-on as a sponsor to enable continued coordination of the Task Force and implementation of our short and long term tactical and strategic recommendations and initiatives. With your tax-deductible commitment you will have the opportunity to tell your story, showcase your organization, and connect with public and private Digital Access advocates in Arizona.

​Steve Peters, AZBSN and ​Task Force Coordinator
[email protected] ​Phone or Text: 520-321-1309

Agenda, Support, Events & Announcements, About The Task Force

April 11, 2024 Agenda
 Tentative Agenda - Record Meeting 
  • Thanks To Our Sponsors: Valley TeleCom Group, Care1st Health Plan, Kajeet, Triad Wireless and Karen Ziegler Consulting Services​
  • Welcome And Introductions Of New Collaborators
  • ​​Task Force Participant Database & Contacts - See Contact Link. Please take a couple of minutes to fill out the Google Form
  • Kibitzing With Colleagues
  • Next meetings: March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25.
  • Updates Arizona Broadband Office (if available): 
  •  --- Sandip Bhowmick  State Broadband Director
     ---  Perla Lopez, Broadband Program Manager, AZ Broadband Office
          ---  Erin Lorandos, Digital Equity Program Manager:
​​​       ​   ---  Krystal Saverse, Broadband Data GIS Analyst, Broadband Office
          --- Candace Hamana, Tribal Liaison, Arizona Broadband Office 
          ---  Vanessa Figueroa, Broadband Grants and Compliance Manager
          --- Kelly Krusee,  Broadband Community Engagement Manager 
          --- Jamie Garrett, Senior Broadband Program Manager 
  • NTIA Update : Nicole Umayam, Federal Program Officer, NTIA Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) for Arizona
  • Arizona Broadband Office April BEAD Roundtables
    --- Local Government, April 16, 2024​​​​​​ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    --- Tribal Government, April 17, 2024, ​​​​​​10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    --- Internet Service Providers, April 18, 2024, ​​​​​​10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    --- Nonprofits, April 17, 2024, ​​​​​​10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Details and Registration
  • Arizona Broadband Office Open Office Hours: Following the pre-challenge phase and the completion of webinars, Permissible Challengers may still require assistance with portal and Challenge-related questions. . Permissible Challengers (units of local and tribal governments, non-profits, and internet service providers) in need of assistance with portal and challenge-related questions may attend office hours The State Broadband Office has designated four 30-minute office hours every Tuesday from 1:00PM-3:00PM (AZ TIME). Office hours will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Information and Reserve Time Slot
  • Governor’s Interagency and Community Broadband Advisory Council Working Group Meetings: 
    --- April 22, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30PM      Infrastructure
        --- April 23, 2024 @ 10:00- 11:30 Digital Inclusion 
        --- April 24, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30 PM Workforce
        --- April 25, 2024 @ 2:00-3:30PM Broadband and
Digital Equity in Tribal Communities​​​
  • Digital Inclusion Presentation/Discussion 1 regarding TRIAD Wireless ACP Initiative: Rory Conaway, CEO Triad Wireless 
  • Presentation/Discussion 2 FCC and ACP: Ilana Lowery, Arizona Director and Amina Fazlullah Senior Director, Equity Counsel  Common Sense Media 
  • Status Report:  Affordable Connectivity Program From ACLU: The list of cosponsors for the House and Senate versions of the bill continues to grow. The house version just added Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) on as cosponsors, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 224 (a majority of voting House members)! The Senate version of the bill added Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roger Marshall (R-KS).
     
    Second, and most importantly, last night, Congresswoman Clarke introduced H.Res 1119, which is the first step in initiating a discharge petition to get HR 6929 to a vote on the floor of the House. Then, on April 18th, members of Congress will be able to sign the discharge petition on the House floor. To be successful, this discharge petition must gain the support of all House Democrats, and three House Republicans.
     
    We have launched a sign-on letter calling on members of the House to sign the discharge petition. The letter is for nonprofits and government entities only. The deadline to sign on is COB ET, Fri., April 12.
     
    You can read the letter here and sign on here (the letter is also linked to in the form). 
  • ​​Legislative Update: John Kelly Triadvocates - HB2345 - Broadband; internet protocol services; commission
  • Additional  ​Federal and State Updates
  • ​Project Updates/Announcements​ 
Events​ ​Announcements​ ​​
Events:
  • April 13th We Care Tucson TechFest: Bridging Digital Divides
  • April 17, 2024, Arizona Telemedicine Council Quarterly Meeting
  • May 14, 2024 Arizona Technology Council  Cybersecurity Summit
  • April 23, 2024 Arizona Technology Council Virtual Tech Speaker Series:
    Update on AI Developments 
  • April 12 Electronic Freedom Foundation live Tucson Speakeasy Meet Up
  • Navajo County Middle Mile Fiber Optic Network Groundbreaking Ceremony
  • May 5-7 -The Next Chapter in Virtual Care American Telemedicine Association
  • June 4-7 National Rural STEM Learning Summit -Tucson
Funding  Opportunities
  • --- Reminder: Check out the The Arizona Economic Recovery Center Grants Resources: The Center aims to enable more Arizona cities, towns, counties and nonprofits to win competitive grants. An initiative of Local First Arizona, The Center provides pro bono resources to qualifying entities that can increase community capacity, improve collaboration, and assist with managing grant-related projects.
  • ​Announcements Other Info and Updates​      
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Additional Federal and State Updates
Federal Policy Updates (When Available)
  • Judy Sulltrop, Senator Mark Kelly, Outreach and constituent services Northern Arizona
  • Drew Garner, Benton Institute - ​Benton Institute, Director of Policy Engagement
  • Mala Muralidharan, E-rate Administrator for
    Public Libraries
Arizona State Library, Archives and ​Public Records 
  • Holly Henley, State Librarian & Director of Library Services, Archives & Public Records 
  • Mala Muralidharan, E-rate Administrator for
    Public Libraries
  • Telehealth and Libraries - Mala
  • Megan Hammond Library Development Administrator 
  • Anthony Costantini, State Library Digital Inclusion
    ​Library Consultant    ​
Arizona Telemedicine Program
  • Michael Holcomb,  Interim Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program,  University of Arizona College of Medicine
  • Carrie Foote, Arizona Telemedicine Program,
    ​Associate Director, Administration and Southwest Telehealth Resource Center
Arizona Department of Education
  • ​Karina Jones, Deputy Associate Superintendent, 
    ​​IT Program Engagement
  • ​Milan Eaton, eRate Director 
Digital Inclusion Updates 
  • Arizona Digital Inclusion Network (ADIN)​ ​
Task Force Support Needed From You
ATIC/GAZEL Database Update: To support the Task Force we need to refresh the Task Force  database. We would appreciate any help you can provide in obtaining the following lists, preferably in Excel spreadsheets: All Mayors, City Managers, County Managers, Economic Development Directors, School Superintendents, important association and chamber of commerce executives, education advocacy organizations, telehealth and health care organizations, regional Association of Governments execs, municipal and school CTOs/CIOs, key government agency directors, key university and community college contacts, any other individuals and organizations that may be interested in our digital access initiatives.
Task Force Database Update – Please Respond ASAP
​Task Force Collaborators  - Yes That is You! 
Since the creation of the Task Force we have added many new people to our Team. Some of you requested participation, some were referred by others. Anyway, to make a long story short, we do not have complete contact information about many of you. In order to encourage greater collaboration, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this Google Form to provide us your name, organization, title, phone, mobile # (optional), email, web site link, and a short description about you or your organization(also optional). Your mobile number would be helpful to enable us send an occasional text message. We would like to start sharing this information with the Task Force.​
Events, Resources and updates
​View our Events, Resources and Updates page to see the latest info about funding opportunities, important webinars and workshops, and other federal, state, local, community and nonprofit Internet and other digital access resources and initiatives.
About The Task Force
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the world is creating the largest telecommunity of all time. Social and physical distancing is becoming the new normal requiring unpresented demand for digital access for all Arizona communities including tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona. 

AZBSN, the Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network, led by ATIC, the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council, GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership organization, in cooperation with many other stakeholder organizations, have created  an AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force.
What Is Digital Access
​Digital access is more than just access to fast affordable and reliable Internet access.

​Everyone, especially students, also require access to technology such as computers, laptops, and smart phones as well as other digital equipment such as routers, hotspots, and web cameras. They also need digital content resources and skills to effectively use technology.​
The Task Force will:
  • Facilitate collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among key public, private and nonprofit stakeholders
  • Collaborate on priority initiatives for schools, libraries, telemedicine, communities, and more
  • Develop a statewide COVID-19 digital access strategy to support, schools, universities, community colleges, students, homes, libraries, health care facilities, businesses and communities
  • Identify and advocate for funding to enable implementation of COVID-19 Digital Access Projects
Task Force Participation
Participation will include representation from: state and local government officials, public policy makers, rural community leaders, economic development, education, local or state government, health services, public safety, libraries, telecommunications and technology companies, and more.  
AZBSN COVID-19 Task Force Plans and Subcommittees
  • Regular Task Force informational, coordinating and planning meetings
  • Task Force Subcommittees including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
  • Regular Community, Stakeholder, and Citizen Communications by newsletters, webinars, web site and informational meetings, social media, etc.
  • Service Provider Resources with Arizona Contacts
  • Federal and State Digital Access Briefings
  • Short Term Initiatives
  • Online Database: Resources, Needs, Contacts, etc.
  • Collaboration Platform
  • A State plan defining short term plans and priorities that will identify challenges, barriers and recommendations related to  key issues including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
  • AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Web Pages, with links to and from the Arizona Commerce Authority and other sites providing related information
  • Statewide Webinars and stakeholder informational meetings
  • AZBSN Newsletters to all relevant stakeholders in Arizona
  • Social Media Announcements 
Charge To The Teams
Teams will address the following questions:
  • What do you perceive are the major Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training, funding and technical support. What are the issues/barriers?
  • What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend to help address these needs. If we can determine it, what specific funding do we need?
  • Who else needs to be involved in your Committee?
  • Others Questions?
Teams
  • Education and Libraries: What are the Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training, funding and technical support are needed for libraries and library patrons, public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, students, families, faculty, community? What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend/initiate to help address these needs.
  • Communities: What are the Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training and funding to support community needs such as small business owners and employees, economic development, government services, public safety, nonprofit organizations, etc. What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend/initiate to help address these needs.
  • Technology: (changed from Service Providers): What Digital Access/Digital Inclusion technologies should be considered to provide Internet access to schools, libraries, families and communities such as wire line, satellite, mesh networks, cellular microwave, WiFi on buses, open schools and libraries Erate networks. What kinds of devices are needed and should be considered such as computers and tablets, cell phones, hot spots, web cams, software, conferencing services?
  • Funding/Resources: What funding and resources opportunities are there such as federal, state and local funding, foundations, donation campaigns, volunteer support, refurbished equipment, donations and support from Internet providers and technology companies, etc.
Note: Telemedicine and Public Safety: While the Task Force also has interest in Telemedicine and Public  Safety, the Arizona Telemedicine Program / Southwest Telehealth Resource Center and The Arizona Broadband Manager are leading an Arizona Telehealth Broadband Action Team, and Karen Ziegler, Public Safety Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Administration is also leading a Public Safety initiative so we will coordinate with, but not duplicate those efforts

Subcommittee Teams
  • Education
  • Libraries
  • Communities
  • Technology
  • Funding
Connect With ATIC

602-254-5887
​Email