Karen Ziegler
​Consulting Services
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Digital Access Task Force Meeting
Thursday December 14, 2023
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 December 7, 14, 21.
No meeting December 28
​​​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​
December 7 Meeting Recap
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 December 7, 2023 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 December 7 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
December 14, 2023
Digital Access Resource Highlight  
Rickey White Sr. Managing Partner
Blyth & White Consultancy
 Blyth & White's strategic approach to enhancing digital equity and fostering community empowerment

Blyth & White stands at the forefront, ready for an excursion crafted to support digital equity across Arizona, especially for minority communities. We are bringing transformative broadband solutions to organizations, justice-impacted individuals, and minority-serving institutions. Our strategy emphasizes a deep understanding of community needs, utilizing a hub-and-spoke model with educational institutions, starting with MSIs, as pivotal points for spreading digital connectivity. Advocating for a community-centric approach, we ensure that our solutions are not only infrastructure-focused but also culturally sensitive and sustainable.

Through our work, we aim to empower underserved communities, giving voice to minority populations, and shaping an inclusive digital future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive." Impact on Organizations: Focusing on understanding and maximizing the impact of BEAD funding, both for organizations and the communities they serve. Engagement with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs): Collaborating with MSIs to leverage them as anchor points for community development and spreading digital access. Hub and Spoke Model for Connectivity: Implementing a hub-and-spoke model, utilizing educational institutions, particularly MSIs, as central points for expanding community-wide digital connectivity. Community-Centric Approach: Shifting focus from a broad, infrastructure-based perspective to a more tailored, community-specific strategy.
Advocacy for Minority Communities: Ensuring that minority communities have a voice and are effectively represented in the implementation of digital initiatives. These five focal areas succinctly capture the essence of Blyth & White's strategic approach to enhancing digital equity and fostering community empowerment.

Blyth & White possesses the unique expertise and strategic vision necessary to collaborate effectively with Municipalities, Public Housing Authorities, School Systems, Non-Profits, and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Our approach is designed to truly maximize the potential of BEAD funding, ensuring not only its optimal application but also the achievement of measurable and lasting community results. By tailoring our services to meet the specific needs of each partner, we ensure that every dollar of funding is an investment in building more connected, empowered, and digitally equitable communities.

Contact ​[email protected]929-2514, M 759-205-747-9864
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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
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.

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

December 14, 2023 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
  • Updates Arizona Broadband Office (if available): 
          ---- Sandip Bhowmick  State Broadband Director
          ---  Perla Lopez, Broadband Program Manager, AZ Broadband Office
         ---  Karen Ziegler, Consultant and Advisor, Arizona 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 
  •  Nicole Umayam, Federal Program Officer, NTIA Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) for Arizona
  • Endorsement Needed For ACP Affordable Connectivity Program Continuation
  • ACA & State Library Broadband and Digital Inclusion Job Opportunities
         --- Arizona State Library Connect Arizona Digital Navigators 
         --- ACA Senior Broadband Program Manager
         --- ACA Community Engagement Outreach-specialist
  • Pole Attachment: At the December 7 Meeting Kelley Boan with GeoLinks and Mala Muralidharan with the AZ State Library discussed the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Amended SHLB ex parte on pole attachment filing regarding the FCC plans to vote on rules, including cost-sharing, regarding utility pole attachments at its December meeting. “The Commission will consider rules to make the pole attachment process faster, more transparent, and more cost-effective,” 
  • Governor’s Interagency and Community Broadband Advisory Council Working Groups: About, Meetings 1 & 2 Recordings, How to Participate; Next Meeting December 19, 10:00 AM
    Google Meet Link meet.google.com/hbk-tqsb-oar. Join by phone (US) +1 276-738-2651 PIN: 949588826
  • December 19 Arizona Commerce Authority Arizona Digital Equity Plan Community Roundtable Conversation
  • December 19th Institute for Local Self-Reliance webinar series on the Business of Tribal Broadband
  • Recap- November 27 12:00-1:30 PM Special Study Session re Volume II of the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. ​​
  • Future AZBSN events: 1) Special Study Session on Digital Equity Plan; 2) Panel Discussion-Role of Broadband Providers in Digital Equity and Inclusion
  • ​December 14, 2023 Digital Access Resource Highlight:  Rickey White Sr. Managing Partner, Blyth & White Consultancy. Blyth & White's strategic approach to enhancing digital equity and fostering community empowerment
  • ​Legislative Update: John Kelly Triadvocates ​
  • ​​Updates Arizona  FCC ACP Outreach Grant Recipients
  • Additional  ​Federal and State Updates
  • ​Project Updates/Announcements​ 
Upcoming Events​ ​Announcements
  • ​​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​      
​AZBSN Task Force  2023 Sponsorship Campaign
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Additional Federal and State Updates
Arizona State Library, Archives and ​Public Records 
  • Mala Muralidharan, E-rate Administrator for
    Public Libraries
  • Telehealth and Libraries - Mala and Janet Major 
  • Holly Henley, State Librarian & Director of Library Services, Archives & Public Records   
Arizona Telemedicine Program 
  • ​Janet Major, Associate Director for Innovation & Digital Health, Arizona Telemedicine Program & Southwest Telehealth Resource Center
Arizona Department of Education
  • ​Karina Jones, Deputy Associate Superintendent, 
    ​​IT Program Engagement
  • ​Milan Eaton, eRate Director 
Digital Inclusion Updates 
  • Digital Inclusion Network - Cindy Hogan
​Sun Corridor Network
  • Derek Masseth, Executive Director
Arizona Rural Schools Association (ARSA) ​and Final Mile Project
  • ​Rory Conaway, CEO, Triad Wireless
  • Milan Eaton, eRate Director, Arizona Department of Education
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