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Monday January 11, 2021
Digital Access Task Force Meeting

7:30 - 8:30 AM Zoom Meeting
We will begin promptly at 7:30 am.
See Meeting Agenda Tab below
Please engage by video rather that just audio so that we can also share our screens with you.
​
Next Task Force Meetings 
Mondays, 7:30 am - 8:30 AM  January 11, 25
No Meeting January 18 (Martin Luther King holiday)
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​ Zoom Meeting ID 934 9733 3154
Join the Meeting Password AZBSN
Phone : 669 900 6833 - Enter Meeting ID
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Download Task Force Reports and Other Presentations
Jan 4 Covid-19 Task Force Meeting Report.pdf
File Size: 344 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Federal Stimulus Breakdown Sobotka Jan 2021.pdf
File Size: 34 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Simply Bits AZBSN Jan 2021.pdf
File Size: 285 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
AZ Tech Council Public Policy Guide 2021.pdf
File Size: 2833 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Contact Info
Steve Peters, AZBSN and Task Force Coordinator
aticarizona@gmail.com Phone or Text: 520-321-1309
Just 5 Minutes Of Your Time!
​Task Force ​Contacts Update
Please Respond ASAP
 Yes That is You! ​
We would like to update the Task Force contact database. Please take 5 minutes to click on the link below to complete the Google Form with your name, organization, title, phone, mobile # (optional), email, web site link, and a short description about you and your organization (also optional).  ​​​Your mobile number would be helpful to enable us contact you by text.
Just 5 Minutes- Click Here
Task Force Recommendations and Report
The Force Report is done!. Please see the Task Force Landing page for details and to download the report. We are in the process of drafting the Cover page, Press Release and  an email that you can personalize and send to your contacts and constituents. 
Download Report Here

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

January 11, 2021 Agenda
Tentative Agenda
  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Four Extended Introductions
  3. Meeting Schedule: January 11, 25
    No Meeting January 18 (Martin Luther King holiday)
  4. Task Force Participant Database - Yes That is You!  Please take a couple of minutes to fill out the Google Form
  5. Federal and State Updates
  6. Digital Access Resource Presentation
  7. Device Distribution Coordinating Team
  8. Task Force Contact Lists: 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.
  1. Connect AZ Portal improving access to free WiFi, technical support, how to get connected.  - Ilana Lowery, Common Sense; Mala Muralidharan and Nicole Umayam , Arizona State Library; Tracey Beal, School Connects​​
  2. Announcements ​
  3. Sponsorships​
Vertical Divider
Updates and Digital Access
​Resource Presentation
Federal and State Updates
  • Jeff Sobotka, State Broadband Manager
  • Mala Muralidharan, E-rate Administrator for Public Libraries and Holly Henley, State Librarian, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
  • Janet Major, Associate Director for Education & Facilities with the Arizona Telemedicine Program
  • Sophia Maberry, Project Manager, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arizona Department of Education
  • Lea Marquez Peterson, Arizona Corporation Commission
  • Derek Masseth, Executive Director, Sun Corridor Network
Digital Access ​Resource Highlight
January 11:​Tony Casella, Managing Director Simply Bits, LLC, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona is Southern Arizona’s largest Wireless Internet Service Provider. We offer both residential Internet & WiFi and commercial Internet, WiFi, VoIP, PtP and PtMP services.  Simply Bits provides service in Southern Arizona, including, but not limited to, the Tucson metro area, Marana, Vail, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Rio Rico, Sahuarita, and Douglas with new markets and expansion plans underway! Contact Tony Casella, Managing Director 520-545-0392, M 520-907-4809, tonyc@simplybits.com
Task Force Support Needed From You
Task Force Marketing Committee – We Need Your Help ASAP!
The Task Force agreed that we need a marketing strategy to promote the Task Force and the Task Force Report and Recommendations. We will be forming a Marketing Committee/Team to formulate and oversee implementation of a marketing strategy. Interested in participating on this Team? Maybe you want to be a Cochair! Contact Steve ASAP 520-321-1309 or aticarizona@gmail.com.

ATIC/GAZEL Database Update: To support the Task Force marketing plan we need to refresh the ATIC/GAZL 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.​
Amazon Smile – Support the Task Force For Free
Do you shop at Amazon? Now you can support the Task Force with no expense to you. All it takes is a couple of minutes of your time. AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the Task Force every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership one of the Task Force’s lead organizations, is a registered Amazon Smile 501(c)(3) organization. Just select Greater Arizona Educational Leadership when you sign up for Amazon Smile. See this Amazon Smile web page for additional details.
Events and Announcements
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
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