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Monday March 15, 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 8, 15, 22, 29 
​
​ Zoom Meeting ID 934 9733 3154
Join the Meeting Password AZBSN
Phone : 669 900 6833 - Enter Meeting ID
 You will be prompted to enter your unique participant ID -
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Download Task Force Reports and Other Presentations
Mar 8 2021 COVID-19 Task Force Meeting Report.pdf
File Size: 343 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Recording of February 1 Task Force conversation with Congressman Tom O'Halleran re: federal legislation and funding
Contents News and Announcements Webpage 
  • April 7 Arizona Broadband Workshop & March 17 Regional Broadband Technical Assistance Webinars
  • March 18 ADE Technology Navigators Planning Meeting
  • Arizona Corporation Commission Docket and March 23 ACC meeting re: Proposal to transition the ASUF Arizona Universal Service Fund High Cost Fund  to a rural broadband development grant or fund
  • March 26 Valley Of the Sun United Way 95th Anniversary Celebration: Honoring Our Past, Introducing Our Future
  • View Recording: Sun Corridor & ADE Webinar with School Technology Leads and the Sun Corridor Network
  • $3.2 billion FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit program - Rules and Eligibility Criteria Released
  • Did You Know – FCC Lifeline Program Subsidizes Broadband, Wireline or Wireless Services!
  • Request for Tech Mentors for Students
  • Arizona AmeriCorps Grants. Deadline March 26, 2021. For Navigators?

Emergency Broad Program Docs

EBB Program Info Rev1.pdf
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
EBB Program Order.pdf
File Size: 757 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
EBB Announcement One Pager.pdf
File Size: 1544 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Contact Info
Steve Peters, AZBSN and Task Force Coordinator
aticarizona@gmail.com Phone or Text: 520-321-1309

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Mauricio Orozco 
Manager, Community Engagement 
602-474-1302 (M) 480-282-3631
morozco@care1staz.com
Melissa Boydston 
Vice President of Community Development mboydston@vsuw.org 602-770-0413
​Steve Hill President
shill@sbca.org 703-963-0350
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 Funding Request
Note To COVID-19 Task Force Participants
As you may know, AZBSN is looking for financial support to continue coordination of the Task Force and implementation of our recommendations and initiatives. I sent an email to all Task Force participants with the funding request. If your organization can help that would be great. If your organization can’t help, or if you know of other organizations that might provide funding, please forward our email to them and/or let me know and I will contact them. Thanks for your help. Let me know if you have any questions.

The Request
AZBSN is looking for financial support to continue coordination of the COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force and implementation of our short and long term tactical and strategic recommendations and initiatives to address the digital access needs in Arizona.

With your tax-deductible contribution to the Task Force through the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership 501(c)(3) organization, you will have the opportunity to tell your story, showcase your organization, and connect with public and private Digital Access advocates representing economic development, education, government, health services, public safety, libraries,  telecom and technology companies, and more. 

Want to help? Contact Steve Peters, Task Force Coordinator
​ aticarizona@gmail.com 520-321-1309
Download Request Here

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

March 15 2021 Agenda
Tentative Agenda
  1. Welcome And Virtual Introductions
  2. Thanks To Our Sponsors
  3. Updates/News Announcements
  4. Task Force Participant Database - Yes That is You!  Please take a couple of minutes to fill out the Google Form
  5.  Meeting Schedule: March 15, 22, 29
  6. Arizona Corporation Commission Meeting - Date Change - April 13
  7. Update Planning/Design Team Meeting - Priorities and your Input.  Team Webpage
  8. March 17 League Of Cities and Towns: Broadband 101: The Basics of Broadband for Arizona’s Rural Communities, What is Currently in Place and What the Future holds for Broadband in Arizona 
  9. Update Device Distribution Coordination - Tracey Beal & Shereka Jackson
  10. Federal and State Updates
  11. ​FCC Lifeline Program Subsidizes Broadband, Wireline or Wireless Services!
  12. March 18 ADE Technology Navigators Planning Meeting
  13. FCC $3.2 billion program​ Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
  14. March 15 Digital Access Resource Presentation: Final Mile Project, Wes Brownfield, Executive Director, Arizona Rural Schools Association. (Record)
  15. Kajeet Demo Project request 
  16.  Announcements ​
  17. 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
  • Edgar Rivas, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) Senior Policy Advisor (When available)
February March 15 Digital Access ​Resource Highlight
Final Mile Project Wes Brownfield, Executive Director, Arizona Rural Schools Association.  

We created the Final Mile Project to bring dependable internet service to rural students so they can equitably participate in virtual learning. Thanks to eRate, Arizona has what amounts to a broadband superhighway to most of our schools.  Unfortunately, this highway usually does not extend to a rural student’s home. Virtual learning, as a component of blended learning is here to stay, and without dependable two way internet service, far too many of our rural students will not be able to effectively participate in instructional activities. The common phrase is "Digital Divide", but I prefer the more specific "Internet Divide".

The Final Mile Project is dedicated to identifying individual, achievable last mile internet projects for which we can coordinate "spoke and hub" build out at the anchor institution, usually the school district, for wi-fi internet services to the student's home. All within the framework of working with ISP's to facilitate both ROI for them and equitable internet for the students. This is a long-term effort dedicated to achieving a host of marginal achievements which will aggregate to a meaningful overall improvement in internet equity. This will take time, and we are willing to invest all the time it takes. Contact: Wes Brownfield, Executive Director, Arizona Rural Schools Association, arsaschools@gmail.com, 928-830-7182

Kajeet Demo Project

Kajeet has been working on the expansion of network options beyond commercial LTE networks to include wireline (cable, dsl, fiber); terrestrial wireless (PLTE, TVWS, Super WiFi, WiFi-6, etc); and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite.  Our goal is to help schools, school districts, libraries (and others) connect and manage users over the best available network and consistently manage those connections across all networks in our platform.  We already do this for Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, etc. – all commercial LTE.  Adding more network options for rural areas is a focus for us.   
 
We are looking for a potential pilot site where terrestrial wireless/wireline are not viable options to test new LEO Satellite options.  Expected performance is ~20-40 Mbps symmetrical with low latency.  We would provide our Sentinel platform for CIPA compliance, security, reporting, etc.  Since I know the taskforce has been working on developing broadband solutions for your rural regions and the Navajo Nation, I thought this might be a worthwhile discussion to have.   
 
Can you please advise if there is a school district, university, or government entity that would be interested in learning more about this pilot?  I can then coordinate a discussion with our VP of Strategy, Michael Flood.  While this would not be a free pilot, our Sentinel Management portal would be included at no charge.  Thank you for your assistance, Karen
 
 Karen Beshak | Kajeet | Regional Sales Director
direct: (916) 221-8124  email:  kbeshak@kajeet.com         website: www.kajeet.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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