Last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) jointly released the much-anticipated Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the broadband build-out.  In the NOFA, the two agencies establish the rules and timeline for applying for the $7.2 billion in funds allocated for the distribution for broadband deployment in the Broadband Initiatives of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

To provide clients with effective strategies on how rural carriers should approach the application process, as well as offer a more detailed analysis of the rules and procedures, JSI has scheduled a webinar for Monday, July 13, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (EDT).  The cost of the webinar is $249 per company, which includes up to five separate Internet connections per registration.  Each Internet connection after the initial five is $50 per connection.

In the webinar, JSI staff will provide a step-by-step review of the registration and application procedures, including suggestions to ensure that applications receive the most favorable treatment.  Staff will also report on the information obtained while attending today's NTIA/RUS workshop in the Washington, DC area, during which the two agencies are expected to provide additional guidance on the application process and give an in-depth explanation of the rules included in the NOFA, as well as answer specific questions raised by participants.

If you would like to attend the webinar, or would like JSI's assistance in applying for broadband funds, please notify Barbara Thomas (bthomas@jsitel.com) in JSI's Maryland office, at 301-459-7590.  You also can register for the webinar online.  Clients interested in the webinar but unable to take part on July 13, should contact Barbara, so that JSI can evaluate the necessity of scheduling another session.

Clients that had previously signed up to receive information regarding the Broadband Initiative and now would like our assistance in applying for program funds should be aware that due to the company-specific nature of the application process, you need to notify us that you would like our assistance in the application process if you have not already done so.  JSI will continue to use MyJSI to post information relating to the Broadband Initiative programs that is non-client-specific in nature.