Gigabit Community Challenge

1. Gigabit Community Challenge Webinar February 22, 2012 10:00 A.M. CST

2. Broadband Ilinois • Partnership for a Connected Illinois, also known by its website, www.broadbandillinois.org has a three-fold mission: • To collect and publish broadband data. • To ensure broadband access throughout the State. • To maximize broadband's impact and use.

3. Background • “Illinois Jobs Now!” Broadband Deployment Fund administered by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity • First Expenditure from the Broadband Deployment Fund: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act • Illinois Gigabit Community Challenge

4. Creation of a Gigabit Community Challenge • Submit a viable plan to bring ultra high-speed broadband service to at least 1,000 end-users in an Illinois Community

5. Eligible Applicants • Providers • Businesses • Schools • Libraries • Hospitals • Community Locations

6. Eligible Cost • State Funding may only be used for bondable capital expenditures for ultra high-speed broadband networks • Timeline: Construction made possible by state awards should be complete by the end of 2013

7. Evaluation and Selection Process • Job Creation • Network Quality and Scalability • Service Tiers and Rates • Project Cost and Timeline • Proximity to a College or University • Financial Sustainability • Other Funding Commitments • Impact/Need in Propsed Area • Expertise of Project Team

8. Grant Application Guidelines • Complete Application should be submitted at the website OR emailed to Gov.Gigabit@illinois.gov by May 4, 2012. • Questions can be sent to Gov.Gigabit@illinois.gov • Questions will be answered on the www.Gigabit.illinois.gov website.

10. Broadband Illinois • Provider Maps and Contacts • Application Provider List • Government and Anchor Institution Contacts • Network Application Collaboration • E-Mail eteams@broadbandillinois.org to request support

11. Questions