More About Broadband
Background
Under contract with TNECD, Connected Nation requested data from providers in Tennessee to create a statewide broadband map. The map covers all 95 counties in Tennessee and is searchable by address, offering information on broadband technology, internet speeds, available providers, and more.
In 2021, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) recommended that Tennessee join several other states in creating a broadband availability map. The map is intended to be used for state broadband funding decisions, as well as serve as a community planning resource.
The Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Map was available for public comment from April 18 - July 8, 2022. The public comment period is now closed.
TNECD worked with Connected Nation to make any necessary validations and adjustments to the map based on the public comments received.
For all questions, please reach out to ECD.Broadband@tn.gov.
The TBAA focuses on providing broadband resources in the State of Tennessee's unserved and underserved areas. Through the Broadband Accessibility Grant Program, broadband providers will be able to receive grant funding over a three-year period to encourage broadband deployment to areas in needs. Grant funding has been appropriated at $10M in FY 2018, $15M in FY 2019, and $20M in FY2020.
In the past, electric cooperatives have been prohibited from providing retail broadband services in their areas. However, these cooperatives are uniquely situated to aid in the deployment of broadband throughout the state. The TBAA permits private, nonprofit electric cooperatives to begin providing broadband services. This change can help to bridge the broadband accessibility gap as electric cooperatives have experience serving areas with low population densities. In order to ensure that consumers' choices are not limited by this development, the TBAA strengthens protections that prevent electric cooperatives from using electric system assets to subsidize broadband services.
While broadband infrastructure is essential, ensuring that Tennesseans have the ability to effectively use the internet is equally important. The TBAA provides grant funding opportunities to the State of Tennessee's local libraries to help improve local residents' digital literacy skills and ultimately maximize the potential benefits of increased broadband accessibility. Through the Rural Task Force and other coordinated efforts, the State will focus on evalutating existing programs and driving digital adoption throughout Tennessee.
Broadband USA's Adoption Toolkit: Based on lesson’s learned from grantees, NTIA created this guide to support communities in increasing broadband adoption. This toolkit includes many success stories from across the country and important considerations when launching an adoption program.
National Digital Inclusion Alliance Guidebook: This guidebook is concerned with one organizational choice that digital inclusion leaders in some communities are making: community-wide digital inclusion coalitions. Libraries, community-based organizations, local governments, housing authorities and others in cities across the country organize coalitions to cooperatively address equitable access and use of communication technologies.
Digital Inclusion Start-Up Manual: This manual is intended to provide guidance to individuals looking to increase access and use of technology in disadvantaged communities through digital literacy training, affordable home broadband, affordable devices and tech support. These efforts might take place within a community-based organization, a library, a housing authority, a local government or other community locations.
Access and Inclusion in the Digital Age: This is a resource guide designed for local governments to support the advancement of digital inclusion. The guide was developed by a team of six cities from across the country (including Chattanooga).
ConnectHome Playbook: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development created this playbook to help housing communities build partnerships to narrow the digital divide.
FCC Broadband Accessibility Act
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
FCC Broadband Mapping Challenge Fall 2022/January 2023
The FCC's National Broadband Map is a tool that displays internet availability data across the entire country. For the first time, consumers were able to provide input on the map. In Tennessee, residents could visit BroadbandMap.gov to search for their homes or small businesses. If the reported service or speed was not available for purchase, they could submit a challenge to correct the map.
The FCC's goal with the Broadband Map challenge was to ensure that all locations on the map were accurately represented. They provided residents of Tennessee with information about their location's broadband accessibility and allowed them to submit challenges if updates were needed. The ECD Broadband Office website served as a resource for residents to access the map and find instructions on how to submit a challenge. Although the office was not responsible for administering the map, they were available to help filter questions and troubleshoot issues. Residents were asked to complete any challenges for their addresses by January 13th.
TN Broadband Accessibility Map Summer/Fall 2023
Background
Connected Nation, contracted by TNECD, created a broadband map covering all 95 counties in Tennessee. It provides information on broadband technology, internet speeds, and providers and is searchable by address. TNECD and Connected Nation validated and adjusted the map based on public feedback. The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) recommended the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Map in 2021 and was open for public comment from April to July 2022.
Executive Summary
TNECD has been awarded the Capital Project Fund (CPF) to assist in the state's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be utilized to improve the broadband infrastructure and connectivity across various communities in the state. These funds will provide residents with better access to telemedicine, distance learning, and telecommuting opportunities.
Uses of Funds
Middle & Last Mile infrastructure programs aim to facilitate high-speed broadband access, increase deployment, and encourage broadband adoption in Tennessee areas that lack broadband at speeds of 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload:
- A total of $125 million is allocated for the Middle Mile Program, with a maximum allowable grant request of $15 million. The grant will cover 70% of eligible project expenses, with a required 30% match by the grantee.
- All contracts with grantees must be in effect by December 31, 2024
- All funds will be expended by December 31, 2026
- A total of $60 million is allocated for the Last Mile Program, and the maximum allowable grant per county is $20 million. The grant will cover 70% of eligible project expenses, with a required 30% match by the grantee.
- All contracts with grantees must be in effect by December 31, 2024
- All funds will be expended by December 31, 2026
Connected Community Facilities (CCF) aims to construct and improve digital access by creating buildings or rehabbing spaces to enable digital workforce development, virtual education, and virtual health monitoring under one roof.
- A total of $20 million is allocated for the Connected Community Facilities. The maximum allowable grant per county is $2 million. The grant will cover 80% of eligible project expenses, with a required 20% match by the grantee.
- All contracts with grantees must be in effect by December 31, 2024
- All funds will be expended by December 31, 2026
Promoting Equitable Outcomes
TNECD utilizes CPF awards to encourage robust, fair growth in communities with significant needs, such as high-poverty and rural areas. The Middle & Last Mile projects initiative aims to implement infrastructure across the State and strategically in three distressed counties to maximize utilization of COVID-19 recovery funds to promote broadband connection, equity, and aid underserved communities. While the specifically designed CCF program will assist those negatively impacted by the pandemic and facing challenges accessing broadband in their home or community.
Outcome 1: Programs will facilitate broadband access to 120,000+ previously unserved/underserved Tennesseans by December 2026
Outcome 2: Programs will support significant coverage in three counties designed as “Distressed” by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Last Mile is prioritizing broadband deployment projects in these counties to lower the distressed counties that remain unserved/underserved by December 2026 – thereby significantly impacting the economic viability of distressed counties.
Outcome 3: Programs aim to improve broadband access in communities by establishing a central point of connectivity. This will help communities access high-speed internet, creating dedicated spaces for digital workforce development, virtual education, and virtual health monitoring in one location.
- Objectives: This reporting period’s objective was to receive Federal funding through CPF to offset the capital expenses in broadband deployment in unserved areas, thus driving broadband infrastructure and connectivity across various communities in the state.
- Awareness: TNECD is working to effectively promote grant programs and ensure that potential applicants and community stakeholders are well-informed about each program, its goals, and the opportunities it offers.
- Outcomes: Once deployed in the next reporting period, these CPF projects' expectations will see digital literacy rates rising within the State by introducing more broadband infrastructure. Low-income assistance programs (for equipment and broadband services. Partnerships with co-working or entrepreneurship organizations. Service provision to community anchor intuitions and other workforce or telehealth programs designed to meet the local community's needs.
Labor
This section of the report is still in the development stage. Still, it will adhere to both Federal and State laws and regulations related to labor practices that are directly linked to infrastructure.
Community Engagement
This reporting period TNECD began the proposed communication strategy for community and applicant stakeholders as part of the State of Tennessee’s Capital Projects Fund and Digital Skills, Education and Workforce Development initiatives.
- Increase Awareness: Effectively promote grant programs to inform potential applicants and community stakeholders about goals and opportunities. Effectively promote grant programs and ensure that potential applicants and community stakeholders are well-informed about each program, its goals, and the options it offers.
- Qualified Applicants: Prospective applicants can evaluate their compatibility by receiving information on eligibility criteria and guidance for the selection process and evaluation.
- Community Engagement: TNECD will maximize community engagement and encourage active participation through formal involvement in the grant process to drive CPF awareness across direct and indirect stakeholders within the award areas with educational webinars and workshops.
- Competitive Application Submission: Encouraging potential applicants to submit their applications by highlighting the advantages and opportunities the grant programs offer. Providing information on the available resources and support as an added incentive.