Wisconsin receives Recovery Act grant for broadband mapping

Wisconsin among the states awarded a grant by NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program to fund broadband mapping and planning activities. The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers' efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them.

“This program will advance efforts to expand broadband access and adoption nationwide, which is vital to job creation and economic recovery,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling. “NTIA will continue to provide guidance to applicants where necessary to help them improve their proposed projects, so that all states and territories can soon participate in this initiative.”

NTIA has awarded the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approximately $1.2 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and approximately $485,000 for broadband planning activities over a three-year period in Wisconsin, bringing the total grant award to approximately $1.7 million. PSC is the designated entity for the state of Wisconsin.

Data will be collected to verify the availability, speed, and location of broadband across the state. This activity is to be conducted on a semi-annual basis between 2009 and 2011, with the data to be presented in a clear and accessible format to the public, government, and the research community.