Deadline approaches for broadband communications stimulus funds

Chris Cherry, Pitney Bowes Business Insight

The Federal government has allocated $7.2 Billion in stimulus funds for use in expanding broadband infrastructure in un-served and underserved areas across the United States. Applications for funding are due August 14, 2009.

To apply, enterprising telecom companies must complete a 39-page application and supply very specific information about the markets they will serve. This information includes maps of areas to be served as well as data on numbers of households, population, population density, and average income—all at the Census Block level. The data must illustrate both market need and market type, and companies must demonstrate that 75% or more of the funds they receive will be used in rural areas.

Previously, the effort required to compile this level of precise data could have been overwhelming. Today, however, leading-edge location intelligence solutions are making this aspect of the application process simple. “Demographic Data Bundles” – an offering specifically designed to compile and present the required maps and Census Block Level Data for these applications – can make all the difference.

Dozens of telecom providers have approached us since news of the stimulus funds application came out, and many are already using Demographic Data Bundles to garner their fair share of these much-needed funds. It’s very exciting for us, because not only are we helping them turn these applications around faster and more painlessly, we’re showing them how location intelligence can help them identify where to grow their businesses and do so most profitably.

If interested, information on the application for broadband infrastructure funds can be found at http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/.

Are you using location intelligence today? Where has it made the biggest difference for your business?  Use of geo-coding and location intelligence is growing more prevalent every day. It’s used for marketing, logistics, strategic planning – the list goes on and on. In fact, as of last year, 80% of data maintained by companies had a geographic component, and GPS and mobile commerce solutions are pushing that percent higher every day.

To learn more about location intelligence and demographic data bundles, check out  http://analytics.pbbiblogs.com/2009/07/28/deadline-approaches-for-broadband-communications-stimulus-funds/

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 8:39 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.