Jake Varn’s Post

Great article about the BEAD rebuttal process from Jessica Auer! "...even if your state’s challenge window is complete, don’t pack it in just yet. Communities may still have an important role to play. Don’t assume that all challenges to the map are good ones and be prepared to push back if anything looks awry." #BEAD #BroadbandMaps #BroadbandData #BroadbandForAll #NTIA

❗❗ The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has opened its BEAD Challenge Submission Window! The Challenge Portal is available online. If you are an eligible participant for the challenge process and have not registered, you will need to complete a registration before you can submit challenges. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gxhYQnHz. The PBDA strongly encourages that all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) register for the challenge portal so they may be notified of challenges they may receive through the portal. You can visit the BEAD Challenge webpage for details on registering for the BEAD Challenge portal, and reviewing the public map that identifies those areas deemed unserved, underserved, and statewide Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). You can also watch the recording of the BEAD Challenge webinar that was held on March 29, 2024, and download the PowerPoint presentation used during the webinar. Access the webpage here: https://lnkd.in/gFFx9Sv9. The PBDA would like to remind eligible entities interested in submitting bulk challenges to consider requesting a license from CostQuest Associates. ◼ Tier D licenses are available here: https://lnkd.in/eTKFYi_8. ◼ Tier E licenses are available here: https://lnkd.in/ea3VbQCy. While a license is not required to participate and access the BEAD Challenge portal, it will help to simplify the submission of bulk challenges. The timeline for the BEAD Challenge process is broken down into three, 30-day windows, which are as follows: 1️⃣ Challenge Submission Period: Eligible entities will be able to submit a challenge for 30 days (April 24 to May 23). 2️⃣ Rebuttal of Challenges: Entities that have been challenged will have 30 days to respond (May 24 to June 22). 3️⃣ Final Determinations: The PBDA will decide if challenges and rebuttals are valid or not within 30 days (June 23 to July 22). Register below for the PBDA's Office Hour Session tomorrow: 💻 Thursday, April 25, 2024 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g2Mmr4SR.

Happy July! Take 15 minutes this month to fill out the BIPOC Community Survey. You'll be asked about yourself, your experience in VT, your experience with existing resources in the state, VT PoC, and how you like to stay connected! 🔗 Link to survey: https://bit.ly/vcs101

It's go time in Michigan to make sure all locations are accounted for before the state allocates their $1.6B of BEAD high-speed internet funding. A critical step in achieving #InternetForAll in Michigan is identifying which locations are currently unserved or underserved by high-speed internet. I'm pleased to congratulate the team at the Michigan High Speed Internet (MIHI) Office on the approval of their plan to accomplish this through a statewide challenge process. But they can only be successful with robust participation from eligible challengers in the state - including not only ISPs, but also local units of government, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. The timeline is short, as challenges will only be accepted March 25 through April 23 - and the stakes are high, because this process will yield the final list of locations that are eligible to be funded under Michigan's $1.6B BEAD allocation. Preview the map, read the full process documents, and learn how to participate at the link below. Eric Frederick Jessica Randall Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Snopes is a leading fact-checking website that serves as a reliable resource for debunking rumors, misinformation, and urban legends. Established in 1994, Snopes has become synonymous with truth verification on the internet, providing users with accurate information on a wide range of topics. Key Features of Snopes : Comprehensive Fact-Checking : Snopes covers a vast array of claims, from viral social media posts to popular myths. Each entry includes a detailed analysis of the claim, evidence supporting or refuting it, and a clear verdict indicating whether the claim is true, false, or misleading. This thorough approach ensures that users receive well-researched information. User-Friendly Interface : The website features an intuitive design that allows users to easily search for specific claims or browse categories. This accessibility makes it simple for anyone to find the information they need quickly. Community Engagement : Snopes encourages user interaction by allowing readers to submit their own claims for fact-checking. This feature fosters a sense of community and empowers individuals to contribute to the fight against misinformation. Educational Resources : In addition to fact-checking, Snopes provides educational articles that explain the importance of critical thinking and media literacy. These resources help users develop skills to identify misinformation independently. As a trusted source for verifying facts and debunking falsehoods, Snopes plays a crucial role in combating misinformation in today's digital landscape. Whether you encounter a dubious claim online or want to verify a rumor, Snopes is an invaluable tool for ensuring you have accurate information. Explore more about Snopes and its mission by visiting [Snopes] : https://lnkd.in/esCP8jg2. If this post speaks to you, please like, share, and subscribe to our Newsletter AI REVOLUTION DIGEST : https://lnkd.in/eu5Pa-V7 . Your support drives our shared pursuit of excellence! 🌟 🌷 🌱 🔮 🙏 . #Snopes #FactChecking #Misinformation #UrbanLegends #MediaLiteracy #CriticalThinking #OnlineResources

All of public policy involves tradeoffs between sometimes conflicting, noble goals: accountability, equity, expediency, transparency, quality, etc. I respect the opinions of thought leaders in this article who call for a measured approach for #BEAD. It's important to get it right. But the voices often missing in these debates are the people BEAD was built to serve. Who is advocating for the consumer? The people thirsting for #broadband relief in a digital desert aren't at the table where these timing decisions are made. This is not an academic exercise--this is a problem that needs solving yesterday. Which of the BEAD program steps are mission critical, and which of them need to be bulldozed over to get shovels in the ground and homes connected? This is the question people need to be asking. We cannot lose sight of our Polaris here. The whole point is to get people connected. We must do better as a country at delivering timely solutions with these programs. #internetforall #getitdone https://lnkd.in/g3V4FQ-e

A tool is only as good as its user. Here’s a great opportunity for every potential user to share their requirements for a tool that is a high school graduation requirement. Take this survey to share what you want from a High School Beyond Plan tool.

Check out this article and more written by myself for Broadband Breakfast!

https://lnkd.in/gGA4KsNQ Community Survey Outreach Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc. (APA) and Afton Partners (Afton) are partnering with the Colorado Department of Education to determine the costs necessary to provide elementary and secondary students an education that meets the state’s educational goals. As part of this effort, APA is reaching out to members of the public (students, parents, educators, district and school leaders, community members, business groups, advocates, and policymakers) to ensure that their perspectives on resources, staffing, and programs in schools are considered as part of this work.   We want to hear from you! Link to Survey: https://lnkd.in/ghM4R-gR Responding to this survey will help state policymakers better understand the voices of the Colorado public on what they value at their school and the resources they would prioritize if additional funding was available to their school. This survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete and the survey will be open until September 30, 2024.   I already completed a survey from AIR, is this the same? No, this is a separate survey focusing on resources and funding available to districts and schools, while the AIR survey focuses on student outcomes and types of educational programs.  We encourage individuals to complete both surveys if possible.   What about my privacy and confidentiality? This is a voluntary and confidential survey. You are not obligated to participate and can skip any question you are not comfortable answering. To encourage honest responses to the survey questions, we are not collecting any information that would allow you to be identified.   Questions? If you have any questions or concerns about participation in the survey, please contact apasurvey@aftonpartners.com.

📣The State Broadband Office has launched the BEAD Challenge process. The time has come to ensure that all broadband serviceable locations are accounted for before Arizona allocates its $993M of BEAD funding. The challenge process is a pivotal step towards achieving universal connectivity in Arizona, allowing stakeholders to challenge the accuracy of BSL locations. Confirmation of locations that currently lack access to high-speed internet is essential for funding to be used to connect these areas. However, their success hinges on robust participation from eligible challengers within the state. This includes not only internet service providers but also local units of government, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. The process provides an opportunity to correct inaccuracies in the BEAD eligible locations, ensuring it reflects the most up-to-date broadband access across the state. The updated map will determine which locations are eligible for funding through the BEAD program. The State Broadband Office is hosting trainings, webinars, and office hours. All essential documents for the Challenge Process, including unserved and underserved BSL data, BEAD-eligible Community Anchor Institute data, the Challenge Process User Guide, and the Challenge Process Navigator guide, are posted on the website. Learn how to participate by following the link provided below. 📣