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| 2007 Press Releases |
| 2008 Press Releases |
Press Releases ForImmediate Release: March 8, 2010 Vermont Invites Google to Build Its Ultra High-speed Network in the Entire State of Vermont Vermont Telecommunications Authority Vermont Invites Google to Build Its Ultra High-speed Network in the Entire State of Vermont Montpelier, Vermont - The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) is inviting Google to build their "Fiber to Communities" ultra high-speed network in every corner of Vermont. "An ultra high-speed statewide network would be a huge economic development opportunity for our state. Submitting a statewide application will set Vermont apart from the 1,000's of community applications that Google will likely receive. While success is a real long shot, we believe that Vermont has a great story to tell and this application may accelerate the goal to make Vermont an 'e-state'. Vermont's innovation culture, the quality of life and strong education system, will set Vermont apart from the other applicants. Plus, building a high-speed network around mountains and to remote, currently unserved, towns will make a very large statement." said Thomas Murray, Executive Director of the VTA. Google has put out a Request for Information (RFI) looking for communities in which it will launch its "Fiber for Communities" pilot project. The project aims to build, at Google's expense, an ultra high-speed (one gigabit to the residence) fiber network in one or several communities that will reach between 50,000 and 500,000 residences within the year. The following link gives Google's description of the project: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi . Google does not intend to provide service to consumers. They will operate a wholesale network offering transport to any company (a phone company, Internet service provider, television or movie provider, etc.) at "reasonable terms." Google's main criterion in choosing the communities is the ability of that community to help them build quickly. "The Vermont Telecommunications Authority, created in 2007, provides a unique entity that can represent the entire state in the process. We have strong support from Governor Douglas' administration and dozens of local towns at this point." Murray explained that "Broadband advocates across the state were emailed last week. We asked them to contact their select boards, school boards, and economic development organizations about sending the VTA letters of support for inclusion in this application by March 15th. The topic probably came up at many town meetings this week." He also requested that all towns that have not already done so to please consider such a letter. The VTA has sample letters on their web site (www.telecomvt.org), in addition to other material it is making available to help spread the word. The application is due March 26, 2010. About the VTA: The Vermont Telecommunications Authority was established by legislation initiated by Governor Douglas and approved almost unanimously by the Vermont Legislature in 2007 to assure that every Vermonter has high-speed access to the Internet at affordable rates and that mobile phones will work all over the state by the end of 2010. www.TelecomVT.org is the place to visit to keep current on relevant news articles about the Internet and communication issues in Vermont. It is also the place to sign up to receive emails notifying you of new communication services in the state and ways in which you can help meet Vermont's goal. For more information, contact:
Thomas Murray For Release: December 1, 2008 Vermont Telecommunications Authority awards $180,000 in Broadband Grants The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA), which is tasked with assuring mobile phone and Internet coverage to all Vermonters by the end of 2010, announced three recipients for the Broadband Grant Program for 2008/2009 in Montpelier. The goal of the Legislature's Broadband Grant Program is to create demonstration projects to test viable models for providing high speed Internet access to all Vermonters. Winners were selected based on a detailed review and selection process. Jerry Johnson, Chairman of the Selection Committee, said that the applications were judged using several criteria, including a strong public-private partnership and the use of the grants as seed money to attract additional funds or contributions. "We also place an emphasis on projects that provide coverage available to everyone in an area," he said. "For example, if the project included a WiFi hotspot, it is suggested that it be located in an area that is frequented by the general public." The selection committee included members of the Telecommunications Authority's Board of Directors, the Department of Economic Development and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Jon Freeman, President of the Northern Community Development Corporation said that the grant award would help deliver broadband to much of Eastern Essex County. "This is a great stimulus intended to improve the economy, educational opportunities, safety and lifestyle of that area," he said. "As such we wish to thank the Vermont Legislature for funding this project." Rob Giunta of Town of Stratton said that broadband is equivalent to electricity in that both are essential to modern life. "Thanks to this grant, everyone in our town will finally be able to interact with each other and the rest of the world at broadband speeds, making a lot of life easier, safer and more efficient," he said. Johnson said that the third grant went to the towns of West Fairlee and Topsham for an extension of the fiber-to-the-home project funded by the federal Department of Agriculture';s RUS program and being undertaken by Topsham Telecom. The Telecom Authority has been tasked with administering the Program since the enactment of Act 79 in 2007. The Vermont Legislature funded the grant program this year with an $180,000 allocation. The Legislature has mandated that the grants be awarded to municipalities, telecommunication infrastructure developers or service providers and that no grants exceed $100,000 for any one project. Recipient - Coverage Area - Service Provider - Amt. of Award Contact info: For more information, contact:
Charlie Kremer For Release: June 18, 2008 Vermont Telecommunications Authority to Present a Check for $50,000 to the Towns of Norton and Canaan NORTON - The Board of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority will meet in the Norton town offices on Thursday, June 19 from 10 a.m-1pm. to applaud Norton and Canaan's grant application and present a check for $50,000. Jerry Johnson, Chairman of the Broadband Grant Committee of the VTA, will present a $50,000 check to fund the design and provide for development of a comprehensive network of wireless broadband Internet services in Canaan and Norton. The Broadband Grant program was funded by the Vermont Legislature in 2007, is administered by the VTA, and is intended to bring high speed Internet access to Vermont's most rural areas. "My town of Norton is just like so many other small towns in Vermont. We have lost our traditional employers and our young people have mostly moved away. That was until the Vermont Broadband Grant came and brought HOPE back to our community. Our town clerk will now be able to comply with on-line records filings requests. Our senior citizens will now be able to have medical equipment connect them to their medical provider and they will be able to remain in their family homes for many more years. Our young residents will now be able to be connected to the rest of the world and they won't feel the need to flee for higher paying work or for advancing their education beyond high school. And our seasonal landowners will once again be able to spend an entire summer here while still being connected to their offices back in that other world of high speed connectivity," said Kenn Stransky, Norton Select Board Member. Senator Vince Illuzzi was an important part of ushering through legislation creating the VTA to assure access to mobile phone service and the Internet at high speeds to every Vermonter. "The Broadband Grant program is a legislative initative that focuses on real projects that get badly needed services to rural Vermonters," he said. "Affordable, high quality Internet access is essential to the state's economic development and to the education of our students." "I'm glad that the VTA Board is meeting in Norton to hear the concerns from one of Vermont's most rural areas," Illuzzi added. Great Auk Wireless, a Vermont wireless Internet service provider (WISP), will use the grant to provide the new services. The Great Auk team will be at the meeting to discuss the Norton/Canaan project and their other plans for expansion and improvement of their wireless broadband network. The event will conclude with the VTA's regular business meeting where they will give town officials and citizens an opportunity to voice their support and concerns. The board will also discuss issues pertaining to their goal of providing access to cell phone networks and high speed Internet services to everyone in Vermont by the end of 2010. All VTA meetings are open to the public. Norton Town Office: 12 VT Rte 114E. Norton, VT 05907. Phone, 802-822-9935 For more information, contact: info@telecomVT.org
Mary Evslin - Board Chairman For Release: April 22, 2008 The 2008 Broadband Grant winners were announced today by the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. Canaan/Norton, Canaan/Norton - $50000 EC Fiber (planning), 25 Towns - $25000 Global Net, Fletcher & surrounding area - $50000 Powershift, Elmore, Hardwick - $20000 Ripton Broadband Coop, Ripton - $25000 SVBC, Stamford - $30000 The Vermont Legislature has funded the Broadband Grant Program for four years. Last year it was funded with a $200,000 allocation. The goal of the Program is to create demonstration projects to test viable models for providing broadband to all Vermonters. The Authority was looking for creative ways to extend affordable high-speed Internet access to the unserved and under-served areas of the state and it found them. Utilizing the changes put forth into this year's grant program, the VTA grant committee has targeted some innovating technology in the effort to bring high speed Internet access to Vermonter. This year's grants will utilize Wi-Fi hot spots in the towns of Elmore and Hardwick, fund a town cooperative in Stamford, provide wireless access in Canaan/Norton and Ripton, provide funds to a wireless service provider to utilize a Mt. Mansfield tower in order to reach Fletcher and surrounding towns in northwest Vermont, and to provide planning for a FTTH project in Central Vermont.In all, $200,000 was spread across Vermont. Winners were selected on the basis of a detailed review and selection process. The selection committee includes several members of the Telecommunications Authority's Board of Directors, and representatives from the Department of Economic Development and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Jerry Johnson, Chair of the Broadband Grant Sub Committee of the VTA, said "There were more and better applicants for the grants this year than in the past reflecting the growing demand by Vermonters for high speed Internet access. Access is essential to our state's economic development, health services, educational programs and first responders. All these applicants will serve those Vermonters who are in need." The applications were judged using several criteria. Among them were: a strong public-private partnership use of the grants as seed money to attract additional funds or contributions availability to everyone in a covered area. For more information, contact: info@telecomVT.org
Charlie Kremer For Release: April 22, 2008 Vermont Telecommunications Authority Awards ECFiber $25,000 Broadband Grant The 2008 Broadband Grant winners were announced today by the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. Six awards were made. ECFiber was one of the winners receiving $25,000. The Vermont Legislature has funded the Broadband Grant Program for four years. Last year it was funded with a $200,000 allocation. The goal of the Program is to create demonstration projects to test viable models for providing broadband to all Vermonters. The Authority was looking for creative ways to extend affordable high-speed Internet access to the unserved and under-served areas of the state and it found them. The unserved communities of Cannan/Norton, Fletcher, Elmore, Hardwick, Ripton and Stamford will also benefit from Broadband Grants this year. Utilizing the changes put forth into this year's grant program, the VTA Grant Committee has targeted some innovating technology in the effort to bring high speed Internet access to Vermonters. This year's grants will utilize Wi-Fi hot spots in the towns of Elmore and Hardwick, fund a town cooperative in Stamford, provide wireless access in Canaan/Norton and Ripton, provide funds to a wireless service provider to utilize a Mt. Mansfield tower in order to reach Fletcher and surrounding towns in northwest Vermont, and to provide planning for ECFiber's FTTH project. In all, $200,000 was spread across Vermont. Winners were selected on the basis of a detailed review and selection process. The selection committee includes several members of the Telecommunications Authority's Board of Directors, and representatives from the Department of Economic Development and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Jerry Johnson, Chair of the Broadband Grant Sub Committee of the VTA, said "There were more and better applicants for the grants this year than in the past reflecting the growing demand by Vermonters for high speed Internet access. Access is essential to our state's economic development, health services, educational programs and first responders. The ECFiber application meets all the Broadband Grant goals. This is the first year that the grants have been used for planning but the 25 towns have made their message heard loud and clear. They need Internet access now." The applications were judged using several criteria. Among them were: a strong public-private partnership use of the grants as seed money to attract additional funds or contributions availability to everyone in a covered area. For more information, contact: info@telecomVT.org
Charlie Kremer For Release: March 24, 2008 Vermont Telecommunications Authority extends deadline for Broadband Grant Applications to March 31st The Vermont Telecommunications Authority has extended the deadline for applying for a Broadband Grant to March 31st. While the grant program has attracted many applicants on a yearly basis, this year there is an even larger number of towns, companies and organizations applying to bring high-speed Internet access to previously uncovered areas. Applicants have expressed a need to extend the deadline in order to complete the full application. Anyone who needs help or information on the process should contact the Authority at ckremer@telecomVT.org or call (802) 828-1788. Grants are targeted at Vermont communities that do not currently have broadband service, or have limited access to broadband services. This year's $200,000 funding for the program came from a legislative allocation made in 2007. For more information, contact: info@telecomVT.org
Charlie Kremer For Release: February 7, 2008 Vermont Telecom Authority Searching for Applicants for its Broadband Grant Program The Vermont Telecommunications Authority announces the Broadband Grant Program for 2007/2008. The goal of the Program is to create demonstration projects to test viable models for providing broadband to all Vermonters. The Authority is looking for creative ways to extend affordable high-speed Internet access to the unserved and under-served areas of the state. The Vermont Legislature funded the grant program this year with a $200,000 allocation. Grants may be awarded to municipalities, telecommunication infrastructure developers and service providers. No grant can exceed $100,000 for any one project. Anyone who would like to apply should contact the Authority's office at info@telecomVT.org or call 802-828-1788 to request a packet of information explaining the application process. The Authority's staff will provide all applicants with assistance in developing the required business plan. Grants will be targeted at communities or parts of communities that do not currently have broadband service, or have limited access to broadband services. The applications will be judged using several criteria. Among them are: a strong public-private partnership, the use of the grants as seed money to attract additional funds or contributions, and coverage that is available to everyone in a covered area. If the project for example includes a WiFi hotspot, it is suggested that it be located in an area that is frequented by the general public. Winners will be selected on the basis of a detailed review and selection process. The selection committee includes members of the Telecommunications Authority's Board of Directors, the Department of Economic Development and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Applications should be post-marked or received no later than March 22, 2008. For more information, contact: info@telecomVT.org
Bill Shuttleworth |