PATERSON WANTS $540 MILLION TO SPEND ON BROADBAND

Last week Governor David A. Paterson announced that New York State and New York City have applied for $540 million in broadband Federal stimulus grants to expand existing State-owned broadband networks and strengthen public safety interoperability in all of the State's counties, New York City, and neighboring states. 

The proposed projects reflect the Governor's plan to build a New Economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation, by maximizing Federal stimulus funding to improve broadband infrastructure while creating jobs to stimulate the State economy. The State of New York, in partnership with the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the City of New York, submitted separate but complementary broadband Federal stimulus applications to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which represent an unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration between State and local entities. 

"These two applications are the most innovative and efficient public safety networks our current technology has to offer," Governor Paterson said. "The projects align with the goals set forth in the broadband provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, specifically with regard to enhancing service for public safety anchor institutions, as well as supporting New York State's overall broadband strategy. I can think of no better projects for the NTIA to fund for our public safety than these applications submitted on behalf of the State of New York and the City of New York." 

New York State, in partnership with NYSAC, proposes to deploy a 700 MHz wireless broadband network for public safety use to 57 counties outside of New York City for State and local government use. The network will adopt a common technological standard to support a variety of applications which public safety users can access during normal and emergency field operations. Applications include streaming video, digital imaging, automatic vehicle location, computer aided dispatching, e-mail, mapping/GIS, remote database access, report management system access, text messaging, telemetry/remote diagnostics, and web access will be available over the high-speed broadband. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted conditional approval of New York State and the City of New York's requests for waivers to move forward with the construction of regional and statewide interoperable wireless broadband networks in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum. New York State and New York City were two of twenty-one cities, counties, and states granted FCC conditional waivers to deploy early 700 MHz public safety broadband networks. 

The public safety broadband project proposed by the City of New York brings together all emergency management organizations in the City and creates an interoperable public safety network permitting all public safety organizations to communicate with one another in a seamless communications environment.

Approximately $2.6 billion is available for award through this grant program. Funding is expected to be announced by September 2010. For additional information on New York State broadband activities please visit: http://www.nysbroadband.ny.gov/ .