PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2010
9
Commerce
Department
Announces
Broadband
Funding
U
.S. Commerce Secretary Gary
Locke on March 2 announced
23 grants that the agency said
will help bridge the tech-
nological divide, boost economic
growth, create jobs, and improve
education and health care cross the
country. The grants, totaling more
than $160 million, will increase
broadband access and adoption in
17 states and Puerto Rico.
“In a globalized 21
st
century econ-
omy, when you don’t have regular
access to the internet, you don’t
have access to all the educational
and employment opportunities it
provides,” Locke said. “Fast, reliable
internet can help keep communities
safer, open doors for small busi-
nesses, and provide job training and
skills to more Americans.”
The Department of Commerce’s
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration’s Broad-
band Technology Opportunities Pro-
gram provides grants to support the
deployment of broadband infrastruc-
ture, enhance and expand public
computer centers, and encourage
sustainable adoption of broadband
service.
A list of grant recipients is at
www.ntia.doc.gov or by calling Mike
Ancell at PCCA.
www.aevenia.com•
218.284.9500
3030 24th Ave So. Moorhead, MN 56560
We are Aevenia, Inc., a premier energy and electrical construction company. We
offer a powerful bundle of services and back it up with 40 years in the energy and
electrical construction industry. Every day, we show our customers what it’s like to
do business where trust, integrity, efficiency and quality are principal values.
We are Aevenia.
The way energy moves.
TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION
•
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
RENEWABLES
•
SUBSTATIONS
•
URBAN & RURAL TELECOM
POWER PLOWING & TRENCHING
•
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING
VISIT US AT BOOTH #7020 DURING WINDPOWER 2010
CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR MEETING TODAY
B
ased on a recommendation from the Manassas Utilities Commission, the Manassas City Council voted to shut
down its broadband over powerline (BPL) internet service in July. Overall, BPL served a small customer base of
about 520 residential and business users, who were advised to find a new broadband service provider.
Although once touted as “the most successful BPL deployment in the nation,” the city finally decided to cut its
losses and get out of the business for good.
Despite its early promise, Manassas’ BPL service not only caused interference with licensed ham radio operators, but
it was also a financial drain. The city said that the service was losing $166,000 annually.
Manassas Retires Its BPL Internet Service