Inside Wiring

Inside Wiring for sites that have selected inside wiring and have had a walk through performed by NESC will start on Wednesday. NESC will notify the primary contact at the sites to give them a date(s) that the contractor will be on site to perform the wiring. If you have any questions, contact Melissa Cox at 218-748-7609 or mcox@nesc.k12.mn.us.

Technology Needs Assessment

NESC is working on a technology needs assessment survey for cities across the region. After working with communities and continued feedback, this aspect will be important in determining ways of broadband connectivity for these anchors sites. 

MMFP Top Headlines

The Middle Mile Fiber Project received top headlines on Light Wave regarding working with Calient and Cyan. To read more about this venture: http://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2012/06/calient-cyan-partner-for-cdc-roadm-deployment.html

Walkthrough Schedule for inside wiring.

The Northeast Service Cooperative has set up a schedule for anchors sites that have requested a walkthrough for inside wiring for connections to the broadband project. The schedule has been posted on the Northeast Service Cooperative Website at: http://www.nesc.k12.mn.us/anchors/walkthroughs

Broadband Assessment for Schools

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released an assessment of broadband for schools. The study indicates recommendations to address K-12 infrastructure needs. The information can be reviewed at http://www.setda.org/web/guest/broadbandimperative.

Community Connect Grant Program

The notice has been published for the Community Connect Grant Program through the United States Department of Agriculture. This grant opportunity is for the deployment of broadband service "to extremely rural, lower-income communities on a community-orientated connectivity." The notice can be viewed at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/rd-ruscommconnec2012-10614.pdf.
The Technical Assistance Grant findings and report will be available to communities this spring. Meetings have been set with model communities next week. Regional meetings will be set up following.

Broadband update

We continue to work on getting out Network Service Agreements to the various entities. Cities and townships will be getting updated agreements in April-May. These are currently being reviewed and are getting to the leaders in those communities. We look forward to getting critical service sites connected!