The Local Loop

Vice President Biden to Visit Georgia

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:01:00 GMT

The AJC reports that VP Joe Biden will visit Georgia this week to make a stimulus-related announcement.

Johannesburg Makes a Bold Move

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:46:00 GMT

The City of Johannesburg, South Africa has committed R1bn ($100M USD) to build a next-generation broadband infrastructure throughout the city. The initiative seeks to "reduce the cost of telecommunications, improve service delivery and increase access to IT for residents." The move follows South Africa's economic stimulus program to spend over R780-billion ($79B USD) on large infrastructure projects over the next three years. Joburg Mayor Amos Masondo recently unveiled

NTIA Posts Notice of Broadband Grant Meetings

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:24:00 GMT

The NTIA has posted a notice in the Federal Registry that it will begin holding meetings with interested parties on Monday, March 2, 2009, in connection with the broadband grant programs described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. All interested parties are invited to schedule a meeting.

Details can be found here.

Broadband Provisions of the Stimulus Bill

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:59:00 GMT

Yesterday in Denver, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which has been referred to as the stimulus bill. Links to the final legislation can be accessed here. Our interpretation of the broadband-related provisions of the Act are provided below.

At a high-level, the Act provides for roughly $7.2B in funding for broadband-related projects. This $7.2B is to be administered by two organizations; the NTIA and USDA/RUS.

Fiber to the Burbs

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:40:00 GMT

Detroit's population was 1.8 million in 1950. Today it's estimated at 916,000, a decline of almost 50%. It would be easy to chalk this up to industrial decline, particularly with the slow death spiral of the American auto industry. But, this decline in urban population is not unique to Detroit. From 1950 to 2000, Chicago declined by 20%. Boston and Philadelphia by 26%. Washington DC by 28%.

Where did everyone go? Data suggests they headed to the burbs. The metropolitan areas surrounding these cities all increased their populations dramatically; ranging from 25% (in Philadelphia) to 178% (in DC.) Sadly, the great migration may be just getting started.&