Got Funding? Broadband Consultant Offers Tips for Navigating the Extensive Second-Round Stimulus Proposal Process

New National Broadband Connectivity and Usage Database Provides Sought-After Stimulus-Proposal Data, Simplifies Application Process

NORTHFIELD, MINN. (February 9, 2010) — The national broadband stimulus program is changing faster than a TV-watcher flips through channels: In the last few weeks, the FCC has relaxed the guidelines for data required for grant applications, announcing that it will now accept census-tract data instead of the more granular block-level data. And on Jan. 22, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) accelerated the timeline to apply for the second round of stimulus proposals to between Feb. 16 and March 15, 2010, which means applicants now have less time to prepare their data.

But throughout these latest bobs and weaves, the first national broadband connectivity and usage database, BroadBand ScoutSM, has been delivering valuable data and coverage maps to communities preparing their stimulus grant applications, a task many in the industry had considered frustratingly difficult -- or even impossible. A growing number of states, counties and carriers are turning to the solution to show accurate, objective facts to support the need for broadband in their area. BroadBand Scout debuted in December 2009 from Minnesota-based data and analytics company ID Insight.

While BroadBand Scout makes one part of the proposal process significantly easier, there are still considerable hoops to jump through. “The clock is ticking and with just over a month until the second-round deadline, many communities are scrambling right now,” says broadband industry expert and Successful.com president Craig Settles, who is partnering with ID Insight to deliver consulting services that assist stimulus grant applicants prepare and defend their proposals, and help state broadband mapping teams effectively execute their projects. “But there are things they can do to make the process a lot more efficient to ensure their proposal is as bulletproof as possible, and meets the shorter deadline.”

According to Settles, there are six critical tips communities should keep in mind when preparing their second-round applications:

Simplify wherever possible. The NOFAs for NTIA and RUS are nearly 200 pages long, but the New America Foundation (www.newamerica.net) has prepared incredibly thorough summaries of NOFA 2 that highlight the changes from NOFA 1 and other valuable details -- condensed into 30 pages. Read the summaries before you dig into the actual NOFAs.

Partner, partner, partner. NTIA is focusing heavily on middle mile projects that touch communities’ major institutions, which means partnering can be a critical element. In fact, the agency provides an online tool to help applicants find partners faster. Partners and stakeholders are key to building a credible case for broadband need and the network’s long-term financial sustainability.

Provide the exact information that NTIA and RUS seek. The agencies’ workshops have been very specific in detailing the type of information that increase applicants’ chances of moving into the due diligence phase of the funding process. According to their speakers, applicants must be “compelling, credible and clear.”

Don’t underestimate the value of mapping. Applicants need to use data that is objective, accurate and complete.

Concentrate on copy that tells a story. There are only going to be two reviewers in the first phase of evaluation, not three like last time. Without that tie-breaker reviewer, applications could be rejected if there’s a hung jury, so it is most important that applicants vividly portray how their proposals will transform communities, particularly those experiencing extreme poverty.

Look ahead to the due-diligence session. For NTIA, applicants don’t have to prove conclusively their financial sustainability model at the time they submit their application, but they still have to do it. It pays to get most of it done at the beginning of the process. It’s of little benefit to show wild projections for profitability in the initial proposal, and then show a starkly different picture further into the process.

About BroadBand Scout

BroadBand Scout provides instant access to the data required to successfully apply for grant monies from the $7.2 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband stimulus program. Broadband stimulus grant applicants can cut proposal prep time, dramatically reduce their risk to challenges and create more accurate statewide broadband maps to support a national broadband strategy using the first national broadband database. For more information, visit www.IDInsight.com/broadband.asp.

BroadBand Scout was developed by a unique analytical survey process of accessing the millions of records in ID Insight’s proprietary databases that were initially assembled to track Internet usage activity. By combining known Internet access information with address-related data, BroadBand Scout allows clients to see connectivity and usage at the most granular level. The data is also an effective way for broadband and wireless carriers to cost-effectively target new areas for service expansion and better research competitors. “To me, this information is the most unbiased information one could find when it comes to broadband availability,” wrote Lynnette Luna of FierceBroadbandWireless.

ID Insight is currently licensing the data and information to companies, states and communities. The data is available in reports summarized at the state, county, tract, block group or block number levels. Using its patent-pending analytics system, ID Insight can also provide case-by-case consulting services to predict additional high-potential expansion markets. Besides grant applicants, these services are valuable to broadband carriers looking for insights, validation and competitive advantage for their plans to open new markets.

About ID Insight

ID Insight, the innovator in Access-Point Intelligence, knows more about people and their access points -- physical addresses, IP addresses, phone numbers and other points where fraud occurs -- than any other identity-fraud risk-assessment company. Based in Northfield, Minn., the company combines its massive collection of data on people and access points with patent-pending analytics to help companies prevent fraud, reduce costs and capture more business. ID Insight provides next-generation market research, verification, authentication, and fraud solutions to financial services companies, credit issuers, retailers, online merchants and wireless providers nationwide. For more information, visit www.IDInsight.com.

About Verisys Corporation

Successful.com has delivered community broadband services since 2006, though it provided services to technology companies and end-user organizations beginning with its inception in 1986. Previous needs assessment clients include the City of Glendale, Calif., the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles and several cities in Santa Clara County, Calif. For over 20 years the firm’s workshops, consulting services and books have helped government and other organizations worldwide use technology to cut costs, improve business operations and increase revenue.

Media Contacts:

Brian Bellmont for ID Insight, (952) 233-0428,

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