New National Broadband Connectivity and Usage Database Provides Sought-After Stimulus-Proposal Data, Slashes Application Prep Time

NORTHFIELD, MINN. (February 16, 2010) — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) may have accelerated the timeline to apply for the second round of broadband stimulus proposals, but a new database provides the data necessary for communities, carriers and consultants to complete their applications before the impending deadline.

BroadBand ScoutSM, the first national broadband connectivity and usage database, allows communities to meet broadband usage/availability data-reporting requirements, significantly cut NOFA 2 proposal prep time, and independently verify broadband data collected elsewhere.

Developed by Minnesota-based data and analytics company ID Insight, BroadBand Scout uses 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 accurate, unbiased 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. For more information, visit www.IDInsight.com/broadband.asp.

NOFA 2 applications are now due between Feb. 16 and March 15, 2010. “The clock is ticking and with just 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 help stimulus grant applicants prepare and defend their proposals, and help state broadband mapping teams effectively execute their projects.

Because first-round funding is still being awarded, many grant applicants may not find out whether the geographic area they’re concentrating on is open to them until just before the deadline. “With this impossibly short timeline, BroadBand Scout can help communities create or revise their maps much more quickly. It provides the exact data communities are looking for to complete Form 10,” Settles says.

According to Settles, BroadBand Scout provides:

Carriers for any geography, and respective market share;
Internet usage rate for that geography; and
Actual upload and download speeds.

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 broadband providers nationwide. For more information, visit www.IDInsight.com.

About Successful.com

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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