Broadband Florida Initiative
The Florida Legislature designated the Department of Management Services in Statute 364.0135 to apply for grants and lead broadband planning and development efforts in Florida. The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) was awarded a grant of $8.8M from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to conduct broadband data inventory, mapping, technical assistance and planning in the State of Florida.
NTIA State Broadband Initiative grant Website
Broadband Florida Grant Briefing Document 2011 (pdf 644.02 kB)
E-rate Assistance
The Department of Management Service (DMS) is providing a new E-rate assistance program for Florida K-12 schools and libraries. Assistance will be provided by a team of four new DMS State E-rate Coordinators, who will be available to all Florida applicants.
Broadband Resource Development Team
This project provides a technical support team to provide Florida Community Anchor Institutions resources to identify broadband funding opportunities and successfully apply for grants.
Local/Regional Broadband Planning
This is a partnership and contract with Florida's Regional Planning Councils led by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Tampa Bay has formed a project team with staffing support form the Southwest and Central Florida Planning Councils.
Florida Library Technology Assessments
This project is a partnership with Department of State Division of Library and Information Services who has contracted with Hayes Computers to conduct technology assessments of 180 Florida libraries.
Florida Broadband Mapping Project
This project is for state wide research, inventory and database development of broadband service availability, Florida Community Anchor Institution broadband use (adoption), private sector and citizen use of broadband. Results will be used by public and private sectors in targeting investments and funding applications.
