Vermont Business Magazine The Public Service Department today issued its request for proposals under the second round of the 2016 Connectivity Initiative. The RFP invites internet service providers to submit proposals to serve eligible locations identified by the Department as needing improved access to broadband Internet service. The Department will award grants to organizations willing to serve these areas. In the second grant round of 2016, the Department will utilize $550,550 in available funding to support the extension of broadband facilities in underserved communities.
Public Service Commissioner, Christopher Recchia, stated “we are happy with the progress that we have made through this initiative, and we continue our work to further Vermont’s effort to connect rural communities.” Broadband speeds are the focus of the Connectivity Initiative. “Through broadband expansion projects made possible through the Connectivity Initiative, we will see an increase in the speed and quality of service in the state’s hardest-to-reach areas,” said Commissioner Recchia. Any technology will be accepted, so long as it meets the minimum service characteristics contained in the RFP.
To initiate the process, the Department identified 29,836 locations eligible for support through this second round of funding. The lowest acceptable speed for funding under this RFP is 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload, but the Department encourages solutions that provide higher levels of service.
A copy of the RFP, along with a list of eligible locations, can be obtained by visiting the Public Service Department online at http://publicservice.vermont.gov or by emailing the Department at [email protected]. The proposal deadline is December 29th at 4:30 p.m.
Source: DPS. 11.14.2016.