NeoNova to Present 2nd in Webinar Series on Broadband Economic Stimulus Plan

 
Webinar Available for Download
 
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (June 23, 2009) – NeoNova Network Services, the industry leader in managed IP services for telcos, municipal organizations and cable companies, today announced the second in a series of webinars discussing the impact of the Economic Stimulus Plan on broadband deployment in rural America.

 
In February, 2009, President Obama signed a $787 billion bill allocating more than $7 billion to be focused on expanding the reach of broadband networks to underdeveloped areas that many telecom providers have yet to serve. In response to this bill, NeoNova is sponsoring a series of webinars featuring telecommunications experts from Wiley Rein LLP, a law firm with significant expertise in telecom regulation, discussing the portion of the economic stimulus plan targeted at broadband investment.
 
Discussion points of the webinar will help telcos understand:
• How will the Rural Utilities Service RUS and the National Telecommunications Association NTIA select the recipients of broadband stimulus funding?
• What is required in order to apply for the $7 billion in broadband funding?
• Who is eligible to receive funding and what can be done to improve an applicant's chances for obtaining funding?
How do I get help with the application process?
 
The webinar will be held Thursday, July 9, from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST. For more on this free webinar or to register, visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/276697418
 
In conjunction with the webinar, NeoNova released results from a survey conducted with participants from the first webinar. Over 400 participants, mostly from rural broadband providers, responded to survey questions designed to identify whether the proper support and resources are in place to take advantage of the stimulus plan. With an average of 220 respondents to each question, several key trends were discovered:
 
60% of respondents had broadband penetration rates below 60%:
    • 0-20% 5%
    • 21-40% 24.8% 
    • 41-60% 29.2% 
    • 61-80% 16.8% 
    • 81-100% 21.7% 
    • An April 2009 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project shows 63% of adult Americans now have broadband internet connections at home, a 15% increases from a year earlier.
 
Funding will be used to build out networks, upgrade performance and add new services for current customers:
    • Build out network 82% 
    • Upgrade network performance 81% 
    • Offer new value-added services 69%
 
Respondents expressed a strong need for assistance in the application process to take advantage of the broadband stimulus plan:
    • Only 20% of respondents said they have resources to take advantage of the stimulus plan.
 
Companies expressed a need for help in the grant/load application process, specifically in the following areas:
    • Grant/Loan application support 89% 
    • Access Value-Added Services 38% 
    • Market Assessment and Planning 37% 
    • Network Evaluation 36%
 
“There is a significant opportunity for rural telcos to take advantage of over $7B in stimulus spending,” said Sean Murphy, NeoNova’s VP Sales, Marketing and Business Development. “Discovering what their needs are and how they are going to use the spending is critical in addressing the needs of Americans who still do not have access to broadband services.”
 
About NeoNova Network Service
NeoNova is an industry leader in managed IP services that enable service providers to offer premium Web 2.0 integrated communications, superior customer support and professional services, and advanced subscriber and network management services. NeoNova provides a future-proof platform with a comprehensive suite of applications and value-added services that allow service providers to become a best-in-class ISP in less time with a greater ROI.
 
About Wiley Rein
Wiley Rein represents wireline and wireless carriers, communications equipment manufacturers, and their trade organizations before the FCC and Congress. The firm's attorneys and consultants include several former members of Congress, one former FCC Chairman, three former FCC Commissioners, two former FCC General Counsels, two former FCC Chiefs of Staff and a former Administrator of NTIA. For more information, please visit http://www.wileyrein.com.
 
Contact
Sean Murphy
919-473-5045
smurphy@neonova.net
www.neonova.net