Welcome To

The Broadband Deployment Advisory Group

The Broadband Deployment Advisory Group

We have assembled a team of Broadband and Community Development leaders to tackle the pressing need to deliver affordable broadband services to low-income urban and rural areas, to close the digital divide.

Experience the influence of The Broadband Deployment Advisory Group as we set out on a mission to eliminate the digital gap in communities lacking adequate service. Our initiative seeks to inform leaders about the Biden-Harris Administration’s $65 billion Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD) program, launched by President Biden and Vice President Harris. Through BEAD, grants are becoming available to empower municipalities and their core institutions, enabling them to establish their own broadband services. Our objective as consultants is to assist community leaders in the planning, development and buildout of high-speed Internet to all residents based on BEAD funding, working toward eliminating the digital disparity nationwide. Let us collaborate and partner with you for a transformative journey as we endeavor to foster inclusive, interconnected communities. Explore our website to discover more about our initiatives, goals, and the impact we aspire to achieve for your government and community by effectively leveraging the Biden-Harris Administration’s BEAD program. Together, let’s pave the way for a digitally inclusive tomorrow!

Community Engagement and Outreach

  • We initiate extensive community engagement efforts to connect with residents, businesses, and community organizations.
  • We conduct town hall meetings, surveys, and focus groups to gather input on existing challenges, needs, and aspirations related to broadband access.

Collaboration with Local Stakeholders

  • We establish partnerships with schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders to gain insights into specific community requirements.
  • We collaborate with community leaders and organizations to leverage their understanding of local dynamics.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • We conduct thorough data analysis to identify areas with limited or no broadband access.
  • We utilize existing data sources such as census data, school enrollment figures, and healthcare utilization patterns to pinpoint underserved areas.

Digital Inclusion Assessment

  • We evaluate the digital literacy levels and technology adoption rates within the community.
  • We identify barriers to digital inclusion, such as affordability, accessibility of devices, and technology training opportunities.

Infrastructure Mapping

  • We utilize NTIA and FCC mapping of existing broadband infrastructure and coverage areas.
  • We identify gaps in coverage and areas where the current infrastructure may be insufficient to meet the demands of the community.

Affordability Analysis

  • We assess the economic conditions of the community to determine the affordability of broadband services.
  • We identify strategies to ensure that broadband services are accessible to low-income households.

Educational Initiatives

  • We develop and implement awareness campaigns to educate the community about the benefits of broadband access.
  • We provide information on how improved broadband connectivity can enhance education, healthcare, job opportunities, and overall quality of life.

Policy Review and Reform

  • We evaluate existing local policies and regulations that may impact broadband deployment.
  • We advocate for policy reforms that promote the expansion of broadband infrastructure and address any regulatory barriers.

Public-Private Partnerships

  • We explore opportunities for collaboration with private sector entities to leverage resources and expertise.
  • We encourage the involvement of internet service providers in deploying solutions tailored to the community’s needs.

Regular Feedback Mechanism

  • We provide a continuous feedback mechanism to ensure ongoing communication with the community.
  • We adapt strategies based on evolving community needs and technological advancements.

By employing these strategies, policymakers and broadband advocates can gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of each community, laying the foundation for effective and targeted broadband deployment under the BEAD initiative.

Our Approach
Understanding the Needs

To understand the broadband needs of local communities under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet For All program, particularly the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative, it’s crucial to adopt a comprehensive and community-centric approach. Here are some recommendations:

Looking Forward

Community Specific Approach

Meet with mayors and community leaders to understand the competitive landscape, community resources and specific needs of under or unserved constituents.

Work as consultants or advisors to develop a strategic plan to address

  • Affordability
  • Availability
  • Sustainability

We are matchmakers

Broadband is the great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century.

Like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life. It is enabling entire new industries and unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones. It is changing how we educate children, deliver health care, manage energy, ensure public safety, engage government, and access, organize and disseminate knowledge.

Fueled primarily by private sector investment and innovation, the American broadband ecosystem has evolved rapidly. The number of Americans who have broadband at home has grown from eight million in 2000 to nearly 200 million last year. Increasingly capable fixed and mobile networks allow Americans to access a growing number of valuable applications through innovative devices.

But broadband in America is not all it needs to be. Approximately 100 million Americans do not have broadband at home. Broadband-enabled health information technology (IT) can improve care and lower costs by hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming decades, yet the United States is behind many advanced countries in the adoption of such technology. Broadband can provide teachers with tools that allow students to learn the same course material in half the time, but there is a dearth of easily accessible digital educational content required for such opportunities. A broadband-enabled Smart Grid could increase energy independence and efficiency, but much of the data required to capture these benefits are inaccessible to consumers, businesses and entrepreneurs. And nearly a decade after 9/11, our first responders still lack a nationwide public safety mobile broad- band communications network, even though such a network could improve emergency response and homeland security.

We advocate for community broadband

We work with local, State and federal philanthropic corporate communities to enhance broadband deployment and minimize the digital divide.

Why Choose Us?

Broadband Deployment Advisory Group, We are a BEAD coalition of experts in Broadband and community development has united to offer solutions for BEAD strategies and implementation to address the urgent need for equitable broadband services in low-income urban and rural areas. Our primary mission is to address the digital divide and digital literacy by providing competitive and accessible turnkey BEAD solutions.

Experience the influence of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Group as we embark on a mission to help Mayors and elected officials bridge the digital divide in their communities. Our comprehensive services are designed to inform local elected leaders about the funding requirements of the BEAD program, a visionary initiative spearheaded by President Biden and Vice President Harris. Through IIJA, the Cares Act, the Capital Project Fund and BEAD, grants are now available to empower cities and towns, enabling them to establish their own robust broadband systems and digital literacy and workforce development training programs.

Our overarching objective is to aid municipalities in delivering high-speed Internet to every resident at affordable rates, with the ultimate goal of eradicating the digital divide by successfully deploying the Biden-Harris Internet For All Program. Join us on this transformative journey as we work towards creating inclusive and connected communities.

Explore our website to gain insights into our activities, the latest news and updates regarding BEAD funding objectives, and the profound impact we aspire to achieve through the Biden Harris Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, also known as Internet For All. Together, let’s pave the way for a digitally inclusive future!

With thanks.

I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Mayors, local elected officials, and their anchoring institutions for their unwavering support and commitment to the Icare 21st Century Initiative, Inc. Your dedication to fostering positive change in our communities through the utilization of our initiative is truly commendable.

Your leadership and collaboration have played a pivotal role in driving the success of Icare 21st Century Initiative, Inc. Together, we are making strides towards creating a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future. Your engagement with our initiative exemplifies the collective effort required to address the challenges of the 21st century and build resilient communities.

We appreciate the trust you have placed in Icare 21st Century Initiative, Inc., and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to make a lasting impact on the well-being of our communities. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to create positive change and shape a better future for all.

Sincerely,