ARRA

ENA To Provide Educational Broadband Throughout Indiana

• By Scott Aronowitz
• 03/19/10

Managed network services provider Education Networks of America (ENA) has received a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to build a broadband infrastructure for underserved communities, schools, and libraries throughout the state of Indiana. The NTIA is providing the $14.3 million grant through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

With the funds provided by the grant, the company estimated that it can erect reliable, fiber-based broadband infrastructures in 145 communities in the state. This initiative will bring Internet access to nearly 250,000 homes and businesses, as well as more than 600 schools, public libraries, hospitals, and other institutions that can use such access to serve their communities in a vast number of ways, offering improved communications, online learning and professional training, and access to government and other resources aimed at improving users' knowledge and well being.

"Providing equity of access to broadband service for all schools and libraries in Indiana is critical to achieving our educational objectives," said John B. Keller, director of learning technologies for the Indiana Department of Education (IDE). "This grant will help move us closer to making sure all schools have fiber-based, high-speed broadband access."

ENA was able to secure the grant with help of a large and diverse array of recommendations for its record of performance and customer service, with letters of support proffered by IDE, the Indiana State Library, the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, and 175 community and four national organizations.