The Digital Inclusion Forum

The Maine InfoNet project was developed initially in 1996 with public funds and contributions from the Maine State Library, the Maine University System Libraries, and the Maine Library Community. It has as its vision the implementation and maintenance of educational and library resources in digital format, with easy access for citizens. To this end, the program works to build a Maine Digital Libary, with supporting programs and applications. Currently, a statewide InfoNet Gateway is in use that contains over 3 miilion titles representing 6.7 million items and has significantly contributed to increased online requesting and lending.

In addition to the digital library project, Maine InfoNet runs a Walk-in-Wireless library initiative providing free wireless access to library users at over 60 public libraries. This program is growing, and is funded by a grant from the Maine Telecommunications Educational Access Fund.

MBC is a not-for-profit cooperative created in 2003 with the aim of boosting the regional economy of Southside Virginia state. The organization currently plans to build out over 700 miles of new fiber optic infrastructure among rural communities, utilizing a pre-exisiting backhaul trunk that runs from Atlanta to Washington DC via Richmond. The program was initally funded by a six million dollar grant from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, and a matching grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission. These funds allowed for the construction of the first 300 miles of fiber. The Virginia Tobacco Commission has provided another 28 million in funding that will allow for the extension of the network to twenty counties and over sixty business, technology, and industrial clusters.

MBC's is an advanced, carrier-class SONET/SDH network which uses Nortel's Optical Multi-service Edge 6500 platform with OC-192 and OC-48 rings, and also uses an Infinera Digital Transport Network DWDM system on the long haul. On this infrastructure MBC can provide a number of vital services, including Sonet/TDM serviced, METRO Ethernet and IP, long haul optical transport, dark fiber and tower leasing, collocation hosting, and will work with organizations requiring further build-out from the MBC skeleton.

On March 17 2007, the organization was given a Dewberry Award of Excellence in the quality of life category. Jurors stated that the project “has an obvious immediate impact on people’s lives.” They also stated that the project provides “a generational impact” and “increases possibilities for this region that never would have existed before.”

On June 21 2007, MBC announced it will provide one million dollars in support of five rural last mile broadband projects in the region, which will eventually connect over 7000 homes and businesses to the network.

Get Broadband is a program administered by the Minnesota-based Blandin Foundation that aims to increase the availability of broadband-based technologies in rural communities. The Foundation understands that access to high-speed, always-on broadband Internet applications and services can enable rural communities to amplify the quality of life in their areas by attracting and retaining jobs, increasing the competitiveness of local businesses and residents, and improving community services. To that end, Get Broadband works with grantee communities to develop broadband strategies that drive access and usage, support existing community institutions, and enhance economic development. This is in addition to financial support, offered through grants of up to $250,000. Minnesota communities currently working with the Get Broadband program include Red Wing, Wadena, Ely, and International Falls.

The Blandin Foundation is based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and is focused on strengthening the “economic viability of rural Minnesota communities.” It pursues this goal through grant making, leadership development programs, and public policy programs. The Foundation was established in 1941 by Charles K. Blandin with an endowment accrued through his ownership of the Blandin Paper Company. From its outset, the motivation of the Foundation has been to support the “betterment of mankind”.

The city of Montgomery is the capital of the state of Alabama, and home to approximately a quarter of a million residents.  The city wants to encourage the establishment of public urban Wi-fi hotspots throughout the downtown area.  To this end, the city's IT department has deployed a number of pilot zones, specifically in historic Court Square, at the Zoo, and near the Mann Museum.  The Mayor sees this technology initiative as part of a larger effort at revitalization.

Currently, the hot zones are free, but no technical support is available.  The city hopes to leverage the current network into a public-private partnership with a local or national service provider.