| Articles of Interest | |
Read articles that have caught our attention:
|
| Contact Us! | |
To learn more about EAGLE-Net Alliance, contact us at...
Phone: 720-210-9500 |
| Join Our List |
 |
|
|
Spring has arrived!
It's that time of year when trees are blooming and the grass is turning green. For us, it also marks the beginning of construction season. It truly is an exciting time at EAGLE-Net and all of you are encouraged to join us at our Kickoff Event at the Colorado State Capitol on April 16th at 10:00 a.m. to learn more. In this issue, we are taking a look at how technology is a driving force behind governmental entities to serve the citizens in a cost effective and efficient manner. A couple of the feature articles include an update on the State of Colorado's broadband mapping project managed by the Office of Information Technology, and the "Virtual Workforce Centers @ the Libraries" which is creating a better job search opportunity for those looking for work. We have also included articles from Cisco and IBM showing how they service governmental entities with their technology solutions .
|
| Save the Date! | | |
EAGLE-Net Alliance Kickoff Event
Please join Governor John Hickenlooper and partners for an EAGLE-Net Alliance announcement on April 16. We would be honored if you would attend to help us celebrate!
DETAILS:
Monday April 16
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
West Foyer of the Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax Ave
Denver, Colorado
SPECIAL GUESTS:
State of Colorado
&
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and
Deputy Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
RSVP to Gretchen Dirks, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications
|
 EAGLE-Net Alliance Highlights | |
Here's a quick look at what's coming this quarter:
We continue to move towards bringing our network peering ring live in mid-April. Testing of the network peering equipment in our lab has been completed and the equipment is currently being installed at various locations throughout the state. We plan to light over 700 miles of fiber on the peering ring by the middle of the month.
Work continues on designs, procurements, permits, and plans for construction and connectivity to the 234 community anchor institutions listed in the grant. As soon as the weather permits, anticipated to be late April, the materials are in hand and the contractors are on board in order to begin construction of fiber infrastructure in several areas of the state. Stay tuned to the EAGLE-Net Web Site for construction updates.
Here are a links to other useful information on the EAGLE-Net Web Site:
|
| Business Development Update | | |
The E-Rate window recently closed and the results are in...
EAGLE-Net has received a number of new contract awards for Internet service delivery with school districts and libraries, with services commencing July 1, 2012. Dr. Neil Schaal, Director of Grants Management at EAGLE-Net, states, "We are in the process of building the EAGLE-Net network to many districts in the state. After additional build out during this next year, we will be able to extend our reach to even more districts in the next E-Rate session."
EAGLE-Net also began the process of enabling collaborations with rural providers for meeting bandwidth connection requirements to EAGLE-Net's primary peering locations and to provide service to new member districts. Along with the collaborations, several service agreements have been signed enabling EAGLE-Net member's access to additional data services at cooperative based pricing.
With the introduction of Pat Swonger, our new Regional Community Representative located in Silverton, Colorado, we will be able to provide better service and communications regionally. This will help communities and community anchor institutions plan for and enable broadband middle mile connections. Pat is the first of several Regionally Community Representatives to be hired across the state in the months to come. Please check our Careers page for job postings including the current open position in Northwest Colorado.
|
The Colorado Broadband Data and Development Program
| | |
State of Colorado Continues Mapping of Broadband Service
The Colorado Broadband Data and Development Program
(CBDDP), funded from November 2009 through October 2014 with a grant of approximately five million dollars from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has collected broadband speed and mapping data from over 70 of the state's broadband service providers to map statewide broadband service. The resulting database is delivered to the NTIA on a semi-annual basis to be incorporated into the National Broadband Map. The database provides a glimpse of the service speeds and technologies available across the state, and indirectly reflects the state's middle and last mile infrastructure. The collected data has been published online in the Colorado Broadband Map.
In addition to mapping service from broadband service providers, the CBDDP has been collecting broadband service information from the state's 5,000+ community anchor institutions. Over 3,000 have provided information in the form of speed tests or reported service, including 1,000 of the state's public schools. The CBDDP is also collecting information on user experiences with broadband. This includes more than 600 residential and business broadband adoption surveys, a survey of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, and hundreds of residential internet speed tests from the FCC and the speed test tool on the Colorado Broadband Map. This is particularly important in Colorado's rural communities because it provides a picture of broadband access in areas where broadband service is needed for economic development and other purposes but does not compare to service available in urban areas.
An additional component of the CBDDP is the Planning of Local Technology Planning Teams initiative. Details on this program will follow in a future newsletter.
For more information on CBDDP, please visit the following site:
Also, all Coloradans are encouraged to
take the Internet speed test.
|
| The Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium | | |
"Virtual Workforce Centers @ the Libraries"
The Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium (CRWC) and the Colorado State Library System (CSLS) have teamed up to create the "Virtual Workforce Centers @ the Libraries."
The CRWC consists of 11 workforce regions covering 52 of Colorado's 64 counties. There are 34 offices in 32 of those counties. The reality is that there are 20 Colorado counties without a workforce presence. The Consortium further recognizes that it cannot do it all. With that in mind, CRWC is committed to "Do what we do best and Link to the rest." Hence, the birth and evolution of the Virtual Center project has happened.
This partnership with the CSLS will allow job seekers and business partners that are already going to the libraries for resources and those that have no other option, to use technology provided to the libraries by the Consortium. This will maximize the improvements to the library system's connectivity through the implementation of the recent BTOP Grant.
This tool will provide basic access to job search and job posting tools; other partners and resources; and, will provide a virtual platform that will allow library visitors to have "face to face" access and support of workforce professionals. The CSLS has 30 libraries on board that will be connected to 10 of our Workforce Center locations. The anticipated "Go Live" date will be early June of this year.
For more information you can go to:
www.yourworkforcecenter.com
Clarke Becker
Director of the Consortium
 Clarke.Becker.state.co.us
DeAnna Yee
Project Coordinator
Deanna.Yee@state.co.us
|
| Cisco WebEx Meetings Enhance Recruiting and Expands Applicant Pool | | |
Arizona Auditor General uses video to screen out-of-state job candidates, reducing need for onsite interviews
"Many state agencies are facing tight budgets and are looking to cut costs wherever they can. Online meetings allow us to provide more services while keeping costs low."
-Joe Moore, director of IT services, Arizona Office of the Auditor General
To broaden the reach of its recruiting efforts to offsite candidates within Arizona as well as out-of-state applicants, the Arizona Office of the Auditor General decided to use WebEx technology to conduct video interviews with job prospects. Read the following to learn how the agency has been able to significantly enhance its recruiting process, and can now screen remote job candidates so effectively that it has been able to eliminate the need for final in-person interviews for
nearly all of its local offsite and out-of state applicants.
|
IBM Government Industry Framework
| | |
An Integrated Software Platform for Smarter Solutions
The framework allows you to choose from a variety of ready-to-use, interconnected and industry-specific solutions. Implement them in your own premises, in the cloud, or as a shared service using a deployment model that fits your need.
The IBM Government Industry Framework delivers IBM software to help you integrate systems and processes across a broad range of public service functions. It improves and transforms your agencies ability to serve the public, manage costs, and improve quality of life.
Read More...
|
| Meet Our Staff | | |
Introducing our newest Business Development team members!
Patrick Swonger
Regional Community Representative
for Southwest Colorado
Patrick Swonger joined EAGLE-Net in March as the Regional Community Representative for Southwest Colorado. Pat manages and maintains community development opportunities through education and outreach.
A USAF veteran, Pat is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Telecommunications and holds numerous professional certifications. His diverse work experience includes gold mining, information technology, cable TV, and service as a Fortune 500 executive. He is a former EMT-B, officer for San Juan County Search and Rescue, and has served on the boards of local, regional and national organizations including a current stint as an elected trustee for the Town of Silverton. Read More...
To contact Pat, please email
Pat.Swonger@co-eaglenet.net
Lauren Hick
Grants Analyst
Lauren Hick began work for EAGLE-Net in March 2011 as the Procedure and Policy Specialist and transferred to the Business Development team as a Grants Analyst in December. With a B.A. in Sociology from Colorado State University, an M.S. in Special Education from Pace University, and an M.P.A. in Policy and Nonprofit Management from New York University, Lauren has the diverse educational background that makes her a highly skilled member of the EAGLE-Net team.
Read More...
To contact Lauren, please email
Lauren.Hick@co-eaglenet.net
Jennifer Ralicki
Telecommunications Order Processing Coordinator
Jennifer joined EAGLE-Net in December of 2011 as a Telecommunications Order Processing Coordinator. She has over 13 years experience in the Telecommunications Industry provisioning circuits, ordering circuits, and coordinating implementation of customer services from start to finish on both the voice and data sides. In addition to her vast understanding of voice telecommunications, she is up to date on the latest data technologies available and trends in the industry. She has previously attended various schools for Computer Science courses and attended Regis University for Organizational Development. Read more...
To contact Jennifer, please email
Jennifer.Ralicki@co-eaglenet.net
Chris Samuelson
Channel Manager
Chris Samuelson brings over twenty years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He specializes in sales, marketing, and business development. He has worked with Andersen Consulting managing several telecommunication clients providing strategic insight into optimizing operations. He led business development initiatives for a local telephone company that was later acquired by Verizon. He ran the Mountain West region for Leap Wireless and responsible for driving market share. He spent the past two years working with BTOP awardees in IL and PA. He is now leading channel management initiatives for EAGLE-Net. Chris has his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, his graduate degree from DePaul University and is a CPA. Read More...
To contact Chris, please email
|
|
|
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely, 
|
|
|
