PROJECT UPDATE
When AVI initially applied for “deployment” funding for NTIA round 1 in 2021, the request planned to build out high-cost fixed wireless systems for consortium communities. The proposal was robust and significant.
FUNDING HISTORY
Upon NTIA’s award to AVI, the actual funding award was just a fraction of the initial request based on NTIA’s “equitable distribution” formula rather than the individual project award formula. The award resulted in a rapid effort to re-scope from high-cost individual construction projects, to affordable & dynamic Low Earth Orbit satellite broadband technology. This re-scope is currently under application review by NTIA.
NTIA ROUND 2
The NTIA Round 2 application centers around “use and adoption” whereas Round 1 was for “deployment”. “Use and adoption” is a broad category and resources can be used for anything from training, subsidies, devices, to workforce development.