Broadband Nation Awards Categories & Criteria

Broadband mapping has been a difficult hurdle to overcome, with significant effort being undertaken at a federal, state and local level, alongside private enterprise, to address it. Fundamentally, the precise mapping of service availability will drive the investment decisions made to connect those that are in most need of broadband, and precise mapping will also determine the amount of funding allocated to each geographic area. The Best Broadband & Data Mapping Solution or Initiative award will recognize outstanding efforts in mapping broadband availability, analyzing data and making solid contributions to the existing broadband map. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

In an increasingly fragmented marketplace, there is appetite for converged services to simplify customers’ offerings and services. Combining cable and connectivity is far from new, but certainly an area full of opportunity for innovation, simplification, and superlative customer care. The Converged Solution award will address not only the technical capacity of the converged package or solution, but its affordability, availability, and ease of use. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

Bringing connectivity to an entire city, town or village is a monumental task. Not only is it logistically and economically challenging, but there also must be great collaboration within the different departments within the municipality’s government, as well as with external partners. The benefit for its citizens, however, can be tremendous, bringing connectivity and broadband services to those most in need, whether it be in public spaces, schools, or even inside their homes. This category will recognize excellence in technical and logistical achievement in deploying a public, municipal network, and award its positive impact on the local population. 

• What makes this deployment unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• What has been, in tangible terms, its impact on the local community? 

When we discuss the digital divide as an industry, and as a society, focus is often set on rural and remote communities. There are, however, also broadband challenges within and around urban centers as well. Whilst urban broadband is readily available both within residential areas and public buildings, affordability is key to keep all connected and engaged with the digital ecosystem. The Urban Connectivity Award will recognize efforts at a technical and strategic level to bring affordable high-speed broadband to America’s urban population. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real-world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

5G FWA solutions are proving a vital and successful tool in providing reliable, high-speed connectivity to customers. Carriers in the United States have successfully deployed FWA connections with shown success, and the trend is continuing to expand. It will play a key role in those scenarios where wireless is the best solution to connect remote or rural communities, as well as populated areas. This award will recognize excellence and creativity in the use of 5G FWA technology, whether in the field or conceptually, to deliver network connectivity to those in need of it. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real-world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

Middle mile providers provide an essential service to those carriers looking to serve customers cost effectively, especially in those areas where the economics of deployment make reaching these communities difficult. With recent federal funding made available to middle mile operators, the field is ripe for innovation and impact. The Middle Mile award will recognize outstanding service, reach and network efficiency.             

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

Avoiding copper and bringing fiber straight into the home is crucial between being bale to run a business, work and study remotely. The challenges are inevitably related to the cost and complexity of reaching individual homes and businesses, and installation. The Excellence in FTTH Deployment will recognize over and above efforts in delivering FTTH, technical and customer service efforts, as well as its impact on local communities.  

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

A neutral host network must provide high performance, reliability and security to its customers, whilst providing cost effective connectivity. However, the benefits of neutral hosting for wireless networks goes beyond its cost. The neutral host model allows carriers to address the urban digital divide by avoiding costly deployments in busy areas. Likewise, in rural settings, they are able to avoid huge CAPEX in rolling out networks for small communities. The Neutral Host Networks award will highlight success in both technical and economic achievements and recognize the solution’s impact on the digital divide. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

Satellite connectivity has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past decade. The proliferation of dense satellite networks, with lower cost of deployment and management, has made this technology move from a last resort to a valuable tool in the operator’s toolkit. The Satellite Connectivity Award will highlight not only the technical advancement of the winning solution, but also its impact in connecting, or potentially connecting, underserved communities and geographies. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

The Impact Award will celebrate and recognize an individual who has been driving technical achievement and innovation in technology aimed at connecting the unconnected. This person will personify the drive and ingenuity necessary to overcome the challenges presented in building networks and connectivity for those underserved. 

• How has this individual driven broadband adoption and bridging the digital divide? 

• What has been their impact in tangible terms? 

• How has this individual gone above and beyond to bridge the digital divide? 

Whilst recent funding has put a particular spotlight on state broadband initiatives, state-wide efforts to connect everyone have been in place for a long time. The Innovation in State Broadband Deployment Award will be presented to the state & its partners currently undertaking essential and crucial work in not only driving network rollouts to underserved areas, but also working with communities to drive digital literacy and creating opportunities for their constituents to thrive in the online world. 

• What makes this state’s broadband program unique? 

• What has been, in tangible terms, its impact on the local community? 

• How applicable is it to future plans in other parts of the country? 

Open Access Networks is gathering interest and momentum both from the private sector as well as public entities looking to deploy networks cost effectively. By allowing providers to compete openly, as well as saving cost on deployment, open infrastructure is enabling rural deployments by making the economics of these scenarios more appealing. The award will recognize the creative and effective use of open infrastructure, or the development of its standards and technology, and how it will enable the use of 5G and modern networks by all. 

• What makes this solution unique? 

• When was it introduced? 

• Please provide a real world application of the product or solution demonstrating its impact or potential impact 

The broadband industry needs to come together to create a qualified pipeline of professionals, certified and trained to deliver, maintain and upgrade the wireline and wireless networks of tomorrow. The series of Workforce Development awards will celebrate excellence in reaching and attracting new talent to the industry, innovative and effective training schemes and certification programs.

• How has this program helped attract and deliver new talent into the broadband industry?
• Does the program address the need for training and certification in our industry?
• What impact has the training or certification training had, in real terms, in professionals entering the broadband workforce, or attaining relevant certification or training?

Who is eligible?

• Agencies demonstrating a clear plan of action for outreach and development of supporting resources to create a robust pipeline of qualified candidates to support Broadband expansion in their communities.
• Agencies that are actively executing their plans to grow the available qualified workforce to support broadband.
• Agencies that have focused metrics / KPIs in place to measure and report progress.

The broadband industry needs to come together to create a qualified pipeline of professionals, certified and trained to deliver, maintain and upgrade the wireline and wireless networks of tomorrow. The series of Workforce Development awards will celebrate excellence in reaching and attracting new talent to the industry, innovative and effective training schemes and certification programs.

• How has this program helped attract and deliver new talent into the broadband industry?
• Does the program address the need for training and certification in our industry?
• What impact has the training or certification training had, in real terms, in professionals entering the broadband workforce, or attaining relevant certification or training?

Who is eligible?

• Companies demonstrating a clear plan of action for outreach and development of supporting resources to create a robust pipeline of qualified candidates to support Broadband expansion in their communities.
• Companies that are actively executing their plans to grow the available qualified workforce to support broadband.
• Companies that have focused metrics / KPIs in place to measure and report progress

The broadband industry needs to come together to create a qualified pipeline of professionals, certified and trained to deliver, maintain and upgrade the wireline and wireless networks of tomorrow. The series of Workforce Development awards will celebrate excellence in reaching and attracting new talent to the industry, innovative and effective training schemes and certification programs.

• How has this program helped attract and deliver new talent into the broadband industry?
• Does the program address the need for training and certification in our industry?
• What impact has the training or certification training had, in real terms, in professionals entering the broadband workforce, or attaining relevant certification or training?

Who is eligible?

• Community colleges/VoTech and public academic institutions that have established or significantly expanded their workforce development program to align with the state broadband expansion goals.
• Community colleges/VoTech and public academic institutions that have forged creative partnerships with local ISPs, Unions and gov’t and workforce development agencies to provide resources, financial aid and to link prospective workforce to job in their communities.
• Community colleges/VoTech and public academic institutions that have intentional plans to attract diverse candidates and provide equitable opportunities for success.

The broadband industry needs to come together to create a qualified pipeline of professionals, certified and trained to deliver, maintain and upgrade the wireline and wireless networks of tomorrow. The series of Workforce Development awards will celebrate excellence in reaching and attracting new talent to the industry, innovative and effective training schemes and certification programs.

• How has this program helped attract and deliver new talent into the broadband industry?
• Does the program address the need for training and certification in our industry?
• What impact has the training or certification training had, in real terms, in professionals entering the broadband workforce, or attaining relevant certification or training?

Who is eligible?

• Companies that have established or significantly expanded their workforce development program to align with the state broadband expansion goals.
• Companies that have forged creative partnerships with local Unions and gov’t and workforce development agencies to provide resources, financial aid and to link prospective workforce to jobs within their companies or eco-system of suppliers and vendors.
• Companies that have intentional plans to attract diverse candidates and provide equitable opportunities for success.

The rich and intricate broadband and wireless tapestry of local, regional and national ISPs and carriers has long been connecting the entirety of the United States to phone lines, wireless and internet at home. Large and small carriers play an increasingly important role in reaching those communities where the economics for large national incumbents don’t allow them to serve. The regional Carrier of the Year will recognize efforts to provide an affordable, reliable and cutting-edge service to its customers, but will also show innovation in its services and flawless customer service at a local level. 

• How has this carrier shown innovation in bridging the digital divide? 

• What are key areas of service enabling their subscribers to engage with the digital economy? 

• What technology has been leveraged or deployed to achieve this? 

All Categories

• True innovation 

• Effectiveness 

• Technical Innovation 

• Financial Impact 

Impact Award - Greatest Technical achievement in connecting the unconnected (Individual) 

• True innovation 

• Effectiveness 

• Technical Innovation 

• Financial & Community Impact