An Order to Create the PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Board, the Broadband Access Infrastructure Board, and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Steering Committee to Prioritize, Coordinate and Implement the Necessary Enhancements

May 6, 2005

41 FY 04/05

WHEREAS, accessibility of advanced telecommunications technology is an integral and increasingly critical component of Maine’s educational, economic and governmental systems; and

WHEREAS, such technology is critical in order for Maine’s continued economic development and competitiveness in a global marketplace; and

WHEREAS, improved telecommunications infrastructure will allow Maine’s students, educators, citizens, and businesses to achieve greater success in their pursuit of knowledge and economic growth and security; and

WHEREAS, cooperation among Maine’s educational, governmental and business communities is necessary to establish a seamless telecommunications and technology infrastructure that will simultaneously increase broadband accessibility for all Maine citizens and businesses; and

WHEREAS, on February 2, 2005, Governor Baldacci signed “An Order To Create The Maine Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure Board” to develop and lead the implementation of a plan to provide universal wireless telecommunications coverage by 2008; and

WHEREAS, Governor Baldacci has called for broadband internet access to 90% of Maine communities by 2010:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby announce the PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Board, the Broadband Access Infrastructure Board, and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Steering Committee to prioritize, coordinate, and implement the necessary enhancements and accessibility of wireless telecommunications and broadband technology:

I. PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Board

Purpose:

The Board shall address connectivity and interoperability solutions surrounding the types of infrastructure being implemented by Maine’s education community (PK-20).

Objectives:

1) Encourage the cooperation of all parties involved in the development of telecommunications and technology to assure all systems are integrated and interoperable;

2) Assess the status of telecommunications infrastructure connectivity and interoperability in Maine’s PK-20 education systems;

3) Develop compatible telecommunications and technology infrastructure to reduce the overall cost of development, deployment, and maintenance by all participating parties;

4) Identify how individual parties could combine and leverage their resources in order to provide more cost effective solutions;

5) Create a statewide, robust infrastructure that will attract and encourage institutions and individual grant providers to pilot new ideas in Maine;

6) Identify ways interoperability solutions and integrated systems can provide Maine with economic advantages unlikely to be derived in larger, more heavily populated states;

7) Determine public-private partnerships that could enhance and expand the quality of telecommunications in Maine; and

8) Create a positive working relationship between the participating parties.

Duties:

1) Review the stated objectives and determine whether any revisions or additions need to be made to accomplish the Board’s purpose;

2) Develop strategies to accomplish each objective after learning and evaluating what each party is presently doing and plans to pursue in the future;

3) Make and prioritize findings, recommendations, and action items;

4) Maintain active communications with the “Broadband Access Infrastructure Board”; and

5) Identify, in conjunction with the “Broadband Access Infrastructure Board,” the time frame required to carry out its objectives and accompanying tasks, and draft a Report for the Governor indicating the Board’s findings and making recommendations.

Membership:

The Board shall be comprised of representatives from the following Boards, Departments, or Agencies: State Board of Education; Department of Education – Commissioner’s Office; Department of Education – MIS; Maine State Library; University of Maine System – UNET; Maine Community College System; Maine Maritime Academy’s Chief Information Officer (CIO); Private Colleges in Maine – CIO; UM Executive Director of Research and Economic Development; State Government – BIS; State Government – CIO; Maine Public Utilities Commission; Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor for Education; and a Coordinator. The Board shall meet as often as necessary to complete the tasks assigned. The Coordinator shall serve as the Chair of the Board. All members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

II. Broadband Access Infrastructure Board

Purpose:

The Board will focus on how to expand the availability of broadband services throughout the State to private homes, businesses, public and private educational institutions, research centers, and other entities that would benefit from such services. The Board’s objective will be to provide for universal broadband access by 2010.

Objectives:

1) Assess the present penetration of broadband services throughout the State;

2) Identify regions that would benefit from broadband services;

3) Correlate the penetration need;

4) Determine how broadband services could be used;

5) Identify providers of broadband services and their respective coverage area; and

6) Encourage investment in telecommunications to provide access and economic development by:

a. Identifying the following:

• The amount of resources, over the past five years, each provider has dedicated to the expansion of broadband services; • Entities that may have provided broadband services in the State; • The cost of expanding broadband services into areas that presently do not have such services; • Funding sources for broadband infrastructure investment, such as, Federal USDA/RUS loans and grants, as well as other potential federal, state and local government incentives; • Obstacles to the expansion of broadband; and • The entities that would benefit from greater broadband penetration.

b. Calculating the economic impact that increased broadband penetration would have on the State, and identifying how this impact would benefit the investors who undertake to expand their broadband coverage. c. Identifying potential investors and partners who are willing to increase broadband penetration. d. Analyzing the impact of state and federal legislation, including the “One Gigabite Initiative” and open access legislation. e. Evaluating competing and emerging broadband technologies in relation to the differing topography, population density, and other constraints encountered around the State of Maine

Duties:

1) Review the stated objectives and determine whether any revisions or additions need to be made to accomplish the Board’s purpose;

2) Develop strategies to accomplish each objective; and

3) Make and prioritize findings, recommendations and action items.

Membership:

The Board shall be comprised of representatives of research or educational institutions; internet service providers; wireless telecommunications companies or associations; consumers; the Maine Public Utilities Commission; the Public Advocate; the Department of Economic and Community Development; the State Government – CIO; Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor for economic development; and such other agencies, individuals and associations as the Governor deems appropriate. The Board shall meet as often as necessary to complete the tasks assigned. The Governor shall appoint a Chair of the Board. All members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

III. Telecommunications Infrastructure Steering Committee

Purpose:

The Committee will review and synthesize the purposes, goals and common elements of the “PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Board,” the “Broadband Access Infrastructure Board” and the “Maine Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure Board.” The Committee will coordinate each Board’s recommendations for the purpose of identifying the priority items and actions to be implemented.

Objectives:

1) Act as a clearinghouse for the Boards;

2) Maintain communications with and facilitate communications between the Boards;

3) Identify the items, issues, and problems that the Boards have in common;

4) Identify Board members who could be of assistance to other Boards;

5) Identify statewide telecommunications weaknesses and strengths; and

6) Make recommendations regarding the overall priorities identified, and possibly shared, by each Board.

Membership:

The Committee shall include of the Chairs of the “PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Board,” the “Broadband Access Infrastructure Board,” and the “Maine Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure Board;” a representative from the Governor’s Office; the Chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission; and the State of Maine - CIO. In addition, the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate are each invited to appoint two members of their respective bodies to serve on the Committee. The Board shall meet as often as necessary to complete the tasks assigned. All members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Implementation Costs:

The costs for implementing the duties included in this Executive Order shall be absorbed by the participating agencies. Members shall serve without compensation, except as otherwise provided in law or by contract.

Effective Date:

The effective date of this Executive Order is May 6, 2005.