The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct four educational workshops focused on rural broadband during 2008. The workshops will provide an opportunity for communities and organizations in rural America seeking to bring the benefits of broadband to their communities to learn about the resources, programs, and policies of the FCC and USDA.

The topics to be covered at the workshops include: the different technology platforms used to provide broadband services, USDA funding for broadband deployment, the FCC’s Rural Health Care Pilot program, and wireless spectrum access. The workshops will also provide communities and organizations with an opportunity to share their experiences about broadband deployment in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Workshop Dates and Locations

April 30, 2008: Blacksburg, Virginia
June 19, 2008: Saginaw, Michigan
September 18, 2008: Austin, Texas
November 20, 2008: Phoenix, Arizona

Registration

If you are interested in attending a particular workshop, please submit the following information to register:

• Community/Organization Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Contact Person
• Workshop Location You Wish to Attend
• Number of Expected Attendees
• Description of Accommodations Required for People with Disabilities
  (Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made available upon request.)

There are several ways for you to register for a workshop:

• Online. Complete the online registration form.
• By E-mail. Send the information outlined above in an email to [email protected].
• By Telephone. Call (877) 480-3201 and press Option 1.
  For TTY, dial (717) 338-2824.
• By Mail. Mail a letter with the information outlined above to:

Federal Communications Commision
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
ATTN: Chelsea Fallon
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Larry Malone

Malone Consulting Services

(304) 545-3052

www.malonecs.com