EFRsource Helps Form LinkAMERICA Alliance To Offer States a Transparent and Comprehensive Choice for Broadband Mapping

New Alliance of Broadband Mapping Experts to Present Its Perspective, Methodology at Upcoming NASCIO Conference

The LinkAMERICA Alliance http://www.LinkAMERICAalliance.com , a coalition of leading telecommunications consulting organizations, will outline broadband mapping best practices built upon transparency and comprehensive solutions in a presentation on Tuesday, April 28, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET. The presentation, offered in conjunction with the National Association of State Chief Information Officers’ mid-year conference at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Md., will arm states with the knowledge needed to conduct assessments of broadband availability and establish effective tools to implement broadband plans.

“The LinkAMERICA Alliance offers a partnership approach with states to generate an effective broadband mapping assessment that not only provides an accurate evaluation of current availability, but also serves as a tool to help states develop and implement a broadband plan that meets the unique concerns of each state,” said Gregory L. Rohde, former NTIA administrator and now president of the government affairs firm, e-Copernicus, a member of LinkAMERICA. “As NTIA and RUS determine the best way to distribute broadband mapping funds, LinkAMERICA is working closely with states to make sure they’re prepared to take full advantage of stimulus grants.”

The newly formed LinkAMERICA Alliance brings together leading authorities in broadband mapping and assessment, community planning, policy analysis, network development and strategic planning under the common goal of mapping America’s path to universal broadband. Formed by CostQuest Associates, e-Copernicus, EFRsource and Kimball Corp, the alliance includes former heads of both NTIA and RUS, and draws experience from successful mapping projects across the country.

“LinkAMERICA understands that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and that each state faces unique barriers on both the supply and demand side of broadband deployment,” said Jim Stegeman, president of CostQuest Associates. “Our emphasis on cost-effective, independent solutions has already yielded results in Alabama where we are analyzing exactly where and how to deploy broadband.”

LinkAMERICA believes that successful, shovel-ready broadband initiatives depend on the accurate and independent collection of data, a thorough analysis of deployment costs, and a focus on both the supply- and demand-side barriers to deployment. This holistic approach is made possible by the alliance’s roster of specialized member organizations and existing relationships with telecommunications carriers, which provides a greater level of data transparency.

More information on LinkAMERICA, its approach to broadband mapping and its presence at the upcoming NASCIO conference can be found at http://www.LinkAMERICAalliance.com

About LinkAMERICA

The LinkAMERICA Alliance brings together the top, independent experts in broadband mapping and assessment, community planning, policy analysis, network development, strategic planning, financing and marketing. Our team helps states map and assess broadband availability, with a focus on both the supply- and demand-side barriers to deployment. We work with diverse stakeholders to deliver consensus-based, technology-neutral and high-quality results that meet local needs. For more information, please visit http://www.LinkAMERICAalliance.com.

About EFRsource

EFRsource is the leading practitioner and authority on a rigorous social science method known as Ethnographic Futures Research (EFR). EFR is borrowed from Ethnography, the principal methodology of Cultural Anthropology.

http://www.efrsource.com/