Denver IT Jobs Created by Broadband Funding

Recent funding for a broadband network will help to create Denver IT jobs.

The State of Colorado has received a $100 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create an affordable broadband network throughout the state. The network will provide high-speed Internet access to under-served schools, libraries, colleges, and communities.

The project could serve all of the 178 K-12 school districts throughout Colorado, as well as 15 community colleges, 26 libraries, and three higher education institutions. It also will provide Internet, Internet2, and wholesale capacity to more than 200 community anchor institutions.

"This project has the potential to provide a modern, 21st century link for every school, library and community that has been underserved because of rural location and challenging geography," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "It will allow schools to better prepare our students for the workforce, help create vibrant business communities throughout the state, and improve access to health care and public safety."

EAGLE-Net - an intergovernmental agency made up of multiple government entities throughout Colorado - will lead the project. IBM will provide systems integration through a vendor partnership and will build the statewide broadband infrastructure.

IBM also will be responsible for staffing and managing the project management office, as well as providing network architects and engineers to design and deploy the overall network. The company may check background (Click here) information on any applicants. The company also will contract with backhaul providers, local exchange carriers, network equipment vendors and wireless providers.

In addition to the main grant, two Colorado businesses - Plains Cooperative Telephone Association and Stoneham Cooperative Telephone Corporation - have secured a total of $12.78 million to extend broadband services in rural parts of the state.