AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2002 Awards: Communications Infrastructure
RECIPIENT:
Arizona
Telecommunications Open Partnerships for Arizona (TOPAZ) 2nd place - Florida - Corrections Distance Learning Center 3rd place - Illinois - Illinois Century Network
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Front
Row, L to R: Brad Tritle, Susan Patrick, Craig Stender (State CIO),
Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull, Jim Ryan, Jane Furr. |
The State of Arizona's Government Information Technology Agency (GITA) Telecommunications Open Partnerships for Arizona (TOPAZ) project began in October 2000 and has successfully improved access and connectivity to high-speed telecommunications at more competitive costs. The purpose of the TOPAZ project is to improve broadband telecommunications offerings for citizens, governments and businesses in Arizona by lowering costs, increasing competition, offering new and improved services and increasing accessibility to quality telecommunications services statewide.
The TOPAZ program resulted in three key positive outcomes: improved services, reduced costs, and a more rapid deployment of high-speed bandwidth for telecommunications. The benefits are measurable: broadband offerings have increased from 60 cities to 209 cities in Arizona, while costs were reduced an unbelievable 1/6th of pre-TOPAZ pricing -- from an average of $3,000 to $500 per month for a T-1 line.
| “I promised the people of greater Arizona that we would work to extend the benefits of broadband technology to our rural residents. The Telecommunications Open Partnerships for Arizona (TOPAZ) program is increasing the options for connectivity, encouraging private competition and, over time, will open many doors by providing new opportunities for distance learning, telemedicine and economic development. I am pleased this important project has received this national recognition. Arizona is driving the demand for build-out to schools, government offices and communities. By pooling our resources, the demand for service will pull the last mile of connectivity into every school and ultimately to businesses and homes.“ Governor Jane Dee Hull, State of Arizona |
Previously, in the 1990s the telecommunications services across the state were riddled with problems in reliability and connectivity. Agencies needed better service, lower costs and more options for telecommunications. Only 29% of communities were able to utilize broadband access.
In 2000, GITA identified these key problems as a major strategic deficiency in statewide technology and underwent a complete re-engineering of the business process to procure telecommunications. In October of 2000, Arizona contracted with nine telecommunications providers. These providers, selected under state contract, are positioned to bring increased bandwidth and telecommunication services to government-funded organizations. Providers are encouraged to form partnerships among themselves as needed to put forth the most advantageous offers to the state. GITA, in partnership with the State Procurement Office, currently estimates state and local entities purchase approximately 30 million dollars per year of telecommunication services through the state carrier services contract.
GITA is continuing efforts to encourage carriers awarded under the statewide carrier services contracts to commit to building a communication infrastructure in rural communities. The carriers have responded favorably in support of this initiative with aggressive plans for building broadband communications throughout the state. To meet the needs for individuals in these communities, cable operators have formed an alliance under the name of "First Mile Arizona" to further the reach of services to homes and small businesses. Schools and government offices in rural communities now have a choice for broadband services at competitive pricing.
By reallocating existing monies, the TOPAZ project has accomplished
key goals with no new appropriations. TOPAZ is expanding universal access
to telecommunications in Arizona while lowering costs and providing better
service to the public.
SECOND PLACE:
Florida
Corrections
Distance Learning Center
THIRD PLACE:
Illinois
Illinois
Century Network
OTHER NOMINATIONS:
Click on the link to download program submission.
Colorado
Colorado
Multi-Use (MNT) Network
Hawaii
Next Generation
Network (NGN)
Idaho
IDANET, Idaho's
Broadband Digital Telecommunications Initiative
Missouri
Missouri
Court Automation Project - Cooperative Network
Nevada
All
Kids Count Project
North Carolina
Rural
Internet Access Authority: Connecting North Carolina to a Better Future
Virginia
My
Virginia: Live Help
Washington
Access
Washington
Wisconsin
Worker's
Compensation Safety Website
