ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 320

(III) ON REQUEST OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION,
POINTS OF PRESENCE IN GROWTH AREAS, AS DESIGNATED IN THE COUNTY OR
MUNICIPAL MASTER PLAN, THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THE BACKBONE; and

[(iii)] (IV) facilities, auxiliary equipment, and services required to
support the network in a reliable and secure manner.

(C) IN PLANNING THE INSTALLATION AND EXPANSION OF THE NETWORK,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT AND COORDINATE WITH OTHER STATE UNITS,
COUNTIES, MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS, AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UTILITIES IN
ORDER TO:

(1) IDENTIFY AND CONSOLIDATE DEMAND FOR BROADBAND SERVICES
IN THE VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE STATE;

(2) IDENTIFY UNUSED CAPACITY IN EXISTING FACILITIES; AND

(3) PLAN THE OPTIMAL LOCATION OF POINTS OF PRESENCE IN EACH
LATA IN THE STATE.

[(c)] (D) The network shall be accessible through direct connection and
through local intra LATA telecommunications to State and local governments and
public and private educational institutions in the State.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

(a)     On or before July 1, 2004, the The Department of Business and Economic
Development, in assisting the Task Force on Broadband Communications
Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas, shall is strongly encouraged to identify
existing and significant potential demand for access to high-speed telecommunication
and data transmission services facilities in underserved rural areas of the State, in
consultation with local government officials, existing businesses, and existing
regional and local consortia and other groups involved with high-technology economic
development in those areas;.

(b)     On or before July 1, 2004, the The Department of Budget and
Management, in assisting the Task Force on Broadband Communications
Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas, shall is strongly encouraged to explore
expansion of high-speed telecommunication and data transmission capacity,
including fiber-optic cable and competing technologies, into underserved rural areas
that have existing and significant potential demand for the capacity afforded by
fiber-optic cable and competing technologies associated with State and local economic
development, by expansion of the State backbone and network under § 3-705 of the
State Finance and Procurement Article, through other Net.Work.Maryland or
successor initiatives, or through other public-private cooperation with commercial
providers of high-speed telecommunication and data transmission services, and shall
alee is also strongly encouraged to explore alternative models for delivering these
services in underserved rural areas;

(c)     On or before January 1, 2005, the The Department of Business and
Economic Development, in consultation with the Department of Budget and
Management and in coordination with recommendations of the Task Force on

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