GUMBO 1.0

You always have the choice to subscribe or not subscribe to any provider serving your area. The FCC offers an online mapping tool that will show you all of the available providers offering service somewhere in the census block where you reside. This online mapping tool can be accessed here. Contact ConnectLA at connect@la.gov if you need assistance.

Each applicant committed to a certain construction timeline in its application. These timelines were scored as a part of the evaluation process. The ConnectLA team will be monitoring each project to ensure compliance with all GUMBO grant program requirements, including construction timeline commitments. If project construction lags past its timeline commitment, the ConnectLA team will work with the provider to remedy the situation. If a project is in material breach of the grant agreement, including construction delays that are irremediable or even project failure, ConnectLA reserves the right to retrieve any grant funds disbursed and solicit a new provider to take over the project.

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is a separate broadband infrastructure grant program administered by the Federal Communications Commission and is not related to the GUMBO grant program. Areas that received RDOF funding were not eligible to apply for the GUMBO grant program. More information on the RDOF program can be found here.

ConnectLA has worked collaboratively with the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. South Louisiana Community College and Bossier Parish Community College have both recently announced the start of broadband-related certification programs. Other community and technical colleges in the state will also offer these programs soon. If you would like to find work in the broadband space, please contact your local community or technical college and inquire on what programs are currently or soon to be available. You may also contact any one of the GUMBO grant program awardees. They should be starting construction soon and will be looking to hire Louisiana residents.

The pricing of packages offered to consumers as the result of the GUMBO grant program was a major focus of our efforts. Applicants were incentivized to offer packages at the lowest possible price. As a result of the GUMBO grant program, consumer pricing should not be any higher than packages offered today, and are likely to be lower.

Although possible, any data caps should not be excessive.

Each application submitted during the first application period of the GUMBO grant program was evaluated and scored based on 23 objective criteria. These criteria covered several topics, including applicant experience, technical ability, financial wherewithal, matching funds, local government support, the number of unserved locations affected, leveraging infrastructure, pricing and small business and veteran participation. Projects receiving higher total scores were selected for awards.

Some parishes received multiple applications covering different areas. If these applications did not overlap each other in any way, it is possible that these applications received high enough scores to be awarded.

The Federal Communications Commission has created a map of served and unserved areas nationally, which helps governments and providers know for which addresses there are internet options available and for which there are none available yet.

Providers are also required, by Louisiana state law, to share service maps with our office, which will be verified for accuracy. This data is confidential and proprietary, but these maps will be used to determine serviceable areas for future rounds of GUMBO. These maps will eventually become public, and we will then define project areas for companies to apply for funding for. If providers, however, do not share data, they are ineligible for state-administered funds.

Providers should be marketing their new services in the area as soon as possible, so residents will likely know about these services as soon as construction and deployment is complete.

Companies will want to market to gain customers as soon as possible, so likely as soon as construction and deployment is completed. 

Providers have to match funding at 20%, and, if providers do not fulfill their end of the grant agreement, the state has the power to retrieve award funding and seize the provider's assets. So, the state does have collateral in the case that providers overcharge residents and/or do not grant service at the level previously advertised.

To prevent issues like these, GUMBO awards are granted in tranches (increments) based on the project's progress. Specifically, additional funding is unlocked once the project is 10%, 35%, 60%, 85% and 100% completed. Our office will also be traveling to all awarded locations for forums with residents and providers to ensure communication between these stakeholders.

The best thing local governments can do to aid in construction and development is simply keeping in constant coordination and communication with local stakeholders and contractors on the project. Communication truly is critical to this process.

Costs are specific to each provider and individual award. Specific costs are detailed in each internet service provider's GUMBO application and their grant agreement if they are to be awarded.