NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contacts MCNC Communications Hotline: (919) 248.4105 Noah Garrett, NGC Communications, on behalf of MCNC: (252) 423.1277 or press@mcnc.org

MCNC seeks private-sector partner for Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative
Proposals from qualified service providers will be received until July 8 at 5 p.m. EST
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (June 17, 2011) MCNC, the private, not-for-profit operator of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), announced today that it has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a private-sector service provider to oversee commercial broadband opportunities included in the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). The GLRBI is the name given to the second of MCNCs two Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards. The private-sector service provider will be responsible for marketing GLRBI fiber and other broadband services to private business enterprises, wholesale service providers, and to last-mile service providers who are seeking to expand service offerings to underserved consumers and businesses in the areas of the GLRBI build. This partner also will oversee routine and emergency maintenance of the GLRBI fiber. MCNC envisions the partner functioning similarly to FRC/PalmettoNet MCNCs private-sector partner for the first round BTOP award. Capacity for commercial business and consumer use exists on all new build segments of the GLRBI in Northeast North Carolina (including the Outer Banks region), North Central, Graham County, Charlotte to Wilmington, Charlotte to Kannapolis, and Hamlet to Raleigh routes. Capacity also exits on 180 lateral extensions being built to specific community anchor institutions (community colleges, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, public libraries, public health and non-profit healthcare facilities) in these service regions. MCNC is a private non-profit whose mission is limited to providing broadband and Internet services to community anchor institutions. As part of the BTOP implementation strategy, MCNC is committed to privatesector service providers using the GLRBI fiber to grow their service areas and reach underserved consumers and businesses in the area of the GLRBI, commented Joe Freddoso, President and CEO of MCNC. Through this RFP, MCNC will add to the GLRBI project an experienced private-sector partner to oversee these opportunities. The preferred attributes of the selected partner include: Existing service provider clientele with industry contacts; Presence and experience operating in North Carolina; Demonstrated commitment to enabling affordable broadband service for underserved citizens; Experience in the provision of lit service to other providers; Experience in Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRU) transactions with commercial business enterprises, publicsector customers, and other service providers; Knowledge of the NTIA BTOP program and sub-recipient status. The GLRBI has the potential to allow private-sector telephone and cable companies to reach underserved citizens and businesses with more affordable broadband services, said e-NC Authority Executive Director Jane Patterson, and member of the MCNC Board of Directors. Through this RFP process, a private-sector partner that shares the commitment to affordable rural broadband access will be added to the GLRBI team. A direct link to this RFP is available online by clicking here. Proposals will be accepted in electronic format only. Proposals should be submitted to MCNC Chief Financial Officer Patricia Moody at pmoody@mcnc.org. Vendors assume all risk of email delivery. The firm deadline for submission is July 8 at 5 p.m. EST. Late proposals will not be accepted or reviewed.
-moreCopyright 2011 MCNC. All rights reserved. Visit MCNC online at www.mcnc.org

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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contacts MCNC Communications Hotline: (919) 248.4105 Noah Garrett, NGC Communications, on behalf of MCNC: (252) 423.1277 or press@mcnc.org

All inquiries and questions related to this RFP must be directed in writing via email to MCNCs BTOP RFP Review Committee at btop2-fiberpartner-rfp@mcnc.org. To maintain fairness to all bidders, any attempts to contact MCNC staff regarding this RFP outside of this specifically provided email vehicle will be grounds for MCNC to reject your submission. All questions will be considered to be public and released with appropriate answers to https://www.mcnc.org/btop/btop2-rfp/fiberpartner-questions within 48 business hours of receipt. The last date for questions will be 4 p.m. EST on Wednesday, June 29. Interested parties also can register to view the RFP and other relevant information at www.mcnc.org/btop. The GLRBI must be completed in accordance to federal guidelines. All construction must be finished by Jan. 31, 2013 to allow MCNC time to equip and place the fiber optic into service on or before July 31, 2013. The vendor selected for this RFP will join all of the following firms for Round 2: Globe Communications, Fiber Technologies, Edwards Telecommunications, CommScope, and Kimley-Horn and Associates. MCNC reserves the right to modify any information presented in this RFP as information becomes available.

### About MCNC MCNC is an independent, non-profit organization that employs advanced Internet networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community. MCNC provides advanced communications technologies and support services that enable access to 21st century learning applications and offers the opportunity to improve teaching, learning, research and collaboration among North Carolinas education community. For a more than a quarter century MCNC has operated a robust, secure, exclusive communications network that has connected the institutions of the University of North Carolina System, Duke University and Wake Forest University to each other and through advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, to the world. Visit www.mcnc.org. About NCREN Community NCREN, operated by the non-profit organization MCNC, is one of the nation's first statewide education and research networks. It provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. MCNC offers the NCREN network, technology tools and services to guarantee equal access to 21st century learning by providing a future-proof technology network that is the foundation for change and innovation in our educational systems. In addition to all public school districts in North Carolina, the NCREN user-community now includes: 17 institutions of the UNC System and General Administration; 24 of the 36 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; 58 North Carolina Community Colleges; research institutions and foundations; and, along with the N.C. Office of Information Technology Services and other partners, MCNC will provide broadband services for the Public Health and Non-Profit Hospitals Phases of the N.C. Telehealth Network in 2011 and beyond. MCNC/BTOP Central Webspace For more information regarding all of MCNCs BTOP activities, visit MCNCs BTOP Central Web Space online. You also can follow the progress of the GLRBI at www.twitter.com/GLRBI or www.facebook.com/GLRBI. Questions? Please see our FAQ section regarding Round 2 construction questions, or contact us for more details.
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NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contacts MCNC Communications Hotline: (919) 248.4105 Noah Garrett, NGC Communications, on behalf of MCNC: (252) 423.1277 or press@mcnc.org

About MCNCs Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Awards MCNC currently is working on a $146 million expansion of the North Carolina Research and Education Network scheduled to be complete by 2013. This initiative has been labeled the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative. To fund this expansion, MCNC applied for and received two U.S. Department of Commerce Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards totaling $104 million. In addition, MCNC raised $42 million in private matching funds as required by the BTOP program. MCNCs sources of matching funds included $24 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation, $8 million from the MCNC Endowment, $4 million from privatesector wholesale telecommunications company FRC, and an estimated $6.55 million through donations of land and existing conduit from individual community colleges, universities, and others including the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. No direct funding from the State of North Carolina was required. MCNC estimates the expansion of NCREN will create or save 2,500 engineering, construction, and manufacturing jobs in the state. Both MCNC awards are a part of a coordinated strategy developed by the Office of the Governor, the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery & Investment, and e-NC Authority to improve broadband access for businesses and residents in underserved areas. Once all work is complete, the two rounds of BTOP infrastructure have the potential to serve directly, or through MCNC partnerships with private-sector service providers, more than 1,500 community anchor institutions, 180,000 businesses, and reach more than 300,000 underserved families.

Acceptable Use Policy and Forward-Looking Statements MCNC, NCREN and the North Carolina STEM Community Collaborative (NC STEM), respect the Intellectual Property rights of others. MCNC, NCREN, NC STEM and all other product or service names are registered trademarks in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Whenever your document or writing uses materials or information that is copyrighted by either MCNC, NCREN or NC STEM, you must obtain permission. All requests for permission to use copyrighted materials, along with a copy of the materials you wish to use and a description of the document you are writing and how it will be published and/or distributed, should be sent to MCNC, NCREN and/or NC STEM communications representatives for prior approval. In addition, certain statements made are considered forward looking, reflecting each organizations current intent, belief or expectations. MCNC, NCREN or NC STEM undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For any additional questions or for clarity regarding acceptable use, contact the individual organizations communications office.

Copyright 2011 MCNC. All rights reserved. Visit MCNC online at www.mcnc.org

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