Under Pennsylvania’s Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program, telephone companies must provide access to high-speed service if customers within a Carrier or Customer Service Area (CSA) can demonstrate local demand for service.   That is accomplished with signed petitions requesting broadband service from 50 customers or 25% of phone lines within a CSA. Within a CSA, a customer will become an aggregator to coordinate the BFRR petion process for the CSA.  The aggregator should contact the serving company and request the necessary aggregator materials such as the CSA map and BFRR forms.  BFRR forms are available for download in the documents field below.  

 

The large number of requests for assistance from both businesses and residents illustrates the tremendous difficulty they have obtaining information, organizing, and dealing with the logistical and administrative requirements needed to attract appropriate broadband providers.

 

Southern Alleghenies is offering technical assistance to aggregators in the field.

 Business Attraction and Retention Program (BARP)

Act 183 establishes a process to allow the DCED to refer potential business attraction and retention prospects to the participating providers. The Act requires that broadband service be delivered to qualified businesses following agreement on a service delivery proposal, or following meeting eligibility criteria for a Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR). For more information, please visit DCED at:

http://www.newpa.com/strengthen-your-community/broadband-initiatives/businesses/index.aspx