Town Hall Meeting of the Bootheel Broadband Regional Technology Planning Team April 12, 2012 Introductions: Steve Duke, Director - Bootheel RPEDC Mike Dumey, Coordinator - Bootheel RTPT Damon Porter, MoBroadbandNow Tim Haithcoat, University of Missouri Tom Robinson, CBG Communications, Inc. RTPT Members 2 Meeting Agenda Introductions Planning Process Review Highlights of Critical Findings Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives Overview Broadband Adoption-related Goals and Objectives Broadband Availability-related Goals and Objectives Next Steps 3 Planning Process Review RTPT Development Kick-off Meeting (1st RTPT Meeting) Needs Assessment Participation in Broadband Summits Findings, Review and SWOC Analysis at 2nd RTPT Meeting 4 Planning Process Review SWOC Analysis Summary Review and Feedback Initial Strategic Plan Development Strategic Plan Review and Town Hallstyle Input at 3rd RTPT Meeting Strategic Plan Finalization Strategic Plan Implementation 5 HIGHLIGHTS OF CRITICAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT FINDINGS FOR THE BOOTHEEL REGION 6 Adoption Findings (p.29) 17 % of households do not own a computer Perceived lack of need is the main reason why households don’t own a computer, indicating a lack of value placed on computer ownership. Computer/technology literacy is the third most offered reason for not owning a computer. 19% of those with computers do not have internet access One in 10 of those with internet access don’t have broadband 7 Adoption Findings (p.29) Cost is a significant barrier: The number one reason for not having internet access at home The top reason concerning the decision on making a choice for broadband service The number two reason for not owning a computer Concerning business respondents ,adoption issues are associated primarily with cost, competition and capacity problems. 8 Adoption Findings (p.30) Regarding organizational sectors, uniform broadband adoption is compromised by: Affordability The need for additional training Lack of dependability of connections Lack of uniform availability of connections, which in turn affects lack of continuity throughout the broadband service supply chain 9 Attachment 8 10 Availability Findings (p.30) A review of the zip codes provided by those with dialup and satellite internet access show that they are largely in areas with the least amount of broadband availability - those that are considered either unserved or underserved based on NTIA definitions. This includes areas such as central, northern and eastern Scott County, the northeastern portion of Mississippi County, central and southwestern Dunklin county, eastern and southern Stoddard County, southeastern Pemiscot County and the central and western part of New Madrid County. 11 Availability Findings (p.30-31) A large majority of households with no internet access use internet elsewhere. Regarding businesses, 45% of business survey respondents were dissatisfied with their connection speed and 100% of respondents indicated that it would be beneficial if broadband in their area was enhanced. Many business survey respondents find that the broadband climate needs to be more competitive in order to provide the enhancements that they seek. 12 Availability Findings (p.31) Regarding institutions, organizations and businesses within varying sectors infrastructure and service availability needs and issues include: A lack of competition that creates availability problems in meeting the need for either different types of technologies or higher speeds and capacity. A lack of broadband availability in critical portions of the “broadband chain” 13 Availability Findings (p.31) Specific sectors that are highly impacted by broadband availability and capacity issues include: Higher educational services Workforce development Healthcare 14 (p.13) 15 Bootheel Region Broadband Service Attachment 7 Providers AT&T Mobility, LLC. New Wave Communications AT&T Southwest Sprint Nextel Corporation Big River Telephone T-Mobile BPS Networks Verizon Wireless BPS Telephone WildBlue Communications, Inc. Charter Communications Hughes Communications Mediacom 16 (p.14) 17 (p.15) 18 (p.16) 19 Attachment 9 20 KEY GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND TIMELINE FOR INCREASING BROADBAND ADOPTION AND AVAILABILITY IN THE BOOTHEEL REGION 21 Adoption Goals (p.32) There are three major overall broadband adoption goals. Increase broadband/internet, computer/access device ownership Increase computer/technology/internet literacy Increase access to affordable broadband/internet 22 Availability Goals (p.48) There are two major goals to increase availability of broadband in the region. Expand broadband availability such that it exceeds the Governor’s goal of 95% availability to the entire region 23 Availability Goals (p.48-49) Expand broadband capacity where there is currently broadband access, such that individuals and businesses have access to: Multiple providers Multiple technologies Multiple tiers of access, up to and including the highest levels of individual and business/institution access envisioned for the future in the National Broadband Plan (up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload provided to residents and up to 1 Gbps or more provided to community anchor institutions and any businesses that desire such speeds). 24 Timeline for Meeting Key Objectives (p.32) Each objective is provided for consideration by the RTPT members during their review and placement into the plan as: Short-term (those that can be achieved within the first Year of the Strategic Plan’s implementation), Medium-term (2-5 Years after Plan implementation) and/or Long-term (6+ Years after Plan implementation). 25 26 BROADBAND ADOPTION AND AVAILABILITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OVERVIEW 27 Adoption Goals Increase broadband/internet, computer/access device ownership Objectives: Expand computer reclamation and redistribution/repurposing efforts Develop and implement a mechanism to provide lowcost tablet computers Ensure access to all those within the region that desire computers but don’t have them 28 Adoption Goals Increase computer/technology/internet literacy Objectives: Continue and heighten outreach campaigns Enhance existing and develop new computer/technology/internet literacy programs Sustain the level of outreach needed to maintain the highest possible (95%+) perceived value of computers, internet and broadband within the region 29 Adoption Goals Increase access to affordable broadband/ internet Objectives: Expand public access availability to computers and the internet, including to new locations Develop and expand a low-cost, basic broadband access throughout the region Make decisions to sustain, reduce or expand public access and basic broadband provision efforts to ensure 95%+ access and adoption 30 Availability Goals Expand broadband availability such that it exceeds the Governor’s goal of 95% availability for the entire region Objectives: Work with providers to design initiatives to expand broadband where there is currently only dial-up or satellite availability Dunklin County – including AT&T Southwest, Big River Telephone, New Wave and mobile broadband providers. New Madrid County – including AT&T Southwest, BPS Networks, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Mississippi County – including AT&T Southwest, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Pemiscot County – including AT&T Southwest, Mediacom, BPS Telephone and mobile broadband providers. Scott County – including AT&T Southwest, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Stoddard County – including AT&T Southwest, BPS Telephone, BPS Networks, New Wave and mobile broadband providers. 31 Availability Goals Objectives, cont’d: Begin to implement the design initiatives discussed and agreed upon Maintain and expand broadband networks to reach 100% availability in the region 32 Availability Goals Expand broadband capacity throughout the region Objectives: Design capacity expansions where they are most feasible Begin and continue expansions of capacity Expand competition Expand technologies that were not available to certain segments of the population Continue capacity expansion efforts so that everyone in the region has access to up to 100 Mbps for residential and up to 1 Gbps for community anchor institutions and businesses, including access to multiple technologies and 33 multiple providers ADOPTION 34 Adoption Goals (p.32-33) Increase broadband/internet, computers/access device ownership Objectives: Expand computer reclamation and redistribution/repurposing efforts Continue expanded reclamation, redistribution/repurposing efforts as a going concern Develop and implement a mechanism to provide low-cost tablet computers Ensure access to all those within the region that desire computers but don’t have them through continuation of the efforts started previously 35 Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.34) Outreach to homes, businesses and institutions to recycle computing devices by ____. Build on the existing neighboring recycling location in Poplar Bluff, and/or modify the current RPEDC recycling trailer operation, potentially developing sub-regional drop-off locations in each Bootheel County by ____. Expand testing, repairing, and repurposing of units received to create the largest feasible inventory by ____. Develop/update the application process by ____. Continue and expand distribution during Year(s) ____. Measure the success of the initial effort, revise procedures and processes as necessary and continue to expand the program during Year(s) ____. 36 Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.34) Begin and expand the program to procure and develop an inventory of tablet computers by ____. Revise the application process to determine the best distribution of tablets versus other computing devices by ____. Measure progress on an annual basis, revise procedures and processes as necessary during Year(s) ____. Near the end of ____ Year, determine whether both processes are necessary, or whether it is feasible to distribute repurposed or new tablets at no or low cost so that only one program needs continuation Measure the success of the entire project during Year(s) ____. If it is determined that everyone in the region that desires a computer 37 has one, then downscale efforts as needed. Adoption Goals (p.38-39) Increase computer/technology/internet literacy Objectives: Increase the perceived value of computer ownership and use, internet access and broadband access Continue and heighten the associated outreach campaign Enhance existing and develop new computer/technology/internet literacy programs Sustain the level of outreach needed to maintain the highest possible (95%+) perceived value of computers, internet and broadband within the region Sustain the level of training needed to ensure that all that desire training receive the level that they need to sustain their quality of life 38 Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.40) Develop a Statewide template and local outreach plan and associated materials by ____. Establish a list of educational/training partners that can enhance and expand their programs by ____. Implement the outreach plan by ____through partnering with those that currently educate and train in this area, as well as new partners (business, healthcare, industry, community services, etc.) that would find benefit in outreach to its workforce and client base. Structure plans to enhance and expand existing programs by ____. Continue outreach efforts during ___. Expand existing programs by____. Then, start up programs with additional participants who have responded to the outreach 39 program. Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.40) Evaluate both the outreach efforts and the expanded training efforts by ____. Adjust efforts during ____ based on the outcome of initial efforts to better target outreach; continue sustaining and expansion of, successful, existing programs and plan for and implement new programs by ____. Evaluate all efforts to-date in ____. Change to a sustaining mode by ____ if 95% of residents and businesses indicate that they are sufficiently trained or are able to access training when needed to advance their skills. 40 Adoption Goals (p.44) Increase access to affordable broadband/ internet Objectives: Expand public access availability to computers and the internet Continue to expand public access, including to new locations Develop and expand a low-cost, basic broadband access throughout the region Make decisions to sustain, reduce or expand public access and basic broadband provision efforts to ensure 41 95%+ access and adoption Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.45) For Public Access Computer Centers Evaluate existing centers for expansion by ___. Determine items needed for expansion (hardware/software, personnel support, space, etc.) by ___. Seek partners for development of new centers by ___. Begin and continue to expand existing centers by ___. Determine hardware/software, etc. needed for development of new centers by ___. Develop and continue to expand new centers during Year(s) ___. Make decisions to sustain, reduce or expand public computer 42 access based on the 95%+ adoption benchmark by ___. Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.4546) For Basic, Low Cost Broadband Access Work with providers to determine how to implement low cost broadband access during Year(s) ___. Determine parameters needed by ___. Implement initial basic access in targeted locations during Year(s) ___. Expand initial offering throughout the region during Year(s) ___. Continue basic service provision if needed to maintain broadband adoption levels as of Year ___. 43 AVAILABILITY 44 Availability Goals (p.49-50) Expand broadband availability such that it exceeds the Governor’s goal of 95% availability for the entire region Objectives: Work with providers to design initiatives to expand broadband where there is currently only dial-up or satellite availability Dunklin County – including AT&T Southwest, Big River Telephone, New Wave and mobile broadband providers. New Madrid County – including AT&T Southwest, BPS Networks, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Mississippi County – including AT&T Southwest, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Pemiscot County – including AT&T Southwest, Mediacom, BPS Telephone and mobile broadband providers. Scott County – including AT&T Southwest, Charter Communications and mobile broadband providers. Stoddard County – including AT&T Southwest, BPS Telephone, BPS Networks, New Wave and mobile broadband providers. 45 Availability Goals (p.50) Objectives, cont’d: Begin to implement the design initiatives discussed and agreed upon Maintain and expand broadband networks to reach 100% availability in the region 46 Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.5051) RPC Broadband Development Program works with all providers, especially the providers discussed above, to develop design initiatives during Year ____. Necessary funding and support is also obtained during Year ____ of the initiative. Broadband system new build and expansion efforts begin in Year ____ and continue until 100% availability is achieved by the end of the ____ Year planning horizon. Broadband availability is maintained at the 100% level and capacity is increased as discussed below as of Year ____. 47 Availability Goals (p.53) Expand broadband capacity throughout the region Objectives: Design capacity expansions where they are most feasible Begin expansions of capacity Continue capacity expansion Expand competition Expand technologies that were not available to certain segments of the population Continue capacity expansion efforts so that everyone in the region has access to up to 100 Mbps for residential and up to 1 Gbps for community anchor institutions and businesses, including access to multiple technologies and multiple providers 48 Proposed Action Items/Timeline (p.5455) RPC Broadband Development Program works with all providers, especially the providers discussed above, to develop capacityenhancing initiatives during Year ___. Necessary funding and support is also obtained during Year ___ of the initiatives. Capacity expansion efforts begin in Year ___ and continue until all non-rural areas have multiple competing providers offering multiple technological solutions, with up to 100 Mbps for residents and up to 1 Gbps for community institutions/businesses by the end of the ___ Year planning horizon. All residents and businesses have access to multiple, high capacity broadband as of Year ___. 49 Next Steps Finalize Strategic Plan Begin implementation activities according to the timeline and the benchmarks to be achieved Participation in the 3rd Broadband Summit in the Fall of 2012 Six (6) month review by the end of 2012 Annual review thereafter until all benchmarks are achieved Updating the Plan as needed 50 Additional Discussion 51 Connect with the State at MOBroadbandNow http://mobroadbandnow.com/ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter 52 Thank you for your participation in the Bootheel Regional Broadband Technology Planning Team process! 53