Broadband Mapping Key to Informing the USF Debate

By Raquel Noriega, Director Public Policy, Connected Nation

Legislating Broadband Policy panel at the 2011 State of Net Conference featuring John Branscome, Senate Transportation & Commerce Committee; Roger Sherman, House Committee on Energy & Commerce; Brian Hendricks, Senate Transportation , Science & Commerce Committee; Neil Fried, Energy & Commerce Committee; and Kim Hart, Politico Reporter and Moderator.

This week, broadband stakeholders gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss the country’s communications policy agenda at the 2011 State of the Net Conference. During a panel titled, “Legislating Broadband Policy,” key Capitol Hill staffers from both parties discussed the top communications policy priorities in the new Congress.

Both majority and minority professional staffers for the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Senate Transportation, Science and Commerce Committee agreed that, where communications policy is concerned, there are a number of bi-partisan goals of the new Congress. The top areas where bipartisan opportunities for action exist include a review of spectrum policy in order to meet the National Broadband Plan’s objective of releasing 500 MHz of spectrum for private use (which should encourage innovation and broadband deployment as well as ensuring that the nation is well prepared to meet the challenges of public safety in the twenty-first century), as well as the Universal Service Fund reform and Intercarrier Compensation rules currently under review at the Federal Communications Commission.

Key areas of debate within the USF reform discussions include the types of services that should be subsidized within the USF program and which areas and communities should be eligible for subsidies. Should it be unserved areas where no service is currently offered, underserved areas, or areas where service may be available but at low speeds, or all of them? Either way, the key to effectively implement such programs will be based on data soon to be released by the Department of Commerce providing an inventory of broadband infrastructure.

Connected Nation is working with the Department of Commerce across 12 states and Puerto Rico to produce and update the national broadband map scheduled for release no later than February 17 of this year. This national broadband map will be a first of its kind. The rich data collected from broadband providers across the country will offer local, state, and federal policy makers an objective, reliable assessment of the current state of broadband inventory in every community across the country. This data will be essential to understanding the extent of the Universal Service challenge and to ably administer the new, reformed programs.

Connected Nation offers here some insights from broadband inventory data across the states we have mapped. The key lesson learned is that no state and no community is alike when it comes to the broadband landscape. For example, these data show many states (like Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina) have robust service at basic speeds, but are not in a position to meet the high-speed 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps levels of service anytime soon. Whereas other states (such as Texas, Minnesota, and Kansas) have relatively mature high capacity networks with more than 40% of households having access today to broadband of at least 50 Mbps download speeds.

Click on image to enlarge

Staffers from both sides of the aisle agree that this broadband mapping data will be essential to the implementation of a reformed USF program and the proposed Mobility Fund. Connected Nation looks forward to continuing to work with the federal government, state policy makers, and private stakeholders to update and continue validating these broadband inventory maps and placing this first-of-its-kind, rich dataset at the service of policy makers and broadband stakeholders.

Related Links:

Download ‘The State of the Broadband Market’ (pdf)
Blog: Broadband Infrastructure Varies Greatly By State
Blog: Connected Nation at 2011 State of the Net Conference: Day 1

Broadband Infrastructure Varies Greatly By State

By: Jeremy Thacker, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

The state of the nation’s broadband infrastructure is taking center stage this week in Washington, D.C., where the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee is holding its 2011 State of the Net Conference. Participants are getting a first-hand look at new research results from Connected Nation, and one of the revelations from the nonprofit organization is just how greatly the current national broadband infrastructure varies by state.

Connected Nation did in-depth research in ten states, covering more than 1,400 broadband providers. The good news is that results found all states except for Alaska have broadband available to more than 90% of households at the NTIA’s basic download speed of 768 Kbps. But, when you look at higher speeds that compare to the minimum target set by the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the numbers are much less uniform. For example, 73% of Alaska households have broadband available at download speeds of 6 Mbps - that’s compared to 93% of households that have that speed available in Ohio, Nevada, and Texas.

The findings are even more revealing when future NBP goal speeds are considered. The research shows many states like Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina have robust service at basic speeds, but are not in a position to meet the high-speed 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps levels of service anytime soon.

Look for more groundbreaking research to be unveiled throughout the week as the 2011 State of the Net Conference continues.

Click on image to enlarge

Related links:

Download ‘The State of the Broadband Market’ (pdf)

Blog: Connected Nation at 2011 State of the Net Conference: Day 1

Connected Nation at 2011 State of the Net Conference: Day 1

Connected Nation is at the 2011 State of the Net Conference, sponsored by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, which runs January 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C.

The 2011 State of the Net Conference features in-depth discussions with leading Internet policy experts and panel tracks focusing on privacy/security, telecommunications regulation, intellectual property, and innovation.

Here’s what we have seen already today:

This morning, Cameron Kerry, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce, spoke as part of the conference’s opening address. Kerry pointed out some interesting facts about the impact of the Internet on employment:

• From 1998 –2008, IT employment grew by 26%
• Projected IT employment growth by 2018 – 28%

In addition, the Commerce Department has been developing a paper to examine key Internet development issues using input from key stakeholders. The synopsis is that the time has come to strengthen privacy on the Internet by:

• Developing a Privacy Bill of Rights
• Establishing enforceable codes of conduct developed by stakeholders
• Commerce department will initiate this process with new convenings
• Robust engagement with the international Internet community
• Developing policies without restrictive rules that hamper innovation

Also, during the opening keynote, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), noted:

“Both Republicans and Democrats acting on the tech policy issue have really focused on technology, the delivery systems as the be-all, end-all of tech policy without giving sufficient thought to what is driving that technology and what is responsible for its development.”

Congresswoman Blackburn advocated three provisions for technology policy:

• Creative Economy- The Incentive Economic Sector
• Intellectual Property Enforcement
• Internet is the primary marketplace

Stay tuned to our twitter feed and blog for more about the 2011 State of the Net Conference.

VIDEO: Connected Nation and ESRI Talk with NextGenWeb about BroadbandStat

Phillip Brown, Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy at Connected Nation, and Randy Frantz of ESRI, spoke with NextGenWeb on Tuesday, prior to the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s 6th Annual State of the Net Conference in Washington, D.C.



Check out NextGenWeb for more.

BroadbandStat: Get a Sneak Peek on Jan. 26 in Washington, D.C.

Download the Invitation and Flyer Here

Screen shot of BroadbandStat in Tennessee, developed by Connected Nation in conjunction with ESRI, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software.

On Tuesday, January 26, technology leaders, legislators and the general public in Washington, D.C. will be given a sneak peek at a new cutting-edge hands-on tool for finding real-time information on high-speed Internet availability.

Daryl Phillips, Executive Director of the Hickman County Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), had the opportunity to see the demonstration in Tennessee.

Here’s his reaction:

“Five years ago, we had local business owners that couldn't decide where to locate within the county because they didn't have access to this kind of detailed information,” Phillips said. “Now, business and industry can use this tool for relocation decisions, home buyers can use this while shopping for a home and government and ECD can use it for planning purposes. BroadbandStat gives Tennessee an advantage over other states."

Connected Nation, along with ESRI, will be showcasing BroadbandStat at the kickoff technology policy reception for the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s 6th Annual State of the Net Conference.

BroadbandStat was developed by Connected Nation in conjunction with ESRI, the world market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software.

BroadbandStat is a new interactive mapping platform that is a multi-functional, user-friendly way for local leaders, policymakers, consumers and technology providers to devise a plan for the expansion and adoption of broadband.

BroadbandStat is unique because it allows a user to build and evaluate broadband expansion scenarios using a wealth of data, including education and population demographics, current broadband speeds and availability and research about the barriers to adoption. The tool also provides an instant feedback mechanism for consumers to validate broadband data electronically or via phone.

This technology will soon be implemented in 12 different states and one U.S. territory as part of Connected Nation’s federal stimulus funded broadband mapping and planning programs. These mapping activities are supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.

We invite you to stop by and view the demonstration on January 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (EST) at the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902.