Telecommunications Regulation and Infrastructure Division
Legislative Hearing
Eagan City Hall
October 17, 2007
There was a packed house at Eagan City Hall to participate in a legislative hearing on broadband. The hearing was organized by the GIG group at the request of Rep. Sandy Masin. There were nine legislators in attendance which was great! Continue reading
Here’s another speaker bio for the upcoming Minnesota Broadband conference…
Danna Asche 
Short Bio
Danna Asche, the Information Systems Director for Cook County, MN considers herself very fortunate to be active at the local, regional and state levels applying the tools of the IT trade to deliver better services to citizens and to build stronger, healthier communities; all while hailing from the beautiful town of Grand Marais. (thank you, video conferencing!)
One favorite aspect of her involvement in community is the ability to cross-pollinate ideas between the different organizations she works with. She currently has the honor of serving on the Blandin Broadband Strategy Board, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic board and the Cook County Higher Education board as well as several other state and professional organizations.
Over 10 years ago she co-founded the local cooperative ISP in Grand Marais that now serves over 1500 members, offers many forms of broadband connections and serves as a vital communications “hitching post” for the tip of the Arrowhead communities. More recently, she has worked with community partners to explore the ideas behind community journalism, locally-generated content and Web 2.0 applications and how they might be applied to strengthen what the ISP has already built.
What aspects of broadband are on your mind these days? (Or what info do you hope to impart at the conference?)
That broadband needs to be considered an important tool in every rural community’s toolbox. It really hits its stride when you hear the “non-nerds” talking about how to apply it at places like our city council meetings, clinic board meetings and school gatherings.
What are you hoping to learn at the conference?
I go to these conferences for two reasons: to share my enthusiasm for the power that broadband and the emerging applications that it delivers can have in solving our local problems and making local magic happen. But I also go to get re-energized. Tackling these issues and trying to bring projects home takes a lot of energy, patience and stamina. We all tend to ebb and flow in our ability to keep up with these demands. It is important that we gather, share war stories and share in each others’ successes.
Thanks to Ann Higgins for sending me an article on Tennessee’s recent technology survey – Tennessee’s Technology Trends 2007.
The survey examined technology use by Tennessee residents. The survey found that 43 percent of Tennesseans have a broadband connection in their home. However, only 19 of the 95 counties in Tennessee currently meet or surpass that average. In fact, only 27 percent of residents in rural communities have a high-speed Internet connection.
The survey also assessed the use of technology among Tennessee businesses and shows a correlation between the presence of a broadband connection and higher company revenue.
You can see a map of broadband infrastructure on the Connected Tennessee web site.
On the web site you can also find a Preview of their report. It includes information on their path towards promoting broadband in Tennessee. Starting with the survey was clearly a great first step but they also include some helpful steps to “Join an eCommunity Leadership Team:”
(We’ve been tracking EPB’s progress in Chattanooga to bring fiber to the home.)
Thanks to Bernadine Joselyn and Becky LaPlant for forwarding me a recent study from the Center for Creative Voices in Media. The report’s title kind of tells it all — The Case For Universal Broadband in America: Now!
The gist is that in 2004, President Bush made universal broadband a goal – yet not much has happened to make that goal a reality. We’ve slipped down the rankings of countries with high broadband penetration. And the report claims we’ve lost:
• Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in New Economic Development
• Over a Million New, High-Paying Jobs
• Increased Homeland Security and Public Safety
• Better Health Care at Lower Cost
• Enhanced Educational Opportunities
• Greater Citizen Participation in Government and Communities
• More Access to – and Participation in – Journalism, Culture and Entertainment. Continue reading