Do you know what I like best about the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force? Their transparency!

Over the weekend they sent me the latest draft recommendations for their report, which should be coming out in November. It’s not the whole report but the recommendations are there – and the introduction. I encourage you to read it. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing – read the Letter from Chair.

I summarized the recommendations for someone last week so I thought I’d post that here too. My goal was not to pinpoint potential sticky issues – but to provide a fairly high level abstract. So for a more careful reading again I encourage you to read the report. If you have any questions or comments you could send them to the Task Force or show up to the meeting on Friday (Oct 2, 2009).

I think they’re at a stage where they’re really finalizing the report. And I don’t think there are any red flags here. But I also think that if you agree or especially if you disagree the best time to say it is now before it goes to print.

Here’s a summary:

Recommendation 1) Indentify the level of service

The Task Force recommends a minimum threshold of service:

10-20 mbps (download) and 5-10 mbps (upload)

They also recommend an aspirational speed based on the following goals for 2015:

• Be able to access a wide range of applications (such as tele-medicine, distance ed…)
• Minnesota will be in the top 5 states for overall broadband speed
• Minnesota will be in the top 5 states for broadband penetration
• Minnesota will be in the top 15 globally for broadband penetration

Symmetry

The board has heard from experts on the importance of symmetry but recognize that symmetry may not be the issue, but what is required is faster upload speeds. So they promote a goal of faster upload speeds rather than mandating symmetry.

Recommendation 2) Policies and actions necessary to achieve ubiquitous broadband

The goal is ubiquitous (100%, every home and business in the state) coverage before 2015. To achieve that goal the Task Force recommends an ongoing Minnesota Broadband Advisory Council. The Council could promote and facilitate broadband adoption in the state by:

• Mobilizing communities and their human, technology and organizational resources (serve as a clearinghouse of broadband info and funding support – create a Minnesota Broadband Fund)
• Empower people and organizations  (support awareness, provide tax incentives, coordinate job programs
• Manage vision, goals, strategy, information and action (focus first on unserved locations, generate an annual report, consolidate state-level broadband policy-related activity and staff support in one place)
• Coordinate public and private activities that move the state toward ubiquitous broadband (promote and use public private partnerships)
• Build facilities, infrastructure and content (provide grants and loans, establish industry programs to promote use – such as tele-health and e-learning)
• Incent with funding, demand and capabilities (establish Minnesota Broadband Fund, expand Universal Service Fund, publicize opportunities)
• Track resources (organizational, technology, human), connectivity, affordability, capacity, availability and penetration (measure and track broadband statistics)
• Evaluate progress, performance, benefits, technology and cost (Analyze and report on statistics)
• Reward positive action and regulating in the consumer’s interest (recognize success and promote broadband efforts)

Recommendation 3) Opportunities for public and private sector

A successful relationship between public and private sectors is essential. The Task Force recommends that following roles for government:

Role of State Government

• Participate in general broadband education initiatives
• Create opportunities for broader computer ownership (though financial assistance and/or secondhand computer giveaways)
• Collaborate with private sectors on security, safety and redundancy review on existing infrastructure (build on Homeland Security work)
• Advocate for broadband consumers (and potential consumers)
• Facilitate public-private partnerships
• Maintain broadband maps
• Consider current policies (such as right or way permits, building codes and wiring codes) and how to make those policies more broadband-friendly
• Consider state projects (such as road construction) and opportunities where broadband can be incorporated into such projects (for example lay fiber when you lay roads)
• Nurture advanced and broadband technology innovation

Role of municipal (county/local) government

• Form public-private partnerships
• Collaborate with others to develop model zoning ordinance language for wireless towers
• Install conduit to lease on non-discriminatory basis
• Convene stakeholders to consider broadband in the community

Role of federal government

• Consider tax credits and other financial incentives to promote broadband deployment
• Consider incentives for schools, libraries, communities (et al) to promote broadband adoption and education
• Consider requiring federal projects to require fiber installation, when applicable
• Establish and maintain standard broadband measurements

Role of Broadband Council

• Create a Broadband Advisory Council

Recommendation 5) Evaluation and recommendation of security, vulnerability and redundancy actions necessary to ensure reliability

Primary goal: Distinguish Minnesota as a secure and reliable place to work, play and innovate on the Internet. The following goals support the primary goal:

• Ensure that the state has no single point of failure in the events of a disaster or attack
• Create two high capacity routes for commodity traffic entering and leaving the state
• Keep Minnesota traffic in Minnesota
• Maintain a s dashboard to help track security, vulnerability and redundancy in the state and a mechanism to protect confidentially  of sensitive information
• Work through the MN Broadband Advisory Council to guide

Recommendation 6) Cost estimates and financial strategies

• Explore tax incentives including property and sales tax credits and exemptions to incent private investment
• Encourage partnerships that promote broadband adoption and utilization
• Encourage localities to minimize barriers to right of way or easement access and facilitate efficient cooperation related to open trenches and development
• Encourage and facilitate public-private partnerships

To help rural Minnesota remain economically competitive the Task Force recommends:

• Consider public-private partnerships in un- and underserved areas
• Make funds available for tech training, production and adoption in communities in with need

Recommend 8) Evaluation of how broadband access can benefit organizations and institutions

• Minnesota’s public safety and emergency response organizations need broadband
• Minnesota’s health, welfare and public service delivery need broadband connectivity across all branches
• To stay competitive in the global economy, Minnesota needs cost-effective broadband
• Minnesota’s k12 community needs an open network infrastructure