Broadband Task Force Meeting July 17

July 10, 2009

blog_taskforceJust wanted to send a reminder to folks about the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Task Force meeting this month. (See the Agenda below.) It’s on July 17 in Mankato. I’ll still be in Ireland, so I won’t be there – but a kind friend has offered to record it for me so I’m hoping to get the notes regardless.

Also I wanted to remind folks that Blandin Foundation will be presenting a Broadband Policy Seminar on July 16 in Mankato. Last month’s session in Grand Rapids went very well. If you’re near Mankato and can make it to either meeting, I’d encourage you to go.

Task Force Meeting Agenda
Date Friday, July 17, 2009
Time 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Location Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center
119 S. Front Street
Mankato, MN

8:00 – 9:00 Continental breakfast – meet and greet the Task Force – open to all

9:00 – 9:15 Opening comments; review meeting agenda
Approve meeting minutes from June 19th meeting

9:15 – 10:15 Public comment

10:15 – 11:00 How to approach aspirational speed goal
• A number stated as ”the equivalent in 2015 of XX in 2010”
• A statement about where we want to be on the rankings in the US and Globally
[Craig Taylor, Brent Christenson, Dan McElroy, Peg Werner, Shirley Walz]

11:00 – 11:15 Break

11:15 – 11:30 Symmetrical sub-group report
• Review language to cover the notion of symmetrical vs. asymmetrical speeds
[Shirley Walz, JoAnne Johnson, Mike O’Connor]

11:30 – 12:15 Role of Government – sub-group report
• Discuss and decide on language for the report
[Tom Garrison, Mike O’Connor, Vijay Sethi, Karen Smith, John Stanoch, Robyn West]

12:15 – 12:45 Break for Lunch

12:45 – 1:30 Recommendation #2 – Policies and actions necessary to achieve ubiquitous broadband – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Mike O’Connor, Brent Christensen, JoAnne Johnson, Diane Wells, Peg Werner, Mary Ellen Wells/Joe Schindler, Carlos Seone]

1:30 – 2:15 Recommendation #3 – Opportunities for public and private sectors to cooperate to achieve goal – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Brent Christensen, Steve Cawley, Tom Garrison, Tim Lovaasen, Vijay Sethi, Robyn West, Mary Ellen Wells/Joe Schindler, Diane Wells]

2:15 – 3:00 Recommendation #4 – Evaluation of strategies, financing, financial incentives used in other states/countries to support broadband development & Recommendation #6 – Cost estimate – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[John Gibbs, Dan McElroy, John Stanoch, Dick Sjoberg, Diane Wells]

3:00 – 3:30 Recommendation #5 – Evaluation and recommendation of security, vulnerability, and redundancy actions necessary to ensure reliability – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[Mike O’Connor, Steve Cawley, Craig Taylor, Jack Ries/Gopal Khanna, Shirley Walz]

3:30 – 3:45 Plans for Upcoming Meetings (reference Planning Calendar)
• August 21st Fergus Falls
• Expectations for reviewing updated draft of report
• September 18th Thomson Reuters
• October 2nd,16th, 30th Thomson Reuters

3:45 Closing comments, adjourn meeting

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Blandin eNews July 2009

July 8, 2009

Blandin Get Broadband CommunitiesHere’s the news from our latest newsletter. It’s mostly a compilation of Minnesota-related stories from the blog in the last month – but sometimes it’s nice to have it compiled.

The NOFA is out!
The NTIA and RUS released the NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) for broadband stimulus funding on July 1 as promised. http://tinyurl.com/qgqt6n Applications are due August 14, 2009 and will be reviewed using a 2-stage process. Details are outlined in the NOFA. The NTIA and RUS are having workshops for applicants; a workshop has been scheduled in St Paul on July 21. http://tinyurl.com/o2jp6z  

Minnesota Broadband Maps are out!
Connect Minnesota released an updated version of the Minnesota broadband maps just in time to be useful in helping the state prepare applications to the NTIA and RUS. http://tinyurl.com/pu6ga7 Indication of serving un- and underserved areas is a factor for the applications the will be of interest to the federal funders.

Foundations and the ARRA
Bernadine Joselyn from the Blandin Foundation joined a group assembled by the National Council of Foundations for a meeting at the White House. They were asked to come prepared to respond to the question: “How can the administration best partner with rural leaders?” Learn more about what she learned and what she shared with the White House staff. http://tinyurl.com/qlycw2  

Blandin wins EDAM Award
In June, the Blandin Foundation won EDAM’s Economic Development Technology Initiative award for their work with the Blandin Broadband Initiative, which has stimulated broadband deployment and increased effective use of those networks in rural Minnesota. http://tinyurl.com/o5y3tx  

Broadband Task Force in Grand Rapids
The Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force met in Grand Rapids in June. http://tinyurl.com/n8joa6 It was a good opportunity for the local community to get involved. In fact several members of the public spoke at the meeting (videos available on the Blandin on Broadband blog http://tinyurl.com/n8joa6); most of those speakers had attended a workshop on broadband policy held by the Blandin Foundation the afternoon preceding the Task Force meeting. The Task Force also got a lot of work done as they continue to work on their recommendations for the Minnesota Legislature. Their next stops will be in Mankato on July 17, and August 20 in Fergus Falls. http://tinyurl.com/oqa75m  

Local Broadband News

Duluth
Verizon Wireless created a tracking system to help race fans receive periodic runner updates through a text message or an e-mail throughout Grandma’s Marathon. http://tinyurl.com/oogchy  

Lake County
Lake County has been moving forward with their plans for a countywide fiber network. In the latest step, they have submitted an RUS Loan application. http://tinyurl.com/o3brm7  

Minneapolis
The Institute for Local Self Reliance has unveiled a new web site that features news, reports and case studies that illustrate how communities can ensure that they get the broadband they want and need. http://tinyurl.com/qwh4js  

Monticello
The ongoing fiber saga in Monticello has been resolved. First the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the City and the Minnesota Supreme Court denied TDS’ petition for further review. The City will move forward with their fiber network plans. http://tinyurl.com/qyh2ks  

Red Wing
Red Wing promotes a policy of installing broadband conduits at the same time that roads are being torn up. http://tinyurl.com/qxdky2  

St. Cloud
A family saves $175 a month with online coupons. http://tinyurl.com/q6ngz5  

St. Paul (and State)
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is backing off their request that Minnesota Internet Service Providers block known gambling sites. http://tinyurl.com/odo7fb

Bill ColemanColeman’s Corner

The broadband world is hopping this summer and I am trying to keep up with all that is going on here in Minnesota and on the national and international scenes. Here is a bit from my world –

• The federal broadband NOFA is out and I am trying to figure out what it means for our Blandin application and other prospective MN projects.
• As we prepare our Blandin application for stimulus funds, we are beginning our search for a number of demonstration communities. If your community has your schools, businesses, health care providers and government on board with a push to use technology for problem solving, then we are interested in talking with you about becoming a demonstration community.
• Our broadband policy seminar, held in conjunction with the state broadband task force meeting in Grand Rapids, was a great success. An excellent audience, a sophisticated discussion on the range of broadband issues and great input to the state task force members in attendance combined together for regional consensus building. Our next seminars are July 16 in Mankato and August 21 in Fergus Falls. Make sure that your regional voice is developed and heard by the state task force. Their report to the legislature is due in November.
• Regional broadband discussions are breaking out all over the state – western, northwestern and northeastern Minnesota each have groups continuing or beginning their efforts to understand and impact broadband development and use.
• Broadband advocacy groups and federal policy makers are engaging in discussions that will have lasting impact on our broadband future and global competitiveness.
• I continue to research and to be impressed with the work being done around the world by communities recognized as Intelligent Communities (www.intelligentcommunity.org) The Eindhoven region of the Netherlands is especially impressive. Continuing their tradition as a port city (both water and air), they now market themselves as the “Brainport” and as a broadband laboratory for new technology applications. Fredericton, New Brunswick is another place to check out.

Enjoy the summer, but do not let it pass by without some efforts to improve your community’s broadband efforts!

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Talking to the White House about ARRA Funds: Improving Benefits to Rural

June 26, 2009

by Bernadine Joselyn, Blandin Foundation

The White House wants to be sure that the American Reconstruction and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is making a Bernadinepositive difference for rural America. Last week, I joined representatives from five other foundations invited to DC to talk straight about what’s working, what’s not, and what the Administration can do to help the stimulus package have a bigger, better impact on rural places. Blandin Foundation’s assignment was to talk about the stimulus’ approach to broadband and to describe our work to help rural Minnesota communities benefit from the $7.2 billion earmarked to build and enhance broadband networks and utilization, especially among “unserved” and “underserved” populations.

Our six person “Team Rural,” assembled by the National Council of Foundations at the request of the White House, had been asked to come prepared to respond to the question: How can the administration best partner with rural leaders? We met in the Vice President’s impressive formal reception room — ornately adorned with painted ceilings, 19th century furnishings and thick velvet drapes — with staff from the White House Office of Recovery Implementation. The office is charged with making sure the Recovery Act is implemented quickly and effectively.

Recovery Office staff began with an overview of the five “lanes” of oversight in their charge. They include to: 1) “get the (stimulus) money out the door” 2) get it under contract 3) support and manage the spending 4) identify, gather and monitor performance measures, and 5) maintain the support of the American people. At this early stage the office is focusing on the first four challenges, but staff recognize that the “long tail” of the final goal – maintaining the support of the public – is the one that matters most.

Office of Recovery Implementation Deputy Director Frank DiGiammarino described the Administration’s vision of government as a “platform” for citizen and community-focused collaboration, one in which the government is a “convener first,” and a “problem solver second.” He explained that this view of government is based on an appreciation that real wisdom and knowledge and capacity resides in the public. “Our role is to align public resources in support of people solving their own problems,” he said. “Our goal is to see that these stimulus funds are used to build a healthier, greener economy, with better educated citizens who have access to quality jobs.”

Karl Stauber, former President of the North West Area Foundation and currently the President and CEO of the Danville Regional Foundation, introduced our funders’ group with four key points:

  1. There is a fundamental imbalance in the ability of high capacity and low capacity communities to benefit from stimulus funds. The imperative to spend the stimulus funds quickly disadvantages low capacity communities. The challenge is not to implement the ARRA in ways that deepen this divide.
  2.  There is a “battle in America between the past and the future.” In rural America this battle is played out between those who continue to see rural in terms of (mostly commodity) agriculture and extractive natural resource-based economies, and those who recognize that rural America is already more globalized than much of urban America (in terms of markets).
  3. “Rural” is many places. It is diverse. Although policy is not necessarily a zero-sum game, programs intended to benefit one region can inadvertently disadvantage another.
  4.  Too much focus on speedy implementation makes it more likely the money will go where it’s easiest to spend, not where it’s most needed. (48 of the 50 poorest counties in America are rural.)
  5.  How impacts are measured matters. Rural poverty is highly dispersed. A focus on numbers of people served as opposed to the percentage of populations served almost always disadvantages rural.

My role was to offer perspectives on the broadband provisions in the ARRA. Recognizing that the details are still unannounced, I highlighted aspects of the ARRA broadband program that benefit rural:

  1. the decision to allocate these funds through competitive grants, not formulas, thus increasing the role of local control;
  2. transparency and opportunities for public input on rules and definitions (including the meaning of “broadband,” “unserved” and “underserved.”);
  3. the non-discrimination and interconnection contractual obligation requirements that will help ensure an open Internet;
  4. a focus on utilization and community market development, not just infrastructure; and
  5. the ubiquity requirement for the National Broadband Plan.

On the negative side, I noted that the ARRA’s focus on “shovel ready” as opposed to “vision ready” projects makes it less likely that the funds will go to where they are needed most, as opposed to where it is easiest to spend them quickly. I also cautioned about the inefficiencies of repeating restrictions of some previous FCC programs (including especially in the health and education sectors) that have made it difficult for sectors to share infrastructure.

Racheal Stuart of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation/Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund spoke about one other area of ARRA focus in which Blandin has a particular interest – natural resource use. Though we had never met, Racheal had contacted me about the Foundation’s Vital Forests/Vital Communities work, and I knew her to be a thoughtful and innovative thinker. While noting that rural America can and should play a significant role in production of renewable energy, Racheal highlighted significant potential risks, including over harvesting or unsustainable extraction of natural/economic assets; use of a region’s natural resources to create wealth that is exported from the region. To help mitigate these risks and ensure long term community benefits, Racheal called for the ARRA to support community scale energy systems (especially district heating), support community ownership of facilities and natural assets; and pursue community benefits agreements.

A common theme among all of our presentations was that foundations are well positioned to help communities respond to and leverage the opportunities provided by ARRA. This is particularly true of the broadband funds, which are being distributed directly through competitive grants, rather than state agencies.

The White House staff found enough value in what they heard from us to ask for more. Discussions between the Council on Foundations and the Office of Reconstruction are likely to continue. Blandin Foundation will be thinking about how we might contribute to this opportunity.

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Posted by Bernadine Joselyn

But how connected are we; really?

June 25, 2009

Blandin FoundationI wanted to share the following editorial by Jim Hoolihan. It went out to 140 dailies and weeklies in Minnesota.

Now is the chance to take two minutes to find out, and to tell our rural experience to the Minnesota Ultra High Speed Broadband Task Force.

Until June 30, the task force is collecting the results of an online speed test. With the click of one button, at http://www.connectedmn.org, provide a critical data point. The resulting statewide map will be used by decision-makers as the state maps a more connected future.

The more rural residents and small businesses that take the speed test, the more accurate the map will be. So join me and the Blandin Foundation in getting on the grid and let your let your voices and speeds be known.

Jim Hoolihan
President, Blandin Foundation
Grand Rapids, MN

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Blandin wins EDAM award

June 24, 2009

I’m hope you’ll indulge us sharing some good news. We’re so pleased with the recognition from EDAM. I’ll include the entire press release below.

Also on a personal note – I’m back in Dublin for a month or so. I’m *very* thankful for free wifi at the libraries while I work on a better broadband solutions for someone who needs good broadband for the short term.

Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM)
Names Annual Award Winners

ST. PAUL, MN — The Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) announced winners of the organization’s annual Economic Development Awards on June 17, 2009, at the organization’s Summer Conference.

The Development awards are given annually at the EDAM Summer Conference to recognize individuals or organizations that deserve recognition for outstanding economic development achievement. Nominations are submitted throughout the spring and winners are selected by an awards committee comprised of EDAM members.

President’s Award:
Mark Lofthus, Department of Employment and Economic Development, for outstanding service to the Economic Development Association of Minnesota and for his past and continuing work at the Department.

Partnership Awards:
Metro: Workforce Ready! Collaborative. The purpose of the collaborative is to improve workforce-training initiatives, promote existing workforce resources and programs, and increase the pipeline of workers in the precision manufacturing sector in the West Metro.

Non-Metro: Renewable Energy Marketplace – Alliance for Talent Development. The “Renewable Energy Marketplace – Alliance for Talent Development” is an industry-led consortium of economic development, workforce development, education and workforce leaders that provides the framework and commitment to transform the 36-county region of South Central, Southwest, and West Central Minnesota from primarily agriculture-dependent to a knowledge- and innovation-based economy that capitalizes on the region’s strength in agriculture and renewable energy.

Business Retention/Expansion:
City of Elk River for Sportech, Inc. Sportech is an innovation-driven plastics thermo-former, specializing in the design, development and production of quality products and accessories for the power sports industry.

Economic Development Initiative – Technology:
Blandin Foundation for the Blandin Broadband Initiative. The Blandin Foundation Broadband Initiative is a unique effort to stimulate the deployment of broadband networks and to increase the effective use of these networks as a means to enhance community vitality.

Economic Development Marketing Award:
MetroMSP.org. MetroMSP.org is a regional site selection and economic development website covering the 11-county metropolitan area. It was developed by a public-private collaboration.

Redevelopment Awards:
Metro: City of Saint Louis Park for the Highway 7 Corporate Center. The Highway 7 Corporate Center is a success story located in St. Louis Park on a notorious Superfund site known for its significant contamination and blight. This complicated project demonstrates the many challenges of brownfield sites and the barriers to redeveloping former industrial properties.

Non Metro: Wabasha Port Authority and Development Agency for the National Eagle Center. The National Eagle Center resulted from the collective efforts of a partnership among many private individuals and organizations — along with Federal, State, and City resources — creating an overwhelming success.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, EDAM serves economic development professionals throughout Minnesota and has more than 500 members who represent private enterprise, local and regional economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and utilities.

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force June 19, 2009

June 20, 2009

First I am very excited and grateful to Rick King for allowing me to post the Draft Broadband Report. It’s the version that folks had today at the meeting. I can’t tell you how I impressed I am with that level of transparency!

On with the regular meeting notes…

This month the task force met in Grand Rapids. The precursor meeting presented by Blandin was well received. The reception went well. It’s great to be out in rural areas. We’ll need to balance the report writing with hearing from the public. (Note the draft as mentioned above.)

The report is due at the first part of November. We need to schedule more meetings come fall. October 2 and 30 are possible new dates. Then we should be ready to deliver the report in November. We need to decide how to unveil the report.

Maybe we could consider a Thursday addition rather that another Friday to reduce travel for some. Saturdays might work too. We need to balance logistics of travel with logistics of preparing for the next meeting. There is a lot of staff time between meetings to prepare the report to rehash.

Agenda is approved.

Minutes from last month approved.

There were 15-20 folks from the public present and many of them had great comments. [Ann's note:I’ve tried to capture that with video.] Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Broadband Policy Seminar Grand Rapids June 18, 2009

June 19, 2009

About 30-40 people came to the Blandin Broadband Policy Seminar, including journalists (some from the Twin Cities), Task Force board members, representative from Senator Klobuchar’s office, community leaders. Technologists and folks interested in relocating their new businesses.

There are people who are involved with infrastructure and there are people who are interested in making sure that underserved – get access both in terms of infrastructure and training. People have seen the impact of well used technology and they have lived the results of limited access to technology.

In an effort to get these out in time, I’m rushing this. Hopefully it won’t be too rough. But I thought some folks might want to see it before the meeting tomorrow. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Blandinn eNews for June

June 2, 2009

Blandin Get Broadband CommunitiesHere’s the news from our latest newsletter. It’s mostly a compilation of Minnesota-related stories from the blog in the last month – but sometimes it’s nice to have it compiled.

Minnesota News from the Blandin on Broadband Blog

Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force Update
In April, Task Force members were asked to get their recommendations for the Minnesota legislature started by submitting five paragraphs, which are now available on the Blandin on Broadband blog. http://tinyurl.com/ngpy65  In May, they discussed contentious issues such as role of government and definition of broadband. http://tinyurl.com/opt9d4 Citizens are asked to chime in with opinions on those or other issues. http://tinyurl.com/ngpy65  

Task Force Summer Meetings and Blandin Broadband Policy Seminars
On June 19, the Task Force will be meeting in Grand Rapids. As always the public is welcome. The public is also invited to a Broadband Policy Seminar hosted by Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids on June 18. The Task Force will be meeting in Mankato in July and Fergus Falls in August; Blandin Foundation will be hosting Policy Seminars in those locations as well. http://tinyurl.com/mx5luu  

Get Broadband Communities on YouTube
Blandin on Broadband recently published videos from several Get Broadband communities about their use of broadband technology. Communities include Benton County, Cambridge, Cohasset, Edge of Wilderness, Five Small Towns, Fosston and Sleepy Eye. http://tinyurl.com/mnkzqv

Local Broadband News

Cambridge
Cambridge is looking at communitywide wireless access. http://tinyurl.com/ltts8p

Cloquet et al
Mediacom is deploying DOCSIS 3.0; the communities aren’t specified but in Minnesota they serve Cloquet, Proctor, Eveleth, Hibbing, Franklin, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Prior Lake, St Peter, Worthington, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Hoyt Lakes. http://tinyurl.com/mz75yn

Duluth
Duluth is looking into a wireless network to connect community clubs. http://tinyurl.com/lzlbv6

Hutchinson
The Hutchinson Leader ran an article highlighting the success of the Minnesota Telehealth Network and risk of funding running out. http://tinyurl.com/mghagr

Jackson
After some initial hesitancy by the City Council, the Mayor of Jackson has persuaded the Council to invest in the first stages of a fiber network plan for the city. http://tinyurl.com/nkxcba

Lac qui Parle
Western Minnesota is running a contest for people who want help promote the area with a video. http://tinyurl.com/loy8pt

Lake County
Lake County has engaged National Public Broadband to pursue a fiber network to the area. http://tinyurl.com/mhl3uf

Two Harbors
Grandparents are reading to grandkids across state lines via Skype. http://tinyurl.com/npajq5

Winona
A happy customer is now online in rural Winona after help from Hiawatha Broadband. http://tinyurl.com/myagm5

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Posted by Ann Treacy

A sneak peek at the Broadband Task Force recommendations

June 1, 2009

Here are two opportunities to get involved with the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force work. I love that they are so transparent and open to feedback; I hope we can rise to the occasion to tell them what we need.

This month the task force is working on setting some suggested broadband speeds for the state and they have explicitly asked for our help. I’ll paste the request/opportunity below.

The Speed Team sub-group met today and is making good progress.
However, we need help from all Task Force members to really do justice to our assignment. We’ve agreed that we need to go out to subject- matter experts (both on and off the Task Force) and get their help in updating the application-speed-requirements listed in the recent California broadband study. Here are the questions we need help on.

Please review the California Application-Speed Matrix

http://www.urbanusers.com/wiki/index.php?title=California_Application-Speed_Matrix  

1 – In your area of expertise (education, government, business, consumer-use, etc.) do you feel that these are still accurate for present-day applications?
2 – What would you project these speed-requirements will be in 2015, and what is the basis for your projection?
3 – Are there applications that are missing from this list, and if so what speeds would they require both today and in 2015?

We would like to have your answers by Friday, June 5th so that we can incorporate your work into ours.

Thanks in advance,

The Speed Team — Tom Garrison, Jack Geller, JoAnne Johnson, Mike O’Connor, Dick Sjoberg, John Stanoch and Chris Swanson

In April, the task force members were asked to write 5 paragraphs to build a draft recommendations document for the legislature. I am super excited to share these paragraphs here.

 If you read the paragraphs you’ll see that they are a work in progress. Some paragraphs are completely contrary to others – but you can get a read for where there is agreement and what the contentious issues are. (There may not be agreement in some of these areas but there were no paragraphs to contradict the view.) I think this is also a golden opportunity to chime in on what you like and what you don’t like. Remember they invite comments from the public at their monthly sessions and you can post comments on their forum or via form online.

Issues of Agreement

  • Everyone seems to value broadband and there were some nice paragraphs detailing need by sector.
  • Everyone seemed to think that building broadband demand through training and improved access to computer was a good idea.
  • Most everyone liked the idea of mapping. The broadband providers seemed to be happiest with Connected Nation’s work; some were not happy with their work; others wanted to ask CN to the maps to the next level of gauging citizen’s relationship to broadband.
  • Everyone seemed to agree that affordability was a good idea – so long as cost to providers was a factor too.
  • Everyone seemed to like te idea of an ongoing state effort to focus on broaband – often through the creation of a entity to oversee the effort.
  • It seems as if everyone was interested in secure, reliable, redundant connections with improved interconnectivity – including a focus by some for better peering within the state to improve local access.

Issues of Disagreement

  • Some people seemed to think of broadband as a necessity or utility: Jack Geller, Peg Werner, Vijay Sethi, Mike O’Connor, Barbara Gervais, while others were more interested in meeting market demand only.
  • Most supported government intervention (even municipal networks) in areas where private companies are not interested in going. Some seemed to think of this as a plan of last resort: Rick King, John Gibbs, Peg Werner
  • Others were supportive of government providing service: Chris Swanson, Vijay Sethi, Robyn West, Tom Garrison

 Interesting notes

  • Mike O’Connor stressed the importance of considering mobile broadband and mobile devices for folks who don’t have a computer
  • They allude to a few Minnesota broadband reports (pages 16-19), both historical and kind of recent. I was surpised that more reports and statistics weren’t used. Although the following folks did mention reports: Dick Sjoberg (S. Walsten, “Understanding International Broadband Comparisons“); John Gibbs (Crandall & Jackson) and actually John cited quite a few on page 23), Mike O’Connor cites reports for projected market bandwidth (page 28), Kim Ross (SETDA
  • Some folks mentioned speed – but those were all over the board. One said T1 – others seemed to start at 5mbps or higher. The speed offered seemed to coincide with whether someone thought the current market demand should set price or we should strive for world class access. (Some folks, such as Steve Crawley jumped in with a minimum speed of 100mbps – Go Steve!))
  • Jack Reis and Gopal Khanna did a nice piece on government as a broadband consumer and increased need for connected citizenry as the government provides more services online. Kim Ross did a similar write up with the education focus and MaryEllen Wells for healthcare.
  • OK clearly I have to point out that Blandin was mention on page 19 in a nice historical look back at what has been done in the state regarding broadband.

The paragraphs are long. I’ve done my best to distill them. I think there are some interesting comments on Net Neutrality, the role of a Better Business Bureau type model to service broadband customers, possibility of federal funding – but I didn’t yet see consensus on those topics so I’m only mnetioning them briefly.

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Posted by Ann Treacy

Broadband Task Force on the Road with Policy Seminar Opportunities

May 30, 2009

blog_taskforceThis summer the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force will be on the road:
June 19 – Grand Rapids
July 17 – Mankato
August 21 – Fergus Falls

I’ve mentioned this before but I want to mention it again beucase if you’re in or near one of those areas, you should think about going. It really seems as if they are open to hearing formt he public. Few people have shown up to chime in at these meetings – so your voice would be heard. I’m going to go out on a limb and say – even I fyou can only come long enough to be heard, that would be valuable to you and the Task Force.

I’m planning to be in Grand Rapids and Fergua Falls. I’m hoping to find a way to listen in to the Mankato session (since I’ll be out of the country that month).

Blandin FoundationAlso if you’re in or near one of these areas, on behalf of the Blandin Foundation, I’d like to invite you to attend an accompanying Broadband Policy Seminar. The seminars are hosted by a local partner and are held on the day before the Task Force meeting.

Here’s the official inviation:

Blandin Foundation and regional partners including ARDC, Region 9 Development Commission, and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, are promoting informed public participation in the Task Force meetings by hosting free seminars prior to each Task Force visit.

Each seminar will include regional panelists actively engaged in broadband deployment and use, and time for participants to organize their regional voice for the task force meeting the following day.

Minnesota Broadband Policy Seminars
• June 18, 3-5 pm, Sawmill Inn, Grand Rapids
• July 16, 3-5 pm, Region 9 Development Commission, Mankato
• August 20, 3 -5 pm, Big Woods, Fergus Falls

If you plan to attend – please just send a quick RSVP to broadband@blandinfoundation.org

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Posted by Ann Treacy

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