This session brought Brad Woodside, Mayor of Fredericton, New Brunswick (Canada) and Elies Lemkes-Straver of Brainport Operations and Kees Rovers of Close the Gap both from Eindhoven, the Netherlands to talk about broadband as a vital tool in their communities. Both were named Top Seven communities by the Intelligent Community Forum. (Moderated by Bill Coleman)

Notes from Eindhoven
Interesting perspective – Eindhoven talks about broadband and technology as a necessity. One that people might not think they want – but they need to receive services. “Think of every customer as the 75 year old who doesn’t think they want a computer/broadband but want who wants the healthcare, entertainment, information services brought via broadband.” Eindhoven stresses the importance of cooperation – and focus. They say not to be restricted by borders. Finally, leadership is very important. They had 4 mayors, education leaders, CEOs of larger and small businesses involved in this project.

Each home has 100Mbps symmetrical connection. Everyone, everything is connected. It’s owned 95% by citizens. You need to offer phone, TV and Internet – but phone first. Not everyone has a computer; everyone has a phone. You need a financeable business plan. Businesses need fast ROI – communities do not. With a long term investment plan, fiber is cheap. $2000 per home stretched over 20 years is not expensive. Connecting schools, churches and other community institutes motivates residents to get and stay connected. We use language that people use – 100Mbps is not that meaningful for most folks. We get local help that can provide customer care. Finally you need high quality, reliable network.

Commercial operators reach rural areas may not be happy – but as citizens we need service and we’re not concerned with the commercial goals. If they want to serve urban areas; you serve rural areas too – it’s solidarity.

Notes from Fredericton
They were too dependent on institutional growth. Started to focus on technology in 1992. They were slow and expensive – so they formed our own telco. They started a co-op that competed with incumbents. They got customers to pay for subscriptions in advance – that was their starting funds. Public WiFi is free. They don’t charge people to walk on the sidewalks, why would they charge to use WiFi. Everyone is now connected; there was initial pushback from incumbents but now they are benefitting with increased use and demand. Collaboration, cooperation, communication – is key to long term project.

They serve every home and we worked with commercial partners to reach rural areas.

People can get free WiFi. The intention is to give people public access. They don’t try to flood/reach residential areas. There are areas where people can get a signal – but the intention is that people would pay for home access through local providers.

Cost for 100 Mbps – in Eindhoven it’s 60 euros; in NB is $150.

Here is a presentation from Eindhoven created for the conference, but not actually given: