Here are notes from the first session of the day: Minnesota Broadband Goals: Making it Happen
Presentation from Diane Wells: Minnesota Department of Commerce
The Task Force report published last year has 8 recommendations:
- Identify a Minimum Level of Service
- Identify the Policies and Actions Necessary to Achieve Ubiquitous Broadband
- Identify and/or Create Opportunities for Public and Private Sectors to Cooperate to Achieve the Goal of Ubiquitous Broadband
- Evaluate Strategies, Financing, and Financial Incentives Used in Other States and Countries to Support Broadband Development
- Evaluate Security, Vulnerability, and Redundancy Actions Necessary to Ensure Reliability
- Cost Estimate and Financial Strategies
- Identify Economic Development Opportunities
- Evaluate the Way Broadband Access Can Benefit Organizations and Institutions
What has happened in the last year?
- The legislature did adopt the speeds and coverage goals.
- The BB Advisory Council was not established by the Legislature but one was appointed by Commissioner Wilson.
- Connect MN got ARRA funding to build better maps over the next 5 years.
What’s the purpose of the maps?
- Check your address
- Check for accuracy – if you see something that looks strange, please report it
- Providers can find unserved areas and population density
One byproduct of the stimulus dollars could be a widening gap in haves and have-nots. So it’s important that the haves share what they learn.
In groups – folks discussed the following questions:
What recommendation really caught your eye? [I’m going to capture a couple of answers to the following]
Ubiquity – the speed can come later – we need ubiquity first.
Ubiquity – and the maps can help us gauge where we need help and support the cost analysis
Identify Economic Development opportunities – along with schools; this goal and the ARRA funding should work together. It’s important to have equal access.
Ubiquity & Redundancy- redundancy is especially important if you live north of Duluth and have experience with lost connection. Also we need to understand that federal funding has been the last chance for any communities.
Ubiquity – it’s very Minnesotan. Public-Private partnerships will be important to get there. One sector can’t do it alone – but it also sounds potentially glib.
What recommendation would you like to see state officials focus on first?
The stimulus program made us happy – if it hadn’t come we’d be very glum and that’s not right. We ought to be relying on ourselves – not the feds.
Minimal level of service – if we can get that we can get going.
What actions can we take to ensure that state officials follow through on these recommendations?
Hold their feet to the fire
Find out where we are
Have a one-sheet list of talking points to help us give united messages
Education – promote MIRC