Broadband News Around Minnesota

Minnesota Policymakers’ (and Stakeholders’) Views on Broadband

• Governor Dayton to promote $100M for broadband in Minnesota posted in Pioneer Press http://wp.me/p3if7-3lS. Minneapolis Star Tribune http://wp.me/p3if7-3kM and Post Bulletin http://wp.me/p3if7-3lj
• Representative Davids outlines three roadblocks to ubiquitous broadband: market forces, changing technology and politics http://wp.me/p3if7-3lH
• Community broadband advocates want changes in broadband regulation to open the door to public networks http://wp.me/p3if7-3lw
• Broadband providers want change in Minnesota regulations to support expansion http://wp.me/p3if7-3lu
• Representative Emmer promotes state support for unserved areas http://wp.me/p3if7-3lq
• Minneapolis Star Tribune supports broadband funding http://wp.me/p3if7-3kW
• Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities supports broadband funding http://wp.me/p3if7-3kY
• Klobuchar promotes federal funding and policy change to support better broadband – especially in rural areas http://wp.me/p3if7-3lL
• Reps. Nolan, Huffman and Thompson Introduce the National Rural Broadband Infrastructure Investment Act http://wp.me/p3if7-3kR

Minnesota Broadband Task Force
The Task Force did not meet in December. They are meeting on January 6 in St Paul to decide on the recommendations they want to present to legislators and finalize their annual report. Meetings are open to the public. http://wp.me/p3if7-3lW

81% of US households get broadband at home; only 70% in Minnesota
A recent report on broadband home adoption indicates that 81% of US households get a broadband Internet service at home. The last (2013) Connect Minnesota survey of Minnesota homes indicates that 70 percent of Minnesota homes had broadband access. http://wp.me/p3if7-3ll

Blandin’s role in broadband in rural Minnesota (and beyond) in 2015
In 2015 Blandin Foundation sought to advance sustainable broadband adoption, increase community vitality and enhance quality of life and place. They did that by investing $750,000, offering technical assistance and providing opportunities to learn more about broadband through meetings and publications. http://wp.me/p3if7-3lh

Smart City Challenge – opportunity for $40 million for one mid-size city
Funding of up to $40 million in funding from the Department of Transportation will go to one mid-sized city that puts forward bold, data-driven ideas to improve lives by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. http://wp.me/p3if7-3l2

Local Broadband News

Chisago County
Chisago County is building its broadband position with BBC and ABC efforts http://wp.me/p3if7-3lQ

Iron Range
Paul Bunyan gets funding from the IRRRB to expand broadband service on the Iron Range http://wp.me/p3if7-3lA

Local residents use social media to mobilize volunteers to donate hats, mitten and scarves as well as promote donations to those in need. http://wp.me/p3if7-3lE

Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi Broadband and Advanced Technology Committee are focusing on getting broadband funding to the area http://wp.me/p3if7-3kT

Minneapolis
US Internet will launch new 2.5 and 5 Gbps Fiber Internet Service in Q1 2016 in Minneapolis http://wp.me/p3if7-3l4

Monticello
Monticello Fiber Network is looking for a partner to run their city-owned network. http://wp.me/p3if7-3lN

Park Rapids
More than 400 Locations in Rural Park Rapids now have access to broadband http://wp.me/p3if7-3ly

Sherburne County
Better broadband brightens future for history center in Sherburne County http://wp.me/p3if7-3lU

Sherburne County representatives report to the community of the 2015 Minnesota Broadband Conference and the broadband vision developed during the conference. http://wp.me/p3if7-3ln

Spring Valley
Representatives Davids and Kresha host a well-attended broadband listening session in Spring Valley. http://wp.me/p3if7-3ls (post includes video)

Southern Minnesota
Radio Link Internet deploys EZ LTE to 10 rural counties in Southern Minnesota http://wp.me/p3if7-3kK

Upcoming Events

• Jan 6: Minnesota Broadband Task Force Meeting http://wp.me/p3if7-3lW

Looking for more events? Check out TechDotMN’s calendar http://tech.mn/events/. Many events are based in the Twin Cities but it is a comprehensive list. (If you have an upcoming event, consider submitting it.)