I just can’t pass up the chance to pay homage to David Bowie as he recognizes (in 1999) that the Internet carries the flag of the subversive and possibly rebellious message that previously belonged to Rock and Roll. I love when he notes that the audience is at least as important at the artist. Great for art but also speaks to the potential for online civic engagement. He also recognizes that there are no longer 2 sides to every issue – the Internet gives voice to plural voices.
There’s extra incentive for sharing your Digital Learning Day activities this year. Each person who posts an event will have a chance to win an Apple Watch! Here’s the info…
On February 17, thousands of schools and local communities will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Digital Learning Day and, more importantly, will take part in the exciting transformation of teaching and learning powered by technology. It may not be the only day where educators and students go digital, but it is a day that challenges everyone to be actively involved in reimagining the education system. …
Official registration for local Digital Learning Day events is now open. Registration is easy and only takes a few minutes. Share how you plan to celebrate the day and your event will be added to the map of events across the country (and the world). …
This year, Digital Learning Day is partnering with Participate Learning to find the best collection of digital resources and lessons. Educators can upload their favorite digital playlist of resources, websites, or lesson plans to be considered for the contest. A panel of expert judges will review the collections and a winner will be announced on February 17–Digital Learning Day!
Always nice to hear about people getting better access and what the technology helps them do. The following is from the Pine Journal…
Carlton County and PCs for People recently worked together to distribute 50 personal computers to Carlton County residents who applied and met the income guidelines for the program.
Recipients received a refurbished computer, flat-screen monitor, keyboard, mouse, and several software applications at no cost thanks to PCs for People and a grant from the Blandin Foundation.
One of the recipients is already taking college classes online, while others are using their computers to track their finances, peruse the internet and simply learn more about what’s available on the world wide web.
The best news? The group still has a couple computers leftover, which will be given to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis
Minnesota Telecom Alliance, Minnesota Cable Communications Association and partner companies are hosting a policy conference in Minnesota – Broadband Networks, the Backbone of the 21st Century!
The purpose of the event is to bring together policy makers, providers and community leaders interested in fostering the advancement of broadband networks in Minnesota.
The conference will be held in St. Paul on February 18, 2016 at the 317 on Rice Park, 7:30am-3pm. This is the premier broadband conference of the year.
It looks like a good conference; I plan to attend and hope to take notes – for folks who can’t make the drive.
Here’s a look at the line-up…
Conference: Minnesota’s Broadband Networks – Backbone of the 21st Century!
February 18, 2016
7:30am-3:00pm
317 on Rice Park, St. PaulPresented by
Minnesota Cable Communications Association Minnesota Telecom AllianceSpeakers, Panelists and Participants:
• Governor Mark Dayton/Lt. Governor Tina Smith, State of Minnesota – invited
• Congressman Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative, Minnesota
• Congressman Tim Walz, U.S. Representative, Minnesota – invited• Representative Ron Kresha
• Senator Matt Schmit
• Representative Tim Sanders
• Representative Paul Thissen
• Kevin Beyer, General Manager, ACIRA
• Brad Finstad, Executive Director, Center for Rural Policy and Development
• Kelly Hinnenkamp, City Administrator, City of Annandale – invited
• Danna MacKenzie, Executive Director, Minnesota Office of Broadband Development
• Jackie Mines, Director ECN – FirstNet
• Rich Stanek, Sheriff, Hennepin County
• Dana Wahlberg, MN Department of Public Safety – Nex Gen E91
• Margaret Anderson Kelliher, President, MHTA; Chair, Gov. Dayton’s Broadband Taskforce
• Wade Beavers, CEO, DoApp
• Shannon Heim, Attorney, Dykema – Connect America Funds
• Dusty Johnson, Vantage Point Solutions
• Marc Kermisch, CIO, Red Wing Shoe Company – invited
• Jim Kohlenberger, Mobile Future
• John Stanoch, Interim CEO, Science Museum of MN
• Eric Swanson, Attorney, Winthrop & Weinstein• Tom Hauser, Chief Political Reporter & “At Issue” host, KSTP TV
• Brent Christensen, President/CEO, MN Telecom Alliance
• Jeff Fryer, Regional Vice President, Comcast
• Bill Jensen, Regional Vice President, Mediacom
• Mike Martin, Executive Director, MN Cable Communications Association
• Dan Nelson, Director of Government Affairs, Midcontinent Communications
• Andrew Schriner, Director, Government Relations, Century Link; Member Governor Dayton’s Broadband Taskforce
• Paul Weirtz, State President, AT&T Minnesota; Member Governor Dayton’s Broadband TaskforceEvent Contact: Mike Erlandson, Aurora Strategic Advisors, mikeerlandson@gmail.com 612-865-0050
In an editorial in the InForm, Representative Lien lists broadband second (after transportation) on his list of hot topics for the 2016 Legislature…
One-third of residents in Greater Minnesota do not have access to high speed broadband that is critical for commerce, education and quality living. The Office of Broadband Development has been making progress on this issue, but needs continued support from the Legislature.
I’m going to try to keep up with policymakers as they show mention their interest in broadband. Good news this year is that I think that might keep me pretty busy!
I would love to see Minnesota communities get this funding.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR is offering tech hire partnership grants. Applications must include at least one representative of each of the following three types of entities: the workforce investment system; education and training providers; and business-related nonprofit organizations: organizations functioning as workforce intermediaries for the express purpose of serving the needs of businesses, or consortia of three or more businesses, or at least three independent businesses. The program is designed to equip individuals with the skills they need through innovative approaches that can rapidly train workers and connect them to well-paying, middle- and high-skilled, high-growth jobs across a diversity of H-1B industries such as IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and broadband. Deadline: 3/11/2016. Click here to review funding guidelines.
Here’s a little more info on the types of projects they want…
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $100,000,000 in grant funds for the TechHire partnership grant program. This grant program is designed to equip individuals with the skills they need through innovative approaches that can rapidly train workers for and connect them to well-paying, middle- and high-skilled, and high-growth jobs across a diversity of H-1B industries such as Information Technology (IT), healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and broadband. Projects funded by this grant program will help participants begin careers in H-1B occupations and industries which are in-demand and/or high growth in the area applicants are proposing to serve. On a limited basis, this grant program will also enable applicants to work with companies on increasing the skills of existing workers in lower-skilled jobs to move into more highly skilled positions requiring technology-related skills. These grants will pilot and scale public-private partnerships among the workforce investment system, education and training providers, and business-related nonprofit organizations to address the following goals for the target populations: 1) Expand access to accelerated learning options that provide the fastest paths to good jobs, such as “bootcamp” style programs, online options, and competency-based programs to give people the skills required for employment in three months to two years among people with historic barriers to accessing employment and training;2) Improve the likelihood that those populations complete training and enter employment, through specialized training strategies, supportive services and other focused participant services that assist targeted populations to overcome barriers, including networking and job search, active job development, transportation, mentoring, and financial counseling; 3) Connect those who have received training or who already have the skills required for employment, but are being overlooked, to employment, paid internships, or Registered Apprenticeship opportunities that allow them to get work experience and prove themselves to hiring employers; 4) Demonstrate strong commitment to customer-centered design and excellence in customer experience, so that the programs and services reflect real need of employers and participants, through human centered design methodology and other methods of design thinking; and 5) Ensure that innovations form the basis for broader change and sustainability over time and that a clear strategy exists for adapting to rapidly changing market needs after the initial period of the grant.
Yesterday the Minnesota Broadband Task Force met to finalize their report and recommendations to the Governor. The recommendations are similar to last year. The two hot topics were – funding and speeds. They are recommending $200 million over two years for broadband funding (same as last year) and the speed goal is:
Universal access and high speed goal: It is a state goal that as soon as possible, but no later than 2022, all Minnesota businesses, homes and institutions, including public schools, colleges and universities, have access to high-speed broadband that provides minimum download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and minimum upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. Also by 2026 all Minnesota businesses, homes and institutions will have access to at least one provider of broadband with speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
They worked through a draft that had been compiled/by staff. I will include a copy of the draft they used (so it’s not final – but a penultimate draft) and copy of the handouts from the day, which include some back and forth language, especially on the speed goals.
A lot of issues were pushed to next year’s report. Nothing is set in stone – there are a few open items yet but the draft was adopted by Task Force members. Below are notes and videos from the day. Continue reading
Just a quick look at a recent report from the Internet Innovation Alliance on how much money a household with broadband can save…
High-speed Internet enables Americans to save an average of $11,944 per year on household spending, the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) today announced. After factoring in the average annual cost of a mobile data plan and a home broadband connection ($1,440), the annual savings still add up to more than $10,500. The financial analysis, “10 Ways You Can Be Money-Savvy with Broadband,” was authored by Nicholas J. Delgado, certified financial planner and principal of Chicago-based wealth management firm Dignitas, in partnership with IIA
Here are the places they found cost savings…
ONE. HOUSING. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $2,413/YR (16.53%)
Source: Search based study on apartments in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Jacksonville Methodology: Sampled 50 online postings in the above markets to determine average cost savings relative to local apartment rent. Considered the average annual expenditure on shelter ($17,798) minus the annual mortgage interest and charges for owned homes ($3,200) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures. Applied 16.53% savings factor to the remaining average expenditure for apartment living ($14,598). Source examples: http://www.craigslist.org, Craigslist App, http://www.trulia.com, Trulia Rent App, http://www.zillow.com, Zillow AppTWO. AUTOMOTIVE. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $3,000 (A ONETIME SAVINGS OF 9.26%)
Source: Cost analysis based on average new car purchase price in 2014
Methodology: Applied $3,000 savings factor from TrueCar.com to the average 2014 vehicle purchase cost net outlay ($32,386) based on a report by Edmunds.THREE. HEALTH INSURANCE. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $430/YR (15%)
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Study
Methodology: Applied 15% savings factor from Kaiser study to the average amount spent on health insurance ($2,868) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures.FOUR. FOOD. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $1,020/YR (25.68%)
Source: Search based study on basic basket of groceries based on top selling items (Carbonated beverages, Milk, Fresh bread, Produce, Snacks, Cheese, Frozen dinners/entrees, Cold cereal) Methodology: Created a standard basket of monthly groceries to establish a baseline retail cost. Conducted a series of online searches against the baseline to identify cost savings exclusive to the Internet. Potential savings based on cost reductions at the aggregate basket level. Applied 25.68% savings factor to the average annual expenditure on food at home ($3,971) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures. Source example: http://www.couponmom.com, http://www.peapod.com, http://www.coupons.comFIVE. NON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. $59/YR (17.52%)
Source: Search based study on common over the counter medicines (Pain Relievers, Antacids, Cold Remedies, Allergy Relief, Natural Remedies) Methodology: Created a standard basket of the best-selling non-prescription drugs to establish a baseline retail cost. Conducted a series of online searches against the baseline to identify cost savings exclusive to the Internet. Potential savings based on cost reductions at the aggregate basket level. Applied 17.52% savings factor to the average annual expenditure on non-prescription drugs, $338 annually according to a study by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.
Source example: http://www.drugstore.com, http://www.overstockdrugstore.comSIX. GASOLINE. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $303/YR (12.28%)
Source: Search based study on lowest gasoline prices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Jacksonville Methodology: Researched average gas prices for each of the above cities, and found the lowest advertised prices in each, for a savings of 12.28% off of average gasoline expenditure ($2,468) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures.
Source example: http://www.gasbuddy.com, GasBuddy AppSEVEN. ENTERTAINMENT. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $3,476/YR (63.02%)
Source: Search based study on restaurant dining, sporting/concert tickets and leisure activities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Jacksonville
Methodology: Applied savings factor of 55.64% on dining outside of the home ($2,787) and entertainment such as concerts, events and leisure activities to the entertainment budget ($2,728) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures.
Source example: Groupon App, Living Social App.
Also added cost savings of “cutting the cord” on cable TV. To calculate savings, we looked at the average monthly cost of a cable subscription in the U.S. ($99, according to Yahoo Finance) and assumed the use of a streaming service like Netflix. Applied savings factor of 89.91% to the total average spent on cable as a percentage of total entertainment spending.EIGHT. APPAREL. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $1,117/YR (62.55%)
Source: Search based study on basic clothing combinations for men and women Methodology: Created a set of standard baskets of apparel for a man (khakis/jeans and shirts) and a woman (skirts/jeans and tops) to establish a baseline retail cost in each of five price categories. Conducted a series of online searches against the baseline to identify cost savings exclusive to the Internet. Applied 62.55% savings factor to the average annual expenditure on apparel ($1,786) based on the Department of Labor annual study on consumer expenditures.
Site example: http://www.6pm.comNINE. NEWSPAPERS. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $85/YR (39.29%)
Source: Search based study reviewing major newspapers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and JacksonvilleMethodology: Calculated the standard annual rate for a daily delivery (including Sunday) subscription for three top papers in each of the above cities. Potential savings factor based on average annual daily subscription rates vs. online subscription rates and access to the newspaper’s app (where available).
Source example: http://www.nytimes.com, http://www.chicagotribune.com, http://www.dallasnews.com
TEN. BILL PAY. POTENTIAL SAVINGS: $41/YR (100%)
Source: Cost analysis based on average consumer’s postage for seven bills per month.
Methodology: Created a standard multiple of monthly bills that are traditionally paid via postage (Rent/Mortgage, Gas, Electric, Water, Cable/Phornet, Mobile, Credit Card). Applied average cost per U.S. postage stamp ($ 0.49) for each monthly bill.
Site examples: http://www.mycheckfree.com, http://www.chase.com, http://www.bankofamerica.com
I share the following both for folks who might be interested in submitting a proposal but also for communities who might be interested in having a model if/when they are seeking a contractor to build a fiber network.
Dakota County is current looking at two projects:
Broadband News Around Minnesota
Minnesota Policymakers’ (and Stakeholders’) Views on Broadband
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
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.)
Good news for the Sherburne History Center – with funding from the Blandin Foundation, they were able to improve broadband for staff and patrons. According to the Sherburne County Citizen…
Visitors and staff at the Sherburne History Center will now have complete access to high-speed Internet, thanks to a cooperative effort between the county and the Blandin Foundation.
Two weeks ago, a project funded by Blandin and the county was completed, bringing broadband to the center. …
“We had to run a fiberoptic line between the two buildings,” he says. “Then we wired the internal access points and installed the equipment to communicate across those fiber lines for public wi-fi.”
Now the History Center has high speed Internet and wi-fi throughout the building.
The improved broadband will help the history center provide better (and more) services…
That’s good news for staff and visitors who need to do research or use the Internet for meetings.
History Center Director Mike Brubaker says the lack of Internet in the past was a big issue.
“We used to be able to rent out this facility to groups like Xcel Energy. But as the technology advanced, they wanted to start showing programs through Skype and other online sources,” he says.
“Our system was too slow, so they stopped using the History Center. Now we’re going to be able to enhance that and bring more people back into the facility.”
The lack of Internet access has also been a problem for regular programs, like the monthly genealogy program where people search their family history.
“People who were doing ancestral searches would do their research here and then go home or somewhere else to get connectivity,” says Kamman. “Now they can stay here and be more efficient.”
Mark your calendar for a sneak preview of the 2016 Minnesota broadband report at the Minnesota Broadband Task Force meeting …
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
January 6, 2016
DEED – James J. Hill Conference Room
1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street
Saint Paul, MN, 55101-1351
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Agenda:
10:00 a.m. — 10:10 a.m. Welcome, introductions, approval of minutes
10:10 a.m. — 10:20 a.m. Public comment
10:20 a.m. — 10:30 a.m. Update from the Office of Broadband Development
10:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. Discussion of recommendations to include in annual report
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Walk-thru of report
12:00 p.m. — 12:30 p.m. LUNCH
12:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. Review 2015 Task Force Report
2:50 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. Wrap-up, vote on possible adoption of report, January meeting
Good news for broadband proponents – the 2016 conversion about broadband funding began this weekend in the form of a front page article in the St Paul Pioneer Press – Mark Dayton wants $100 million for rural Minnesota web access.
It’s really a continuation of conversation from 2015. It’s not the first time Dayton has brought up $100 million. And most of the folks quoted in the article have been quoted here in the last month too.
There are some shared themes among everyone who’s talking about broadband:
So that sounds like a done deal – but last year things sounds pretty done deal with broadband so people seemed to move onto new topics and funding was less than the year before. So folks interested in funding should keep diligent. Also there are some differences in how folks view broadband funding. The Pioneer Press article does a nice job outlining them…
While there is broad support for getting high-speed Internet to unserved and underserved corners of the state, making that a reality is more complicated.
Debates about state- mandated connection speeds, concerns about overlap with the federal government and private competition, questions about technology preferences and the amount the state should spend, and requests to reform regulations and wage requirements make the desire to build complex.
The article goes on to flesh out some of those debates, starting with the overlap with federal funding…
But while the state has provided funds for smaller projects, the federal government has stepped in with much larger allocations.
A federal program has recently made about $500 million worth of funding available to Minnesota providers through a program called Connect American Fund.
Last month, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said he was concerned that a robust state program would duplicate federal efforts. Others have also raised that issue.
“My primary concern with a (state) broadband fund is that it focus on the unserved, be technology neutral and it be synchronized with the federal Connect American Fund,” said Andrew Schriner, director of government relations at CenturyLink in Minnesota.
CenturyLink, which is broadly supportive of the state’s broadband program, is one of the nation’s largest telecom and broadband providers. It has received state and federal funds to build its network.
State officials say the federal program and state program have key distinctions.
“There is no circumstance where we are duplicating or supplanting the federal dollars,” Smith, the lieutenant governor, said.
The federal program provides grants only to specific zones and leaves others out. Further, it requires providers meet different, slower, speed goals than the state program would, state officials said.
It seems like the state and federal funds could be used to play off each other to the consumer’s advantage. If State funding could be leveraged to access the deeper wells of federal funding and entice providers to aim for the higher speed standards set by the State.
The Chisago County Press took a look back at all that has happened in the county related to technology – that includes their Blandin Broadband Communities standing and the ABC (America’s Best Communities) challenges…
A working group made up of Chisago County citizens and economic development officials was successful in 2015– landing about $30,000 in grants to do a variety of Internet enhancements. And, as of the end of this week, the group will have met a deadline for submitting five more technology related funding requests.
The local efforts place the county in good position among Minnesota communities working on a shared vision for a broadband network and enhanced technology opportunity for small business. The Blandin Broadband Committee came along at a good time as well, for the ABC or America’s Best Communities effort. The ABC competition consists of numerous Chisago Lakes’ area boosters and chamber officials who found like-minded individuals in the Broadband committee.
Their efforts results in some fun technology projects…
Meanwhile, the BBC’s early funding grants allowed for school activity bus Wi-Fi service, a computer equipment distribution for low income residents through PCs for People, and a county broadband service survey.
And they have some fun projects in the hopper…
The new set of grants the BBC group is applying for have a 25 percent match. The main items that the group hopes to get funding for are teleconferencing capabilities in North Branch and Lindstrom. Equipment may be portable, the final configuration is flexible still. …
Additional funding the local group also seeks through Blandin Foundation includes: equipping Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the county, providing assistance to business persons who need a presence on Google mapping, beefing up marketing Old Hwy 61 on the web, creating a tourism and culture website for Chisago Lakes and the two sites for tele-conference capability.
The work group also continues to cooperate with company representatives and providers. In a related technology-based program, Eutectics is cooperating with the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce on a clean energy “hub.” The hub will be the one-stop-shop for public and private financing tools towards implementing clean energy projects.
It’s been a while since I posted anything on Monticello’s FiberNet, the municipally owned network that was so hard fought from its inception. Recently Monticello Times posted the latest Monticello Fiber Network. It looks like they are looking for a partner to run the network…
Earlier this month, the board, City Administrator Jeff O’Neil, Communications Coordinator Rachel Leonard and FiberNet Lead Technician Bryan Rabe, met with JoAnne Johnson, the executive director of the Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance (MPBA). Johnson recommended the city create a request for qualifications (RFQ) comparison spreadsheet.
The decision to move ahead with the process received council approval Nov. 23. City staff set a Dec. 8 deadline for receiving proposals.
The city received responses from Perham-based Arvig Enterprises, Brainerd-based Consolidated Telecommunications Co., Cleveland, Ohio-based FiberConnect, and Virginia-based MidAtlantic Broadband.
FiberConnect is owned and operated by former FiberNet Monticello general manager Mark Pultusker.
From those responses it looks like they were able to cull the likely partners to two…
After discussing the evaluation process, the FiberNet Advisory Board recommended that city council proceed with interviewing the respondents with the top two scores: Arvig and CTC.
The board members also indicated they would prefer that the respondent with the third highest score, MidAtlantic Broadband, be kept as an alternate to be interviewed if the top two are not selected.
Sounds like the next step is to interview the likely candidates and make a decision.