Monthly Archives: February 2018

Faribault County supports funding for broadband in libraries

Posted on by
Reply

It’s a reminder of the connection between libraries, schools and broadband. The Fairmont Sentinel reports…

Faribault County commissioners showed support Tuesday for Minnesota libraries. …

The platform also shows support for the continued funding for services such as Minitex, the Electronic Library for Minnesota, the Minnesota Digital Library and MNLINK, the statewide loan and delivery system; funding for EBooks Minnesota; funding for after-school and community programs; annual funding for broadband for public libraries; increased annual funding for K-12 Broadband Equity Aid; and an increase in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid.

Minnesota Department of Commerce to investigate complaints against Frontier Communications

Posted on by
Reply

The Timberjay reports…

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has opened an investigation into Frontier Communications in the wake of widespread complaints and reporting by the Timberjay.

A Timberjay investigation last November revealed a laundry list of complaints from Frontier customers for both phone and Internet service. The state of Minnesota does impose performance standards on telecommunications providers licensed in the state and they can be held accountable for failure to meet their obligations.

Anne Thom, Consumer Affairs Supervisor at the state’s Public Utilities Commission, told the Timberjay last week that the PUC had decided to initiate an inquiry after reports had prompted them to review their database of complaints— revealing “a large volume,” sufficient to begin the investigation.

They are asking customers to chime in if they have a noteworthy experience…

The Commerce Department posted notice of the investigation on Monday, and is asking customers of Frontier who have experienced problems with the company’s service quality, customer service, or billing practices to submit comments on their experiences to the state by May 25, at 4:30 p.m. …

Members of the public have three options for commenting on their experiences with Frontier, including:

  • Submitting comments through the Speak Up! function on the home page of the PUC’s website at mn.gov/puc. From there click on Open for Comment, which will provide a list of the dockets open for public comment. Look for docket number 18-122.

  • Email comments to consumer.puc@state.mn.us, and reference the docket number, 18-122.

Write a letter to the Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101. Remember to include the docket number in your correspondence.

I contacted Frontier and here is their response…

Frontier is committed to our customers in Minnesota and is working with the Public Utilities Commission to resolve this matter. We strive to address billing issues and service complaints promptly, whether they come to us directly or through the Commission. In addition, Frontier has implemented a number of billing software updates and process improvements over the past months and will continue to do so throughout 2018.  We will also continue to collaborate with the PUC to satisfy requests for more information and to ensure that complaints are resolved promptly and correctly.

AT&T recognizes Minneapolis efforts to streamline 5G deployment

Posted on by
Reply

RCR Wireless News reports…

AT&T has said that 5G networks will rely on dense networks of small cells, and the carrier has also said that it will launch mobile 5G in 12 U.S. markets this year. It isn’t saying which markets those will be, but it has dropped a hint by publicly praising three U.S. cities that have paved the way for small cells.

Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Little Rock, AK were singled out by AT&T for “the adoption and implementation of processes and cost structures that facilitate small cell deployment.” Joan Marsh, AT&T’s EVP for regulatory and state external affairs, said these three cities are all “leaning with us into the next generation of technologies.”

Here’s what they said about Minneapolis…

Minneapolis is also a 5G Evolution test market, and AT&T has plans to install about 115 small cell nodes there. The state of Minnesota passed a small cell law in 2017 that established a 90-day process for cities to issue or deny small cell permits and set a statewide $150 per year small cell pole attachment rate, with an additional $25 per year maintenance fee.

Minnesota and Indiana are among a handful of states that have adopted small cell legislation. Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, and Virgina have also passed laws to facilitate small cell deployments.

The article doesn’t mention the impact of the Superbowl. I recall that AT&T mentioned 122 additional or enhanced cell sites in Minneapolis (St Paul and Bloomington) in the last year in preparation for the game. The good news is that infrastructure is here to say; they only deployed 10 temporary cells on wheels.

It doesn’t necessarily help rural areas but nice to see Minneapolis at the top of the list!

Ely uses feasibility study to come up with better broadband scenarios for the community

Posted on by
Reply

The Institute for Local Self Reliance (MunitNetworks) reports…

Last fall, the northern Minnesota community of Ely took up a feasibility study to determine the possibilities of better connectivity with publicly owned Internet infrastructure. They also wanted to explore local interest in investment. After conducting a survey and reviewing the situation, local officials are contemplating moving ahead with two pilot projects.

They outline the results of a recent community survey…

As anticipated, residents and businesses who took the survey revealed that 94 percent of local residents and 98 percent of business owners want improved connectivity in Ely. Jack Maytum, senior broadband analyst for Design Nine, relayed that approximately 400 residents and 60 local business owners completed the survey. The community chose Design Nine to complete the feasibility study.

From the residents who took the survey, only nine percent have connections that meet the FCC definition of broadband — 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload.

Forty-four percent of the people answering the survey purchase DSL Internet access and 27 percent subscribe to cable service.

Forty-eight percent of those who completed the survey said that they have the type of Internet access they have because they have “no other option.” If the Ely community had better competition, for companies and types of services, they might not need to engage in a feasibility study or consider a publicly owned option, but like many rural communities, large national providers are investing elsewhere.

Twenty-three percent of respondents consider themselves self-employed or describe their employment as full-time or part-time from home. In places like Ely, where upload speeds are not robust, entrepreneurs with home bases have a difficult time if their businesses require connectivity. For many businesses today, the ability to send information to colleagues online is a necessity and a fast, reliable connection is critical to everyday business.

Subsequently, they are looking at a few options – like starting with the downtown area…

One of the pilot projects community leaders are now considering is a fiber loop around the downtown area. Community leaders want to help existing businesses and attract new growth. At this early stage, Design Nine and the city are working on cost estimates, but Ely leaders have expressed that better broadband is a priority.

Another focuses on residential areas…

The pilot project for residential service may take on a public-private flavor. One of the early suggestions is that the city invest in fixed wireless equipment and towers and fiber at two local lakes that are outside of city limits. They would own the infrastructure and lease it to a private sector Internet Service Provider (ISP) to offer fixed wireless services to the homes around the area.

Rep Walz’s staff learn about broadband needs in Faribault

Posted on by
4

The Faribault County Register reports…

Syrjamaki and Kjeseth [staff for Rep Walz] also met with Bevcomm CEO Bill Eckles and director of government relations James Beattie during their tour of Blue Earth.

Eckles and Beattie informed the group of representatives of the growing need for broadband service within rural communities. Eckles explained how high-speed Internet access can help expand the economy in rural areas.

“When you’re talking about the potential to retain younger generations, you seemingly can’t have that conversation without touching on the issues of broadband,” Eckles explained. “Broadband opens up a town like Frost or Kiester to the world. This benefits not only the local economy, but the global economy as well.”

Efforts to serve rural customers presents its own set of obstacles. Beattie cited the large distances between broadband users in remote areas as a major hurdle in getting service out to Bevcomm customers.

However, Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program has helped companies like Bevcomm serve these kinds of customers. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $26 million in grants were awarded to 39 broadband projects statewide.

“That is the difference between making these projects economically viable,” Beattie said.

“If we’ve got three to four customers per square mile in some of the more remote areas, the investment of time in trying to get there makes it difficult,” he added.

Rep Layman optimistic for the legislative session and interested in broadband

Posted on by
Reply

The Citizen Tribune reports that Representative Sandy Layman is optimistic …

The 2018 Minnesota Legislature opens at noon Tuesday, Feb. 20, and Rep. Sandy Layman (R-Cohasset) is optimistic that work between now and session end on May 21 will be off to a good start building off what she believes were big wins last year.

And thinking about broadband…

Personally, Layman wants to put together a bipartisan coalition to leverage more broadband dollars.

“Legislative leaders are hopeful for a budget surplus, but we won’t know with certainty until the forecast comes out later this month. If there is a surplus, broadband expansion in Greater Minnesota is near the top of my list.”

Although the Legislature passed a large bonding bill last year, Layman says 2018 could also be a bonding year. A number of projects from Deer River to Cohasset to Grand Rapids are looking for bonding support.

“I anticipate a good deal of discussion about the size and scope of such a bill,” she added.

Layman expects to be spending most of her weekdays in St. Paul until adjournment in May. For constituents to stay informed of what the Legislature is working on, Layman suggests signing up for weekly session updates at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/5b.

Community Network Map through a Minnesota lens

Posted on by
Reply

The Institute for Local Self Reliance maintains a Community Network Map – a map of the variety of ways in which local governments have invested in wired telecommunications networks. Those ways include:

  • publicly owned FTTH citywide network
  • publicly owned cable network reaching most or all of the community
  • some publicly owned fiber service available to parts of the community (often a business district)
  • publicly owned dark fiber available
  • publicly owned network offering at least 1 gigabit services
  • served by rural electric cooperatives

You can get a look at coverage one their map (copied) on the right. (The map on their site is interactive.) They were kind enough to send me a list of Minnesota communities listed, which I’m happy to share. (Have to admit, I wasn’t able to post in spreadsheet as I wanted so feel free to contact me if you want a better format.)

Quick breakdown:

  • There are four publicly owned FTTH citywide networks. Lake Connections serves three communities. Monticello Fiber and Windomnet each serves one. SMBS serves eight communities.
  • There’s one publicly owned cable network  – Bagley Public Utilities in Bagley MN
  • There are seven providers serving some publicly owned fiber service available to parts of the community.
  • Two counties with dark fiber available. CarverLink serves 10 communities. Scott County Fiber Network serves seven communities
  • There are two rural electric cooperatives. RS Fiber serves 10 communities. True North serves four communities.

Man Sets Up His Own 4G Antenna, In Order To Get Broadband To His Remote Farm

Posted on by
Reply

I’m looking up something else and I found this video that I had to share!

Here’s the description from YouTube…

Living on a farm nestled in a remote area of Salisbury Plain, Richard Guy had battled for years with an unbearably slow internet signal. But the 60-year-old farmer decided enough was enough and resolved to take on telecoms giant BT and find an alternative source. Mr Guy noticed that his mobile phone’s 4G signal – a wireless internet connection – was significantly faster than the broadband link provided by BT to his home, but he needed to find a way to route the signal to his farmhouse. So the savvy father-of-two built his own makeshift wooden telephone mast, on which he set up a 4G adaptor inside a toolbox.

Ely is looking at their feasibility study and making a broadband plan

Posted on by
Reply

The Ely Echo reports…

Armed with survey results showing significant demand for better and faster internet service, Ely city officials are pondering a major step forward.
They’re considering a pilot project to bring high-speed “broadband” service to the downtown corridor and some rural areas, including to properties on Shagawa and Burntside lakes.
The project comes on the heels of surveys showing 94 percent of area residents and 98 percent of local business owners want better internet data service.
Jack Maytum, senior broadband analyst for Design Nine, outlined the pilot project with council members Tuesday during their city economic development authority meeting.
In the talking stages for at least a year, the pilot project is the next step in the city’s quest to enhance high-speed internet options in the area for both business owners and residents and comes in the midst of the city’s involvement in a broadband program sponsored by the Blandin Foundation.

Cost estimates for the initiative are being developed for a project that would apparently involve a fiber loop along Sheridan Street from Third Avenue West to 12th Avenue East. A number thrown out in an earlier meeting this week had a cost of $750,000 for pole work.
A second pilot project would include placing wireless internet towers that would serve Burntside and Shagawa lakes. One tower would be at Sandy Point for the north shore of Shagawa, with another near Schaefer Road to point to the north side of Burntside.
City officials say they would look for Midco, Frontier or somebody else to provide the services
“The city could own the fiber and lease it out to somebody else,” said Harold Langowski, the city’s clerk-treasurer and operations director.
The group is still a month away from putting figures on paper. Langowski said the next steps could including an RFP for broadband partners to provide service and city would go after funding to get the fiber loop constructed and put up the 70 to 80 foot poles for the wireless service.

Getting a feasibility study is a good first step for many communities looking to improve broadband in their area. Here’s some of what Ely learned…

Some of the notable results of the residential survey included:
• 94 percent wanted better internet service;
• 93 percent said internet service is very important to their household;
• Regarding current internet service, 44 percent have DSL connections and 27 percent have cable modems;
• 48 percent have the type of internet service they currently do “because there is no other option;”
• 90 percent of households that completed the survey have just one or two persons in the household;
• 40 percent spend between $75 and $150 per month for television, phone and internet service excluding cell phones, and 36 percent pay over $150 per month;
• Just over a third (35 percent) pay between $41 and $60 per month for internet;
• 36 percent have five or six devices (smart phones, iPads, etc.) in their household;
• 80 percent reported having problems with playing videos and 75 percent have trouble when another person in the household is using internet service;
• Only nine percent of the people have the definition of broadband service, which is listed at 25 mbs of download time.
• Most use internet service for accessing news, social networks, banking and shopping;
• Nearly half of the respondents – 45 percent – would be willing to pay $40 to $80 per month more for faster service;
• 23 percent described themselves as self-employed either working full-time or part-time from home.
Among business owners who responded, 92 percent expressed dissatisfaction with current service and 98 percent said they needed better data service.

Fiber Connect June 4-6 in Nashville: See you there to talk broadband?

Posted on by
Reply

Much as I love trips to the hinterlands of Minnesota (and I do!) I’m kind of excited to be heading to Nashville for the Fiber Connect conference June 4-6. Sure the snow here will probably be melted by then – but sessions look as good as the weather.

I will be there with Bill Coleman to talk about our report featuring Minnesota communities that have done well with broadband – Measuring Impact of Broadband in 5 Rural MN Communities. Here’s the rest of the conference (from their website)…

Your company’s priorities might differ from your colleagues, but in the end, we all strive for the same things: reliable, profitable networks, efficiently deployed, that deliver ultra-high-speed services to satisfied customers.

Join us for the 2018 Fiber Connect to discover solutions to your business issues and successfully reach your goals.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Learn from industry experts and seasoned network operators as they share best practices for overcoming deployment challenges and monetizing your networks. Sessions are categorized into four education tracks, each covering a variety of topics to connect you with the content you need.

EDUCATION TRACKS
Business
• E-Rate Funding
• Service Delivery
• User Impact
• Value of Fiber
• Video Service Options
• Marketing and Public Relations
Engineering
• Network Design
• Plant Management
• Evolution of the Central Office and Data Centers Operations
• Installation Service and Maintenance
• Fiber Certification
• Pole Attachment
• Video Service Options
Fiber Broadband Starter Kit
• Funding Network
• Personnel
• Establishing Partnerships

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supports broadband

Posted on by
Reply

It’s not a big mention but The Worthington Globe reports…

The Chamber also reiterated its support for more and better workforce housing, child care, early childhood education and broadband.

Is slow broadband hurting your chance for a BWCA permit?

Posted on by
Reply

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the U.S. Forest Service is changing our they issue permits for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA)….

The rule change by the U.S. Forest Service will put the scarce permits up for grabs on a first-come basis starting next January. Last year, 12,500 applications were made for 3,500 permits. The permits allow boats powered with 25-horsepower (or less) motors to enter two separate bays of Basswood Lake and a couple of neighboring lakes.

Some outfitters in the Ely area resent the change, saying it will hurt their businesses and disadvantage people who are not equipped with high-speed internet. On the annual “go live’’ date, prospective permit buyers will be poised at their personal electronic devices with credit cards in hand. Starting at 9 a.m. Central time they’ll try to make a reservation through http://www.recreation.gov.

“If we hit a button at the same time, I lose,’’ said BWCA outfitter Bob LaTourelle, who works northeast of Ely in an area with undependable internet service.

Under the old system, motor lottery applications could be made via computer without deadline pressure throughout a four-week period. Winners would be notified by mid-February. Prospective visitors could submit as many applications as desired. Moreover, qualified outfitters could make applications on behalf of confirmed clients — an option no longer available in the first-come, first-served system.

Some of us know this tried and true method with TicketMaster sales.It’s just another example of the advantages of broadband!

Broadband and Cooperatives: A Winning Strategy for Minnesota

Posted on by
Reply

Last week a group met to talk about the potential role of cooperatives in bringing broadband to unserved rural areas. Minnesota has always done well with public private partnerships as a tool to expand broadband. There were several cooperative providers in the room, cooperatives who wanted to learn more and potential partners.

We started with a conversation on why Cooperatives and Broadband make sense

  • Members trust their cooperatives
  • Staff member have relationships with members
  • Customer/billing system in place
  • Fleet in place
  • Aerial infrastructure
  • Managed conservatively (cash available)
  • Allowance for longer payback periods
  • Relationship with financial institutions
  • Smart Grid and other internal communications
  • Cooperatives used to work toward reliability and growth. Growth has slowed, which may be an issue in being sustainable so maybe it’s a god time for electric to look at broadband especially if there are partnerships.

Then attendees heard from a number of people – here are the presentations below.

MN Office of Broadband Development Update Q1 2018

SmartGrid Broadband from Barry Electric

CAF II Case Study from Bill Coleman

Broadband Via Cooperatives – Electric and Telecom Partnerships from CNS

Wireless to the rescue? The pros and cons of fixed wireless

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been hearing a lot about wireless lately – especially fixed wireless. It started last week with the Minnesota Broadband Task Force presentation from LTD, then a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune asking if fixed wireless might help close the connectivity gap.

Fixed wireless is part of a solution but not a rescue for all needs. As the Star Tribune article points out, the cost of fixed wireless is a big benefit…

But the best part of fixed wireless internet may be its cost. Nelson said fiber optic lines cost about $20,000 a mile to install. That’s a big expense. But instead of running fiber lines to individual houses, Woodstock Communications’ strategy is to run them to a wireless tower, and then use a radio signal to deliver the wireless internet to homes.

With that approach, Nelson said, his company can connect homes to the internet with wireless at a tenth of the cost of fiber.

Fixed wireless is certainly better than what many rural Minnesotans can access now. Here is a sampling of speeds and prices being offered now:

Woodstock lists monthly speeds and prices at the following:

  • 5 Mbps $49.95
  • 10 Mbps $69.95
  • 20 Mbps $99.99
  • 50 Mbps $129.95
    I assume these are download speeds.

LTD Wireless lists monthly speeds and prices:

  • 3 Mbps down and .5 up $35
  • 6 Mbps down and 1 up $55
  • 10 Mbps down and 2 up $75

RS Fiber monthly costs:

  • 25 Mbps down & up $39.95
  • 50 Mbps down and 25 Mbps up $52.95

MVTV Wireless costs:

  • Up to 1.5 Mbps $49.95/month
  • Up to 2.5 Mbps $59.95/month
  • Up to 5.0 Mbps $69.95/month
  • Up to 10.0 Mbps $74.95/month **available in select areas only
  • Up to 25.0 Mbps $99.95/month **available in select areas only
    I assume these are download speeds.

Each provider offers at least one service with speeds that meet the 2022 speed goals of 25/3 but not the 2026 goals of 100/20. Fixed wireless can be a good stepping stone to getting to 100/20. When a provider brings fiber to the tower, it helps expand infrastructure and builds a base of customers. It’s good for a business plan and a provider may have some customers that never need more. In a meeting in Litchfield yesterday I heard someone say – they were happy to work with fixed wireless providers to meet the needs of citizens today but they recognize that it’s not future proof. The challenge is balancing the variety of needs with cost. Something worth considering is that home-based businesses, teleworkers, online students will be bigger users – but they may also be attractive residents for a rural community. To attract and retain them you need adequate broadband.

There are some drawbacks to fixed wireless. Fixed Wireless requires line of sight. So it works well in Western Minnesota – where it’s flat and pretty treeless. ( Wind turbines may interfere at times.)  It will work less well in NW Minnesota. Fiber is faster and more reliable – so when it comes to creating a statewide plan I think we need to recognize that difference and be prudent in considering long-term equitable solutions.

Mid-Minnesota Regional Roundtable on Broadband – filling the gaps for today and tomorrow

Posted on by
Reply

Continuing the regional tour of broadband discussion with Bill Coleman with a stop in Litchfield today to talk with the Mid-Minnesota Region. There were 20-25 people in the room including Representatives Dave Baker and Dean Urdahl and Chuck Ackman from Senator Klobuchar’s office and Jackie Anderson from Representative Peterson. We heard about broadband efforts in the area – including Kandiyohi (the old timer) and Meeker County (with a newly minted feasibility study in hand).

Kandiyohi spoke about some of their frustration getting the stars to align for their border to border grant was awarded. The quick version is that between application and award interest rates increased, other local providers started beefing up their connections and they were short of time to get local residents signed up for the service in advance as required by the providers. (They singed up but not necessarily with deposit.) Meeker County is excited but they realize that part of their challenge will be to get residents and local businesses to look to their future broadband needs.

Attendees recognized the need to plan for multiple technologies. As someone put it, fixed wireless is a great solution for getting people broadband today but it’s not future proof. But for a community like Kandiyohi, it will extend fiber into the area and for a community like Meeker, it will get people online and build demand.

Introductions – Continue reading →