Monthly Archives: July 2018

Catching up with broadband projects in Chisholm MN: Hotspots everywhere, connected Discovery Center, portal, and hopes for the schools

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Back on the road, today we’re in Chisholm talking with people about their broadband projects.  They have been part of a project (IRBC) with the Blandin Foundation and IRRRB focused on increasing use of broadband in the area. I’ll include full notes below – but a couple of highlights…

Around Chisholm, kids can spend hours on the bus. Hotspots on the buses have been a treat for the students and maybe even more so for the drivers. They recently unveiled an area portal that features a shared calendar and social media feeds from various partners. They upgraded connectivity st the Discovery Center. And it was fun to hear about big plans for remote classes in the school.  Continue reading →

Webinar July 19 – Leveraging CAF II Dollars to Bring World-Class Broadband to your Community

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Bill Coleman will talk about all you need to know about CAF II and how it effects your community based on his recent report, Impact of CAF II-funded Networks: Lessons from Two Rural Minnesota Exchanges Left Unserved.

Leveraging CAF II Dollars to Bring World-Class Broadband to your Community
Thursday, July 19, 2018 03:00 PM
Register now!

The CAF II program is designed to spur broadband development in unserved, high-cost rural areas and will infuse $2 billion into broadband projects that make service of at least 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload available to more than 3.6 million homes and businesses across America by 2020. To date, four companies (CenturyLink, Consolidated Communications, Frontier Communications, and Windstream Communications) in rural Minnesota have received funding to bring Internet service to 170,355 rural homes and businesses.

Using GIS base maps and a GPS-enabled camera, lead researcher Bill Coleman of Mahtomedi-based Community Technology Advisors, conducted field research to identify CAF II-funded broadband equipment in two rural Minnesota communities, Lindstrom and Braham, MN.

After mapping available speeds to end customers based on their distance from the broadband-fed equipment, Coleman found that, even after CAF II investment, the majority of land within these two exchanges will have access to speeds less that Minnesota’s 2022 state broadband goal of 25/3 mbps. These improvements will fall severely short of Minnesota’s 2026 goal of 100/20 mbps.

So what does that mean for your community? Join the conversation to find out.

Free Webinar – : Statewide Strategies for Rural Digital Inclusion – July 18

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Looks like something that might interest some readers…

You are invited to join NTIA’s BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar:

 Topic: Statewide Strategies for Rural Digital Inclusion

 

Date:   Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Time:  2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET

 

Overview: This month, the BroadbandUSA webinar will focus on statewide strategies to promote broadband adoption and use in rural communities. Speakers will highlight the role of state governments, libraries and university extension programs in planning and executing these strategies. The speakers will also discuss the role of broadband adoption in rural economic and workforce development, as well as approaches to facilitate broadband use and improve digital skills.

 

Speakers:

 

  • Rachel Welborn, Associate Director, Southern Rural Development Center
  • Amy Huffman, Research and Policy Specialist, The Broadband Infrastructure Office, North Carolina Department of Information Technology
  • Susan McVey, Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries
  • Moderator: Emy Tseng, Senior Program Specialist, BroadbandUSA, NTIA

Please pre-register for the webinar using this registration link.   After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Want to access past Practical Broadband Conversations webinars? Visit our webinar archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.

Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC) speaks eloquently on need for rural broadband

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The Aitkin Age wrote about the USDA/Farmers Foundation meeting I attended last month. They focused on comments from CEO of Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), Brian Zelenak…

The electric and telephone cooperatives teamed up and received a $1.7 million Border-to-Border project grant in 2017 from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development for a project in southern Aitkin County.

The grant has been used to install fiber from MLEC headquarters in Aitkin, past about 800 homes, ending at MLEC’s Spirit Lake substation. Approximately 400 members are signed up and 180 members are connected at speeds up to 1 Gig up/1 Gig down, which accounts for close to a 50 percent take rate. This is significant, Zelenak explained, because 45 percent of MLEC’s 15,000 members are seasonal.

“Aitkin County has the highest senior citizen rate of any county in Minnesota,” Zelenak said. “Keeping our aging population in their homes longer through the use of telemedicine will increase their quality of life and reduce their exodus to neighboring cities and towns.”

MLEC recognizes the importance of high speed internet service so its rural members have access to the same educational opportunities for children and adults wanting to further their education and training.

“Rural school children are at a competitive disadvantage when trying to get into colleges and trade schools,” Zelenak said.

Lack of sufficient high speed internet also hinders opportunities for increased economic development and jobs for rural communities.

“High speed internet access is a deal breaker for those working from home or starting a home-based business, and for manufacturing companies or other businesses to locate here,” Zelenak said. “Economic development does not exist without high speed internet access.”

According to Zelenak, broadband is as transformative to rural communities today as electricity was 80 years ago. “MLEC does not see rural Minnesota growing and prospering without the basics, and the basics are becoming good internet access.”

Forget dig once – what about gluing fiber to the road

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I think this is a fascinating idea – using super sonic glue to “lay fiber” to save money. It’s being piloted now…

The city’s pilot project, which began in May 2017, is one of the first for a startup based in the greater Washington, D.C., area called Traxyl (stylized as TRAXyL). The company has patented methods to adhere fiber cables to hard surfaces using substances that should protect them from basically anything, from weather to 50-ton excavators.

The company’s still working out the exact formula it will use for the resin coatings, but central to the process is methyl methacrylate. Usually called MMA, road-managing agencies — more in Europe than the U.S. — typically use the stuff as a hardier version of paint for traffic markings. Sellers market it as an alternative that can stand up to abuse in colder climes. Some use it as a quick option for installing new floors.

They have a video on how it works…

How much is it?

“Our costs aren’t identified yet because we’re not at scale, we’re still a small startup, but we’re thinking about costs of $5 a foot and even lower with scale,” said Daniel Turner, Traxyl’s founder and CEO. “Trenching can be anywhere from $15 to $300 per foot, depending on what obstacles you’re getting into.”

I look forward to hearing how it goes. I live in St Paul. We have pot holes. Not sure how that factors in. Again – look forward to hearing more.

Institute for Local Self Reliance takes note of CAF 2 report

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The Institute for Local Self Reliance takes note of the Blandin CAF 2 report…

The Connect America Fund provides annual federal funding to some of the largest telecommunications providers, but it can be hard for local officials to know where these dollars go.

A recent report digs deep into the federal subsidies for Internet service in Minnesota. Researcher Bill Coleman of Community Technology Advisors led a Blandin Foundation project that explored how federal Connect America Fund dollars have been used in two Minnesota telephone exchanges. In the end, researchers found that these networks would likely not meet Minnesota’s state connectivity goals.

FCC seeking to establish a new $100 million “Connected Care Pilot Program”

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The FCC announced an interest in telehealth funding…

Today, in an op-ed with Senator Roger Wicker, Commissioner Brendan Carr announced that the FCC will seek to establish a new $100 million “Connected Care Pilot Program” to support telehealth for low-income Americans, especially those living in rural areas and veterans.

Here are some of the specifics…

The FCC will vote on a Notice of Inquiry at its August Open Meeting that seeks comment on:
• Budgeting for $100 million in USF support
• Targeting support to connected care deployments that would benefit low-income patients, including those eligible for Medicaid or veterans receiving cost-free medical care
• Supporting a limited number of projects over a two- or three-year period with controls in place to measure and verify the benefits, costs, and savings associated with connected care deployments

CTEP’s 2018 Civic Engagement Presentations – Aug 3 in St Paul MN

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This is one of my favorite events for learning about some innovative digital inclusion projects. I hope to be there, taking notes…

Every year our CTEP AmeriCorps members choose civic engagement projects that make a contribution to bridging the digital divide. Please join us on Friday, August 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, where our members will share their accomplishments and struggles in creating community change through their projects. Feel free to swing by earlier for informal networking starting at 9 a.m; bagels and coffee will be served.

The Saint Paul Neighborhood Network’s AmeriCorps program, the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for immigrant communities, low-income residents and persons with disabilities in the Twin Cities. AmeriCorps members help youth and adults use technology to access social, civic, educational and economic opportunities.

PLEASE Register Here 

Read more about what CTEP members did in their 2018 Civic Engagement Projects:

Naturally Bridging the Digital Divide
Conducted a week-long day camp focusing on urban agriculture and media skills. Introduced youth to the technology in urban farming as well as expand their knowledge of food sources in the Twin Cities, and then provided a platform for youth to share their experiences through digital storytelling.
Community Partners: SparkY, University of Minnesota Cornercopia Organic Farm

Broadband in Minneapolis: Closing the Digital Divide
Created a short documentary and recommendations for equitable fiber internet access in Minneapolis through meetings with city officials, private internet providers, and other key stakeholders.
Community Partners: Various

CTEP Resource Consolidation
Overhauled CTEP’s internal online information structure, with the goal of streamlining and updating online resources onto SPNN’s website for the benefit of CTEP members and participants alike.
Community Partner:  SPNN

Saving Cents with Sense
Provided a series of short classes on various digital financial concepts, such as using Microsoft Excel and checking credit scores online. The workshops sought to educate those who may not have benefitted from personal finance classes or a financial mentor.
Community Partners: Volunteers of America, Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning

Field Testing Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments
Assisted in the redesign of the Northstar Digital Literacy assessments and engaged in field testing with local community members. Students at CTEP sites gave valuable user feedback for the  development team.
Community Partner: Northstar Digital Literacy Project

Re-Entering the Digital World: Computers for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Taught a series of computer classes to formerly incarcerated adults at Amicus, an organization that provides resources for people recently exiting the correctional system.
Community Partner: Amicus

Diversity and Inclusion in CTEP AmeriCorps
Began developing a diversity and inclusion framework for CTEP AmeriCorps to increase diversity and inclusion. Conducted focus groups with CTEP alumni to identify D&I strengths and weaknesses, and to get input towards a nascent advisory board.
Community Partner: SPNN, CTEP Alumni

The Rondo History Preservation Project
Worked with the Hallie Q. Brown Center in St. Paul to record and preserve oral histories regarding the historic Rondo neighborhood, and conducted media training for staff to be able to carry on the work.
Community Partner: Hallie Q. Brown Center

Consolidated Communications Boosts Broadband Speeds in Southern Minnesota

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Latest news from Consolidated Communications…

Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider, today announced the availability of increased broadband speeds in the company’s southern Minnesota service area.  Residents can now choose from a variety of plans with connections up to 80 Mbps, all competitively priced.

“We are constantly investing in the communities we serve and are excited to offer increased speeds in the greater Mankato area,” said Mark Sharpless, manager of network engineering at Consolidated Communications. “As people have more and more devices and the Internet of Things becomes an essential part of everyday life, we have made delivering faster speeds and reliable connections to our customers a top priority.”

Consolidated Communications’ high-speed Internet services include no data caps and a free wifi router, all backed by local customer service. The new broadband packages can be bundled with Consolidated’s Digital TV and voice services to provide even greater savings.

Increased speeds are available within the following communities: Mankato, North Mankato, Amboy, Cambria, Eagle Lake, Ellendale, Faribault, Garden City, Good Thunder, Janesville, Lake Crystal, Madison Lake, Mapleton, New Richland, Nicollet, Pemberton, St. Clair, St. Peter, Vernon Center and Waseca.

 

Catching up with broadband projects in Hibbing MN: digital marketing, connectivity through the libraries and community center

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Spent the morning in HIbbing talking with people about their broadband projects.  They have been part of a project (IRBC) with the Blandin Foundation and IRRRB focused on increasing use of broadband in the area. I’ll include full notes below – but a couple of highlights…

  • Working on fiber to community building
  • Digital marketing consulting with local businesses
  • Connectivity through the libraries
  • Tech fair for kids
  • PCS for people

Continue reading →

Catching up with broadband projects in Ely MN: Feasibility study, digital marketing, coworking and Elyite website

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Spent yesterday afternoon in Ely talking with people about their broadband projects. (It is actually cool up  here – so very nice!) They have been part of a project (IRBC) with the Blandin Foundation and IRRRB focused on increasing use of broadband in the area. I’ll include full notes below – but a couple of highlights…

  • The have made a big push with digital marketing – classes and consulting
  • Their feasibility study has raised some opportunities and options for partnership
  • They have a new website to recruit new Elyites – filled with fun videos.
  • They have a new coworking space – open only a month and they have 12 members!

Continue reading →

Catching up with broadband projects in Cook MN: classes, hotspot checkout and library programming

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There were 15 people in the room this morning in Cook where it seems like building an ark would make as much sense as talking about broadband. They have been part of a project (IRBC) with the Blandin Foundation and IRRRB focused on increasing use of broadband in the area. I’ll include full notes below – but a couple of highlights…

  • The library has a point system for teens that engage in the library (volunteer, check out books…). If you get enough points you get to an overnight at the library – taking advantage of broadband there.
  • The town halls are connected and offer wifi. People take advantage of it.
  • They are looking at classes on broadband as a home security tool.

Continue reading →

Submit your nomination now for the 2019 Intelligent Community Awards!

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It would be nice to see some Minnesota communities in the mix for the Intelligent Community Awards…

Nominations are currently open for the 2019 Intelligent Community Awards. Communities qualifying for the Smart21, Top7 or Intelligent Community of the Year become part of a global working group of regions, cities and towns organized by ICF, a group that currently includes over 170 members. They also receive media coverage, investment inquiries and independent validation of their community’s progress as they strive to keep their best people “home.”

There is no cost to submit a nomination. The deadline to nominate a community is September 21, 2018.

Click here to learn more and submit your nomination.

MN Broadband Task Force July Meeting: MN broadband reports & draft Task Force report

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Today the Task Force met to hear from the Minnesota Broadband Coalition on their recommendations for the Legislature, from the USDA and the potential of the $600 million in federal broadband funding from Bill Coleman on deployment of federal funding (CAF 2) and the impact on reaching Minnesota broadband speed goals and I talked about the community benefits of public investment in broadband.

Also, the discussed their final report – starting with a draft each committee contributed to individually. The next meeting with be September 6.

Continue reading →

Broadband isn’t just about doing things faster – it’s about things like driverless cars but only where there is broadband

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Broadband used to just help us do things faster. We could send files faster. Maybe it saved us a trip to Target when we could order online. But now, broadband lets us do different things – like work from home, take classes online or remotely check in on health issues. But the differences are about to take an even greater leap forward.

Smart Cities Dive reccently wrote about the potentnial (and different) impact of driverless cars in urban and rural areas…

But unless things change dramatically, this polarization is not at its zenith; it’s just beginning. The next step in this digital and economic evolution is the coming autonomous vehicle (AV) economy, where in the coming decades the combination of sharing, electrification and autonomous driving technologies will be genuinely transformational, affecting all aspects of the economy from transportation to real estate prices, taxation, education and future employment.

For cities, the business case and transformation path for the AV economy is easy enough to see. Driving and parking is expensive and difficult. Commuting from the suburbs is time-consuming and often dangerous. High density urban areas have a growing number of young and elderly happy to ride share and forgo having cars altogether.

Supported by powerful and reliable gigabyte-level broadband services and a plethora of high-quality fixed wireless and mobile phone providers, cities are scrambling to embrace the AV movement, with more than 50 metropolitan areas already hosting AV pilot programs.

The business and use case for small town and rural communities is obviously different, but in many ways stronger. After all, one major advantage of autonomous vehicles is that they are safer.

Rural drivers struggle with high speeds, longer distances and poorer roads and signage — with a crash fatality rate nearly three times as high as that in cities. And as rural populations continue to age, many of the critical services – shopping, visiting the doctor, or simply getting out of the house to visit friends and family — can all be enhanced with shared use and self-driving vehicles.

Possibly the most important benefit of AV technologies in rural areas is that they maintain a connection — an economic lifeline — through extended corridors of AV service to large cities and enterprise zones and transportation hubs. And it works both ways. Consumers will want their autonomous cars to travel beyond the city borders, and the idea of AVs being limited exclusively to our cities and suburbs only increases the urban vs. rural economic and political divide.

In short, smart towns are just as important as smart cities, and the transitional nature of the AV economy could go a long way to including “flyover” America in the growing economic prosperity of our booming cities and enterprise zones.