MN Broadband Task Force Meeting May 2021 Notes: Fixed Wireless & State
Demographer
MN Broadband Task Force heard from the State Demographer about how Minnesota is growing but at a slower rate than before. They also heard from fixed wireless providers who spoke about the advancements in service in southern and central Minnesota. They also mentioned the trouble with trees in Northern MN impacting wireless services.
Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)
The EBB is designed to offset monthly broadband subscription fees for low-income households. Unfortunately, some providers are using the opportunity to try to upsell customers who qualify for the subsidy. It has also inspired research on the average costs of broadband in the US ($1200) and folks have looked at how customers expense has grown faster than provider cost.
Rural Areas Need Broadband
The New Work Times reports that rural areas need broadband to attract rural workers. While the Bemidji Pioneer reports that rural areas need broadband to ensure that residents have access to tele-mental health.
State Policy Issues (in reverse chronological order)
- Legislators around Mankato are pleased to see broadband funding in MN Budget
- Wisconsin looks at $100 million for broadband; MN looks at $70 million
- Data highlights Digital Divide by localities across the Twin Cities
- MRBC Legislative Update: State Leaders Agree on $70 Million for Broadband
- MN Atty General and MN Commerce Commissioner ask MN Senate to keep phone companies’ obligation to serve
- 21 MN Cities are allocated ARP (federal) funding and broadband is allowable investment
- MRBC Legislative Update: Final Week of Session
- Minnesota ranks 33 with average broadband download speed of 81.1 Mbps
- Electric Coops could help close broadband gaps – especially with eased easement policies
- Areas in MN without access to 100Mbps and NO apparent potential for federal funding
Federal Policy Issues (in reverse chronological order)
- Minnesota voice on federal broadband call – “hiding in car with hotspot to do work online”
- US: GOP Unveils $20 Billion Broadband Infrastructure Bill for unserved households but to go to providers
- How might the feds pay for infrastructure? Tax audits!
- American Recovery Plan funding for Digital Inclusion and computers
- US Rep. Michelle Fischbach supports broadband
- Digging into broadband funding in American Rescue Plan; we’re still building a have vs have not world
- Senator Klobuchar working on broadband portion of Pres Biden’s infrastructure bill
Impact of COVID-19
- Student Home Connectivity Study: how students do homework in 13 rural, urban and suburban school districts
- Access and Impacts Report: tracking Internet Essentials customers before the pandemic
- 2020 increases need for mental health services; telehealth helps meet the need
- Telehealth is here to stay in rural Minnesota
- Broadband in US is good but expensive according to reports
- Mental Health Telehealth Visits increase by 2,515 percent during pandemic
Vendor News
- Lumen responds to AG’s request to Senators continue phone companies obligation to serve
- Charter waves a red flag on RDOF results based on map inaccuracies
- So what’s Starlink satellite really like? One user reports in
Local Broadband News
Cass and Crow Wing County
Better broadband planned for Cass and Crow Wing County
Chisago Lakes
Chisago Lakes surveys show that more than 60 percent not happy with broadband speed or reliability
Cook County
Cook County on top of COVID and broadband helps
Ely and Little Falls
CTC works with Ely and Little Falls to bring fiber to local businesses
Harmony
Telehealth is one way to help mental health resources reach rural Minnesota
Hastings
HBC Brings 5 Gbps FTTP Residential Service to Hastings
Lewiston
New FirstNet Cell Site Launches in Lewiston to Support First Responders
Long Prairie
Long Prairie (MN) partners with CTC for FTTH
Miesville
HBC Expands Service Area in Miesville
North Branch
North Branch gets wireless with CARES funding and Genesis Wireless
St Louis County
People with disabilities need broadband for jobs; that’s 27,480 in St Louis County alone
St Paul
St Paul could use COVID money for better broadband
Wright County
Wright County asks residents to take time to do a broadband speed test
Mendota Heights
Broadband coverage in Mendota Heights varies drastically by zip code
Northeastern MN
New FirstNet Cell Sites Launch in Northeastern Minnesota to Support First Responders
Rochester
Mayo Clinic doctor says Digital Healthcare is Healthcare
Scott County
Scott County uses CARES funding for fixed wireless broadband
Twin Cities
St Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) gets grant to support digital inclusion in the Twin Cities
Yellow Medicine
Yellow Medicine County is getting more FTTH this Fall from Arvig
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT June 9: Lunch Bunch: Infrastructure
- EVENT June 23: Lunch Bunch: Digital Use & Equity
- OPPORTUNITY: Nominations now open for 2021 Unsung Hero Awards!
- OPPORTUNITY: Telecommunications Analyst Job MN Dep of Commerce
- OPPORTUNITY: Community Economic and Workforce Development Grants from Just Transition Fund
- A Guide to help libraries build telehealth centers
- Blandin Broadband Lunch Bunch Notes and Video
- MN DEED OBD Broadband Mapping Webinar archive is now online